So my '71 Charger takes 7 qts and my '09 Crown Vic Police Interceptor takes 6 qts of motor oil.

I generally buy a 5 quart container, and 1 or 2 single quarts, which are relatively expensive compared to the 5 quart containers.

Does anyone buy only 5 quart containers, and just roll the extra oil to the next oil change?

The two things I would be worried about would be the unused oil degrading (or getting moisture in it at least) between oil changes, and in the case of the Crown Vic, I'm not going to have it forever and my next vehicle may not take the same weight oil.

What do you guys do?

Greg

6 quart box at Walmart, cheaper than 5 quarts

https://www.chevronlubricants.com/e...ands/havoline/havoline-smart-change.html

I buy the 5 quart container plus two one quarts for my Charger 5.7. Not worth the limited space I have for storage to keep any extra and I never need to add between changes AND it makes it so easy to refill with the right amount (Mobil 1).

I search for the "5qts and a free oil filter" deals and then buy two 5qt containers and get two free oil filters. Most times I get a filter for the vehicle I'm doing the oil change on and a different oil filter for my wife or son's vehicle with the second 5 quart deal. One of the vehicles may take only 5qts to change even with a filter and another may take 7 quarts to change. When you do the math a single quart of certain brands may be almost 1/2 to 2/3rds more in price than what the 5 quart container equals per quart. Plus getting an oil filter for free per five quarts it doesn't make sense not to go with the less expensive 5 quarts per and a free oil filter deal.

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Never saw oil with any expiration dates. Water/Oil don't mix. People have opened older Cardboard/Metal containers & oil was fine.

Also you're pouring oil into one of the worst containers out there that gets hot and cold and creates condensation on a daily basis.......your car, truck or motorcycle engine. I think storage space seems to be more the issue......it's not milk

I have never had issues with old oil. Sealed away from air entering it will last a long time.

I buy two 5 quart jugs or the 2-1/2 gallon jug. Or buy three 4 quart jugs= 2 oil changes. I would think there’s greater things to worry about in your life than oil expiring. I’ll be burning my used oil next year in an old ‘space heater’ the one with the carburetor like grandad had back in the 40s. Originally used karo but I’ll mix diesel with the oil, they heated up the house nice.

I buy a 5 quart container plus a single quart for my daily driver. I just changed it this month. With the filter, I ended up paying $39.XX, which was about $5 more than last time. It might make sense for me to pay someone else next time, especially if it is cold/snowy out.

Well, while the base oil itself does not go bad, the additives do not last forever. Especially if exposed to wide variations in temperature as in an unheated garage or even more so in an engine. 2 to 5 years is the usual acceptable storage range. Lots of info out there on this subject:

www.mcnallyinstitute.com/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-castrol-engine-oil

www.bellperformance.com/blog/motor-oil-shelf-life

www.motorverso.com/does-motor-oil-expire

My Ram takes seven quarts and the wifes Charger takes six. I buy two five quart jugs, then us the extra in later changes.

without going into detail, I usually buy a considerably larger amount than that and am set for several years.
I have climate controlled storage.

If you're concerned about the oil expiring, best plan is leave it all on the shelf at the store and buy it in small amounts as needed.

(the store will keep it on the shelf for several years until someone buys it, but somehow it never expires while it is inside a store).

i buy 15-40 in 5 gallon pails.
everything i have takes the same filters and all are old enough to use the same oil.

For the dailies, the 5-quart jugs are on sale often enough, sometimes a free filter.
Local Dodge/Jeep dealer also has $19.95 oil changes - cheaper, objective being up-sells - but I haven't used them.
For the performance/special cars, I buy the Lucas 10W30 jugs from the local engine builder.
On those occasions, I bring my own K-Y ...

I buy the 5 quart jugs and keep the left over.
Yes it takes up space but it doesn't take long to bust the 3,000 mile mark and a new change is due. I do not wait for the car to tell me to change the oil. 3K or so and is gonna get a change. Oil is one thing that will extend the life of the engine if you don't skimp. imho.

I also have lots of people dropping by and needing oil. I discovered the best way to stop that is to buy oil and shelve it for such occasions, then they will never ask for it. I bought 5 cases of 5W-30 at $2 a quart from NAPA. Nobody came by and needed oil after that. I started trying to toss quarts in peoples cars to get rid of it. I gave one guy a full case and let him change his oil with oil from another case. Took a while but I finally got rid of it all. 2 weeks later I had a friend drop by 4 quarts low and needed oil again. I need to buy more oil, I call it needy friend repellent.

Just did a search at the local Advance Auto and here's an example.......

To buy 7 quarts of Mobil 1 (10w-30 JUST AN EXAMPLE your viscosity may vary ) and a K&N oil filter normally:

5 quarts = $39.99 + 2 x 1qt bottles $11.99 each + 1 K&N oil filter $16.99 = total $80.96

OR I could spend $75.98 and get 10 quarts of oil, plus two (2) oil filters (a savings of $52.96)

And you have a choice of which oil filter you want for FREE. (You can even get a FRAM oil filter seeing how they are loved so much on Moparts )

Mike

Not much for multi quart oil jug deals around this area these days, and nothing with a "free" filter. About the only thing on the shelves over 4 qt. is 0W20 or 5W20, and those are all 5 qt. jugs, price range $28-$35 ($5.70 - $7 per qt.). I have a 150+ miles 90s motor, not thrilled with the concept of putting in 0Wxx or 5Wxx anything in the 150+ mile motor, especially through the summer months. There were a couple of 6 qt. bottle cases of 10W30, but the cheapest was $41/case of 6 ($6.70/qt.)!
I ended up buying a 12 qt. case of 10W 30 for $41.88 ($3.49/qt.) and buying a separate filer for another $6.97. My next oil change will be free oil with the purchase of an oil filter....

Just checked for Freeport, IL and your Carquest is part of Advance Auto and list the same oil and filter under "oil change specials" yep FREE FILTER DEALS,

Carquest Corporation is an American automotive parts distribution network that is currently owned and operated by Advance Auto Parts via independent retailers associated with the network. As of October 4, 2014 Advance oper…

Rural King farm and home stores have convention oil on sale for $13.49 for the 5 qt jug.

www.ruralking.com/providence-automotive-oil-10w30-5-quarts-pa-10305

And full synthetic is $18.99 every day for 5 qts.

www.ruralking.com/providence-automotive-oil-full-synthetic-10w30-5-quart-pa-10305s

We put in several cases last week to avoid the expected price increases. And now they are reporting that oil futures are flat and short term prices have dropped to under $100 a barrel. Figures.

I wait until NAPA has Valvoline on special and then buy the case of six quarts. Usually buy 4-6 cases at a time.

Same here, I wait for NAPA sales and buy something good (Royal Purple, Valvoline) in bulk, and store it until I need it.. 41 quarts every year whether they need it or not..
- Art

I was talking to manager at Advance he told me some guy came in and bought the whole pallet of Rotella 15w40 t6, 96 gallons, when it was on sale.

I buy quarts in pallet lots. 0W20 and 5W30 comes in bulk, usually 300-400 gallons at a shot.

That could last me a year if I stretch it lol

Easy...

Take advantage of Spring and Fall oil manufacture rebates and Walmart sales. Gets you good quality brand name fully synthetic oil for around $2.00 bucks a quart. Buy online. Free shipping for orders over $35.

Best value = 5 quart jugs.

Store the unused opened jugs inside out of direct sunlight with cap firmly closed.

If used within 5-years, No concern of oil degradation.

Current best value going: Walmart - Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W-20 - LINK

Rebate: 2022 Pennzoil Platinum Rewards Promotion - LINK

I buy it by the case at the fleet distributor for much less than the auto parts stores, or anywhere else.

Parts store oil prices are insane. I have not bought a bottle of oil from any of them in years.