Does car engine oil have an expiration date?

[StAlexis]

Car engine oil does have an expiration date. Generally, unopened engine oil can be stored for 4-5 years. If properly resealed and stored under suitable conditions, the shelf life is 1 year. The primary factor affecting oil's shelf life is storage conditions. The greater the temperature fluctuations and humidity in the storage environment, the faster the oil deteriorates. For every 10°C increase in temperature, the oil's lifespan is halved. More details are as follows: 1. Never leave the oil cap open and expose the oil to sunlight. The correct practice is to store engine oil in a sealed, cool condition. Poor sealing leads to oxidation when oil contacts air, and high temperatures accelerate this oxidation process. 2. The simplest methods to check engine oil's expiration date are: observing whether the oil's viscosity has changed, determining if its odor has faded, and examining if its color has altered. When observing color changes, pay attention to variations in the oil's additives. Additionally, filter paper or electronic instruments can be used to verify whether the engine oil has expired.