Oil: There is no difference!

[Mooseman]

Blackstone labs report, Breaking Brand: Does it Matter What Oil I Use?

If your heart is set on using Mobil 1 until you’re dead and gone, there’s nothing wrong with that. If Castrol happens to be on sale when you’re buying oil, there’s nothing wrong with switching to that one. There’s nothing wrong with using Valvoline or Royal Purple or Napa
or AutoZone oil either (they just weren’t as popular for the two engines we looked at here). The same goes for conventional versus semi-synthetic versus synthetic oils. Your engine is going to be fine as long as there’s some lubrication getting on all those
moving parts, so stop beating yourself up about what oil type to use. We hereby grant you oil freedom for the rest of your days.

Only thing I'll say is I use synthetic for easier winter starting. No specific brand.

 

[sawicksted]

I like penzoil but the "Sale" brand usually wins...........

 

[Sparky]

Having lost an engine to poor oiling however I'm not really ready to just willy-nilly throw random oil in my crankcase. That said, a good filter is more important than the exact oil you use.

 

[dmanns67]

This may be true, but it makes me feel better to use Mobil 1 full synthetic oil with a Mobil 1 filter

 

[Hatchet]

Sams club has mobil 1 on sale right now. Additional 10 bucks off the case. So 6 bottles for 26.50 or just under 4.50 a quart

 

[dmanns67]

Walmart, here in WV, has a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 for $22.50. New "roll back" price I seen this week. Reg price is $25.50 for 5 quart jug.

 

[{tpc}]

Very interesting. What about this new dexos oil I see plastered all over the walls at the stealership? Anything to that?

I'm coming up on my first oil change on the old tahoe (dealer had done it prior to my purchase). I've been having the same question...synthetic or conventional? Then I saw the dexos...which just adds to my confusion.

With my avenger, for years I put in synthetic. Mobil 1 for the most part. When I decided that the car might not stay in the family much longer, probably about a year ago, I started running whatever the place down the street had to put in it for $25. They claim it's semi-synthetic, but all I know is it come out of some random gun connected to a big barrel. The only difference I noticed is that it consumed less oil over 3-5k miles. I hated that engine, damn thing was always thirsty for oil!

Oh, and when do you change your oil on a truck that has the "percentage" oil life gauge? Never had that before, so do you wait until it says 0 percent? 50%? 70%? Or just say hey its been about 3k miles or so...I better get the oil changed?

Nice article, great folks over at blackstone labs. LOL, guess it didn't help me though.

 

[dmanns67]

I have always went by mileage, never the OLM. I typically change my oil every 6,000 miles. My OLM usually reads in between 45%-50% at the 6,000 mile mark.

 

[h0331ammer]

Quote:
GM Unveils Dexos Oil Spec


I attended the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Michigan, last month as a panelist representing the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA). The panel discussed a variety of topics, but one that should concern every fast lube operator was GM’s introduction of Dexos motor oil, the newly renamed proprietary specification formerly known as GEOS. (Editor’s Note: Look for a full write-up on Dexos motor oil in next month’s issue of National Oil & Lube News.)


GM plans two distinct categories of Dexos: Dexos 1 for gasoline engines and Dexos 2 for diesel engines. According to GM, it is creating Dexos for the sake of environmental protection, increased product performance and greater ease of product management.


In order to meet both robustness and fuel economy requirements, Dexos will most likely have to manufactured from Group III synthetic base stock and an anti-wear additive containing molybdenum. Group III is a very highly refined petroleum base stock that meets the performance definition of traditional “synthetic” motor oil made from man-made polyalfaolefin (PAO) Group IV base stock. Either way, expect Dexos to be a synthetic motor oil, and expect it to be priced accordingly.


Further adding to the price of Dexos will be the inclusion of molybdenum, a rare trace element that costs as much as $37.25 per pound. Compare that with zinc, the most common anti-wear element in motor oil currently on the market, which costs around 65 cents per pound.


Based on discussions among panelists, the per-quart price of Dexos will likely be 40 to 60 percent higher than industry-standard motor oil currently licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Additionally, if past experience applies the quart price of Dexos will involve yet another disparity between dealerships and other service providers. Four times what dealerships pay is the typical increase for non-dealership purchases of licensed proprietary products. And speaking of licenses, GM also mentioned licensing fees for distributors in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 per year, as well as an “underhood” royalty of 32 cents to $1 per oil change, a fee that would apply to automotive service facilities.


I saw this on some random website and figured it would contribute to the discussion of this new oil being produced. I use full synthetic; regardless of brand.

 

[{tpc}]

Just to add to the topic, a 5 quart dexos oil change with a 4 tire rotation is going for $31 at one local dealer. I'm guessing they charge $10 for a rotation on its own (seemed to be the going rate way back when) so for a more expensive oil it seems pretty cheap for $21. Even at $31 it seems cheap - $6 quart.

Still all too confusing....

 

[{tpc}]

So essentially for what I have read online, dexos1 is just a specification. Gm has a website that lists dexos1 brands that meet or exceed. So you have anything from ac delco "blend" to other synthetic "blends" to mobil 1 full synthetics etc.

Ah well. Maybe the dealer blend is a good deal. I get the tires rotated and the oil changed, and I don't have to do it myself.

 

[Sparky]

I have always went by mileage, never the OLM. I typically change my oil every 6,000 miles. My OLM usually reads in between 45%-50% at the 6,000 mile mark.

I go by the OLM. Or rather, when the light comes on since I don't have the DIC. Not sure what percentage that coincides with. Mobil 1. 10-12k mile oil changes. 200k miles still kicking.

 

[ChrisinVictoria]

On newer gm vehicles they require dexos oil be used to keep your warranty intact. I do my own service but keep all oil and filter receipts for proof on my 2011 Silverado.

 

[Mooseman]

So what you're saying is that they created this Dexos thing to force owners to either go to a dealer for oil changes or at least buy their oil? Can you say "monopoly money grab"?

I guess they have to pay for all these recalls and lawsuits one way or another.

 

[{tpc}]

So what you're saying is that they created this Dexos thing to force owners to either go to a dealer for oil changes or at least buy their oil? Can you say "monopoly money grab"?

I guess they have to pay for all these recalls and lawsuits one way or another.

From what I read, they had some stronger language when it first came out that pointed to this, but have since relaxed a bit and I think oil that is dexos certified or something is ok and still keeps the warranty.

Actually I think what is says now is that it "may" have an effect on warranty if you don't use dexos certified or branded stuff.

Essentially, yes its a money grab, because GM developed the standard and then licensed it out. But the reality is that all your full synthetics I think already met the standard, prior even to its release. Its just some of them at first were pissed that they had to buy the licensed from GM to call it "dexos" certified or something.

Here is a link to dexos approved stuff http://www.centerforqa.com/gm/dexos1-brands

 

[Sparky]

A lot of oil is Dexos certified. I know mobil 1 is, and I've seen it on other brands too. At one point I just saw it start appearing on various oil bottles and I was already using it anyway, so I didn't care

 

[6716]

Bought oil yesterday.

Guy says "Well, you need the Dexos for warranty."

... an' I'm all like "Do you know JUST HOW FAR out of warranty my vehicle is?"

Went with NAPA synthetic.

Wish I'd read this thread yesterday, I'd have shaved a couple more bucks off. Oh, well, it's done anyway.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Knew this for awhile. Definitely wont waste money on synthetic in my crankcase.

 

[Mooseman]

So a lot of the name brand synthetic stuff, like Mobil 1, that have been around since synthetics have existed, all of a sudden, are Dexos certified? Like I said, just a money grab.

 

[MAY03LT]

I go by the OLM. Or rather, when the light comes on since I don't have the DIC. Not sure what percentage that coincides with. Mobil 1. 10-12k mile oil changes. 200k miles still kicking.

I'm waiting for mine to come on (no dic) to check the percentage in the pcm. Same here, mobil 1, once a year change, 180k.

 

[CaptainKD]

PYB for the last 70k. Typically less than $3/qt on sale.

 

[Mooseman]

Pennzoil, according to that Dexos site, is made by Shell.

 

[Wooluf1952]

So what you're saying is that they created this Dexos thing to force owners to either go to a dealer for oil changes or at least buy their oil? Can you say "monopoly money grab"?

I guess they have to pay for all these recalls and lawsuits one way or another.

Conspiracy theory here:
Since oil change intervals have more than doubled, oil companies needed to recoup there losses. And I firmly believe oil companies and auto manufacturers are in it together.

 

[Texan]

As this is the 4th of July, I have to say it is not a conspiracy. When I was a kid and my mother canned food
in Mason jars, she bought little boxes of "Gulf Oil" wax. I asked how that could be and never got an answer.
Back in the late 70's I was working on a major project for Gulf Oil in Port Arthur, Texas and had the opportunity
to visit the "Dill Chill" unit. I found out where the wax came from. Over the years, the bearing metallurgy changed
and oil chemistry has changed also. If you are interested in antique cars, as I am, you will discover that now
there is oil available for them with lots of zinc. Try to find out what is in Pemex oil (Mexico).

 

[Mark20]

Dexos is a trademarked name for GM's oil spec. They publish the spec and oil makers can make and sell oil that meets the spec. But have to pay to say its Dexos (probably also submit samples for testing). Several major oil makers have decided not to pay the fee including Amsoil. Though Amsoil does indicate its meets the specs.

My Silverado manual says use Dexos or equivalent.

 

[meerschm]

always the best practice to follow the mfg spec for your car or truck. (translation: read the owners manual)

making a decision based on an article based on six samples is not the right way to go. this is covered in the referenced article, but bears repeating.

you really need to pay attention to all the specs. most important is weight. the newer GM engines need lighter oil.

that is not to say the rest of the details do not matter, so back to the bottom line, follow the mfg spec for your model and year.

(end of free advice for today )

 

[IllogicTC]

Conspiracy theory here:
Since oil change intervals have more than doubled, oil companies needed to recoup there losses. And I firmly believe oil companies and auto manufacturers are in it together.

Nah. Some companies may buy particular stocks which are refined into their final lubrication products. Synthetic oils actually commonly use dino as the base, and then they nitpick what they want out and do their magic and now it's synthetic.

But a lot of the big companies? They'll make motor oil, gear oil, this oil, that oil, gasoline, kerosene, alkenes to make plastics and some other compounds, propane (it's a by-product of refining processes), greases and lubes, LPG, jet fuel, fuel oil, wax, asphalt, aromatic petrochemicals, even sulfuric acid. If a car can get more out of an oil change (and therefore increase the amount of time before the next dreaded service interval for Blondie Who Doesn't Cars Very Well) they may end up taking to the road more, burning more gas (cha-ching!) running up mileage toward lube intervals (cha-ching!) and putting more wear on the road which will eventually be fixed with asphalt or tar (cha-cha-ching!). Oh, and running up mileage on the tires, generally made from artificial rubber which is itself generally made using products of petroleum (again, cha-ching!) Petrochemicals even make up the most important ingredient of antifreeze, and there's literally hundreds of more product categories oil finds itself in.