Dexos 1 spec oil

[jg1]

An article in aftermarket insider (2010 volume 65) has GM saying that only "GM dexos" spec oil can be used in MY11 and forward GM vehicles. It can also be used in older GM vehicles. But you can't put any "universal" oil in a new GM vehicle and keep the warranty.

It looks like this has already been discussed here, but the insider article was interesting.

take care.

 

[Jason_M]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act enacted in 1975 will allow consumers to use any oil they wish, as long as it meets the Dexos approval. If GM wants to only use "GM oil", then the must pay for it. Interesting they are going to start paying for oil changes for 2011 Cadillac models, maybe they realize that not all consumers are going to put the correct oil in their cars.

 

[daves87rs]

Local dealership will be handing a nice list when they sell the 11s....

 

[jeepman]

Originally Posted By: Jason_M
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act enacted in 1975 will allow consumers to use any oil they wish, as long as it meets the Dexos approval. If GM wants to only use "GM oil", then the must pay for it. Interesting they are going to start paying for oil changes for 2011 Cadillac models, maybe they realize that not all consumers are going to put the correct oil in their cars.


If they do go the route of "required" oil, in volume the Dexos 1 will be costing them about $1-$2 a quart maybe, and the cost of a filter wholesale has to be around that as well. So for $7 or so plus labor, they get the consumer's car up on a rack. Sounds like a cheap way to lock in sales other services like brakes, shocks, timing belts, etc. Most consumers would just take the "get it all done at one place" mentality. We already see local dealerships offering "free" oil changes for the life of the car, why can't that concept be used nationally by a manufacturer? Just a thought...

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: jeepman
Originally Posted By: Jason_M
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act enacted in 1975 will allow consumers to use any oil they wish, as long as it meets the Dexos approval. If GM wants to only use "GM oil", then the must pay for it. Interesting they are going to start paying for oil changes for 2011 Cadillac models, maybe they realize that not all consumers are going to put the correct oil in their cars.


If they do go the route of "required" oil, in volume the Dexos 1 will be costing them about $1-$2 a quart maybe, and the cost of a filter wholesale has to be around that as well. So for $7 or so plus labor, they get the consumer's car up on a rack. Sounds like a cheap way to lock in sales other services like brakes, shocks, timing belts, etc. Most consumers would just take the "get it all done at one place" mentality. We already see local dealerships offering "free" oil changes for the life of the car, why can't that concept be used nationally by a manufacturer? Just a thought...



The free oil changes are just during the warranty period so anything they find wrong, GM would have to pay for anyway so no real money made there.