Does motor oil have an expiration date?
Answer Hi Gary: Most oil companies recommend the shelf life of oil to be 5 years. However, a lot depends on the storage environment. In a controlled storage where the temperature and humidity remains constant, oil can last indefinitely. However, the changing conditions in a standard garage over many years and seasons will cause the oil to eventually break down. If it was kept in a standard garage under the changing conditions of winters, summers, snow and rain, it’s a pretty good guess it is bad, but the only way to know for sure is to open it. You will most likely find the 20W-50 in better condition than the 10W-40, because it can withstand a higher degree of heat and cold. Even if it looked good, you wouldn’t want to trust it in your car engine, but maybe an old lawn mower.
