Hello everybody,
I was stranded in Clarksville IN, a pot hole on I-65 took out both left tires and it took 2 days to get new tires. While I was there, I was due for an oil change, so I had them do it. They used Mobile 1 0W-40, for imports. Not ESP. I couldn't find the word Dexos anywhere on the bottle. I questioned them, but they insisted this was correct.(They don't see many Corvettes).
Is this oil OK? I spoke to GM customer service-what a joke! They insisted that the owner's manual states to use 30 weight oil. I explained to her that she didn't know about a Corvette and she instructed me to contact the dealer. Well, you know how it went from there.
Does anyone know where I can find something from GM that states that I need Mobile 1 0W-40 ESP? If the oil they put in is wrong, I need to prove it to them to get a refund.
Thanks for your help.

 

You may have just voided the warranty there.



Seriously, it should be ok. (Just don't tell anyone on an open internet platform.)

 

It will be completely fine. So many people obsess way too much over oil here.

 

You will be fine. with that 0 - 40 in it.

 

Within 500 miles of using the non ESP your motor will most likely spontaneously combust!

 

I agree you're fine. Just switch to Dexos approved next time.

 

The engine will grenade in short order.

 

Perhaps your engine was built in Mexico so the import oil is fine...

 

What year is your car? The 2019 say to use 0W-40 ESP Dexos right in the owners manual. Your engine will be fine but the Euro formula is not the correct oil.

 

That 0W-40 European Oil has been available for years! It's not dexos approved because European Companies could care less if GM gets a tribute. The new GM approved 0W-40 ESP oil is actually dexos 2 certified. It is definitely different that what you could have purchased for the past at least several years as the None Certified 0-40. At Walmart in was the same ~$5/quart (in 5 quart jugs) I paid for the 5-30 Mobil 1 it said to use for my 2014 Z51 and Grand Sport. I do my own oil changes.

Unlike some who say don't worry, that is NOT GM's position. Now if the engine never fails NO ISUUE. Will it cause it to fail, unlikely. BUT if it does fail GM would be in their rights to not honor the warranty. And they do look and may analysis the oil.

 

Your 2017(based on the car listed under your profile) doesn't require 0w40 ESP so you don't need to use it. The 0w40 they put in the car is fine.

 

This is true but the probability is super small. First the engine would have to fail (low probability to start with). Then if they couldn't figure out what part caused the fail, they may do an oil analysis. I doubt they'd do this unless they suspected oil is the cause. Then the oil analysis would have to be precise enough to differentiate Dexos 2 standards given the weight is the same.

 

What vettes require the ESP (dextros 2)? I thought they all did.

 

The Dexos approved 0-40 is recommended for all C7 corvettes. This oil is intended for tracking your Corvette and does not require the oil change back to 5-30 after track use as does the 15-50. NOTE: 15-50 is still recommended for hot climate racing.
The change back to 5-30 is required as the 15-50 contains ash (AS DOES THE EUROPEAN BLEND 0-40) and will destroy your catalytic converters.
References: Ask Tadge forum, GM Authority, TSB (I don’t remember number)
Find the TSB AND PRINT IT OUT. Take to dealer and show them as they most likely voided and GM coverage of your cats.
Make them change out the oil ASAP and log in system as I’m sure it shows they put the wrong oil in, that’s how GM now knows your running the wrong oil.
I could never find info on how many miles it would take running ash containing oil to destroy the cats. However the manual states to change back to Dexos 5-30 emmediately after track use.

Fortunately my dealer does carry Dexos 0-40, they gave me a little grief at 1st as it’s more expensive but once I showed them the TSB, no problem. 1st and next 2 free oil changes will be Dexos 0-40. I’m running a 17 Z-51 in case your wondering.

15-50 is still recommended for tracking ZR-1

 

Incredible that any Chevy dealership put in non-Dexos approved oil. As far as I know, every "recent" GM vehicle requires Dexos approved oil.

 

‘When I asked if the local dealer had it, the answer was no but we can get it here in less than an hour! Yep NAPA has young folks waiting for calls from service shops and will deliver. They would bring over the Euro Version, If Mobil 1 or whatever 0-40 oil they had in stock! The difference is too subtil for the dealer’s part department!

 

It's not about the weight, it's the chemical components in the oil. If they analyze the oil and see ash content, WARRENTY IS VOID!
Only Dexos oil is approved.

Hopefully the OP has a receipt that shows they put the wrong oil in as he will need it if something goes wrong.

 

Eric-
I had to post a reply so we could get both avatars with the Blue Swallow Motel in one thread.


In January on our way to Arizona, we hit a big pothole on I-39 near Bloomington and ruined a front tire, last year on the same route we ruined a rear tire. (Both AS3+) I'm beginning to think that driving a C7 on the Midwest Interstates during winter is a losing proposition.

The European 0W-40, as others mentioned, is not approved for the C7 and theoretically could cause warranty issues. But also as others mentioned, it won't destroy your engine in a hurry. If ever. Eventually it could harm the cats.
If it were me, I'd get the oil part number from the receipt, verify that it is indeed the "wrong" oil, and contact the dealer who did it and ask for a refund on my credit card or have them pay for a proper oil change at a dealer near home (they might get a price break on that). If they wouldn't do that, I'd contest the charge. They don't have much to stand on, your Owner Manual doesn't mention 0W-40, and the recent bulletins and 2019 manual clearly show that any 0W-40 should be "ESP" and "Dexos2". At some point soon, I'd get an oil change with the proper ESP 0W-40 Dexos2. Of course, I'm overly conservative about these things.

See you in May!

 

The European formula? Yeah it’ll prolly turn into a Renault any day now. Seriously you will be fine but you might as well have the oil changed to the correct oil. You won’t be happy till you do...

 

Just goes to show the dealership isn't the most knowledge place.

Below are two links that might help the OP...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...dexos-2-a.html

https://mobiloil.com/en/article/why-...ecommended-oil