2011 Malibu oil
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I don't think any conventional oil is dexos certified.
There is a list of oils that are dexos certified on gmdexos.com
I have found several of the listed oils in stores, but none of them have the dexos logo or certification number on the container like this website describes.
There is a list of oils that are dexos certified on gmdexos.com
I have found several of the listed oils in stores, but none of them have the dexos logo or certification number on the container like this website describes.
To the best of my knowledge, only the oils on the list at gmdexos.com are licensed.
It is kind of tricky, dexos is a really a GM specification not an oil industry standard. To get the dexos license the oil company must pay GM to test there oil and make sure there specifications and pay a royalty for every gallon of the oil sold (have read $.36 a gallon).
I did read that Valvoline and Castrol were not going to pay GM to get there oils licensed. So there oils may technically be meeting the dexos specifications but not be certified because they are not paying the licensing fee to GM.
It is kind of tricky, dexos is a really a GM specification not an oil industry standard. To get the dexos license the oil company must pay GM to test there oil and make sure there specifications and pay a royalty for every gallon of the oil sold (have read $.36 a gallon).
I did read that Valvoline and Castrol were not going to pay GM to get there oils licensed. So there oils may technically be meeting the dexos specifications but not be certified because they are not paying the licensing fee to GM.
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Dexos oil is only a expensive synthetic blend oil at $5-6 a quart. Even at work it was decided to continue using the same bulk synthetic blend oil we already had been using, unless there was warranty engine work done. Personally, I say use what you feel comfortable using for your needs and keep receipts so you can prove oil changes were done if something goes wrong.
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wow dude really I can't believe that your dealership is willing to risk voiding peoples warranties by not using the Dexos oil in the 2011 and newer as it is required by GM to be used in all those vehicles. Even though our delaership has been reopened for less than 3 months we have the Dexos oil and I use it in all the 2011 and newer rigs that I service. (I am the Lube Tech)
An oil company claiming its oil meets the dexos standard is like the guy behind the counter at the auto parts store telling you the parts he is selling you "should fit" your car. He may be right. Or you may get stuck halfway through a job on your car with a broken or misfitting part and no way to get anywhere to get a better part.
There are those who are accusing GM of a power or money grab with the dexos standard. They may be right, too.
There are those who are accusing GM of a power or money grab with the dexos standard. They may be right, too.
Not saying this is a money grab, but it is interesting this is the recommended oil in the 2011's.
Did GM change anything to the engines for 2011? That's to say, conventional oil is 'ok' for the 2008-2010 Malibu engines and they're factory warranteed for 5 years/100K miles.
And if you go by the oil life monitor in the 08-10's and do a lot of highway driving, the oil change intervals are pretty long.
I'm sure dexos spec is better than a conventional oil, but synthetics are also better than conventional's, and GM never spec'd synthetics for the 08-10's.
One could wonder whether 08-10's owners should also be using dexos. Or is this a "nice to have" oil, much like synthetics are better but not required (maybe overkill depending on your situation).
Just thinking out loud ....
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The short answer is yes, I can not, at this time, elaborate.
Everyone could benefit from doing some research on BITOG, if you're willing.
Link: Bob Is The Oil Guy
Link: Bob Is The Oil Guy
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It was the decision of the service director and even fine with the district manager as far as I know. Our dealer runs coupons that would run the dealer more money if we put dexos in vehicles that called for it. Either way I don't have much say in the matter when it comes to money. The dexos is about $3 more a quart over the bulk mobil synthetic blend.
There was a car that came in a while ago with engine issues at 30K and it was found to be full of sludge. The owner did not know they had to change their oil at all. Long story short, it was still warrantied to fix the car despite the neglect. I am beginning to think the warranty is not as strict as I thought.
The single biggest change, I hear, is the requirement minimizing foaming. This has to do with hydraulically operated variable valve timing and protecting the tiny turbo on the Cruze. They SAY they found that a number of currently popular oils did not pass the test.
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Our dealership runs 19.95 oil change coupons and if the vehicle calls for dexos I have to put it in. We do have a synthetic blend oil that we use but i'm not supposed to use it in the Dexos vehicles no matter what.
I have heard a funny story similar to yours chevy guy. I was buying a car at a jeep dealership and the salesman told me about a guy who came in, bought a brand new Liberty, drove it for 72K without changing the oil and came in wondering why the motor blew up. still I think that it's incredible that the motor went 72k on the factory oil.
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It is the choice of the dealer what oil they use. The dealer I work for has a contract with one company and that is the oil they supply. Another dealer may run something completely different. You will have to ask to find out what your dealer uses.
I am curious to know if the 2011 Dexos spec means they've reprogrammed the oil life monitor interval on the 2001 cars, or is it the same as the older cars running dino oil? Synthetic oil is supposed to save you money by running much longer that conventional oils.
My '11 OLM went just over 5300 miles before getting to 0%. My '09 (V6 as well) got to about 70% at around 3000 miles. If my math is correct I could have gone about 10,000 miles on a change.
I can't remember where but somewhere on here and I think on another website it has been mentioned that the OLM was reprogrammed to lower OCI's (oil change intervals) in the newer models. I don't know if it was with the '11 or '10 model year, but my experience suggests that it's true.
My first oil change was at 5357 and I switched to AMSoil full synthetic 5W-30. Seems there was no real change in how it runs so I wonder, Was the factory fill a blend or full syn to start with? Doesn't really matter now since I know what's in there and will going forward.
The dexos 1 spec (on BITOG they mention that it's proper to lowercase the spec - lame!) improved the foaming qualities mostly. They're now starting to use engine oil to perform some pretty terrific feats, like VVT and other hydraulic actions, and the ability to keep aeration (foaming) to a minimum is paramount in achieving the desired results.
I can't remember where but somewhere on here and I think on another website it has been mentioned that the OLM was reprogrammed to lower OCI's (oil change intervals) in the newer models. I don't know if it was with the '11 or '10 model year, but my experience suggests that it's true.
My first oil change was at 5357 and I switched to AMSoil full synthetic 5W-30. Seems there was no real change in how it runs so I wonder, Was the factory fill a blend or full syn to start with? Doesn't really matter now since I know what's in there and will going forward.
The dexos 1 spec (on BITOG they mention that it's proper to lowercase the spec - lame!) improved the foaming qualities mostly. They're now starting to use engine oil to perform some pretty terrific feats, like VVT and other hydraulic actions, and the ability to keep aeration (foaming) to a minimum is paramount in achieving the desired results.
Given that my incoming 2011 is also a leased company car, it's going to get oil changes at every 5,000 mile interval, whether it needs it or not. That will be just like the "worn out" 2009, which I am buying to replace my wife's aging 2003 Nissan.
I will be able to pick up the '09 for under $8K, and the maintenance records show that no oil change interval was missed by more than 363 miles. In no case was the OLM anywhere near 100%, and the oil still comes out clean. The 2.4L motor seems unchanged, so I cannot understand why a need for a new spec. Cars like my 2002 BMW have had hydraulic-actuated/electronic-controlled VVT technology for over 10 years now, and regular synthetic oils have been working fine.
OT: The one thing I noticed about the new one is that the LS base model (which is about equal to the 1FL fleet model we get) no longer has the 4 speed auto transmission available. In reading through this site for the past couple of years, I recall that there have been many comments regarding the 6-speed often hunting for the right gear. Have they now perfected that transmission, or is the "Tapshift" button there to fix the problem?
I will be able to pick up the '09 for under $8K, and the maintenance records show that no oil change interval was missed by more than 363 miles. In no case was the OLM anywhere near 100%, and the oil still comes out clean. The 2.4L motor seems unchanged, so I cannot understand why a need for a new spec. Cars like my 2002 BMW have had hydraulic-actuated/electronic-controlled VVT technology for over 10 years now, and regular synthetic oils have been working fine.
OT: The one thing I noticed about the new one is that the LS base model (which is about equal to the 1FL fleet model we get) no longer has the 4 speed auto transmission available. In reading through this site for the past couple of years, I recall that there have been many comments regarding the 6-speed often hunting for the right gear. Have they now perfected that transmission, or is the "Tapshift" button there to fix the problem?
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