synthetic or reg. oil
12-02-2011, 06:10 PM
#1
Intermediate
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synthetic or reg. oil
Just got my 1st vette 3 mos. ago. 07 base. Included is a drive train warrenty as long as i take it to the GM dealer to get it changed.It will be changed at least twice a year, 5000 miles. Should i go with synthetic or regular oil? Thanks
12-02-2011, 06:19 PM
#3
Team Owner
12-02-2011, 06:23 PM
#4
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You are not required to take it to the GM dealer for service to maintain your GM Powertrain warranty. If you choose some other avenue for service, document the date and mileage and save your receipts.
Use an SAE 5w-30 oil that meets GM Spec 4718M.
Last edited by calemasters; 12-02-2011 at 08:00 PM. Reason: Error Correction
12-02-2011, 07:08 PM
#5
12-02-2011, 07:21 PM
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Welcome to you
and do read your manual. It will tell you that you should use only synthetic oil (which the above GM spec if all about). If you don't, a claim you make for engine failure while under warranty may be denied. So, read up and follow the requirements in the manual.
12-03-2011, 12:35 AM
#13
Drifting
Now they're saying that the Dexos 1 covers 4718M:
dexos™ is recommended by GM for use in all its vehicles except those with Duramax diesel engines requiring the use of API CJ-4 engine oil. dexos™ is fully backward-compatible and can be used in older vehicles. It is specified in the owner's manual for all 2011 and later model years, with the exception of Europe where dexos™ is specified starting in model year 2010.
•dexos1™ is designed for use with gasoline engines and replaces GM-LL-A-025, GM6094M and GM4718M
The Dexos stuff at the GM dealer is supposedly a semi-synthetic. All sorts of debate on the CTS-V forums because Cadillac has the maintenance program where they change your oil for free for 4 years, but a lot of the dealers are trying to give the guys the GM Dexos semi-synth instead of the Mobil1 that was the original factory fill.
I change my own oil anyhow, I would rather not have the dealer personnel touching my vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Oil is cheaper than all the aggravation they can cause me.
dexos™ is recommended by GM for use in all its vehicles except those with Duramax diesel engines requiring the use of API CJ-4 engine oil. dexos™ is fully backward-compatible and can be used in older vehicles. It is specified in the owner's manual for all 2011 and later model years, with the exception of Europe where dexos™ is specified starting in model year 2010.
•dexos1™ is designed for use with gasoline engines and replaces GM-LL-A-025, GM6094M and GM4718M
The Dexos stuff at the GM dealer is supposedly a semi-synthetic. All sorts of debate on the CTS-V forums because Cadillac has the maintenance program where they change your oil for free for 4 years, but a lot of the dealers are trying to give the guys the GM Dexos semi-synth instead of the Mobil1 that was the original factory fill.
I change my own oil anyhow, I would rather not have the dealer personnel touching my vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Oil is cheaper than all the aggravation they can cause me.
12-03-2011, 04:51 AM
#15
Drifting
Yes, and the Dexos spec now seems to include 4718M which was reserved originally for full synthetic (example Mobil1).
Mobil1 is full synthetic, where the GM dealer now sells (and puts in your vehicle) the Dexos spec Goodwrench oil that is a semi-synthetic.
When YOU were paying for the oil changes at the dealer, they were using Mobil1. Now that THEY are paying for the oil with the maintenance plans, they are using the Dexos spec GM Goodwrench oil because it costs less. On the CTS-V they have magically stopped putting Mobil1 oil filler caps on the engines, and I think there is a TSB telling the dealers to change them out if they are still there (my memory may be failing me here though, I have to look when I get home)
At any rate, my response to "cclive" was in regards to 4718M being sucked into the new Dexos spec. and the info in italics was pulled directly from the Dexos website. "•dexos1™ is designed for use with gasoline engines and replaces GM-LL-A-025, GM6094M and GM4718M" Basically GM is now saying that their semi-synthetic Goodwrench oil is just as good now as the full synthetic Mobil1 used to be in the good old days. I use Mobil1 in my ZR1 & CTS-V.
Mobil1 is full synthetic, where the GM dealer now sells (and puts in your vehicle) the Dexos spec Goodwrench oil that is a semi-synthetic.
When YOU were paying for the oil changes at the dealer, they were using Mobil1. Now that THEY are paying for the oil with the maintenance plans, they are using the Dexos spec GM Goodwrench oil because it costs less. On the CTS-V they have magically stopped putting Mobil1 oil filler caps on the engines, and I think there is a TSB telling the dealers to change them out if they are still there (my memory may be failing me here though, I have to look when I get home)
At any rate, my response to "cclive" was in regards to 4718M being sucked into the new Dexos spec. and the info in italics was pulled directly from the Dexos website. "•dexos1™ is designed for use with gasoline engines and replaces GM-LL-A-025, GM6094M and GM4718M" Basically GM is now saying that their semi-synthetic Goodwrench oil is just as good now as the full synthetic Mobil1 used to be in the good old days. I use Mobil1 in my ZR1 & CTS-V.
Last edited by jft69z; 12-03-2011 at 05:05 AM.
12-03-2011, 08:31 AM
#17
Race Director
As already stated nicely ^ synthetic for sure! I went from fossil to synthetic on a motorcycle where I had an oil temperature gauge running. My average oil temperature after the switch to synthetic dropped 15 degrees on an air-cooled engine. To me that speaks volumes. With all else being constant, including the ambient temperature, much of the change must come from reducing friction. 
12-03-2011, 11:22 AM
#20
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Mobil 1.
Then drive and be happy.
Then drive and be happy.