2011 Sierra: Initial Oil Change Question

[danziger]

GM does not use any special type of break in oils

 

 

Do you know if they use a synthetic or non? No differing detergent package or anything? Damn. Now I'm worried that something might be amiss...

[RyanbabZ71]

no synthetic just regular 5w-30. The only vehicles with synthetics from the factory are the vettes (and I think camaros and CTS-v's, basically the high performance cars)

[MikeNH]

FWIW a friend of mine who used to work at a GM plant in Lansing swore up and down they used Mobil 1 in all the vehicles they made and that it was the same at other plants. No proof nor have I read that anywhere else but that's what he said. I doubt it myself as it would cost a fortune to run synthetic in all models from the factory.

[RyanbabZ71]

Unless your oil cap says Mobil 1 (like the vette for example) it doesnt come with synthetic. They buy plain 5W-30 bulk oil. I know this based on a source.

[dlstewart01]

Never bought any oil that needed stabilizing.

 

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1831733#Post1831733

[Black02Silverado]

I feel it is good to change the factory fill out early. Everyone of the factory fill UOA I have done have high wear metals, no need to keep them in there any longer than needed.

[newdude]

GM does not use any special type of break in oils

 

 

Do you know if they use a synthetic or non? No differing detergent package or anything? Damn. Now I'm worried that something might be amiss...

 

no synthetic just regular 5w-30. The only vehicles with synthetics from the factory are the vettes (and I think camaros and CTS-v's, basically the high performance cars)

 

 

2011 and up vehicles are factory filled with Dexos 5w30, which is a synthetic blend. Mobil 1 and some other full synthetics are Dexos approved, and have the Dexos logo on the bottle. To the OP, if you can get Dexos from your dealer or a local AC Delco store, IMO I would go with that or a Dexos approved synthetic.

 

http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html List of oils approved.

[RyanbabZ71]

Agreed but I was speaking of full synthetic motor oil. The factory dexos is synthetic blend like you stated

[Z45]

FWIW a friend of mine who used to work at a GM plant in Lansing swore up and down they used Mobil 1 in all the vehicles they made and that it was the same at other plants. No proof nor have I read that anywhere else but that's what he said. I doubt it myself as it would cost a fortune to run synthetic in all models from the factory.

 

 

My 2009 CTS came with Mobil 1 and it was built at the Lansing Grand River Plant, my 2005 CTS also came with Mobil 1 as did all Cadillac's till 2011 when dexos1 took over and now the say that Shell is the approved factory fill.

 

PI0215: Oil Filler Cap Identification and Changes - (Aug 23, 2010)

 

Subject: Oil Filler Cap Identification and Changes

 

Models: 2011 Cadillac CTS, CTS-V, DTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, STS

 

2011 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette

 

Equipped with Engine VINs E, F, J, P, S, T, W, 4, 6 (RPOs L37, LSA, LAU, LD8, L37, L99, LS3, LS7, LS9)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information may be helpful in identifying and avoiding unnecessary parts replacement at the time of Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI).

 

Condition/Concern

Technicians may notice during PDI that the oil filler cap on the 2011 vehicles no longer has the "Mobil 1®" logo printed on the cap.

 

Recommendations/Instructions

Important: DO NOT replace oil filler caps because they no longer display the Mobil 1® logo.

 

Starting with 2011 vehicle production, GM no longer specifies Mobil 1® as the required oil for the above vehicles. A new oil specification called Dexos I has been created, which a variety of synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils meet.

 

Note: For additional information on available Dexos 1 oils, please refer to PI0175.

 

• 2011 vehicles equipped with DOHC V6 engines (RPO LF1 and LLT) are no longer built with Mobil I logo caps. These vehicles should be serviced in accordance with the Dexos I standard.

 

• SRX models with the DOHC V6 (RPO LAU) engine used the "Mobil 1®" cap from the 2011 start of production to August 1, 2010.

 

• All Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro models along with the Cadillac DTS, CTS-V and Escalade models will continue to be built with the "Mobil 1®" style cap until November 2010.

 

 

 

Btw - The 05 and my 09 CTS both had/have the Mobil 1 oil cap as shown in the brochure pic.

 

[dlstewart01]

Exxon Mobil Corp. Remains Lubricants Supplier for General Motors U.S. Dealer Network

09/10/2010

 

Exxon Mobil Corp. signed an agreement to continue as the lubricants supplier for the U.S. General Motors' dealer network for the next five years. In addition, ExxonMobil announced that a number of its key products, including Mobil 1, are now officially dexosTM licensed worldwide. The new dexosTM licensed ExxonMobil products will meet the GM global engine oil specifications and will be designated by displaying dexos1 or dexos2 logos on the product labels. These engine oils are designed to meet the specific requirements of gasoline and diesel engines used in GM vehicles worldwide. The company's dexosTM licensed products will provide consumers with a strong product offer giving GM drivers more options when it comes to their motor oil. Part of the offer will be Mobil 1, the world's leading synthetic motor oil brand, with Mobil 1 5W-30 for dexos1 and Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40 for dexos2. As part of the agreement, the company will also market General Motors' new semi-synthetic engine oil, ACDelco dexos1 5W30, to be launched later this year in the U.S. and Canada.

[wavery]

I use Mobile1 in everything from my lawn-mower to my generator to both of our cars.

 

No matter what the factory uses officially, those decisions are as much financial as anything else. However, the fact is, synthetic oil is superior to petrol based oils in every aspect. The biggest advantage (in my mind) is that synthetic oils release heat at nearly the same rate as water. Petrol based oils are more of an insulator and it wants to retain heat.

 

Synthetics also do not sludge.

[Z45]

Exxon Mobil Corp. Remains Lubricants Supplier for General Motors U.S. Dealer Network

09/10/2010

 

Do not you assume the dealer is installing what GM supplies. Dealer are not required to sell or install what GM supplies.

 

Not all dealers bother to stock lubes supplied by GM. I know at least 5 GM dealers in my area buy all lubricants locally from bulk distributors. Small dealers cannot afford to buy lubes from GM because they have a minimum order requirement (thousands of $) on lubes and chemicals due them being considered hazardous materials and must ship by dedicated shippers.

 

I know one dealer parts manager very well (nearly 20 yrs) and he has part ownership in the business. He does not stock oils from GM because he can buy it in bulk locally for more the half the cost GM charges them. He buys his oils from the same company that also takes all used oil and filters off his hands and well as all cleaning solvents etc they use in the shop. He could not tell me what brand the oil was and did not care, its all bottom line to them and they are not going to spend more money if something cheaper is available to them. Sure it supposedly meets spec's but its generic lube and carries no brand name. This one company he uses services many dealers as they provide the storage tanks and fill them from bulk delivery trucks. He has 250 gallon storage tanks for engine oil with gear lubes, grease, ATF and anit-freeze in drums. Been in the lube room and seen the equipment and the drums, only name on them is the company that distributes it.

 

I know this because these dealers call me when they need synthetic oil or gear lube and buy by the case as in oil or in 5 gallons pails for gear lube because its cost them less to get it from me than buy it from GM and inventory it.

[dlstewart01]

Dealers are independently owned and can purchase any oil they like. My post is about who supplys GM the manufacturer and what comes in the vehicles from the factory. And what is available from the factory to the dealers.

 

Dealers will also stock the GM supplied oil for those who want it. What they install from their bulk stock in their oil change dept can be from the lowest bidder.

[wavery]

Pennzoil supplies most of the dealers around here.

[RockySierra]

The dealers around here use Valvoline and Penzoil as their "GM Goodrich" brand oil. And of course the Mobil-1 Synthetic for the engines that call for that. Nothing wrong with the above brands.

 

You Need to be using the kind of oil that is called for in the owners manual and the approved specs as well. Amsoil, Redline, and some of the "premium" brands are not dexos approved and have not been proven by independent studies to be superior. Use at your own risk while under warranty. That being said I have no doubt that they are good quality oils, they just have not gone through the testing to get manufacturers stamp of approval.