Can vehicle oil expire?

Went to walmart and picked up some Pennzoil oil for my girls car. Once I got home I was looking at the bottle and realized that it expired September 4th 2012. Can it actually go bad? Thoughts?

 

Never noticed an expiration date. Are you sure that was an expiration and not a "born-on" date code?

In a sealed container, motor oil will last, for all practical purposes, indefinitely.
What changes is specifications. Modern engines are designed to use oil rated API SM and higher. Older oils may cause problems with the emissions system, sludge, etc...

OTOH, if you have an older flat-tappet engine, you would be wise to use an oil that is SJ, or easier, JASO MA1 (motorcycle oil). Modern oils will flatten a traditional cam.

 

Good to know. Thanks for the head up rich. Never heard of oil expiring. Thanks.

 

Its already 65 million years old?

 

LOL!

Oxidation is a concern, but that's not going to happen in a sealed container.