$38 GM synthetic differential oil.

[brights_garage]

Ok I was at the local dealership the other day and inquired about some differential oil for my GMC vehicles. I was told that they had the oil in stock and that it was $38 per quart. I asked why so high and the parts guy said "because its synthetic oil." At which time I replied that so was Mobil 1 at Autozone for $9.

I know this has probably been hashed out many times but does anyone on this site know if Mobil 1 or Valvoline Syn can be safely be used in the place of the GM oil whether LS or not.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't see why not being a GL5 of the correct viscity.

 

[Pablo]

I say step to Severe Gear:

Amsoil gear oils

And save money.

 

[Johnny248]

I may be wrong, but I think some GM axles require a "special" fluid, I remember it being blue or green? and I think there it isn't just a GL5 type oil

 

[JHZR2]

I think youre thinking of the autotrac transfer case fluid.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
I say step to Severe Gear:

Amsoil gear oils

And save money.


^^BIG 2nd!

 

[mongo161]

GM is just like Toyota and the rest of the dealerships. I was at Toyota about a month ago to pick up some washers for oil changes and someone was complaining about the $30 per gallon price tag on the "Red Toyota coolant/antifreeze.

The manager in the parts department worked his was into the conversation and sold the 2 gallon for $30.00 each to the patron.

If the patron only knew that he could use Prestone Green, on sale or Zerex, and just change the anti-freeze every two years he would have saved some loot.

All is not what it appears to be.....colors and gimmicks abound in today's world.

 

[brights_garage]

Amsoil Severe Gear is an excellent product with great test data. Outperforms GM synthetic in almost every test. Which brings my question. Why do they (GM) only specify their own oil and overcharge for it when others seem to be better performers? What is so special about GM oil?

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I think youre thinking of the autotrac transfer case fluid.

now that I think about it, I think you are correct.

 

[unDummy]

I don't see the problem.

$38 buys you a quart of fluid, including profit for the dealership, profit for GM, sales bonus for the parts manager, and do hope that the taxpayer gets a pay back one day.....

Fill 'er up with Mobil1, Amsoil, Redline,.....or any full synthetic GL5 gear oil. Add LSD additive if needed. And, then send me 1/2 of what you saved.

 

[mechtech2]

GM posted a profit, recently.
$40 for a $10 bottle of oil must have helped!

 

[hisilver]

Ive used Amsoil Severe Gear and Royal Purple Max Gear, both 75w90, in my chevy truck and both worked perfectly as far as i can tell (no failure).

 

[oilboy123]

Lots better synthetic lubes out there than the GM stuff. I'm sure it's OK quality, just not worth the money. I use Amsoil myself. Mobil 1 would be my second choice for something easy to find on the shelves.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: brights_garage
What is so special about GM oil?


The GM oil has a lovely grape scent, if you mean the spec #9986115 stuff. For the price, it ought to have gold flake mixed in.

I can't answer your question about M1 and Valvoline. However, I do remember a post on here about M1 causing problems with a G80 locking rear. That was about five years ago, when I was looking for an alternative to the then $20-something GM fluid. Others' experience with M1 may be fine.

I went with Amsoil Severe Gear and it has been fine for 40k miles. For your fleet, it looks like a case or even a 5-gal bucket of Amsoil would be just the thing.

 

[endeavor to persevere]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
Originally Posted By: brights_garage
What is so special about GM oil?


The GM oil has a lovely grape scent, if you mean the spec #9986115 stuff. For the price, it ought to have gold flake mixed in.

I can't answer your question about M1 and Valvoline. However, I do remember a post on here about M1 causing problems with a G80 locking rear. That was about five years ago, when I was looking for an alternative to the then $20-something GM fluid. Others' experience with M1 may be fine.

I went with Amsoil Severe Gear and it has been fine for 40k miles. For your fleet, it looks like a case or even a 5-gal bucket of Amsoil would be just the thing.


I have never seen Mobil 1 cause a problem with the G80 in trucks. Have run it in my G80 Eaton Locker. What may cause a problem is people thinking its a limited slip instead of a mechanical locker and adding an additive.

This is what GM says on this..

***Important: Installing any friction modifier causes the clutch pack in the locking differential to slip and miss engagement. A fluid flush can often remove debris that is a contributor to clutch chatter. Adding friction modifier additive can cause a loss of locking differential functionality***

 

[drfeelgood]

I ran M1 75-90 in my G80 for 45 k miles. Worked fine.

 

[Jasper8146]

This may be getting off topic, but I disagree about the Toyota red antifreeze being fungible. I owned a Lexus for 9 years and bought it when it was 6 years old. The Toyota red antifreeze was never changed until a deer collision necessitated replacing the radiator when the car was 10 years old. They told me it was in pristine condition deposit-wise, which I found unbelievable at the time. Yes, $30 gallon is pretty expensive, but I think the Toyota antifreeze is a "special" fluid along the lines of Honda's VTM4 differential fluid, and I think going to something else is a considerable risk. For what it's worth, I generally believe in upgrading OEM fluids, and do so whenever I can. The Toyota red fluid isn't one that I think can be safely upgraded or changed. I don't think that is the case, however, with the GM synthetic axle fluid. I haven't seen anything anywhere suggesting it is one of those "special" fluids that cannot be switched to something else without a significant risk. Also, I generally have been aware of the incredibly high cost of the GM synthetic axle/differential fluid and have consistently wondered why would anyone pay that much when there are equivalent or better fluids for much, much less? I believe there are Redline and Amsoil products which are equally good or better than the GM synthetic and those cost a lot less. Good luck!

 

[brights_garage]

I found some of this GM Synthetic Axle Lube on eBay for $9+S/H. This is the new formula specified in the newer GM vehicles. It has a real nice Grape flavor.

 

[Herz]

I use valvoline synpower in my diffs with no problem

 

[ARB1977]

Originally Posted By: mongo161
GM is just like Toyota and the rest of the dealerships. I was at Toyota about a month ago to pick up some washers for oil changes and someone was complaining about the $30 per gallon price tag on the "Red Toyota coolant/antifreeze.

The manager in the parts department worked his was into the conversation and sold the 2 gallon for $30.00 each to the patron.

If the patron only knew that he could use Prestone Green, on sale or Zerex, and just change the anti-freeze every two years he would have saved some loot.

All is not what it appears to be.....colors and gimmicks abound in today's world.

Prestone Green huh..many sites ive visted have said not to use grren and that it can mess up seals. All the customer needed was a gallon. Change it out every 4 years or so. Even at 30.00 a gallon thats nothing every 4 years.