What do the tests cost to pass DEXOS certification cost?

[ammolab]

A guy is telling me that he has “seen” GM dealers send multiple oil sample in to verify that the crankcase oil passes all DEXOS specifications before doing warranty work. I say “no way” …the battery of tests would cost more than even BIG warranty repairs. So why? They might require maintenance has been done on schedule…but this?

Any knowledge what those multiple tests would run? Not just viscosity, but his claim is DEXOS certified and even brand name of crankcase oil sampled.

Or, even opinion on his story?

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

I have my doubts.

 

[D1dad]

How much would this testing cost? I could see it if it if the owner couldn’t produce the right documentation. If you’re using an oil like hpl or red line I wouldn’t worry about if it passes their testing. Then you’re forced to produce receipts that show it’s not on the list. If I were ever to give GM another shot, I’d buy the cheapest dexos approved oil and video my oil changes with time stamps. As to how much an approval cost? I’ve never seen an estimate, but it must be high enough that a lot of companies say nope.

 

[BobsArmory]

I would guess that a test to see if a used oil passes DEXOS would be near impossible. I'm going to pull this out of my rear but just testing a new oil would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and weeks if not months of work.

 

[Pablo]

Call bunk on this dude

There are more myths about motor oil than myths of small ape like people living under houses.

When people don’t understand something- some folks just make things up

 

[rstsco]

Even if the oil doesn't meet the Dexos specification, denying warranty coverage also requires proving doing so caused the failure. Yes, I realize this sounds simply and the dealership should just roll over and accept their obligations, but it's all about the almighty dollar, and customers paying out of pocket pays much more than what a manufacturer pays for the labor on the same job.

I'm running HPL and document everything. Honda specs call for using oil with the API donut, which HPL does not have, but the spec is still under "Recommended" in the owner's manual. Once a manufacturer requires a specific part or oil in order to keep your warranty valid, they must provide it free.

In my case, HPL "meets or exceeds" API spec. Let them prove otherwise.

 

[Pablo]

Ask for data!

 

[Urshurak776]

Call bunk on this dude

There are more myths about motor oil than myths of small ape like people living under houses.

When people don’t understand something- some folks just make things up

100% agree. I heard that 81.111765341% of statistics are just made up on the spot.

 

[kschachn]

Plus the fact that there isn't any particular property that is unique to a dexos license which could be discovered by testing as long as the oil met similar properties.

Sounds like Version 256 of "you'll violate the warranty".

 

[Pablo]

They are looking for the secret identity tracer additive

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

A guy is telling me that he has “seen” GM dealers send multiple oil sample in to verify that the crankcase oil passes all DEXOS specifications before doing warranty work. I say “no way” …the battery of tests would cost more than even BIG warranty repairs. So why? They might require maintenance has been done on schedule…but this?

Any knowledge what those multiple tests would run? Not just viscosity, but his claim is DEXOS certified and even brand name of crankcase oil sampled.

Or, even opinion on his story?

I suppose it's possible if the particular Dexos approval has additive limitations. Think warranty claim on a catalytic converter, DPF or OPF. Remember GM pays the dealer for warranty work and dealers don't want to get stuck having a claim denied after the fact so if GM wants an oil sample they'll get it done.

 

[rstsco]

They are looking for the secret identity tracer additive

Shhh! It's a secret.

 

[earlyre]

Call bunk on this dude

There are more myths about motor oil than myths of small ape like people living under houses.

When people don’t understand something- some folks just make things up

yep... there's a well respected Auto/Diesel College in my area... lots of the Students work at the store I work at...
Several years back ( pre 2019 is as close as i can pin it down) one of said Students blew up the 5.3 in his Sliverado, and had the Chevy Dealer replace it.
He got mad at them when he found they filled it with Synthetic oil ( you know, the GM Spec'd DEXOS oil...), as one of the instructors was still telling them the old wives tale that once you put synthetic oil in an engine, you can never use conventional again... as if it would blow up or something....

 

[nascarnation]

They are looking for the secret identity tracer additive

Lake Speed is the only one who can detect it!

 

[Foxtrot08]

So to do an engine sequence test, for Dexos - the last I heard, is over $500,000 for certification.

On a UOA, the best you’re going to get is the UOA data that you’re going to get here basically. There’s a few other tests you can run that might add up to a couple of hundred dollars. But it’s not going to do anything special to say it’s Dexos or not.

On a VOA, you in theory could thumb print it against known products. But unless you have a retain from the actual blend that product came from, you’re not going to be able to match it identically. As every thumb print is a tiny bit different due to the base oil and additive variations.

 

[facility1]

Last I knew the additive company can carry a Dexos gen 3 to be licensed in their recipe depending on base oil blends. and given formulation.

 

[burbguy82]

100% agree. I heard that 81.111765341% of statistics are just made up on the spot.

....100% of the time

 

[burbguy82]

They are looking for the secret identity tracer additive

gypsy or unicorn tears

 

[Hootbro]

Sounds like a blowhard that wants to seem important.

 

[fantastic]

Even if the oil doesn't meet the Dexos specification, denying warranty coverage also requires proving doing so caused the failure. Yes, I realize this sounds simply and the dealership should just roll over and accept their obligations, but it's all about the almighty dollar, and customers paying out of pocket pays much more than what a manufacturer pays for the labor on the same job.

I'm running HPL and document everything. Honda specs call for using oil with the API donut, which HPL does not have, but the spec is still under "Recommended" in the owner's manual. Once a manufacturer requires a specific part or oil in order to keep your warranty valid, they must provide it free.

In my case, HPL "meets or exceeds" API spec. Let them prove otherwise.

I figured Honda would want the "Starburst" & not just the "Service" Donut.

https://www.api.org/-/media/files/c...-diesel/publications/motor oil guide 1020.pdf