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Does Motor Oil Expire? When To Change
Motor oil is critical to your vehicle’s optimal performance, regardless of the type of car you drive. Like many other fluids your vehicle requires, motor oil has a limited lifespan that you must pay attention to. Failure to do so can result in severe engine problems and potentially catastrophic failure.
The guide below answers the question, “Does motor oil expire?” and explains why motor oil has an expiration date. Discover how often you should really change your oil and ways to determine if it’s time for an oil change or if you can push the interval a bit further.
When you’re ready to exchange the oil in your car, Cadence’s family of brands offers multiple solutions designed with engine longevity in mind.
Does Motor Oil Expire?
Yes, motor oils can expire if they’re not properly stored or used within six to 12 months if opened or five years if unopened.
If you’re wondering how long synthetic oil lasts compared to conventional oil, this average lifespan applies to both. Manufacturers often stamp either the production or expiration date on their bottles, so it’s important to note these details if you plan on storing the oil.
It’s not necessarily the underlying motor oil base that degrades but the additives that modify the oil’s chemical makeup and help it perform when introduced into your engine. The loss of these additives — including detergents and dispersants — makes the oil less effective. However, motor oil can also degrade when exposed to air, heat, and contaminants.
For example, exposure to air and moisture causes motor oil to oxidize, while temperature fluctuations influence the oil’s viscosity. Contaminants cause the oil to become abrasive, which is less than ideal for normal engine operating conditions. Expired motor oil can also lead to reduced lubrication, potential engine damage, and increased wear, so inspect any opened oil before you use it.
Motor oil can also expire within your vehicle if you don’t adequately adhere to oil change intervals. It’s never a good idea to leave motor oil in your car for longer than a year. As time goes on, the oil will lose its viscosity and turn into sludge, which can cause significant engine damage and, ultimately, failure.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
Although the old rule of thumb recommended changing your car’s oil every three months or 3,000 miles, oil technology has since evolved. This advice likely persists because it’s an easy interval to remember, and most dealerships and lube service stations are happy to accommodate customers who care about their vehicles.
However, the truth is that not all cars have to be serviced under the “severe” conditions listed in the owner’s manual.
Indeed, the owner’s manual is the best place to find your car’s recommended oil change interval, oil type, and oil weight. Oil types encompass synthetic blend, full synthetic, and conventional oil, while oil weight describes the oil’s viscosity. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, CalRecycle’s Check Your Number resource allows you to look up the year, make, and model to find the recommended oil change interval.
Synthetic oil typically lasts the longest, ranging from 7,500 to 10,000 miles or up to 15,000 miles in some applications. Synthetic blends tend to last up to 6,000 miles between intervals, while conventional oils should be changed in 5,000-mile increments.
If you drive on dusty roads, carry or tow heavy loads, live in an extremely cold or hot climate, or take trips of less than five miles, you should change your oil more often than these intervals, regardless of the oil type you use.
Why Are Oil Change Intervals Longer for Modern Cars?
Due to developments in oil and engine technology, oil change intervals for modern vehicles go well beyond the three-month, 3,000-mile interval.
The addition of oil life monitoring systems has also made it easier for vehicle owners to determine when it’s time to schedule an oil change based on real-world conditions. In addition, automotive manufacturers recommend using synthetic or synthetic blend oils to support high-output engines, and these oil types are well known for lasting longer than conventional.
Extended oil change intervals benefit vehicle owners and the environment. In addition to better engine performance and fewer maintenance costs, longer intervals reduce the amount of oil necessary to support modern vehicle use. These benefits also help the environment by reducing the amount of waste oil that requires refining and recycling.
How To Know When To Change Your Oil
If your vehicle is equipped with an oil life indicator, you can rely on it to alert you when it’s time for an oil change. However, you may also want to track your oil changes to ensure you’re still within recommended intervals based on time or mileage.
Additional signs that it’s time to change your oil include the following:
- Dark or dirty oil
- Engine knocking
- Excessive exhaust smoke
- A burnt oil smell
- Low oil levels
- A sudden drop in fuel efficiency
If you’re curious about how long your car can go between oil changes, consider sending it out for analysis. The results of oil analysis can tell you how much longer your oil likely could have lasted and offer additional insight into what’s going on inside your car’s engine.
What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?
Failure to change your oil on the recommended interval won’t necessarily have any lasting consequences if you’re a few hundred miles over. However, going any further can increase the chances of oil oxidation, reduced lubrication, and acid and deposit formation.
If you double or even triple the oil change interval, it can lead to dirt build-up, decreased fuel efficiency, damaged engine components, an overheated engine, and a voided warranty — if you don’t experience significant performance issues by then.
How To Extend Engine Oil Life
Paying attention to your car’s oil levels and adhering to a set maintenance schedule are the simplest ways to increase your engine’s lifespan.
Invest in high-quality oils — like full synthetic or synthetic blends — to protect your engine’s vital internal components. Change your oil at the manufacturer’s recommended interval using the proper weight.
Check your car’s oil at regular intervals, ideally about once per week if you commute. If possible, avoid stop-and-go traffic and aggressive driving habits. Keep up with general vehicle maintenance to ensure your ride is in tip-top shape.
Treat Your Car With High-Quality Motor Oils From Cadence
Routinely changing your car’s oil is one of the primary maintenance tasks you can perform to increase performance and longevity. Purchase high-quality motor oils designed for modern engines from proven brands, like those that Cadence carries.
If you’d like to learn more about our superior motor oil products and solutions, call us at 336-629-2061 to speak with a knowledgeable and friendly staff member.
Sources:
What Counts as Severe Duty Service for a Car? | Capital One Auto Navigator
Check Your Number | CalRecycle