General Motors (GM) is a name that needs no introduction in the world of the automobile industry. They have been producing and selling cars, trucks, and many motor vehicle-related products for many years.
Likewise, anyone who is acquainted with GM vehicles must have heard the term “dexos oil” too.
What Is Dexos Oil?
Dexos oil isn’t an engine oil but an engine oil specification and all the engine oils certified by dexos specification are called dexos oils.
To transform the driving experience of their customers, GM not only reformed their old engines into modern ones but also invented their patented oil specifications. The latter is quite popularly known as dexos oil.
They are essentially made from synthetics or synthetic blends. The motivation behind the development of dexos oil is the need to provide exceptional motor cleaning, increased gas mileage, a reduction in sludge formation, and extended drain interval.
All these eventually boost your engine’s overall performance. But regarding this topic, there are many questions other than “what is dexos oil?” that are circulating on the internet.
That’s why we thought to put together a series of questions and answers related to dexos oil in this article. Also, we have added some of the best dexos oils reviews for your better understanding. So let’s begin.
Does Dexos Oil Make a Difference? What’s So Special About It?
Dexos oil certainly makes a difference as compared to other licensed or non-licensed oils. General motors conduct various in-house tests on their oils so that they can outperform other oils, be it synthetic or conventional oils.
All the synthetic or synthetic blended oils first goes through rigorous series of testing processes with the modern engines in General Motor’s laboratory. If and only if they meet the distinctive requirements of the dexos oil specification, they get the dexos oil approval.
Some of the engine tests that GM performs are the Stochastic Pre-ignition test, the Aeration test, the Sequence VID test, the M271 Sludge test, etc. Obviously, an oil capable of excelling in so many crucial tests will change the engine performance as a whole.
No other company conducts such vigorous tests for their engine oil specification. Also, the authenticity and accuracy of these tried and tested dexos oils are still unbeatable by other non-licensed oils in the market.
What Will Happen if I Don’t Use Dexos Oil?
Dexos has an upper hand over non-licensed oils and you can use Dexos in the vehicles that were manufactured before Dexos came into reality since it is compatible with older vehicles.
However, In 2010 and 2013, GM stated that using unauthorized dexos engine oil may lower the efficiency of the overall engine performance. Furthermore, they have remarked that in case the engine gets damaged due to the use of unlicensed oil, the warranty would be nullified.
All these claims by GM and the mixed responses from the current users have caused a dilemma amongst the new users. They can’t help but think, “What will happen if I don’t use dexos?”
We can assure you that the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can help you challenge the statements made by GM about their warranty. But the question is, should you really do it?
From our comprehensive research, the only reason why most people hesitate to buy dexos oil is its high price. But most people tend to forget about the advantages of using the manufacturer’s recommended engine oil.
Dexos oil is capable of saving the power of your engine by decreasing the friction responsible for engine failure, plus it can save you from the trouble of changing oil frequently. Therefore, not utilizing dexos oil in your GM vehicles will only mean missing out on so many perks.
At the same time, if you choose another oil over dexos oil, you will only end up going through a tiresome and costly legal process of defying their warranty claims.
Can You Use Dexos Oil in Any Car Such as Toyota, Ford, Etc?
Yes, you can choose Dexos oil as long as it matches your vehicle’s specifications. Most vehicles mainly require engine oil that is certified by specifications like API and ILSAC.
The same is the case with cars like Toyota, Ford, etc. GM’s Dexos oil standard surpasses the requirements of many international certifications.
One of the benefits of dexos oils is that they are developed to be compatible with both General Motors and Non-General Motors vehicles. GM has also made sure to make dexos oil accessible around the globe. So owners of many high-end vehicles who cannot get hold of their own manufacturer’s recommended oil mostly choose dexos oil.
Having said that, technically, you should always use the manufacturer’s recommended engine oil in your vehicle. The main reason behind this is that by using your vehicle’s licensed oil, you will get the warranty support provided by the manufacturers.
Also, some vehicles require higher performance engine oil, while others don’t. And to ascertain that, you should stick to the OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved oil.
Still, if you want to use dexos oil in any Non-GM vehicle, simply verify the vehicle’s manual that includes the details of the kind of oil your vehicle requires. Then, compare the dexos oil specification with your vehicle’s manual and if it meets the requirements, then you are good to go.
Can I Run Conventional Oil Instead of Dexos Oil?
Whether you can use conventional oil in your vehicle or not instead of dexos oil depends on the model of your vehicle and your driving habits. If you use your car only for routine driving, then you can probably use conventional oil.
But for more intense driving that includes bumpy roads and long miles, you should always choose dexos oil. Another reason why you should not use conventional oil over dexos oil is that it can overcome the problem of high viscosity.
Dexos oil utilizes advanced additives that make the oil flow quickly during winter and slowly during summer. Thus, dexos oil has perfect viscosity grades.
Moreover, even the highest-grade conventional oils lack the consistency of dexos oils. Dexos oil can fight better against the buildup of sludge and other impurities in the long run.
As a result, it maximizes engine performance by getting rid of excess heat. So clearly, dexos oil is better for your engine.
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What Is Dexos Oil Equivalent?
Many General Motors vehicle owners look for dexos oil equivalent solely to avoid hefty charges that they are trying to steal from their customers. Fortunately, federal law made some laws that compelled GM to provide some solutions for people who do not want to use expensive dexos oil in their engines.
GM states that is that if customers are unable to find dexos-approved oil, then they can use a dexos oil equivalent. But the only condition they pose is that the substitute oil should meet the dexos oil specifications’ requirement.
Now there are two ways to figure out which oil meets their standard. One is that the oil should be certified by the American Petroleum Institute. The second is that it should be SAE 5W-30 rated in terms of viscosity
Based on the user’s reviews and our research, the most prominent brand that manufactures oils that are dexos oil equivalent is AMOSIl. AMSOIL claims that its oils are as good as dexos certified oils and meet all the requirements of the specification.
What Is the Dexos 1 Approved Oil List?
To achieve better results, General motors classified Dexos oil into various categories, one of them being the Dexos 1 specification. Introduced in 2010, Dexos 1 oil specifications are primarily developed for the refinement of gasoline engines.
Additionally, Dexos 1 is also divided into three groups, namely Dexos 1 Generation 1, Generation 2 and Generation 3. Several oils, be it GM’s manufactured oils or other brand oils that are licensed by these specifications provide an extended lifespan to gasoline engines.
Now, as we have discussed earlier in our article, GM suggests using only dexos approved oil. Therefore, we have chosen some of the most popular oils from the dexos1 approved oil list for those who are looking for suitable oils for their gasoline vehicles.
Many oils are approved by Dexos 1 specifications, but it is impossible to put them all here. So here’s a short dexos 1 approved oil list-
- ACDelco EngOil FullSyn, SN Oil – Check Price on Amazon
- Castor EDGE High Mileage Oil – Check Price on Amazon
- Mobil 1 ESP Formula Oil
- Mobil Full Synthetic Oil
- Motul Expert FE Oil
- Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Oil
- Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 Oil
- Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil.
How Often Should Dexos Oil Be Changed?
Oil change intervals depend on several factors, like the brand of vehicle you use, driving conditions, etc. But the most important factor that can increase or decrease the frequency of oil change intervals is the kind of engine oil used in the vehicle.
Good engine oil works as a protective agent against solid residue buildup to provide effective cleaning. This, in turn, extends the drive intervals of your vehicle.
This is exactly what dexos oils do for your engine too. Dexos oils last longer than other synthetic and conventional oils on the market as they not only prevent rust formation but also absorb other harmful pollutants.
With that being said, no matter the high quality, if oil is used for longer than it was supposed to be, it will only harm your engine. So make sure to keep track of your oil levels and check the manufacturer’s manual that comes with the vehicle.
Though GM’s usual drain intervals could extend up to 30,000 km, with dexos oil, the average oil change intervals could go to the extent of 15,000 miles.
What’s the Difference Between Dexos and Synthetic Oil?
We’ll start with the obvious difference between dexos oil and synthetic oil. This is something we have already discussed a few times in this article.
Dexos oil is not an actual oil or a type of oil, but an engine oil specification by General Motors. GM has been producing oils and certifying them with dexos oil specifications since 2010.
On the contrary, synthetic oil is a ‘type’ of oil formulated for modern engines. Because many popular brands are getting their synthetic oils licensed by GM’s dexos oil, people tend to get confused between the two.
Another difference between oils approved by dexos and synthetic oil is based on the additives used in them. As compared to the synthetic oils approved by dexos oils (which, as a result, are known as Dexos oils), the additives used in the regular synthetic oil are less effective.
However, additives applied to the dexos oils are known for their finest quality. It is mainly because they go through some of the most precise in-house testings in the GM laboratory, while regular synthetic oil doesn’t.
In the same way, there is a cost difference between dexos and synthetic oil. Dexos oils are way more expensive as compared to synthetic oils that don’t have the dexos logo on them.
The Three Famous Dexos-Approved Oils-
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil QT:-
When it comes to the best engine oils, Valvoline is one of the most high-end brands at present. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-30 ensures superior performance than semi-synthetic oils, which lose their lubrication capacity much sooner.
Something that caught our attention in this oil is the increased ratio of enhanced additives to deliver 40% greater protection to your engine. Also, thanks to its high resistance to extreme weather conditions, the oil guarantees smooth engine operation throughout the year.
We also can’t help but admire the fact that it utilizes exceptional detergents. These detergents help eliminate the sludge and other impurities in the engine.
Moreover, the remarkable anti-oxidant additives present in this oil delay engine oil oxidation, i.e. the oil deterioration process considerably more. We are sure that you’ll love the resulting longevity of the engine oil.
The only downside to this oil is the poor quality of the oil container. Due to this, many users have faced the leakage issue in its delivery.
Having said that, this oil functions exceptionally well in any driving conditions, be it heavy traffic or during disheveled road trips. Therefore, undoubtedly, Valvoline Advanced Fully Synthetic Oil is at the top of our list.
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil:-
Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic motor oil with exclusive Pureplus technology fulfills the requirements of modern engines. This fully synthetic base oil has fewer impurities to ensure a 45% more pristine engine.
We highly appreciate that the oil is LSPI protected for better maintenance of new turbocharged engines. It also efficiently defends your engine against harsh wear and tear.
Moving on to its stable viscosity levels, we can assure you that the oil flow will be accurate at both lower and higher temperatures. You can always count on its improved fuel economy as it offers a driving capacity of an extra 550 miles/year as compared to dirty engines.
Added to this, Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Oil is not only dexos 1 generation 2 specified but also approved by API SN & ILSAC GF-5.
Unfortunately, just like there are always two sides to the same coin, this oil has a negative side too. The additives in this 100% synthetic oil tend to evaporate if not conserved appropriately.
Also, going by several consumers’ reviews, the seal of the oil jar comes broken in the package. Despite these minor shortcomings, Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic Oil is a high-performance engine oil with numerous advantages over conventional oil.
Mobil 1 120758 Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20 Motor Oil:-
Mobil 1 is another trusted and influential brand when it comes to manufacturing dexos gen 2-approved engine oils. Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20 is engineered with a special formula to provide exceptional security against mud formation.
The most valuable trait of this engine oil that we love is the low quantity of ash and phosphates to prevent environmental pollution. The outcome is less friction and faster engine operation.
You’ll be glad to know that ExxonMobil recommends Mobil 1 0W-20 for most modern gasoline engines like cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. The reason behind this is that diesel engines require a longer duration of time between oil changes.
Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil extends your on-the-road miles up to 100,000. This in itself speaks for its quality performance.
Another aspect that we love about this oil is its versatility during difficult temperatures. Based on our personal experience, we can say that it is highly adaptable to all seasons, be it 500° or 40°.
Even though it meets all the conditions of API SN and ILSAC GF-6A, it has a drawback too. For instance, it is one step behind in terms of overall functioning as compared to full synthetic oil.
Regardless of this, many users claim that Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil is worth every penny.
Conclusion-
Finally, we have reached the end of this article. Hopefully, we have succeeded in answering all your queries regarding dexos oil.
Dexos oil is an innovative motor oil specification through which GM is earning a huge profit. Moreover, its popularity is attracting more and more superior engine oil brands to acquire the dexos logo for their oils too.
Undoubtedly, the reason behind this popularity is the unparalleled engine performance delivered by dexos oils. No conventional or regular synthetic oil can beat their level.
That’s why people are preferring dexos oil not just for GM vehicles but for other vehicles too. The only unfavorable aspect of dexos oils is the high cost. But like they say, ‘Quality comes with a price. And dexos oil is certainly worth it.