Wrong oil?
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Wrong oil?
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.
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.
Last edited by ea327; Mar 28, 2019 at 10:44 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 833
Likes: 240
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.
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.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,077
Likes: 12,436
From: NE South Carolina
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by JerryU; Mar 28, 2019 at 12:58 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,554
Likes: 1,549
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 7
From: North Huntingdon PA
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
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
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,077
Likes: 12,436
From: NE South Carolina
‘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!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 7
From: North Huntingdon PA
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.
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
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!
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!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 79
From: Plano TX
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...
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
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