does oil go off?

[MR Bender]

HELLO

Does motor oil good off? or is it good for awile?

[enthuzed]

Glen, not 100% sure with new oil but I know that old oil separates over time. If you were to open a sump plug on a car that's not been started for many years, clear liquid comes pouring out (looks like glycerine) then lumps of black grainy looking stuff dollop out - way slower than Mr Whippy having a crap.

Oil lasts much longer than petrol that's for sure. Left long enough, new oil probably separates too.

[RiceThief]

If you mean oil still in the container then yes, it will last a few years, if its been exposed to heat and moisture then no it will degrade over time.

[MR Bender]

so how long ?

eg:
new oil in a motor / car has been driven about maybe 3 times in a year for one year? will it still be good?

[thrash]

change it.. better be safe than sorry.. don't be stingy about 50 bucks of oil and then pay up for an engine replacement ;)

oil has an expiry date. It also expires earlier if kept in sunlight or near anything that causes it to warm up and cool down, even by 5-10 degrees, which can often be the case when left near a window in the sun in winter/autumn - or in a car for that matter.

[thrash]

eg:
new oil in a motor / car has been driven about maybe 3 times in a year for one year? will it still be good?

and that's not new oil.. that oil is a year old LOL

[1320ft]

You have to think of oil as good coffee beans.

Keep it in a cool (constant temp) dry place, away from direct sunlight, or else it starts to seperate and break down.

If it is in a car that is rarely driven or even started it should be no longer than 12 months, expecially if it is traditional mineral or a cheaper/older style semi synthetic.

Newer full synthetics and semi's (especially higher end) have good addatives in them that allow them to remain for longer periods and change intervals.