Hi All, back with a bit of a dumb/noob question...

I have happened upon an opportunity to buy 20L of vw 508 approved oil for a cheap price, but would only use 3.4Lx2 per year on our cars. I was wondering if it's safe to store it for this period of time or not? I could look in to putting it into seperate containers or something so the main bottle isn't reopened too often.

Hoping someone can provide some advice on this! Thanks in advance

Many will say it's been in the ground for millions of years - so don't worry about the age of the oil. Not a good idea if you care about your engine and want to use it for a long time.

It also depends on how the oil is stored.

Have a look at the following video and any others you can to check and cross reference the information from this and anywhere else (including manufacturers and internet).

HTH.

EXPIRED: When Does New Oil Go Bad -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1T4XFPgBeo

Edited 7 April, 20251 yr by nta16
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Personally, unless I could or would be using that oil at the rate of 10litres a year, and it was new stock when I bought it, I would not have saved some money buying it in bulk.

I just buy 3 x 5 litres and 3 x 1 litres every year - okay maybe I should be buying just 4 x 5 litres, anyway, that is for 3 VW Group cars, the stored "top up" litre bottles from one year are used in each car the next year etc.

Motor mower, sadly that is a different story, although I have stopped buying that "ahead" now.

You'll probably use up all that oil while it is within its "shelf life" but maybe it should get decanted into empty 5 litre containers and sealed up.

Car engine oils seem to subject to "being improved" so that is another reason that I don't keep stocks of new engine oils.

I try to start looking out for good oil deals in maybe December for August/September services - failed on that task this year so far, must start soon!

If you consider that a vehicle could be on extended servicing - with the oil changes at up to two years, there is no reason to think that lubricating oil kept in a closed container and stored in reasonable conditions will deteriorate.

The main reason for mandating regular oil changes is to remove the contaminants picked up during engine run cycles - it should be remembered that there was once a considerable market in re-refined lubricating oil - where used oil was recycled and resold. The original base lubricant was reported as being essentially unaffected by previous use.

Unlike brake fluid, lubricating oil is not hygroscopic while stored after being opened.

I used to purchase 2-stroke oil in bulk, and have stored it for at least three years with absolutely no detrimental effect.

Edited 7 April, 20251 yr by Warrior193
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'Hygroscopic'.

As it is there are plenty that got cars with a Variable / Flexible service interval as they leave the factory with Long Life Synthetic oil and it might get an oil change after 2 year from the PDI.

During the WLTP delayed Certification some were bunkered for more than 6 months outside.

The same during Covid with some more like a year from build to delivery.

So oil quite some time since put in the engine,

& Hygroscopic Brake that was put in a fair while before the car ever went to the customer.

Edited 7 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

In the past I've bought this and next service/year's engine and longer for other oils particularly if on offer or there's going to be a change of multigrade range.

If storing it wants to be in reasonable conditions particular if opened, and I occasionally turn upside down and back again a few times whilst in storage and a bit before use to make sure nothing settles but isn't too shook up before use.

That may be more than really necessary but it's not hard work and I only do it in passing very occasionally if I think about it. I used to have gallons (well 5l) cans of car wax/polish which I'd buy when on very good offer and use or give away yet I'm still down to my last gallon (5l) and I very rarely clean a car (other than exterior lights, number plates, mirrors and rear window and wiper on the Fabia, or others).

Edited 8 April, 20251 yr by nta16