Can oil go bad? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Can oil go bad?

G

gixxeranyone

Active member
I just did an oil change on my bike, and I had some oil left over from last year. I used it, however I noticed that the oil was darker than new oil usually is. Can oil go bad just sitting in you garage? I just bought it last year at the end of the summer and it had a darker colour to it, compared to the oil I bought to finish topping it up.
 
It's fine.
 
It's still good -ask yourself this question if you feel like driving yourself crazy - how long did the oil sit on a shelf? In a box? Or in a warehouse? ok,ok -just screwing with you -it's good, use it. :p
 
The base oil wil not break down, but the additives and viscosity mixers will. A year should be fine, more than 3 is probably pushing it. For winter rated oils, this effect is most likely worse the larger the difference between cold and warm viscosity.
 
Oil shouldn't really go bad, per se, but can become outdated or be superceded by a new API standard. Current standard for cars I believe is 'API SN', so if you had old oil rated at API standard 'SH' (which would probably be about 10 yr old oil) and your new car owners' manual calls for an API rating of SN or newer, then you are probably best advised to use an oil compliant to this standard and save the old stuff for you lawnmower or whatever.

I'm no expert, so maybe someone else can pick up on this aspect of things and provide the proper insights.
 
caboose483 said:
Why do people think the sky is blue?
Click to expand...

Cause they look up and (if not colorblind) see blue!

I've had to explain to a few people why the sky and large bodies of water look blue.
Those who've taken a basic science class understand it, the others look at me funny.
 
caboose483 said:
Oil doesn't. Gas does.
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Store your bike over the winter with Shell 91. Use Ultra 94 if you want to see the effects of gas breaking down =(

-Jamie M.
 
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