Q: use by date for motor oil?

asked by on February 19, 2017

While cleaning out the garage, I discovered a case of engine oil, 10w40. It has likely been there for 15 years. Can it be safely used after sitting around that long?

Change Oil and Filter $103.58 - $181.08 Get a Quote

The shelf life of most conventional and synthetic motor oils is 5 years at most. The main constraint is the chemical change in, or deterioration of, the various synthesized compounds that make up the "additive package" in motor oil. YourMechanic offers oil and filter changes during mobile visits right to your location and you should certainly avail yourself of that service as the cost is lower and the service is much more personalized than at a shop or dealer. If you have additional concerns, don’t hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I unlock the doors with the wireless remote control?
Your vehicle can be unlocked with the wireless remote control system, so that you don’t have to use a key. To unlock the doors, press the unlock button (an image of an opened padlock) on your wireless remote control, while...
Exhaust leaking into cabin
Hi. First thing to note is you should not be getting exhaust gases into the cab through the a/c vents unless you have an engine that is leaking exhaust. My recommendation is to have your engine checked for exhaust leaks...
Car won't start
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Quite often when the vehicle runs out of gas, especially on electronic fuel injected vehicles, the fuel pump may not have the required pressure to deliver gasoline to the fuel rail. In most cases...
Fuel pump was replaced but it is still not working.
Hello. If the fuel pump is not coming on, and the fuse and relay are good, then it may be possible that there is a problem with the pump or the fuel pump circuit. The first thing I would do...
Coolant spraying everywhere under hood near engine block.
Hi there. If you're having a large amount of coolant spraying under the left side of the engine of your Honda Accord, it's most likely caused by a ruptured coolant line; possibly a bypass hose or the heater core hose....
The message comes on reduce engine power.
Hi there. The reduced engine power message could mean that something went wrong with the engine or transmission. There are multiple sensors and systems in the vehicle to cause this message to appear. Hook up a scanner to the computer...
Mazda3 not accelerating
At 200 thousand miles it could be just about anything. You didn't mention f the Check Engine Light is on, but If it is not on, it probably should be. Turn the key on without starting the engine, the CEL...
My car has no oil, the only oil I have available at the moment is 5w-30 but my car requires 5w-20 is it ok if I put it in? Will it
5W-30 is perfectly OK to use on this vehicle on a temporary basis. The only detriment, and it will be hard to detect without complex measuring equipment, is the higher viscosity 5W-30 technically creates "pumping losses" in the engine which...
I have a brand new starter installed in a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9l V8 magnum and it only clicks I have also replaced the relay wha
Hi Jasper. Thanks for contacting us tonight. There are several possible sources of this issue. The most common is the starter relay being damaged, but if you've replaced it, you can remove that from the equation. The second would be...

Related articles

Is it Safe to Drive With a Vacuum Leak?
A leak is the most common problem with the vacuum system. If the vacuum system in your vehicle is leaking, your vehicle...
How Long Does an ABS Control Module Last?
Most Most cars that are on the market today have ABS (Anti-lock Brake System). Each manufacturer’s system will vary somewhat, but generally speaking, this is a 4-wheel braking system that prevents your wheels from locking up by modulating the brake...
How to Insure a Car With Modifications
There There are a lot of reasons why vehicle owners may make customizations (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-customize-a-car) to a car, from getting a custom paint job to reflect a favored color to making internal tweaks to satisfy a need for speed. While cosmetic...