General topics » "Can of worms" oil question

I'm showing my lack of knowledge here...saying that up front. And I don't want to start a lengthy oil thread either, so in brief:

Can you use an unopened bottle of BMW Advantec 5W-40 synthetic oil to top up one's oil (say about 0.4 qt worth) that has been stored, unopened and in a cool, dry, dark place for 7 years? Not due for complete oil change for another 2,000 miles and not enthused about riding out to buy "new" oil (i.e., I'm lazy).

Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #1

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I'm showing my lack of knowledge here...saying that up front. And I don't want to start a lengthy oil thread either, so in brief:

Can you use an unopened bottle of BMW Advantec 5W-40 synthetic oil to top up one's oil (say about 0.4 qt worth) that has been stored, unopened and in a cool, dry, dark place for 7 years? Not due for complete oil change for another 2,000 miles and not enthused about riding out to buy "new" oil (i.e., I'm lazy).

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #1

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I'm showing my lack of knowledge here...saying that up front. And I don't want to start a lengthy oil thread either, so in brief:

Can you use an unopened bottle of BMW Advantec 5W-40 synthetic oil to top up one's oil (say about 0.4 qt worth) that has been stored, unopened and in a cool, dry, dark place for 7 years? Not due for complete oil change for another 2,000 miles and not enthused about riding out to buy "new" oil (i.e., I'm lazy).

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What would have happened to it?

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Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #3

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google says anything from 2 to 8 years

I have an unopened litre of Castrol Edge supplied with my Audi in 2018. If my car needed a top up, which has not happened yet in 7 years, I would use it.

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #4

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #1

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I'm showing my lack of knowledge here...saying that up front. And I don't want to start a lengthy oil thread either, so in brief:

Can you use an unopened bottle of BMW Advantec 5W-40 synthetic oil to top up one's oil (say about 0.4 qt worth) that has been stored, unopened and in a cool, dry, dark place for 7 years? Not due for complete oil change for another 2,000 miles and not enthused about riding out to buy "new" oil (i.e., I'm lazy).

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What would have happened to it?

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Allegedly there could be some deterioration of the additives used in synthetic oil, as opposed to non-synthetic. I'm not sure if that's a limitation on using a small amount to top up, but it's question.

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For a “top off,” don’t worry. Maybe if you wanted to use 7-year-old oil for a fresh oil change….

Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #7

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For a “top off,” don’t worry. Maybe if you wanted to use 7-year-old oil for a fresh oil change….

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #7

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For a “top off,” don’t worry. Maybe if you wanted to use 7-year-old oil for a fresh oil change….

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Thanks...and, for sure, I'd not use old oil for full change. Appreciate the reply!

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #9

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #7

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For a “top off,” don’t worry. Maybe if you wanted to use 7-year-old oil for a fresh oil change….

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Thanks...and, for sure, I'd not use old oil for full change. Appreciate the reply!

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How much of this old oil do you have?

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Now if the oil was castor oil you might have an issue.

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #11

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Now if the oil was castor oil you might have an issue.

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I was just trying to be funny thinking of castor bean oil that used to be used in old British racing motorcycles, not Castrol-brand motor oil. There is nothing wrong with that oil.

I would go to the races and hear the British bikes thumping past, followed by the sweet smell of burnt castor bean oil. Those were the days when motorcycle races smelled like fish and chips.

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #13

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I was just trying to be funny thinking of castor bean oil that used to be used in old British racing motorcycles, not Castrol-brand motor oil. There is nothing wrong with that oil.

I would go to the races and hear the British bikes thumping past, followed by the sweet smell of burnt castor bean oil. Those were the days when motorcycle races smelled like fish and chips.

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