5 Storage and Handling Tips for Automotive Lubricants

Working under the hood of your car from home can be a rewarding hobby. Not only can maintaining your car prolong its life, but that routine upkeep can also save you money. One of the biggest challenges of do-it-yourself auto work, however, is the limited workspace. A home garage typically isn’t equipped with the tools of the trade to make the job as easy and convenient as possible. This is especially true when it comes to storing your lubricants.

But just because you don’t have a full-scale garage to work in doesn't mean you can't set up an amazing workspace for auto repairs and lubricant storage. Following are five tips for storing your automotive lubricants that can make your car maintenance much easier and enjoyable.

1. Create an Area for Lubricant Storage 

This first tip may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised. Many people are in the habit of lining their motor oils on the floor of the garage where they are exposed to the elements, dirt, debris and dust. If you don’t set up a proper storage area specifically for your automotive lubricants, you’re making things much more difficult than they need to be.

For example, you can eliminate the risk of spills and contamination when you designate an enclosed storage area for your lubricants. Whether you’re working with synthetic oils, engine oils or other types of fluids, they generally will come with instructions that tell you how to store them. An enclosed area can help solve your storage issues.

2. Know the Shelf Life

It's easy to forget to look at the shelf life when you first purchase a lubricant. However, when you go back to your storage area to find the lubricant you need, you'll want to make sure it's still good to use. Products used past their shelf life can result in poor performance and potentially even damage the parts they are meant to aid. 

The problem here is that the labeling on lubricant containers can be scuffed up or rubbed off over time. That’s why it's a good idea to record the shelf life of each lubricant when you buy it. Keep this record in your storage area to make things easier on yourself.

3. Use Proper Dispensing Equipment

Dispensing equipment is made for various types of automotive lubricants. Each piece of equipment is designed to ensure that the lubricant gets into your vehicle without any sort of contamination. However, if you don't use the proper dispensing equipment, you can end up contaminating the lubricant before it gets into your vehicle. This could result in poor vehicle performance. Do yourself a favor and purchase the right dispensing equipment for each type of lubricant you need.

4. Quality Control

When you buy lubricants from your supplier, regularly test the product for quality. Otherwise, you're just relying on the word of the supplier. Instead, take time to analyze the lubricant. Simple oil analysis can provide key indicators of the base stock, additives used, concentration, performance and overall quality levels. Most places where you buy motor oils will provide this information, giving you a chance to verify that everything looks as it should.

5. Label Your Lubricants

While all lubricants come with a label from the supplier, that label can get damaged over time, which can then make it difficult to determine what the product is. To resolve this issue, label your lubricants with an anti-warping solution or affix the label to a shelf under the product. This will allow you to always know what you have in stock.

Improving your automotive lubricant performance starts with proper storage and handling. By implementing the tips outlined above, you can ensure your lubricants work effectively for your vehicle. Remember, your car is only as good as the products you put into it.