There is no universal or binding rule for the shelf life of lubricants based on mineral oil, polyglycol, PAO, ester, PFPE or silicone.
Lubricants vary widely in their chemical composition, so each manufacturer specifies shelf life differently depending on the type of lubricant. This guide provides an overview of manufacturers' recommendations and practical experience for different base oils, along with advice on proper storage.
An unopened container in its original sealed packaging is generally considered new for up to 3–5 years from the date of manufacture. However, this period is partly at the manufacturer’s discretion, which is why it sometimes contradicts product claims such as “suitable for lifetime lubrication”.
In technical and chemical terms, lubricants very often remain usable for 10 years or more. This is borne out by service lives of over 30 years in practice, e.g. in vehicle wheel bearings that are greased for life. What matters most are the storage and operating conditions.
For a long shelf life, store lubricants in a dry, frost-free place away from excessive light. An ambient temperature of around 20°C (68 °F) is ideal. The practical shelf-life estimates above assume these conditions.
In practice, this also applies to opened containers: lubricants can reach or even exceed these storage times without any change to their properties, provided the container is resealed after use and contamination is prevented. In rare cases, some separation may occur over time. Stirring the lubricant again can often reincorporate the separated components.
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Depending on the base oil, manufacturers usually specify a shelf life of 2 to 5 years from the date of manufacture. When stored correctly, 5 to 20 years is possible in practice, depending on the type.
In many cases, yes. The manufacturer’s specification describes how long a product is considered new, not when it becomes unusable.
In technical and chemical terms, lubricants very often remain usable for 10 years or more, provided they have been stored correctly: in a dry, frost-free environment away from light, ideally at around 20 °C (68 °F).
Always consider the specific product, its storage history and the requirements of the intended application before using an older lubricant.
Minor oil separation on the surface of a grease is not a cause for concern. It can usually be blended back in by stirring or shaking.
Industrial lubricants are best stored in a dry, frost-free place away from light, ideally at around 20 °C (68 °F). Opened containers should always be resealed and protected from contamination.
DLUO (Date Limite d’Utilisation Optimale) and DLU (Date Limite d’Utilisation) are date labels that are only required in France. DLUO applies to opened products, DLU to sealed ones.
