Just saw this. Seems GM might require you to use their oil in the future. What a bunch of crap

DIY oil changes have faced challenges over the years. Some cities considered banning DIY oil changes to prevent disastrous pollution from used oil. Strong public support for DIY oil changes has led to good solutions, like education and mandatory oil recycling, in most places.

The latest challenge could be coming from General Motors. Traditionally, car manufacturers specify different oil weights (5W30) or broad categories like synthetic, but they all use the same oil standards (currently ILSAC GF-5 for gas engines) and leave it up to the vehicle owners or repair shops to choose their favorite oil brands.

Now GM is changing the status quo by requiring their proprietary, Dexos™ oil be used in new GM cars beginning in 2011. GM says Dexos™ offers more miles between oil changes. Skeptics say Dexos™ is probably very similar to GF-5. This proprietary oil will certainly bring licensing fees and royalties to GM. However, it might also alienate new GM car owners who discover a Dexos™ oil change is more expensive and initially only available at new car dealerships. Exclusive oil does not offer owners much cachet.

Car manufacturers have required special, secret-formula transmission, power steering, and other fluids in the past. After a few years, the fluid manufacturers often figured out how to create a fluid that met both the single car manufacturer’s testing standards as well as the standards everybody else was using. Proprietary, dealer-only fluids might be accepted in Europe or other parts of the world, but DIY and independent repair shop fluid changes just have too much support in the United States. I am guessing the Dexos™ standard will eventually just be another footnote on an oil bottle label.

 

I recently bought a '11 Equinox as a DD, and found that it required Dexos. The bit of investigation I did is that, according to GM, it was created to standardize across all the various standards that exist internationally and across platforms. I'd say if that we really true, they would be charging so much for license fees.

I spent a couple hours looking for any oil in the local auto supply stores, and found NOTHING. I ended using the Mobil 1 (GM4718M) that I use in the vette, and trailblazer ss. I'm a bit angry, still, that they made this a requirement of the vehicle before the oil is available.

 

I have read that the "Dexos" oil cost quite a bit more than oils that are commonly used.

 

Mitsubishi is doing the same thing. Starting on 2011 models, they require Mitsubishi's 0w-20 fully synthetic oil. They state similar things about only that fluid, no others and such. I will say tho, it is cheaper per quart that the equivalent Mobil1 oil. It proly is just the same oil in a different container anyways....

 

I guess we will have to wait and see - CAPITALISM @ its best

Thanks,Matt

 

How is the warranty affected by using or not using this new oil?

 

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If you dont use it and have a failure in the engine, then the claim will be denied. GM will (well, most likely will require the oil sent off for inspection. No different if you had a Toyota, Nissan, or Mitsubishi with a CVT transmission and used the wrong fluid (not reg ATF and can not cross fluids from diff manufacture) they will deny any repair.

 

You're right, another bunch of from GM. If this happens, hopefully it won't be long before the other fluid manufacturers make equivalent stuff.

 

This is nothing new! Toyota has the same requirement. I looked at the label in my friends new Avalon and it specifies Toyota oil be used! My Brother in Law's wife died from ALS and over the last year or so getting a oil change wasn't on His mind. I went to visit and noticed that His Avalon put out a puff of smoke on start up. He had about 6,000 miles on the oil and about 10,000 on the car. Took it in to Toyota and they had to replace the valve seals! The require a 3,000 mile oil change.

 

I saw this too, and I went to the 'Dexos/ General motors' website and they state that the Dexos oils are the Only But it seems they were insisting on 'Dexos for diesel engines only but they do mention using it in gasoline engines as well. My Vette says 5W/30 meeting GM4718M and my warranty will expire this coming summer. I change the oil every year with Mobil-1 even if I only drive a few thoudand miles in one year, somebody said I was stupid for changing perfectly good oil and filter, but if I have any kind of engine problems/ oil related and they don't find or get me to produce a current oil & filter change receipt or work order in the last year you know their going deny any claims. That's one of the reasons having anykind of warranty is a PITA.

But I see this and all the changing laws are very soon going to put all of us who want to do anything to our cars making it illegal, or forcing us to use GM or any manufacturer Only service dealer's. SEMA is trying to fight for us, but the damn government is constantly changing the laws. I just had County Corvette Inc. swap out my stock exhaust for a Corsa 'Pace Car' cat back system and I'm sure in a few years they are going to force that changing it is illegal. One state I think it's RI that outlaws aftermarket exhaust already. Around here as it is, you cannot have a vehicle on your property if it's immobile, unregistered. or uninspected. Even if your working on your car on your property out in the open, it's still illegal. I'm lucky as I have three garages, I keep the vette in one and rent out the other two.

God D&^% country is going to all hell. Ya gotta get a permit to flush the damn toliet pretty soon !

 

The Dexos1 spec is licensed like GM4718M is/was.

Current list: http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html

 

Gonna cost GM/aka U.S. Government lots of lawsuits and lots of money to require such illegal acts of criminal activity and or usery.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty act of 1975

I certainly will be sitting on the sidelines laughing my butt off while GM or any manufacturer for that matter steps in the dog poo over this.

Now IF they provide all services free of charge, that's legal. BUT thats part of the warranty act requirements.

http://www.impalaclub.com/naisso/magmoss.htm


You would think they would be smart enough to know the laws.....but I forgot that they still don't even know how to run a business.....

 

As said before, nothing new for all the manufacturers. But at least it's GM, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to support products for them. All the popular oils will meet new GM specs very quickly. Try finding oil for a dumb VW. They change required specs for different years and individual engines. Only place to get oil for the turbo diesel is the dealer or online.

 

Thanks for my learning of the day...

 

Yeah last time that happened with ferrari and the enzo, they required you to buy their oil at like 100 bucks a quart.. well they got sued and now they can no longer force you to use their oil.

 

Will this affect our old C5s?

-Alex

 

Simple solution,,,don't buy a new one till the BS goes away!!All the new ones I bought had little or no dealer service,,only warranty work!! I did keep records and receipts for my oil changes,,but was lucky it was never an issue!!

 

Nicely put. Once my car is paid off, I don't see any real reason to buy a new one when I can mod this one and still have people thinking it's a new Corvette lol. Only newer Corvette I could see trading for is a C6ZO6 and with no targa... no deal LOL. Modded C5 FTW.

-Alex