Does cold storage shorten the life of oil and lubricants?

[PandDLong]

I've always kept my supply of engine oil, hydraulic fluid and grease in an unheated shed. Over the winter months we'll have several weeks of temperatures below 0 and some dips down to -40 (all in fahrenheit). I've never thought twice about it, but I recall reading that oil and lubricants should not be stored in a cold location - unfortunately I don't remember where I read it or the explanation.

Is cold storage harmful for oil and lubricants or it doesn't matter at all?

 

[boomer1025]

I keep just about all my lubes in the cellar for storage, about the same temp year around. The heat and cold cycles does play a part in storage life of the additives. Do a search an see what comes up.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Years ago, I can remember Dad keeping his Esso oil in the barn where it got pretty hot and if you cut a can open that had been in there for a year or so, there would be a lot of paraffin in the bottom. I dont think todays oils have all that in them to settle out like the old oil.
NO scientific basis for my opinion but just from observing that cold retards spoiling of food, ****** rusting of steel, etc. I would think that cold wouldnt hurt oil. Heat might be more detrimental but I dont think our temps get hot enough to do that either. Hot and cold fluctuations on opened cans not tightly sealed might get some condensation but when properly capped I dont think there would be any problem with heat or cold.

 

[sixdogs]

I always thought there was a degree of condensation potential. Keep mine in the basement for the winter just in case. The stuff is pretty expensive these days.

 

[DEWFPO]

If the bottles have their factory seal, there will not be any more water in the bottle than what it was packaged with, regardless of temperature fluctuations.

DEWFPO

 

[john_bud]

Chemical reactions that may make an oil "go bad" would be faster in higher temps and slower at lower temps. I would have no problem storing my oil in a deep freezer.

 

[DT86]

-40 you say? F**k that!

My Grandfather stored all his 2 cycle gas, oil, hydro fluid, ect in an old repurposed and relocated out house that us kids (at the time) called "The Bomb Shack". He never had any problems. I keep all of mine in an unheated garage, no problems.

 

[Redneck in training]

I think cold storage increases shelf life. But operation of equipment with cold oil decreases oil life. When oil is too cold (viscous) shearing forces in the (in example in bearings) tear apart long molecules and oil looses part of its lubricity.

 

[crazyal]

Storage in general could be bad. Plastic is not a perfect container for chemicals. It's just cheap an more durable than the old paper oil cans. I just try not to keep oil for more than a few months. I find the chainsaw is the biggest problem. Bar oil I don't worry about but 2 stroke pre mix is one of those things that I never use the full bottle of and it could be a year between uses. Even the mixed fuel can go a very long time before using a full gas can worth of fuel. I like to run non ethanol premium and the pump I get it at is one of those "push the button" to select the grade pumps. So that means the hose has what ever was last pumped in it. I usually pump a gallon or so into the car before filling the gas can so I know it's super. So I usually get 2 gallons which is more than I use in a year.

 

[Herkypilot]

-40 you say? F**k that!

My Grandfather stored all his 2 cycle gas, oil, hydro fluid, ect in an old repurposed and relocated out house that us kids (at the time) called "The Bomb Shack". He never had any problems. I keep all of mine in an unheated garage, no problems.

DT - like the "Bomb Shack". I also looked at your grapple pictures again and enjoyed the SW VA scenery. I have property in the area and always look forward to making it up that way to do some tractor work.

HP