GM expanding dexos D approved oils

[MurkyAsparagus]

I've made a few posts/comments in the past about dexos D oils that are currently approved and how more and more are coming out every month. I thought it may be time for an update.

GM, over the last few months, has started to approve more and more dexos D oils in a 5w30 viscosity. This is not only for oils found in Central and Southern America (like the ACDelco Oleo Sinetitico para Motor 5w30) but also oils tailored more so towards the European and North American market.

We have seen trends in these LZ0 and LM2 engines showing that a higher viscosity oil is reducing overall wear. I'm hoping this means a move to officially approve 0w/5w30 dexos D oils for these engines.

The ones that really peaked my curiosity were Castrol Edge 5w30 C3, Castrol Magnatec 5w30 DX2, Havoline ProDS 5w30 and ACDelco 5w30. The later of which was the approved OEM oil for the 2.8L found in the Canyon/Colorado. Now, whether or not they are just starting to transition dexos2 oils over to dexos D permanently, we will have to see. The addition of the C3 Castrol Edge supports comments I've seen with GM support saying a C3 oil may be ran if a dexos D oil cannot be purchased.

I should note, again, that these oils may just be a move over to dexos D from dexos 2 and not a move to a higher viscosity oil for the LZ0 and LM2 engines.

Some other 0w20 deoxs D oils from Royal Purple, Ravenol, and Quartz have also been added.

List below:

 

[fantastic]

Yeah, a 30 grade would be a nice option. I'd probably just run the C3 anyways.

 

[UNC196]

I ran several 5w30 oils in my 3.0 Duramax and the lowest wear metals came from Castrol 0w20 Dexos D rated oil.

 

[JackWildfeuer]

I would like to see some comentary on how these oils and their additive packages and base stocks alter the life span on wet-belts used to drive the oil pump!

 

[Jim_Bob]

Anybody know where we can buy 5w30 oils on the above list in the US? I cant seem to find any of them.

 

[UNC196]

Anybody know where we can buy 5w30 oils on the above list in the US? I cant seem to find any of them.

I don’t think you can. They are overseas.

 

[Mossyoakglock]

Has anybody been able to find the Castrol 5W-30 C3? I checked their website and did a Google search and can't find any mention of it.

Could it be their new Euro 5W-30 K since that is C3 rated? I saw some at WalMart today but it didn't have any Dexos D labeling though.

 

[robbobster]

Things are getting spicy due to short supplies…from Automotive News:

(Might be a paywall):
https://www.autonews.com/retail/service-and-parts/an-motor-oil-shortage-crisis-0522/

 

[Mossyoakglock]

Supposedly GM is not backing down on the specifications and not allowing any flexibility in formulations, base oils, etc.

To the OP, I saw the Havoline an the list a few months back and could not find any information on it anywhere, even Havoline's website so I reached out directly. Apparently I stumped everybody there and they forwarded my question over to some other technical team. Below is what they said.

"Well, you certainly threw me for a loop.

I did a bit of digging-
Havoline ProDS D is not a currently commercialized product, prior to launch of a product we obtain all the approvals we need, which is why this product is listed here.

It also appears that it may not be slated for release in North America at this time, which is why I hadn't heard of it."

I also reached out to Castrol to see if they can confirm is C3 and K are the same or if C3 is not available in the US. I'd be curious on the Magntec as well. I ran that in my previous '08 5.3 and really liked it.

Edit - I did find this

Magnatec PDS

 

[fantastic]

Has anybody been able to find the Castrol 5W-30 C3? I checked their website and did a Google search and can't find any mention of it.

Could it be their new Euro 5W-30 K since that is C3 rated? I saw some at WalMart today but it didn't have any Dexos D labeling though.

Yes, It looks like they're combining their products. The K is probably what you're wanting now.

 

[Mossyoakglock]

Hopefully that's the case and we can use an officially approved 5W-30 that's available in the US.

I reached out to Castrol to see if they are now one and the same or if they are separate, if the C3 is even sold in the US.

 

[Mossyoakglock]

I heard back from Castrol and here is what they told me.....

At this time, the only Castrol product marketed in the United States that meets the GM Dexos D specification is Castrol EDGE Euro 0W-20 Turbo Diesel.

Castrol EDGE 5W-30 C3 is not currently sold in the United States. While Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 K does meet the ACEA C3 specification, it is not approved against the GM Dexos D specification.

Therefore, Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 K and Castrol EDGE 5W-30 C3 should not be considered equivalent with respect to Dexos D approval

So it was appear that we still do not have an approved 0W-30 or 5W-30 that is available in the US (I got basically the same answer from Havoline on their 5W-30 as well).

I'm wondering if it's because Dexos2 has been replaced by DexosD so the previous Dexos2 oils are now on the list showing as "approved" DexosD oils.

Edit: I was just looking at the Mobil Super 3000 and came across this on their website:

Mobil Super 3000 Formula DD 5W-30 is also recommend for vehicles equipped with diesel engines that previously used GM dexos2 where a 5W-30 viscosity is required

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Dexos 2 the certification for the 2.8 diesel in the Colorado? Maybe this is all causing confusion now that DexosD has replaced Dexos2. It says it's DexosD approved but only ACEA C2 but the 3.0 needs to be C3 at a minimum.

 

[rollins.]

Have a look at the two approval lists :

https://www.gmdexos.com/brands/dexosd/index.html

https://www.gmdexos.com/brands/dexos2/index.html

In their xw-30 viscosity , the majority of Dexos D oils are approved against Dexos 2 - with the same license # (whatever that means).
I cannot find the exact chemical limits and motor test wear #'s for Dexos D for comparison but I would not be very surprised if there were no difference between Dexos 2 and Dexos D (in their xw-30 visosities I mean).
I guess the Dexos D xw-30 approval list will only continue to grow with more Dexos 2 prevously approved oils .

This company was (maybe still is) FF supplier of some Dexos fluids to GM - Europe operations along with Total :
https://us.championlubes.com/en-us/...ls/champion-oem-specific-5w-30-ms-gd/65665-02

https://wolf-prd-pltn-ods-web-asset...79&kadanzaId=c573e0540f97e6655277507425a253f5

https://wolf-prd-pltn-ods-web-asset...51&kadanzaId=18de47c16261a04931a57a5e18daa110

https://wolf-prd-pltn-ods-web-asset...51&kadanzaId=76b9a62ef6322d87ab305c55fd80b06a

As for availability , imo any ACEA C3 , MB 229.5x-officially approved oil will do the job fine.

 

[Zee09]

GM has bigger problems than oil to address.