"Shelf Life" of Engine Oils

[Dusty]

I was under the impression that the "change oil" light was based on miles driven, not engine oil quality. How does the engine know what the quality of the oil is? As for lifter noise, I can understand that if the oil that you used was not proper for that engine. There might be some degradation of the oil quality from sitting in the can for 5 years, but I doubt that most engines would notice, unless the oil specification on the can was incorrect for the engine requirements. Some engines today require a zero W 40 weight oil, and if you put the wrong weight oil in, they will let you know by the strange sounds that they will produce when starting cold. Other than that, I don't know how your engine could tell it was old oil.
Dusty

 

[patrick_g]

Dusty, Your econobox's oil indicator might be based on time but in REAL CARS there are sensors that note the change of the oil over time and have a threshold that when passed gives the message. I'm not sure what technology they use, conductivity, opacity, or forward scattering of light or what but there are cars with oil condition sensors.

I have an optical sensor for my tractor. I pull the stick and put a drop between thumb and forefinger and eyeball it.

Pat

 

[hsdfcu]

I was under the impression that the "change oil" light was based on miles driven, not engine oil quality. How does the engine know what the quality of the oil is? As for lifter noise, I can understand that if the oil that you used was not proper for that engine. There might be some degradation of the oil quality from sitting in the can for 5 years, but I doubt that most engines would notice, unless the oil specification on the can was incorrect for the engine requirements. Some engines today require a zero W 40 weight oil, and if you put the wrong weight oil in, they will let you know by the strange sounds that they will produce when starting cold. Other than that, I don't know how your engine could tell it was old oil.
Dusty

It depenes on the car. Honda goes based on miles only. The GM is a lot smarter then that. way more. It goes by many things, miles is one, starts is another etc etc. Also uses basic algorithm to compute data. The GM is a pretty complex system.

 

[Dave01]

This is one of those subjects where it doesn't seem worth worrying about. I have some oil left over from season to season but never more than a year unless its a type I stopped using.

I buy a bit more than I need, or maybe enough for several changes, no more. Storing a bunch of oil to save 50 cents a quart doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Dusty]

I started to research how the oil change indicators work on the newer cars, but stopped when I came to a sight that was a BMW dealers. I marveled at how complex the BMW oil change system worked. I still can't get over the cost of changing oil in a newer BMW ....... $300 +!!! I guess that my older car has benefits I hadn't thought about.

 

[Doc_Bob]

We ran across a case of pennz oil 10w30 which was what I

How old? And maybe along with age it was not the right API?
Bob

 

[deere755]

I would say the oil was a least 3 years old. As for the change oil light in my Chevy Silverado the computer determines somehow how much the oil has broken down based on driving conditons. I have noticed if I am pulling a big load alot or using it in real dusty conditions it may not go 3000 miles before it comes on. For instance when we used it to pull anhydrous wagons down old dirt roads and out in the field it may come on at 2200 miles. If I am using it in normal conditions it may go 3000 miles and never come on. I change it at 3000 miles or when the light comes on, which ever comes first.

 

[Kaliburz]

Interesting.....

I buy my oil in 30 gallon drums. At it takes us at least 4 years to finish one off- maybe even 5. I have not noticed any difference in sound, performance between the first quart to the last out of a drum.

edit-
Somewhere, I have an old "can" of Penzoil...yes, you need that weird looking can puncher/spout thing to use it.....

 

[DieselPower]

Somewhere, I have an old "can" of Penzoil...yes, you need that weird looking can puncher/spout thing to use it.....

Don't get rid of it and don't punch a hole in it, it's worth something and getting more valuable all the time. Even the metal 3in1 oil cans made out of metal and Zippo & Ronsonol lighter fluid cans made out of metal are worth something now day's. They became instant collectibles when they started making the new containers out of plastic. My brother has that old oil can disease. Has two garage walls full of them. His most valuable 1 quart oil can is worth over a grand.

 

[dmccarty]

I know where there is a rusted out Esso oil can. I'll sell it to him for $789.89. I have not idea how long its been out in the woods. But i'm guessing since the place was last logged 70ish years ago? The can looks like its 2 quarts.

Later,
Dan