Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Does this oil have any effects on the internal moving parts of a GM engine? If the internal parts aren't lubricated by a required Dexos oil, will the engine blow up, seize up, cause internal parts to fail, cause the bearings to score, etc.?
GM thinks so. At least enough to affect warranty claims, customer satisfaction, and general (no pun intended)
internet reputation.
When GM created dexos, they had several goals:
1. Globally simplify oil specs. That makes it less likely the wrong oil gets put in.
2. Reduce warranty claims from oil problems. See
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B6SHa4qv60 for the concerns. Willis mentions a few.
GM knows that everytime LSPI destroys pistons, or AFM systems gum-up, or rings fail, etc., warranty claims go up AND the
internet airs their dirty laundry.
3. Apply the dexos-spec fees to pay for some engine research.
4. Extend the length of OCI's for fleet & general customer satisfaction and to avoid government pressure for ecological concerns (California's push).
This is GM becoming more like the Germans. The Germans have had very tough specs for years, and now GM realizes their own engines are being used hard too, especially as more downsizing with DI and turbos proliferate.