GM Dexos 5W30

[oldhp]

I've searched really. I can't find what percentage of "synthetic oil is in the Dexos1 5W30 synthetic blend oil. Anybody know???
I bought a 2014 Silverado 4.3 V-6 and it comes with 4 oil changes at 5K OCI's.
Has there been a sample of the Dexos1 oil to see what is in it???

 

[lawman1909]

Dexos1 is really only needed for GM engines with turbos. I have a 1.8L cruze and never used Dexos1 oil. Always just used Motorcraft full synthetic 5w30. Works great and engine has 0 problems. Dexos1 just means the oil contains more detergent to keep the turbos clean. Other than that, just use a good synthetic blend or full synthetic and you'll be fine. Cheers

 

[Red91]

I've read the percentage of syn to con is supposed to be 50/50. The new 4.3 has DI and VVT, and I'd stick to the "Dexos" spec for warranty purposes. You can pick up Pennzoil and/or Quaker State Dexos blends at Wal-Mart cheap, and Quaker State Full Synthetic is cheap there as well.

 

[oldhp]

Red91, 50/50? That high? If that's true that's pretty good for a blend. So far that new 4.3 is pretty awesome to me. Only 1500 miles on it and getting 23.8MPG combined, it's rated 24MPG highway. After the free oil changes I'll probably use the new Pennzoil Platinum, or what ever is the newest bestest oil in 2 years!

 

[hattaresguy]

Who cares its free and meets GM specs.

Nice truck btw.

 

[Red91]

I believe that is the required ratio for the blends to meet spec, and there are other factors for the full synthetic oils. I wasn't wild about it at first, but that had a lot to do with the first Dexos oils being quite expensive. They have come down considerably since then.

 

[2KBMW]

Originally Posted By: lawman1909
Dexos1 is really only needed for GM engines with turbos. I have a 1.8L cruze and never used Dexos1 oil. Always just used Motorcraft full synthetic 5w30. Works great and engine has 0 problems. Dexos1 just means the oil contains more detergent to keep the turbos clean. Other than that, just use a good synthetic blend or full synthetic and you'll be fine. Cheers



You got that all wrong. The Dexos 1 spec is the oil needed for all GM engines
from 2011 on. In Europe they use Dexos 2. It's not only for turbos. You better
check with your dealership. The Motorcraft may meet the Dexos 1 spec but why
take chances with your warranty.

 

[lawman1909]

Well I was told this by a GM service tech. He said the engines from 2011 on use Dexos1 because of the turbos being cooled by the oil. The oil has much more detergent and anti-foaming properties which will help in keeping the turbos gunk and sludge free. Any synthetic motor oil made by any well known brand will work fine. The GM engines not using turbos will do fine with any synthetic blend/full synthetic. Plus how would they tell if Dexos1 oil was used? They really can't unless you don't service the car regularly.

 

[bigjl]

In Europe there are several oils that meet Dexos 2.

I personally don't see the point in second guessing the use of Dexos 1.

A dealer tech is hardly the fountain of all info in the world of automotive oil.

 

[lawman1909]

No, you're correct but I trust someone who works for GM and says not to worry. He did specify not to use conventional of any sort.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
oldhp - many variations on a knowledge theme exist - experiment with the following Chart to see why the Dexos specifications are meaningful;

http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/orig...p/pc/index.html

With GF5 products, the base is likely to be Group 3 in the cheaper versions at least

 

[tommygunn]

Congrats on the new truck!

I think the OEM GM dexos oil is still made by XOM. The bottles are obviously Mobil bottles.

The 50% doesn't surprise me though. For example, even aftermarket dexos oil such as Pennzoil Dexos Blend is at least 50% syn according to the bottle.

Supposedly Castrol and Valvoline blends only have around 30% syn yet still meet dexos1 standards.

Even though you're getting free oil changes for now, it may be a good idea to stock up on Napa synthetic for only $3.49/qt, and it meets dexos1 standards. Full synthetic for less than a blend.

 

[bigt61]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Who cares its free and meets GM specs.

Nice truck btw.

+1 At 5000 miles you won't be stressing that oil. As I recall, those new GM trucks have fairly large sumps. Free is good.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
In Europe there are several oils that meet Dexos 2.

I personally don't see the point in second guessing the use of Dexos 1.

A dealer tech is hardly the fountain of all info in the world of automotive oil.


Exactly. Dexos makes buying oil for a GM an easy process. It assures the oil meets the spec for the engine and the OLM will function accurately.
Some people cant get past GM making a few pennies a qt, its that simple.

Thing is its a good spec that will protect the engine, i look for it when servicing stock GM cars.
Most mechanics know little or nothing about oil, i was in the business almost 35 years before i found BITOG and got interested in lubricants.
35 years is a long time to run around clueless but its more the norm than the exception.

 

[supercity]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Congrats on the new truck!

Supposedly Castrol and Valvoline blends only have around 30% syn yet still meet dexos1 standards.


Castrol make GTX 5w30 Dexos 1 so you can meet DX1 with a "conventional" lube.

 

[Ram01]

Oh my

 

[yvon_la]

?if mobil delvac1 le5w30 or similar oil aren't meeting gm engine need ,no oil will.trucking industry need world wide are insanely more demanding then cars!i aint sure on t6 but If I aint mistaken the t6 0w40 also should pass all world wide test,since the t6 0w40 formulation is supposedly to be design for the various world wide stringent need2(futur in mind))

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: lawman1909
Plus how would they tell if Dexos1 oil was used? They really can't unless you don't service the car regularly.

Ask for the oil receipts.

 

[TiredTrucker]

Originally Posted By: lawman1909
Dexos1 is really only needed for GM engines with turbos.


I think it also has a lot to do with the AFM 8cyl/4cyl thing the small block V8's have going on. The lifters need a high detergency oil and one with low NOACK since they use engine oil to shut off/reactivate during AFM cycles. There are a number of TSB's where lifter issues are a problem. Fortunately, this whole thing is a side note to those of us that have disabled the AFM function in our engines.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^ Pure conjecture, even if partially factual.

AFM issues are long gone, and have been for about 3 model years now. Hundreds of thousands of them NEVER had a problem at all, it was only a very small percentage that was involved.

You never heard from any of the happy owners, only the ones on the Net...