Three years old oil OK to use?

[R-WEST]

I asked a similar question at the Compact Tractor Forum and got some interesting responses http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/90585-shelf-life-engine-oils.html?highlight=shelf+life
like a 3-5 year shelf life is considered acceptable.

I've always used the shake-the-heck-out-of-it method.

It'd be interesting to send a lab a sample of just-bought oil and, say, 5 year old oil in its original un-opened container, and have them do some tests.

[bruce381]

Even us industry types do not agree I think the last survey i saw was 2-10 years or so I'd use and not worry about it.
bruce

[fordtruck88]

well this is not scientific at all, but about 3 years ago my uncle had a case of oil (castrol 10w40 non-synthetic) that he had no use for anymore so he gave it to my dad. We figured the case, which was un-opened at the time, was at least 10 years old due to a special offer on the box that expired in 1994. Anyways, about 2 years ago the '98 taurus (3.0 vulcan w/ 80,000 or so mi. at the time) was a couple qts. low on oil. So i put in a couple qts out of the 10+ yr old case in our garage. That oil was run for a couple thousand miles or so. The car still runs fine today with 103,000 mi. on it. So my opinion: yep 3 year old oil should still be good, unless maby it was opened and exposed to possible contamination. and yes, we still do have a few qts of that now probably 15 year old oil in our garage. no, i wouldnt put it in my truck though

[350z]

My old 400m would show low pressure , it turned out that the oil pressure bulb was bad ,got a new one from the dealer , wasn't as new ,but much better .