Pennzoil has prepared suggestions on the proper care of motor oil to ensure it remains contaminant free. The company provides a portfolio of fully synthetic motor oils that it said meet and exceed industry standards.
Without a doubt, the storage and handling practices of motor oil within your shop are as important as utilizing the proper viscosity grade for a truck.
The oil must be on-specification and contaminant-free when it’s poured into a vehicle’s engine.
Improper storage and handling practices of the oil present risks such as external contamination via water or dust, or even alterations of the product’s make-up caused by overly long storage.
Contaminated motor oil can cause engine damage, possibly resulting in costly repairs.
We should point out that oils are pretty stable for up to five years—but that is a guide. It’s not like the motor oil will spoil after five years, but it could begin to lose its effectiveness earlier or later.
It is important to ensure your motor oil does not sully its effectiveness through contamination—but a few simple steps can help avoid that to ensure your vehicle(s) perform optimally.
Motor Oil Bottle Storage
Motor oil should be stored in a clean, dry place such as a cabinet or shelf.
Make sure to check older motor oil to see if it is still good and on the specification for your vehicle’s engine even if it is the proper viscosity grade.
Old motor oil should be properly disposed of if no longer useable.
For shops, all motor oils should be stored in a dedicated parts room. Adopting a first-in and first-out or similar inventory rotation system will help prevent the accumulation of old products.
Oil filters should be stored in the same location, and kept in their original packaging until used.
Always ensure that any partially used bottles of oil are tightly capped after use to prevent contamination.
During the dispensing of motor oil into the engine, always ensure the funnel used is freshly cleaned (and dried) and is placed firmly into the oil fill hole to prevent spillage.
Additionally, keep in mind that the recommended storage temperature for motor oil is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. (4.4C to 29.4C). It is best to not keep it in a location in your shop where it gets either too hot or too cold to better maintain the motor oil’s lifespan.
Totes, Drums, and Kegs Storage
For shops, all totes, drums, and kegs of motor oil should be stored inside.
Drums and kegs should be stored horizontally.
If drums and kegs must be stored outside, they should be kept under cover or have drum/keg covers.
The bungs on the top of a motor oil drum should be kept closed except for when the motor oil is being filled or emptied.
Motor Oil Dispensing
When dispensing motor oil, ensure that all funnels, open containers, or pails are completely clean before use.
If you use the same funnel for motor oil, transmission fluid, and coolant, always clean it after use to prevent contamination.
All motor oil dispensing equipment should be properly labeled with the product name and viscosity grade.
All overhead reels should have proper drip containment and secondary product labels.
Dedicated, sealed containers for motor oil transfer and top-off are recommended.
If funnels, open containers, and pails are used, each should be cleaned before use.
Proper Use of Motor Oil
If you have questions about viscosity grades, motor oil specifications, vehicle manufacturer requirements, and more, call 1-800-BEST-OIL to talk with a Pennzoil technical advisor or visit the Pennzoil Oil Selector.
It is recommended that fleets use a single lubricant supplier—such as Shell Lubricants—to minimize potential cross-contamination and product misapplication.
Your lubricant supplier can also verify that all motor oil used meets individual OEM (original equipment manufacturer) requirements and help you order the correct motor oil for vehicles. A good supplier can also provide advice on special storage requirements when needed.
Correct storage and careful handling of motor oil are important parts of home and professional shop operations and vehicle maintenance. Using these practices can help ensure that vehicles are properly serviced.