Dealer sent me a coupon for oil change. Coupon did not mention Mobil 1 but billed it as Dexos 1 calling Dexos 1 a full synthetic oil. I thought the Chevy dealer Dexos was a blend of regular and synthetic oil. Is Dexos 1 something new Chevy is offering. Calling it full synthetic.

 

They switched to a full synthetic a few months ago.

 

Dealers being dealers... I'd want to see what they get it out of. I've passed on dealer freebees for sooooo many reasons.

 

I would have no problem using the coupon. I wish my dealer would send be one.

 

Great offer oil is as good as Mobil which many think is the ultimate oil for a Corvette. Must be the free stickers they give out.

 

Hmm, since dexos 1 is only a spec, not an oil, it has always been for both, including blends.

This is a link to the GM listing of all the brands that are listed as dexos 1: http://www.centerforqa.com/dexos-brand2015/

Some use words difficult to interpret as what they are but scroll down to Quaker State, a name I at least know. One of the many items listed says “blend.” All these folks paid GM a tribute to put dexos 1 on their the product package, advertising etc. Assume they also had to submit the test data GM requires in addtion to paying them money.

This argument about defining an oil as “synthetic” was lost by Mobile in ~2000 when they lost the case to Castrol who started to call a more refined “Dino Oil” synthetic. Unfortunately that position was supported by API and SAE who also get a penny or two per quart for folks putting meets API or SAE xxx on their container! A conflict of interest IMO for their support.

Been using Mobil 1 for it’s high temp properties since 1974 in my modified Corvair and my 260Z (for a somewhat unusual reason suggested by the Datsun district service rep at the time.). It was Truly made from a synthetic molecule then. However, like others, Mobil had to changed to a highly refined “Dino Oil” since it cost half the amount to produce (see article referenced below!). Prices did drop.

The Vette Owner’s Manual says dexos spec oil is satisfactory, a source of the arguments with dealers who buy the loosest cost Oh-So-Peachy brand blend in 55 gallon drums for the oil change bay that meets dexos 1 spec! Why not 99.5% of the cars they Service only require that and it will work in a Vette- just won’t be used in mine!

OLD CAR & Driver Article That Defines the Issue:
Great fun read.
https://www.caranddriver.com/columns...mantics-column

 

Well aware that Dexos is a spec. However, Chevy switched their bulk Dexos spec oil from a blend to a full synthetic.

 

Now they can use their oil in our vets and drop Mobil 1.

 

The 2019 brochure say Mobil 1 0W-40 Dexos2 is the factory fill oil. I'm willing to bet owners will still have to option to specify Mobil 1 for oil changes just as we have always done, and the the covered oil changes will still be free.

As far as I can tell nothing has changed, except the switch to 0W-40. Since the 14MY, dealers were always using a bulk Dexos oil, unless otherwise specified by the customer. The factory fill was always Mobil 1.

 

GM can change an oil spec they have labeled AC/Delco to “full synthetic” from whomever they purchase. But the dealers are independent businesses. Don’t see how GM can dictate dealers must buy their branded oil nor do the dealers have to buy oil from GM as I understand it.

It says in the 2017 Owner’s Manual, “Use only oil meeting dexos 1 specification. AC/Delco synthetic blend is recommended.”

With those words and listing oil blends that meet dexos 1 in their approved list how can they stop a dealer buying any brand in bulk 55 gallon drums that meet their spec?