Question re Dexos 2 0W-40 for new Corvette

[2019StingrayZ51]

Hello all, this is my first post, though I've been searching/stalking for months now

I bought a 2019 Corvette Z51 a few months ago, and the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again, so no problem (guess I got another break-in flush too, so hey that's good). I had planned to do my own maintenance after the 500-mile break-in change, and I'm definitely going to now. From my research it appears that Mobil 1 is supposed to have the ESP 0W-40 available at retail any time now, but I'm still not finding it. So here's my question - what other Dexos 2 approved OW-40 oils are out there and suitable for a dry-sump LT1? What about Valvoline's SynPower MST 5W-40? I see on the Camaro 1LE forums that those guys seem to like it, and other than the dry sump, it's the same motor. I'm hoping one or more of you guys here on BITOG have gone down this rabbit hole already. I tried searching, but haven't found a thread on point. If this has already been covered, if someone could point me to the thread I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Snagglefoot]

Looked at the owners manual for 2018 Corvettes including the dry sump Z-51.Regarding the oil, page 222 says go to page 308. Page 308 says go to page 222. I’ve seen this with Holden once before.

Quite aware that Corvettes are supposed to use ESP 0-40 but the whole issue is that 0W40 is for Corvette owners who are on a track doing 6000 rpm shifts and GM wants the engine to last until the warranty is over. If you don’t have the proper oil lined up, just take it easy until Mobil puts the oil on the shelves, or select an AECA A3B4.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Here you go.

 

[2019StingrayZ51]

Thanks Snagglefoot!

 

[slo town]

Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Here you go.





Is Snagglefoot suggesting the Motul Xmax is Dexos approved? It's not, it's a "typical Euro A3/B4" oil.

A far more commonly available "typical Euro A3/B4" oil that meets the same specs is Castrol Edge European Formula 0w-40. Mobil 1 0w-40 is a "typical Euro A3/B4" oil as well.

Scott

 

[Rand]

I thought dexos 2 was for diesel?

That is odd.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Any dexos2 will be fine

Someone else mentioned MST 5w40, which is easy enough to find and is ok to use. There is also the MST 5w30 at Napa on sale this month and also the PP Euro L 5w30 at Walmart.

Amazon has a variety of licensed dexos2 oils, including Mag1 5w40 which comes in clear bottles

Originally Posted By: Rand
I thought dexos 2 was for diesel?

That is odd.


European-market cars use dexos2 for both gas and diesel. Europe tends to spec thicker oils than Japan and the US (most European cars still use 0/5w40 and some 5w30). They drive their cars harder over there. In the US, GM only specs dexos2 for the Corvette and the diesel Cruze. You can probably use dexos2 in any car that requires dexos1 with no problems

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
So here's my question - what other Dexos 2 approved OW-40 oils are out there and suitable for a dry-sump LT1?

I'm running the 5w30 version of Mobil 1 ESP Formula in my 2018 Stingray, it's also dexos2 certified and if you compare it's specs to the 0w40 ESP Formula it's actually more impressive, IMO. And it's available in a lot of places already, while the new 0w40 is very difficult to find.

 

[Snagglefoot]

[/quote]

Is Snagglefoot suggesting the Motul Xmax is Dexos approved? It's not, it's a "typical Euro A3/B4" oil.

A far more commonly available "typical Euro A3/B4" oil that meets the same specs is Castrol Edge European Formula 0w-40. Mobil 1 0w-40 is a "typical Euro A3/B4" oil as well.

Scott [/quote]

Why not? Here you go ! Not Dexos 2 but many would say who cares. The Mobil 1 will arrive soon.

 

[Bailes1992]

I believe the Mobil1 0w40 is a Dexos2 oil which is an ACEA C3 not an A3/B4.


I'd be looking for a 5w40 to widen your horizons.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted By: Bailes1992
I believe the Mobil1 0w40 is a Dexos2 oil which is an ACEA C3 not an A3/B4.


I'd be looking for a 5w40 to widen your horizons.


Did someone say C3? And holy cow, it is Dexos 2 !

 

[OilUzer]

Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
... the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again ...


Curious what is specified in the owner's manual and how did you find out they used 5Wx30 instead?

 

[4WD]

Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
Hello all, this is my first post, though I've been searching/stalking for months now

I bought a 2019 Corvette Z51 a few months ago, and the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again, so no problem (guess I got another break-in flush too, so hey that's good). I had planned to do my own maintenance after the 500-mile break-in change, and I'm definitely going to now. From my research it appears that Mobil 1 is supposed to have the ESP 0W-40 available at retail any time now, but I'm still not finding it. So here's my question - what other Dexos 2 approved OW-40 oils are out there and suitable for a dry-sump LT1? What about Valvoline's SynPower MST 5W-40? I see on the Camaro 1LE forums that those guys seem to like it, and other than the dry sump, it's the same motor. I'm hoping one or more of you guys here on BITOG have gone down this rabbit hole already. I tried searching, but haven't found a thread on point. If this has already been covered, if someone could point me to the thread I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance!!


I would not mention any of this advice around the dealership …

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted By: OilUzer
Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
... the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again ...


Curious what is specified in the owner's manual and how did you find out they used 5Wx30 instead?


From the 2018 owners manual, 5W30. For temp colder than -20 F, 0W30. For the track, the manual recommends using Mobil 1 15W40. I’m assuming the OP is going to thrash this 2019 Corvette on the track. Photos would be nice.

 

[2019StingrayZ51]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
So here's my question - what other Dexos 2 approved OW-40 oils are out there and suitable for a dry-sump LT1?

I'm running the 5w30 version of Mobil 1 ESP Formula in my 2018 Stingray, it's also dexos2 certified and if you compare it's specs to the 0w40 ESP Formula it's actually more impressive, IMO. And it's available in a lot of places already, while the new 0w40 is very difficult to find.


Thanks Patman. I'll definitely look into that. "Starting at" 5 gives a thicker oil, right? Less additive required to get to the 30/40?

 

[2019StingrayZ51]

Originally Posted By: OilUzer
Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
... the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again ...


Curious what is specified in the owner's manual and how did you find out they used 5Wx30 instead?


OilUzer, manual specifies the Mobil 1 0W-40 Dexos 2 - this is a change from 2018 model year. Dealer missed the memo re update. I only found out when I requested a couple bottles to have as spares/top-off and they handed me the Delco 5w30

 

[2019StingrayZ51]

Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Originally Posted By: OilUzer
Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
... the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again ...


Curious what is specified in the owner's manual and how did you find out they used 5Wx30 instead?


From the 2018 owners manual, 5W30. For temp colder than -20 F, 0W30. For the track, the manual recommends using Mobil 1 15W40. I’m assuming the OP is going to thrash this 2019 Corvette on the track. Photos would be nice.

I hope to get on track at some point, but probably won't be doing a lot. I did take it to the Tail of the Dragon a few weeks ago, and that was a blast. Here's a pic from the Dragon

 

[2019StingrayZ51]

Another question - does anyone know what the HTHS number for the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 is? I've seen two different numbers, both on Mobil 1's website. One data sheet says 3.53 and one says 3.76. This stuff is sooooo confusing....

Another question - why did Chevy switch the 2019 Corvette's to the Dexos 2? It seems to me that there are 2 main reasons for the going to the lower SAPS Dexos 2 - either keeping the emission systems clean, or to keep valves cleaner given the LT1 is a DI motor. Getting off topic, but is there a way to clean the valves regularly in a DI motor? Thoughts?

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
Another question - why did Chevy switch the 2019 Corvette's to the Dexos 2? It seems to me that there are 2 main reasons for the going to the lower SAPS Dexos 2 - either keeping the emission systems clean, or to keep valves cleaner given the LT1 is a DI motor. Getting off topic, but is there a way to clean the valves regularly in a DI motor? Thoughts?


no, they headed in the direction of greater HTHS, offering greater protection in hydrodynamic lubrication, particularly WRT high temps.

I also have a suspicion that with Dexos 1 now including 20s, they want to avoid possible catastrophic confusion in the ILSAC grades for a High Performance engine.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Originally Posted By: OilUzer
Originally Posted By: 2019StingrayZ51
... the first oil change was a debacle - dealer assured me they had the new Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 (Dexos 2), then filled it with the old standard 5w30. Two days later they had the right stuff in and did the job over again ...


Curious what is specified in the owner's manual and how did you find out they used 5Wx30 instead?


From the 2018 owners manual, 5W30. For temp colder than -20 F, 0W30. For the track, the manual recommends using Mobil 1 15W40. I’m assuming the OP is going to thrash this 2019 Corvette on the track. Photos would be nice.

I hope to get on track at some point, but probably won't be doing a lot. I did take it to the Tail of the Dragon a few weeks ago, and that was a blast. Here's a pic from the Dragon

The best way to keep the valves clean in your new Corvette is to do Italian tune-ups on a regular basis, which brings me to the next subject:
Since you're in North Carolina, you have a couple of very good tracks within a few hours drive: Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway. I recommend Road Atlanta for beginners. It is not a simple track, but it will give you a natural high that's better than sex. VIR takes about six days to learn, and is downright scary once you get it right. I instructed a novice at VIR a few years ago, and he was overwhelmed with the number and variety of turns, but he vowed to come back again and again until he got it down.