Engine oil: shelf life, choice, storage

Any motorist, and even more beginner, is interested in the question, what for his car to choose engine oil, shelf life, composition and other indicators. It is said that after the service life, oil, like any other product, loses those useful substances that it contains. This can cause direct damage to the engine of the car, and therefore it is necessary to strictly monitor that, on the one hand, do not use the expired product, and on the other, observe all the rules for its storage. From the article you will find out how long the engine oil is, how to store it and whether it can be used after the time indicated on the package by the manufacturer.

Right choice

The first thing that they pay attention to when they intend to purchase a product is its compliance with international quality standards. In view of the fact that the engines on the vehicles are installed differently, the requirements for them are also different from each other. Therefore, manufacturers in the instruction always indicate which is better to use motor oil.

The shelf life of different species may also be different. Oils for engines come in 3 types.

1. Mineral is the cheapest. However, in the winter season it will not be used, since only at twenty-five degrees of frost the motor will not be able to start.
2. Semisynthesis is obtained by mixing mineral and synthetic species. This is a more expensive option, but the quality compared with its previous form is incomparably higher. Optimal is its use for cars with a range from one hundred to five hundred thousand kilometers.
3. Synthetics are synthesized chemically. This oil does not change its properties either at high temperature or low, so it can be used in any weather. But the cost of oil will be more expensive than others. Shelf life of synthetic motor oil, semisynthetic and mineral is usually not more than three years with opened packaging and proper storage.

Car enthusiasts choose the right variant of the oil, depending on the weather conditions in which it will be stored, and on a budget. Mixing of one oil with another is not allowed. The fact is that each manufacturer has at least fifteen percent of its unique chemical composition. Therefore, if another oil is added to the engine, it can react, and how the mixture will behave is unknown.

How to store engine oil

Shelf life the manufacturer indicates on the packaging. However, no matter how many years it has been prescribed, improper storage can lead to damage to the product. So, the container, which contains oil for the engine, should always be tightly closed. On the canister, it is undesirable to hit direct sunlight. The temperature in the room should not change much, since sudden changes will contribute to a change in the properties of the oil. It is also desirable that the premises are ventilated and there is no high humidity in it. Usually the place where the engine oil is stored is the garage. But if the storage conditions do not meet the requirements, then it is better to transfer it to the house.

How much oil should I add?

Usually manufacturers indicate on the packaging of the product shelf life of up to five years in a closed form. Before you top up the oil, you need to double-check, paying attention to the compliance of technical requirements that are prescribed by the manufacturer and those characteristics that are indicated on the label.

In most cases, motorists for oil change buy a canister, sufficient for one time with a small margin for topping up if necessary. Only a few make themselves large reserves to store in the canister engine oil.

Shelf life: how to determine

The simpler the composition of the oil, the longer it will be stored. Most of them after autopsy remain usable for three years with proper storage. A more complex composition can be used two years after opening.

The main signs of the overdue product are opacities in color and the presence of precipitation, which are similar in appearance to sawdust. This can happen if somehow water gets into the oil, or in case of moldiness. In addition, when buying, be sure to pay attention to the date of manufacture and its clear form. If customers are often deceived on food stalls, then when selling such a product, it becomes more than possible.

Shelf life and manufacturer

Oil service time may also depend on the manufacturer. For example, the shelf life of Shell motor oil is 4 years, Castrol - 5 years and so on. However, if the time indicated on the package has already passed and the product is considered to be overdue, this does not mean that it has lost its properties. With proper storage, oil can remain usable even for ten years. Simply the manufacturer over the specified term does not guarantee that all properties will remain the same.

Old oil and new car

If you bought a new car and you have oil left, which is stored by all the rules for more than a year, it is best to buy a new one. The fact is that new cars can make high demands on oil. Better in this case, reinsure and pour a fresh, only opened product.

Storage in a canister and in a car - different things

If you do not use the car for more than six months, the oil contained in it, even though you did not drive, could react with the deposits and dirt that were in the engine before and oxidize. To avoid problems, it is recommended to change it before you start using it again.