Whats the shelf life of engine oil?
Technically, engine oils have shelf lives of four to five years. However, as years pass, unused engine oils can become obsolete and fail to meet the technical requirements of current engines. In recent years, engine oil specifications have changed every 12 to 24 months. An oil that is a number of years old may not meet the requirements set for newer engines. If you discover unopened containers of engine oils that are more than three years old, read the labels to make sure they meet the latest industry standards. If they meet the current standards, you should check to make sure the oil is dry and not contaminated with particulates before use. You could also take the extra precaution of obtaining an oil analysis before using on a large fleet or high-performance vehicle.
