OK, I did something I normally would never do, which is to buy a new car without doing a lot of research. I picked up a 2012 Malibu with the 3.6L VVT DI. I was looking for a CTS with the 3.6L but stumbled upon a deal on the Malibu I couldn't pass up. Anyway, I got the car and then started doing research and now realize the DI engines are hard on oil. I was hoping for a 10K+ OCI with Amsoil AZO or ASL but realize that isn't going to happen due to the 5,500 mi OCI programmed into the OLM.
I want to use an oil that "meets or exceeds" dexos specs, although I'm not that worried if it is not "certified" by GM. If a powertrain warranty item is denied due to the oil used, GM will have to prove the failure was caused by the oil and that will be extremely difficult. My primary concern is longevity of the engine as I'd like to pass the car on to a family member in a few years.
I've looked at Redline 0W-30/5w30 and Amsoil AZO/ASL due to the low NOACK #s and they seem great for the engine but also seem expensive and overkill for a 5,500 mile OCI. I've also looked at XL and OE and they seem like a good fit, although the NOACK is significantly higher than the full synthetics mentioned above (10.5 and 10.6, respectively). I checked QS Ultimate and PU and they look fine except for the high NOACK, about 12%. I've searched for days for some UOA on GM DI engines and found a few but not enough for me to make a decision.
I guess my question for the group is: Are the top shelf Redline and Amsoil oils way overkill for a 5,500 OCI, or acceptable (even preferred) for a DI engine? OR, would I be just fine with Amsoil OE or XL oils, keeping in mind the potential valve issues with higher NOACK oils in DI engines?
I want to use an oil that "meets or exceeds" dexos specs, although I'm not that worried if it is not "certified" by GM. If a powertrain warranty item is denied due to the oil used, GM will have to prove the failure was caused by the oil and that will be extremely difficult. My primary concern is longevity of the engine as I'd like to pass the car on to a family member in a few years.
I've looked at Redline 0W-30/5w30 and Amsoil AZO/ASL due to the low NOACK #s and they seem great for the engine but also seem expensive and overkill for a 5,500 mile OCI. I've also looked at XL and OE and they seem like a good fit, although the NOACK is significantly higher than the full synthetics mentioned above (10.5 and 10.6, respectively). I checked QS Ultimate and PU and they look fine except for the high NOACK, about 12%. I've searched for days for some UOA on GM DI engines and found a few but not enough for me to make a decision.
I guess my question for the group is: Are the top shelf Redline and Amsoil oils way overkill for a 5,500 OCI, or acceptable (even preferred) for a DI engine? OR, would I be just fine with Amsoil OE or XL oils, keeping in mind the potential valve issues with higher NOACK oils in DI engines?
