# Unused Old Oil

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet\
**Created:** [September 20, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393 "2010-09-20T23:41:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mojorisin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mojorisin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mojorisin)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/1 "2010-09-20T23:41:15Z")

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I have several cases of unused/unopened oil that is 2-3 years old. None of the quarts have had the factory seal broken. Is it safe to use?  
  
 Thanks

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**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/2 "2010-09-20T23:42:08Z")

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Should be fine.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/3 "2010-09-20T23:48:19Z")

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If it meets the weight specifications in the vehicles you intend to use it in, it’s good.

Tester

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**Author:** ![StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/strongdreamswaithere/32/2014_2.png) [@StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/StrongDreamsWaitHere)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/4 "2010-09-20T23:48:59Z")

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Look for the API symbol. The current oil version is SM. If your oil has an older certification (“SL” or earlier) then it should not be used in a newer car that requires SM. (SM came out in 2004, so your oil is probably SM rated, but I thought I would mention it just in case.)

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**Author:** ![Mojorisin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mojorisin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mojorisin)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/5 "2010-09-21T00:01:00Z")

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Thanks

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**Author:** ![Mojorisin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mojorisin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mojorisin)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unused-old-oil/55393/6 "2010-09-21T00:04:09Z")

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It does. Thanks