Does synthetic oil "expire?"

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Old 03-17-2009, 12:11 PM
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Does synthetic oil "expire?"

Advance auto parts currently has a great deal going on any type of Mobil 1 (including the Extended Performance 15k mile stuff I just put in my car)--$29.99 for 5 quarts and filter. As I am not sure if this deal will be in effect the next time I change my oil (probably in 7500 miles/1 yr) I was wondering if it would be OK to buy some more now and keep it in my garage until next spring.
Old 03-17-2009, 12:20 PM
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great question, i wondered this too. I have alot of 4/10's of a quart laying around from when i do my 4.6qt oil changes lol. I may have enough to get me 4.6 quarts with those. Walmart has the 5W-20 full synthetic mobil 1 five quart jub for $26 even here in ATL..just did my oil change..good deal considering the quarts themselves were $6.97 each
Old 03-17-2009, 12:42 PM
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I have read on oil sites that stored capped unopened oil is fine for a year
Had some synthetic that was older than that and used it- engine didnt seem to mind (no oil analysis done) but I did change it sooner-5000 miles

Is it that big a savings to have the oil laying around the garage for a year?
Old 03-17-2009, 12:45 PM
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dont hold on to the opened oil- its like brake fluid and ps fluid- absorbs moisture right from the air--bad news when you use it later

Use it to change the lawn mower oil- or do like many of us and put the 5 qts in the engine at change- thats a tick over full and will be about min level when due for next change
Better to keep at full than min- min is MINIMUM ,not -anything between here is cool

Full is what you want, engines do burn a small amount of oil in normal combustion process
Old 03-17-2009, 04:45 PM
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The Advance Auto deal is good until March 25, although they usually run a similar promotion around Columbus Day. I would think unopened containers stored in reasonable conditions would be good for years. I believe Mobil 1 is a "milspec" product, so maybe someone in the armed forces might tell us how long they depot oil before it's used.
Old 03-17-2009, 05:07 PM
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lol at using synthetic in a lawnmower, i'll have to try this sometime.

i dumped the full 5 qts in, hopefully used up some during the seafoam blowout drive.

the stuff i put in is currently 9 bucks a qt at advance auto, so this would save me a good 25 bucks, practically another oil change!

cjitty--haven't looked at walmart yet, do they have the mobil 1 extended performance?
Old 03-17-2009, 05:56 PM
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Not real savings if you have to store it for a year. I figure it's probably about a year old when you buy it.
Old 03-17-2009, 07:02 PM
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Brake fluid is hydroscopic and should be discarded if it is not used immediately after opening, but most other fluids do not require the same level of care.

Mobil address this issue here:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...es_Of_Oil.aspx
Old 03-17-2009, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by niju321
lol at using synthetic in a lawnmower, i'll have to try this sometime.

i dumped the full 5 qts in, hopefully used up some during the seafoam blowout drive.

the stuff i put in is currently 9 bucks a qt at advance auto, so this would save me a good 25 bucks, practically another oil change!

cjitty--haven't looked at walmart yet, do they have the mobil 1 extended performance?
You were using Royal Purple too? It's good stuff but for $9 a quart?!? It's not THAT good! The most recent oil change I did I switched over to Valvoline Synpower; bought the 5 quart jug at Wally world for $23.
Old 03-18-2009, 08:44 AM
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Wow man, seriously? I never thought to actually do that for fear of having to much oil in there. But, in all reality it is only 4/10's of a quart more than the 4.6qts we need. I'm doing this next time for sure! thanks for that info man

Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
or do like many of us and put the 5 qts in the engine at change- thats a tick over full and will be about min level when due for next change
Better to keep at full than min- min is MINIMUM ,not -anything between here is cool

Full is what you want, engines do burn a small amount of oil in normal combustion process
Old 03-18-2009, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Gfaze
You were using Royal Purple too? It's good stuff but for $9 a quart?!? It's not THAT good! The most recent oil change I did I switched over to Valvoline Synpower; bought the 5 quart jug at Wally world for $23.
Nope, Mobil 1 Extended Performance. But it was on sale, I didn't actually pay 9 a quart
Old 03-18-2009, 01:56 PM
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regarding hygroscopic:

The similar-sounding but unrelated word hydroscopic is sometimes used in error for hygroscopic. A hydroscope is an optical device used for making observations deep under water.

Hygroscopic material absorb moisture from the air
The oil does it, ps fluid, brake fluid. The ps and engine oil circulate and get enough temp to dry out the moisture from the fluid.
Brake fluid does not circulate- it moves a few mm then retreats. So its necessary to flush it out every year to keep perfect fresh fluid in- and keep microscopic rust particles out
Old 03-18-2009, 02:13 PM
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along this same subject... I found some brake fluid that i bought about a year ago... it has never been opened/used. You think it would be okay to use or should I just buy some new fluid?
Old 03-18-2009, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by indoMFP
along this same subject... I found some brake fluid that i bought about a year ago... it has never been opened/used. You think it would be okay to use or should I just buy some new fluid?
As long as it's still sealed you should be ok.
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