2011 GM vehicles.

[NotMaiCar]

So I work at this chevy dealership in belle vernon PA. At the end of last year we found out that all the 2011 GM vehicles need to have a special kind of oil, called DEXos. Its a 5w-30 syn-blend. And apparently, the salesmen don't tell ANYONE. I guess its kind of the achilles heel for their sale.

I've heard that if you don't use this oil every single time you get your oil changed it will void your warranty and "damage the engine internals". The first part makes sense but i don't really understand how damage can result.

So share your thoughts on this subject. We've had alot of people come in for an oil change that were never told about this 49 dollar service, and I think its ridiculous. Anyone here have brand new GM that didn't know?

[Alex3000gt]

So I work at this chevy dealership in belle vernon PA. At the end of last year we found out that all the 2011 GM vehicles need to have a special kind of oil, called DEXos. Its a 5w-30 syn-blend. And apparently, the salesmen don't tell ANYONE. I guess its kind of the achilles heel for their sale.

I've heard that if you don't use this oil every single time you get your oil changed it will void your warranty and "damage the engine internals". The first part makes sense but i don't really understand how damage can result.

So share your thoughts on this subject. We've had alot of people come in for an oil change that were never told about this 49 dollar service, and I think its ridiculous. Anyone here have brand new GM that didn't know?

Why would anyone buy a car from a company that was so horribly mismanaged and rotten from the inside out that it failed. Why would you buy any car that still uses rear drum brakes and uses steel wheels?

[NotMaiCar]

HA! Very well said. The whole scenario just gets under my skin. How they try to screw people all the time.

[onebadmollafolla]

So I work at this chevy dealership in belle vernon PA. At the end of last year we found out that all the 2011 GM vehicles need to have a special kind of oil, called DEXos. Its a 5w-30 syn-blend. And apparently, the salesmen don't tell ANYONE. I guess its kind of the achilles heel for their sale.

I've heard that if you don't use this oil every single time you get your oil changed it will void your warranty and "damage the engine internals". The first part makes sense but i don't really understand how damage can result.

So share your thoughts on this subject. We've had alot of people come in for an oil change that were never told about this 49 dollar service, and I think its ridiculous. Anyone here have brand new GM that didn't know?

Does the 2010 SS Camaro fall under this by chance? If so, I may need to have a sit down with the roommate.

[Alex3000gt]

I've heard rumors of this oil change fiasco, but never any hard evidence. Got a link?

[NotMaiCar]

Hmm. I've never looked anything up on it, but i'm pretty bored now so I'll look around. And as far as the Camaro goes, the oil applies to every single car GM makes, with the exception of diesels and some of the cadillacs that specifically use Mobil 1.


EDIT: http://autos.aol.com/article/gm-engine-oil/
Apparantly the diesels do take this oil, its just called dexOS 2. And about the Camaro, I didn't notice you said 2010. Its only the '11s that are screwed so your roommate is in good shape lol.

[2fnloud]

How did they expect to keep this hush hush in this day and age.

[NotMaiCar]

Well generally speaking, most people are way too busy to do research on the internet. Or I suppose you could call it laziness.

[Mikes2nd]

I dont see a huge problem, you get triple the miles and 30% increase in price and a tiny bit of mileage...

Its industry standard, its iffy but not like Intel trying ot force Rambus on us evil...

[Telionis]

What could they possibly have changed that was so significant that the engine REQUIRES special oil? The '11 LS3 is that different from the '10 LS3?

[nodoze]

technically drum brakes are far more effective for braking then discs due to more surface area being applied at once, hence why alot of big trucks still use them. drums are just not as good at dissapating heat

[NotMaiCar]

I dont see a huge problem, you get triple the miles and 30% increase in price and a tiny bit of mileage...

Its industry standard, its iffy but not like Intel trying ot force Rambus on us evil...

Well personally, I wouldn't let a Honda Civic go ten thousand miles between oil changes.

And I actually just remembered this, my dealership has a contract with enterprise rent-a-car, just as alot of dealerships do. And they come to us for oil changes. They don't use any special oils at all. I mean no dexOS, no full synthetics, just mobil bulk conventional oil. They usually have a car in service for 2-3 years. I haven't heard a peep about their engines crapping out or seeing any ill effects from not following the manufacturer's guidelines. So i highly doubt it can actually damage the engine.

As far as the LS3 goes, i know for a fact they haven't changed internals or anything on them. I talk to the service mechanics all the time and they've said the oil is just another way for GM to cover their losses, and get as much money after the sale as they can. Seeing as how the dexOS oil is made by ACDelco, it makes sense.

With the salesmen selling you a car without ever telling you about this requirement, I can see a few legal battles coming their way.

[Alex3000gt]

technically drum brakes are far more effective for braking then discs due to more surface area being applied at once, hence why alot of big trucks still use them. drums are just not as good at dissapating heat



I'll get on the phone with every motorsport in existence and let them know they are doing it wrong.

[RealMcCoy]

What's the big deal...? This is nothing new. EVERY manufacturer has proprietary oil specifications. It allows them to control the testing of approved oils, control the warranty liability for not using approved oils, and charge the oil manufactures licencing and testing fees to sell approved oil.

It's been pretty much SOP for years...

[Telionis]

I'll get on the phone with every motorsport in existence and let them know they are doing it wrong.

Did you read the entire thing? He didn't say better overall, he said better at one thing. Sort of like a Garand has more hitting power than an M249 - you still wouldn't want the guy with the SAW gunner to be limited to 8 rounds.

[NotMaiCar]

What's the big deal...? This is nothing new. EVERY manufacturer has proprietary oil specifications...

Good point. Lol like [/THREAD].

[RealMcCoy]

The real fun starts when a manufacturer decides it doesn't need an oil spec any more and drops it from use... Anyone notice in the last year or so that you can't buy Dexron III or Mercon ATF anymore?

[stealthee]

The real fun starts when a manufacturer decides it doesn't need an oil spec any more and drops it from use... Anyone notice in the last year or so that you can't buy Dexron III or Mercon ATF anymore?

I just bought Mercon a few weeks ago for a friends car.

[2fnloud]

I wonder what SEMA will do about this? This is kinda like when dealerships tried to tell people that their engine warranty was void because they installed an aftermarket alarm.

OK so they have this specific oil that GM says needs to be used in their engines now...if a consumer doesn't, how does that effect say a blown transmission or an electrical issue with the car? GM will not be allowed to use the "You didn't use our oil, so now your whole bumper to bumper warranty is void."

[stealthee]

Thats part of the Magnusson Moss Act. They will be able to void the warranty on the engine though, which is a crock of shit.

[2fnloud]

Thats part of the Magnusson Moss Act. They will be able to void the warranty on the engine though, which is a crock of shit.

Yes, yes it is a crock, but how often will an engine need warrantied if properly maintain and not beat to piss from "ricetastic" driving?

Under that act, bolt-ons such as A/C, Alt, and P/S should still be covered as well.

[stealthee]

Well you forget you are talking about GM "quality" here.

I know its not GM, but back in 94 or 95 my dad had to have the engine replaced in his Dakota under warranty. It really wasn't beat on at that time and it was properly maintained. Failures happen, and GM is going to try to exploit this oil.

My opinion though is anything dex is junk. Dexcool is the worst thing to happen to an engine. Why do you think GM's have so many intake gasket and head gasket problems? Its the dexcool that eats the gaskets. As soon as I get the chance I am flushing that shit out of my Grand Prix and putting normal coolant in.

[2fnloud]

Oh yeah Dexcool was a joke, flushed that garbage out of my 02 Blazer ASAP.

[x2xtreme360]

I'll get on the phone with every motorsport in existence and let them know they are doing it wrong.

He's right. Drum brakes have a dual servo action that actually "grabs" the drum and is basically a self system. As said before, they trap brake dust, overheat, and are less efficient than disk brakes.


Oh yeah Dexcool was a joke, flushed that garbage out of my 02 Blazer ASAP.

lol, dexcool. The super awesome coolant that turns into jelly if it overheats even a LITTLE bit? Yea, can't wait to see what the side effects of this DEXos is.

[Alex3000gt]

He's right. Drum brakes have a dual servo action that actually "grabs" the drum and is basically a self system. As said before, they trap brake dust, overheat, and are less efficient than disk brakes.



lol, dexcool. The super awesome coolant that turns into jelly if it overheats even a LITTLE bit? Yea, can't wait to see what the side effects of this DEXos is.

I understand, but heat is also a major factor in brake performance. Drum brakes are useless after even a little spirited driving.

Lets not also forget their use of steel wheels with hubcaps (puke), 4 lug wheels, solid rear suspensions and leaf springs on cars - yes the same suspension setup from the Roman chariots.

[x2xtreme360]

I understand, but heat is also a major factor in brake performance. Drum brakes are useless after even a little spirited driving.

Lets not also forget their use of steel wheels with hubcaps (puke), 4 lug wheels, solid rear suspensions and leaf springs on cars - yes the same suspension setup from the Roman chariots.

Don't forget the state of the art solid rear axle still utilized on the infamous Mustang:rolleyes:

[RealMcCoy]

I just bought Mercon a few weeks ago for a friends car.

Really old stock? Mercon V? The ambiguous DEX/Merc label? Blatant plagiarism?

The licence for Mercon was pulled in 07... Ford Announces New Replacement Specs for Mercon ATF: aftermarket News (http://www.aftermarketnews.com/Item/27748/ford_announces_new_replacement_specs_for_mercon_at f.aspx)

[stealthee]

Maybe it was Mercon V. Never really paid attention.

[NotMaiCar]

lol, dexcool. The super awesome coolant that turns into jelly if it overheats even a LITTLE bit? Yea, can't wait to see what the side effects of this DEXos is.

First off, we get cars in DAILY that have jelly-ish substances ranging from yellow to brown, leaking from the whole motor. It is pretty awful.

Second, I'm not sure of any side effects yet, but I can tell you that dexOS has the worst smell ever after like 5k miles and up. I hate draining the new ones.

EDIT:
Lets not also forget their use of steel wheels with hubcaps (puke), 4 lug wheels, solid rear suspensions and leaf springs on cars - yes the same suspension setup from the Roman chariots.

Hilarious. You guys come up with the best comparisons lol.

[stealthee]

First off, we get cars in DAILY that have jelly-ish substances ranging from yellow to brown, leaking from the whole motor. It is pretty awful.

Second, I'm not sure of any side effects yet, but I can tell you that dexOS has the worst smell ever after like 5k miles and up. I hate draining the new ones.

Hey Rob were you headed into Point Marion earlier? Had a red 3000 behind me going through the twisties before the bridge. I turned off onto 166 and it kept going into PM.

[NotMaiCar]

Hm. Like what time? I gave my cousin a ride to the Smithfield parade earlier at like one?

[stealthee]

Nah, it was later. Around 7 or so. I was headed home from Smithfield from a family picnic. Didn't think it was you, paint looked too faded. It had black wheels. Couldn't remember what wheels you are running.

[NotMaiCar]

Oh wait, he had my car. We have his truck at my place putting his front driveshaft in. Leave it up to him to forget all the bolts. If it had red halos then it was mine. He wasn't like beating on my car was he? Not that he could really cause anymore damage but it is still my only running vehicle lol.

[stealthee]

I didnt see the halos, thats why I was trying to figure out if it was your car.

I wasn't running extrememly hard, and he was a little ways behind me, so I'd say no.

Did you get the timing fixed so you arent burning so much fuel to get to work and back?

[NotMaiCar]

Yeah, I had a frind at work help me set the timing correctly. One of the perks of working at a service garage, I suppose lol.

Next time we get a chance I'll have to tell you about the engine I picked up for the stealth lol.

[GTOJOE]

Getting back on topic.... Does it really matter what GM say anyway? I assume dealerships over there are run the same as here. They are franchise owned so it would be very silly for the dealer to deny the warranty claim because the oil is wrong. That's cutting out their lively hood. I would be very suprised if anyone gets their warranty voided by this.

[AdamVR4]

Why would anyone buy a car from a company that was so horribly mismanaged and rotten from the inside out that it failed. Why would you buy any car that still uses rear drum brakes and uses steel wheels?

I refused to look at GM when we bought her new car because of this.

We did stop by a Ford dealer, and while we ended up getting a killer deal on a '10 Mazda 6, I was really impressed with the jump up in interior quality of Fords since ~2008.

[CoreyB]

Agreed, Fords make amazing interiors these days, and I am a Ford hater.

[Alex3000gt]

I refused to look at GM when we bought her new car because of this.

We did stop by a Ford dealer, and while we ended up getting a killer deal on a '10 Mazda 6, I was really impressed with the jump up in interior quality of Fords since ~2008.


Agreed, Fords make amazing interiors these days, and I am a Ford hater.

I will have to take a look.

[Polygon]

Why would anyone buy a car from a company that was so horribly mismanaged and rotten from the inside out that it failed. Why would you buy any car that still uses rear drum brakes and uses steel wheels?

Hehe, yeah. I was going to finish the thread title with "will still be utterly hopeless piles of garbage."


Agreed, Fords make amazing interiors these days, and I am a Ford hater.

I'd have to agree. The interior is nice. However, my last two Escapes could have had better fit and finish. However, nothing on the shit level of a GM product.

[onebadmollafolla]

However, nothing on the shit level of a GM product.

Good ole' GM. Take a seat inside the cabin and be surrounded in the luxurious sea of plastic.