Equinox factory fill

[vwalburn]

Have a 2011 Equinox coming up on 4400 miles. Want to decide on what oil to use at the first oil change. Couldn't get a good answer from GM as to the factory fill in the 2.4L 4 cyl. Want to use a dexos1 oil so my choices are: Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil1 or Quaker State UD. Amsoil XL says that it meets dexos1 standards but is not licensed on the official GM dexos website;
http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html
What's everyone's opinion on all this?

 

[Johnny]

The three oils you listed are all excellent oils. Your GM car came from the factory with a Mobil product in it.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
The three oils you listed are all excellent oils. Your GM car came from the factory with a Mobil product in it.


+1. Make sure which oil you choise is Dexos1 licensed for the warranty to avoid future problems.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: vwalburn
Have a 2011 Equinox coming up on 4400 miles. Want to decide on what oil to use at the first oil change. Couldn't get a good answer from GM as to the factory fill in the 2.4L 4 cyl. Want to use a dexos1 oil so my choices are: Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil1 or Quaker State UD. Amsoil XL says that it meets dexos1 standards but is not licensed on the official GM dexos website;
http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html
What's everyone's opinion on all this?


vwalburn,

I was told on my 08' Impala SS the factory fill was Mobil oil. If that's is true then you might consider just using Mobil 1 synthetic. This is of course my second dealership I'm seeing cux the dealership I bought my SS from uses Chevron oil and synthetic as there service standard. Now that I switched my new service place has Mobil 1 as a second choice. This is of course your choice.

Durango

 

[beast3300]

Try all the Dexos approved oils until you find one you like. Definitely use only the Dexos oil(s).

 

[vwalburn]

How should I view Amsoil saying one thing but not being on the list?

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: vwalburn
Have a 2011 Equinox coming up on 4400 miles. Want to decide on what oil to use at the first oil change. Couldn't get a good answer from GM as to the factory fill in the 2.4L 4 cyl. Want to use a dexos1 oil so my choices are: Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil1 or Quaker State UD. Amsoil XL says that it meets dexos1 standards but is not licensed on the official GM dexos website;
http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html
What's everyone's opinion on all this?


FF is Mobil brand oil.

You actually don't have to use Dexos oil. Right in your owner's manual it says if it is not available you can use API Starburst oil. I would not sweat having to use a Dexos oil. Just be sure it is API Starburst certified if the brand you want to use did not certify for Dexos. Rememebr, GM says right in the owner's manual you can use something other than Dexos!

Originally Posted By: 2001 Equinox Owner's manual
Use of Substitute Engine Oils if
dexos is unavailable: In the event
that dexos approved engine oil is
not available at an oil change or for
maintaining proper oil level, you
may use substitute engine oil
displaying the API Starburst symbol
and of SAE 5w30 viscosity grade.


Amsoil XL is API Certified with the Starburst so it is fine to use.

 

[crazyoildude]

wow!! Suprising you could not get a good answer from gm...
But even if they did answer your question i would have to double check their answer.
I believe gm uses mobil products mobil 1 is a good choice for that engine. Mobil makes a good quality oil

 

[crazyoildude]

I would use dexos just in case of a warantee problem... Its just something else to use if a judge in a lemon law case is deciding your claim and especially if the judge is not a regular bitog member which some are not...I know a judge personally and he knows nothing about oils..

 

[JTK]

I don't understand all the "use Dexos1 oil only" comments? Is this seriously an absolute requirement for this engine? I highly doubt it. It's an Equinox not a $50K Cadillac. Ecotecs will run happily on just about anything. Great engine BTW and a good looking vehicle.

Joel

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
I would use dexos just in case of a warantee problem... Its just something else to use if a judge in a lemon law case is deciding your claim and especially if the judge is not a regular bitog member which some are not...I know a judge personally and he knows nothing about oils..


I have provided a quote directly from the 2011 Equinox owner's manual in my post above where GM says you can use an API Starbusrt certified 5w30 in place of Dexos when it is not available at a change and to top off. There is no comments about if you do that to change the oil right off or that it will harm anything. I have seen mfg's do that where you are allowed to use a diffferent oil in an emergency situation but they say to either change it asap or reduce the change interval. NO such warnings from GM about using a Dexos substitute here. Just says API Starburst oil may be substituted when needed.

They do have a clause saying to only use Dexos oil or you may run into warranty issues. However, they negate that by having the API Starburst clause right next to it. They can't have it both ways. They can't say use only Dexos or you will have warranty issues with us but if you can't find Dexos it is ok to use regular API Starburst oil. GM has put it in writing that you do not have to use a Dexos oil by allowing another oil to be used as needed with no restrictions on it. Doesn't matter if the Judge knows anything about oil or not. Just take the manual in and show the info I posted above.

I am as analcompulsive as anyone about following the mfg's requirements. I would not hesitate for a second to not use Dexos oils in a 2001 Equinox based on GM's own words in the manual. Not only that but the 2010 Equinox is the exact same vehicle with the exact same engine options. They were spec'd for API Starburst as Dexos was not out yet. No internal changes to the OP's 4 cyl from 2010 to 2011 so GM can not say Dexos is required or it will cause problems.

 

[Pablo]

Excellent posts by NHHEMI.

Quote:
How should I view Amsoil saying one thing but not being on the list?


Amsoil says this:

Quote:
AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oils are excellent for use in all types of gasoline-fueled vehicles. They are recommended for all domestic and foreign vehicles requiring any of the listed performance specifications:

XLF 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil

* API SN, SM...
* ILSAC GF-5, GF-4...
* ACEA A1/B1
* Ford WSS-M2C929-A
* Chrysler MS-6395N
* GM dexos1™ (supersedes LL-A-025, 6094M and 4718M)
Fortified with detergents that exceed dexos1™ sulfated ash specifications.


Amsoil in the past did not have a good business relationship with GM. Amsoil refuses to pay GM for listings, however they can and do obtain the technical specifications and requirements and they test to these requirements. Amsoil is simply telling the truth.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: vwalburn
How should I view Amsoil saying one thing but not being on the list?


Well, AMSOIL is Top of the line, they are just not a giant in the industry, XOM and Pennz probably get the extra marketing help because of the hefty fee they paid GM to license their oils. AMSOIL is approved and will back up their warranty, I trust them more than either XOM or Shell.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI

I have provided a quote directly from the 2011 Equinox owner's manual in my post above where GM says you can use an API Starbusrt certified 5w30 in place of Dexos when it is not available at a change and to top off.


Ah! I didn't catch that. I had a feeling it was perfectly acceptable to use any current starburst 5w30 in this engine.

 

[ems1]

I have a 2010 Equinox and have been using PP 5w30. I'm wondering if GM is specifying Dexos to prevent deposits in the intake of the DI engines.
I've seen a few threads with photos of really bad deposits. I think they were mostly VW DI engines. I was concerned with this happening in my 2.4.
If this is the case, I can understand the warrantee issues.

 

[crazyoildude]

it can be another mark against you in court...Just asked the wifey she is a Lawyer and says that every little thing they blow out of proportion and may prolong your case.. I know what the book says sometimes it is better to be cautious... im sure any oil will do just fine..Better to be safe than sorry

 

[crazyoildude]

what do you base this trust on? Just curious im not saying there is anything wrong with amsoil i would not know i dont use it but many do... In the engines we build here we tell the customer to use the oil weight that the car company has on the oil cap.. We prefer something sm or above..

 

[dave1251]

Amsoil will stand by thier product. I would not worry about it.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
it can be another mark against you in court...Just asked the wifey she is a Lawyer and says that every little thing they blow out of proportion and may prolong your case.. I know what the book says sometimes it is better to be cautious... im sure any oil will do just fine..Better to be safe than sorry


Just rememebr it is GM who has said you can use API Starburst certified oil in place of Dexos oil. It isn't me. The owner's manual they provided you with the vehicle says this. Kind of hard to get out of it when they said it is ok to do. I do not understand your concern and be safe and be cautious comments?

 

[crazyoildude]

Owning an engine shop i agree with you that it dont matter to the engine much if at all but having a wife that is a Lawyer i still stand by my comments that it is safer to use the dexos in an engine that dexos is recommended in case of an issue with the engine... Its another issue that may be considered during a hearing...Keep it simple it goes quicker.. i know what the book says but what does the oil cap say?
There was an issue a few years back with a mistake in an owners manual that caused an issue with using some kind of cleaner on the interior i believe. and when it went to court the car company won saying something like yes it was a mistake but on the cleaner it said not to use on that particular interior.. I will have her look that up it was told to me by one of her partners when i asked him today.. I think it was an article in the law journel but im not sure..I know the Lawyers all say that its better to have your car serviced at the dealer while under warrantee just in case.. We all know anyone can service our car as long as it is done correctly but then there is the issue, prove it was done correctly. Its just something else to make it harder to get what they promised..