Date Code on Motorcraft Oil

[Chops]

How do you “decode” the manufacturing date code on Motorcraft Oil bottles?

C670125A083 FIR# 502970

Ford warrants the oil for 12 months once opened & poured into engine, but I’m about to do my first oil change & I’m curious of the vintage I’m putting in.

Thanks!

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[Chops]

Oil is like wine. Gets better with age . If you have had it more than 5 years pitch it. Otherwise it's been in the ground a million years or more.

Agree. My first batch was bought on Amazon, however, and I want to make sure it isn’t more than 5 years old - hence my date code query.

I plan to buy all future DIY oil from my Ford dealer to have receipts in their system. This first change at about 1,000 miles was an Amazon convenience buy

 

[scharris99]

If you've ever wondered if you're overthinking this - yes, you are.

 

[Chops]

If you've ever wondered if you're overthinking this - yes, you are.

Yes, I’m overthinking.

However, there have been instances of unscrupulous sellers on Amazon who buy old oil at a discount & resell at a profit. Nothing wrong with that - as long as there are underthinking buyers to consume it.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I remember way back in the early 60"s, yeah I'm old. There was no Walmart or k-mart. My dad and I were at the auto parts store and someone was at the counter buying oil and he asked the old man at the counter how long had it been sitting on the shelf. The parts guy said, 'couple of months I reckoned, before that it had been in the ground for a million years.' He said he didn't think a couple months would harm it.

 

[Escapologist]

If the SAE spec is SC, SD, SF, SH, SJ .... it's definitely too old. Though I can't recall what is the latest and greatest, last I checked it was SM but that could have been between 3 and 10 years ago.

ETA:Well the bottle of QS I bought last year has SP on it, so it's at least got up to there.

 

[Chops]

I remember way back when yeah I'm old. There was no Walmart or k-mart. My dad and I were at the auto parts store and someone was at the counter buying oil and he asked the old man at the counter how long had it been sitting on the shelf. The parts guy said, 'couple of months I reckoned, before that it had been in the ground for a million years.' He said he didn't think a couple months would harm it.

Modern Synthetic Oil is man made without the help of dead Dino’s and contains many additives that weaken as they sit in the bottle

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

What is a shelf life of modern synthetic motor oil.
Modern synthetic motor oil typically has a shelf life of 5 to 7 years when stored in its original, unopened container. Factors like storage conditions (temperature, humidity, and exposure to light) can affect its lifespan, with optimal storage extending its usability. Once opened, synthetic oil may have a shorter shelf life, potentially around 1-2 years.

• Manufacturers' Recommendations:
  Some manufacturers, like ExxonMobil, recommend a 5-year shelf life for their synthetic oil products.
  
  
• • Practical Considerations:
    While synthetic oil might last longer than 5 years, it's generally recommended to use it within that timeframe for optimal engine protection, especially if it's been stored in less-than-ideal conditions.

 

[Chops]

What is a shelf life of modern synthetic motor oil.
Modern synthetic motor oil typically has a shelf life of 5 to 7 years when stored in its original, unopened container. Factors like storage conditions (temperature, humidity, and exposure to light) can affect its lifespan, with optimal storage extending its usability. Once opened, synthetic oil may have a shorter shelf life, potentially around 1-2 years.

• Manufacturers' Recommendations:
  Some manufacturers, like ExxonMobil, recommend a 5-year shelf life for their synthetic oil products.
  
  
• • Practical Considerations:
    While synthetic oil might last longer than 5 years, it's generally recommended to use it within that timeframe for optimal engine protection, especially if it's been stored in less-than-ideal conditions.

Thanks! Phillips 66 makes the synthetic Motorcraft Oil for Ford vehicles here in the US.

5-7 year shelf life seems reasonable. I wonder if it best to use the oil right from the oil bottler - or wait a bit to let the additives age like fine wine? Just be sure to use it by year 4

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

If the SAE spec is SC, SD, SF, SH, SJ .... it's definitely too old. Though I can't recall what is the latest and greatest, last I checked it was SM but that could have been between 3 and 10 years ago.

ETA:Well the bottle of QS I bought last year has SP on it, so it's at least got up to there.

This bottle was from the last time I changed my oil

 

[Chops]

Oil is like wine. Gets better with age . If you have had it more than 5 years pitch it. Otherwise it's been in the ground a million years or more.

The Oil Geek, my trusted source for all oil related questions, agrees with you - ok to store oil properly for 3-5 years.

Still not sure how long and how properly my Amazon oil has been stored though.

My future oil purchases will be bought at my Ford Dealer - where I can assume it is “fresh” that 3-5 year range. Still like to check the manufacture date code though. I know it is coded on the bottle somewhere!

 

[Tbone289]

Modern Synthetic Oil is man made without the help of dead Dino’s and contains many additives that weaken as they sit in the bottle

That's actually not true, except for the additive part. Nearly all oils labelled "full synthetic" in the US are group III highly refined mineral oil. Only oils with group IV and V base stocks are engineered oils.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

The Oil Geek, my trusted source for all oil related questions, agrees with you - ok to store oil properly for 3-5 years.

Still not sure how long and how properly my Amazon oil has been stored though.

My future oil purchases will be bought at my Ford Dealer - where I can assume it is “fresh” that 3-5 year range. Still like to check the manufacture date code though. I know it is coded on the bottle somewhere!

Please post a picture of the Date/code when you find it.
I cannot find the code on my mobile1 bottle.

 

[Chops]

That's actually not true, except for the additive part. Nearly all oils labelled "full synthetic" in the US are group III highly refined mineral oil. Only oils with group IV and V base stocks are engineered oils.

I stand corrected. Some dinosaur goop was required. My preferred goop is Jurassic era - 150-200 million years ago. Be cool if manufacturers code included the Dino Era used in production

 

[Chops]

Please post a picture of the Date/code when you find it.
I cannot find the code on my mobile1 bottle.

Motorcraft code is stamped near the bottom. I hope the “0125” part of code means mfg date of January 2025…

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