Vit4wd 1st Gear March 30, 2007 Share March 30, 2007 Spotted a retailer selling Caltex Havoline manufactured on 15 Nov 2004. Is this engine oil still OK to be used? Will its efficiency be reduced? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigen_79 Neutral Newbie March 30, 2007 Share March 30, 2007 actually engine oil will not degrade if seal is not open , unless of cos the specific manufacturer had stated a expiry date for it, engine oil degrade is bcos after running in the engine it is heated constantly , wher by the vicosity change day by day , after some time lubrication of the oil doesnt work that well any more , thus cause the to wear more than normal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picanto 3rd Gear March 31, 2007 Share March 31, 2007 since you are the one paying $$ for it, might as well get the bottle with the latest mfg date. If they give a discount for that early mfg date bottle, then can consider whether worth or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vit4wd 1st Gear March 31, 2007 Author Share March 31, 2007 No discount. Selling at normal price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quantum 5th Gear September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Hi all, I bought one can of 5W-40 shell Helix Ultra oil 5 years ago at discount price, but due to under warranty service always at AD, no chance to use it, now warranty finished, I will service in outside workshop, don't know whether the oil still ok, or expired? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronlkl Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Engine Oil has no expiry date as long as its unopened. Likewise for ATF, gearoil etc.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theredstar 2nd Gear September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Spotted a retailer selling Caltex Havoline manufactured on 15 Nov 2004. Is this engine oil still OK to be used? Will its efficiency be reduced? pic a bit blur but i read the date as 04 nov 2015. they put manufacture ah? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vhtfhwlego Supercharged September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Hi all, I bought one can of 5W-40 shell Helix Ultra oil 5 years ago at discount price, but due to under warranty service always at AD, no chance to use it, now warranty finished, I will service in outside workshop, don't know whether the oil still ok, or expired? Engine oill not expire but the additives will or rather breakdown the oil. Can you see the engine oil thru the bottle? If yes, I'm sure that the bottom layer will large deposits of the additives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xers007 Supercharged September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 pic a bit blur but i read the date as 04 nov 2015. they put manufacture ah? dude... you are replying to a post 7 years ago... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Hi all, I bought one can of 5W-40 shell Helix Ultra oil 5 years ago at discount price, but due to under warranty service always at AD, no chance to use it, now warranty finished, I will service in outside workshop, don't know whether the oil still ok, or expired? Engine oil "expires" when it's being used in an engine, not so much sitting virgin on a shelf. It may absorb moisture over time, but it should be burned out pretty fast in a hot engine. Make sure to shake the bottle first, in case any additive settles down at the bottom. Engine oil expires more bcuz it's outdated in terms of spec. Example, in USA you may find API-SA oil which is non-detergent and the spec is outdated for most modern cars. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theredstar 2nd Gear September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 dude... you are replying to a post 7 years ago... Oops. Haha. I always like to have head have tail mah So traced back to origins 😁 Engine oil "expires" when it's being used in an engine, not so much sitting virgin on a shelf. It may absorb moisture over time, but it should be burned out pretty fast in a hot engine. Make sure to shake the bottle first, in case any additive settles down at the bottom. Engine oil expires more bcuz it's outdated in terms of spec. Example, in USA you may find API-SA oil which is non-detergent and the spec is outdated for most modern cars. I'm going away got 2 wks in Dec So shld I do my servicing before or after the trip? Before means old oil sitting around in engine After means open new oil to sit around in engine, hastening 'expiry' Or 2 wks too short to make any diff? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 I'm going away got 2 wks in Dec So shld I do my servicing before or after the trip? Before means old oil sitting around in engine After means open new oil to sit around in engine, hastening 'expiry' Or 2 wks too short to make any diff? Engine oil is 2 parts, base oil + additives. Additives wear out, gets depleted, while protecting engines when it's being used. That's the part I meant by "expiring". 2 weeks not going to make much difference. If you have to make a choice, I guess after your trip would be better. Engine oil siting inside the engine is constantly being "attacked" by contaminants, carbon content, acid formation from water condensed inside the engine. That's why short trip is not good. There's not enough time to burn off the water content which caused wear and tear. In cold countries, garage queens are often drained off of engine oil before keeping for long storage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baal Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 Engine oil is 2 parts, base oil + additives. Additives wear out, gets depleted, while protecting engines when it's being used. That's the part I meant by "expiring". 2 weeks not going to make much difference. If you have to make a choice, I guess after your trip would be better. Engine oil siting inside the engine is constantly being "attacked" by contaminants, carbon content, acid formation from water condensed inside the engine. That's why short trip is not good. There's not enough time to burn off the water content which caused wear and tear. In cold countries, garage queens are often drained off of engine oil before keeping for long storage. If seal is opened (but with cap screwed on), eo is sitting inside the bottle......how long can the eo be kept b4 expiring? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvobrick Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 The crude oil has been in the gorund for millions of years - no expiry! Engine oil comes from crude too, so same principle should applies! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baal Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 The crude oil has been in the gorund for millions of years - no expiry! Engine oil comes from crude too, so same principle should applies! piak my fore head.....lol.... u prob right... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic September 16, 2014 Share September 16, 2014 If seal is opened (but with cap screwed on), eo is sitting inside the bottle......how long can the eo be kept b4 expiring? Should be alright, don't worry too much about expiry. The main thing about engine is that it must have enough oil. ↡ Advertisement 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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