The End Of Cheap Oil Changes

Anonymous-0 · Sep 17, 2011

I just got a 2012 Chevy Equinox for my wife's car. Evey time I buy a new car no matter how careful I am there is always something I find out after I buy it I wasn't aware. All new GM vehicles require a special dexos oil specially formulated for GM autos. What this basically means is full synthetic oil for 7 bucks a quart. Mobil 1 is a dexos approved oil. I always change my own oil and buy it on sale at Fleet Farm for under 2 buck a quart. I guess those days are over.

37chief · Sep 17, 2011

I'll bet any good synthetic oil will work. I may be wrong. Stan

PopinJohn · Sep 17, 2011

I have recently been switching all my vehicles to Royal Purple.
2010 GMC Terrain, 2000 GMC 1500 Sierra (pulls 5th wheel camper)
Includes changing to Royal Purple ATF in the pickup.
Engines in both vehicles seem more peppy, and gas mileage has improved on both.
I used Wal-Mart oil for 30 years with no problems, but I have slowly become convinced that good synthetic oil is more economical.
Mike S.

HenryO · Sep 17, 2011

It is my firm belief that Synthetics like Mobil 1 or the new Castrol are really great for engines. I have been using synthetics (Castrol Syntec ) since it came out. I have gotten to the place where I only change oil every 12000 miles and it still comes out clean and not broken down. Companies such as Amsul have oils that are 35000, 65000 and lifetime use. My stepson uses Mobile I in his 2007 new cheve since the biginning, changes every 12000 and has about 160.000 with no problems. My Lincoln also has 156000 and has had synthetic for many years.

showcrop · Sep 17, 2011

But aren't you supposed to be able to go like 100,000 between oil changes on the synthetic?

MarkB_MI · Sep 17, 2011

Here's a list of DEXOS-approved oils.
DEXOS approved oils

Pair-a-dice farm · Sep 17, 2011

I never used synthetic oil and I'm sure it's good oil but I wonder about the economics. I use Pennzoil 10w30 in all my gasoline engines and have engines with over 300K with no problems and I run in some pretty dusty conditions. I have a hard time believing if you have a good maintenance program that synthetics would be feasible

Coloken · Sep 17, 2011

Thanks for that chart. I quit changing my own when I reached 75 years old.
I see that- Quaker State Synthetic Blend 5W-30 Shell dexos1- that I run in my ranger is listed.
Now I know who makes it.

caseman-d · Sep 17, 2011

I would have to check but thought most of the Dexos that we sell at work is 5w-20 semi-synthetic. Gm part number is a 19293000. I know that when service is doing a oil change we charge I think is between 3.45 to 3.75 a quart and 6.00 for a filter. I have a 92 Taurus, 99 Mercury, and a 2001 chey K2500 and I cuss them trying to get the dang filter off. So some times I think it's worth having some one else change it.
caseman-d

Jon Hagen · Sep 18, 2011

You might be amazed how well your new rig does on a full synthetic oil.

My new in july 09, 2010 Toyota Prius uses full synthetic toyota 0-20 oil where they recommend changing it every 10,000 miles.
The car does not use any oil between 10,000 mile changes and is hardly starting to darken at that mileage.
I drive about 10,000 per year, so once per year the car goes to the dealer for an oil and filter change, general inspection and tire rotation for about $50. I have never had it so easy.

MarkB_MI · Sep 18, 2011

Shell owns the Quaker State and Pennzoil brands. Presumably those oils are identical to the equivalent Shell brands.

Deere Scotty · Sep 18, 2011

2005 Duramax Diesel. Bought new, & I have not changed the oil myself once. Now has 135,000 miles. It holds about 12 quarts + the filter. When new it cost about $75; Now $90 per change. I just flat out cant stand to change the oil, & lube it. Guess I'm spoiled having tractors that are too easy to change! What kills me is the fuel filter. Just replaced it monday. Dealer charged $64.19 tax included. & I put it on myself; Dealer wanted another $45 just for that.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 18, 2011

GM is not on MY list of approved automobile purchases. I want my car maker to be able to make cars, and profits, with no taxpayer subsidies.

RMinVa · Sep 18, 2011

I'd like my gas and oil to be the same too,with no taxpayer subsidies.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 18, 2011

Don't you relize why they specify a particular oil/
Certain Motor Mowers 40 years back used to have stickers attached " use only Castrol oils". strangely enough it ran just as well when other brands were used.
Out here Mobil 1 is top dollar.

jose bagge · Sep 18, 2011

that really isn't a bad dealer price on the filter...Advanced charged me almost $60 over their counter last year. BUT dog-gone does a new fuel filter change the way that duramax runs!

Bryan inIowa · Sep 18, 2011

Fuel filter is def a $45 dollar labor job . Well,,think .5 labor hours .

Bus Driver · Sep 18, 2011

I did not see any Castrol product listed.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 18, 2011

Nah, if the government helps find gas, oil, and other VIABLE sources of energy, it keeps prices down, for all of us.

MarkB_MI · Sep 18, 2011

Yep. Both Castrol and Valvoline saw no reason to pay GM for the privilege of putting the Dexos label on their products.
Castrol wont pay for Dexos license

Spook · Sep 18, 2011

Seems like small potatoes - the old license fee was $250 per company. The dexos is $1K?

MarkB_MI · Sep 19, 2011

I don't know what "old" license fee you refer to, Spook. At any rate, the oil maker has to submit their oils to an additional round of tests, and that's much more expensive than the licensing fee itself.

It could be that Valvoline and Castrol don't want to encourage a trend where every OEM (Ford, Chrysler/Fiat, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc.) comes up with its own standard.

The End Of Cheap Oil Changes

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