[WorthFlorida]

Oil history; 2019 1SS new Nov. 2019. The car is insured as occasional use, not as a daily rider. The car sits in a storage unit most of the time. Summer time I take it out maybe every four weeks, winter months at least ever other weekend, sometimes every weekend. Florida summer is just too hot for a convertible.

At 1500 miles about 11 months (Oct, 2020) later I did the free oil change at the dealer.

A year later at 3900 miles I had an oil change at Valvoline ($150 for ten quarts)

Now at 5800+ on the clock, 1877 miles on the oil (the DCI was reading near 10% since the 12 month clock of the last oil change was near.

The manual reads 7500 miles or 12 months. Since the convertible sits in a storage unit most of the time, I didn't think the oil was at its end of life. Perhaps the lube engineers feel there may be too much water condensation in the oil but in Florida, it rarely gets cold enough for condensation problems. As I have before on another vehicle, I had an oil test performed and paid an extra $10 for a TBN number. Measure oil life that remains.

It turns out the TBN is 6.9. New oil can be 8-14 but I do not know the European Oil from Valvoline 0w40 is. Mobil 1 has the same named oil and both are not officially dexos2 approved. Just cannot dexos2 0w40 oil here in Central Florida but the oil is formulated for "European Car Formula Full Synthetic"

If you read the oil report, it is still good probably for another year and a few thousand miles. For a $40 oil test you'll know your oil and engine is good or for worse. I've used Blackstone several times and alway like their reports. This time they claim a trace amount of fuel in the oil. I use Mobil/Exxon Premium and I'll run the car for a few hours driving around Central Florida. This time I bough the hand pump to extract the oil into the oil test kit and it worked quite well.


19 CAMARO-220727.pdf

[Camden45]

Originally Posted by WorthFlorida

Oil history; 2019 1SS new Nov. 2019. The car is insured as occasional use, not as a daily rider. The car sits in a storage unit most of the time. Summer time I take it out maybe every four weeks, winter months at least ever other weekend, sometimes every weekend. Florida summer is just too hot for a convertible.

At 1500 miles about 11 months (Oct, 2020) later I did the free oil change at the dealer.

A year later at 3900 miles I had an oil change at Valvoline ($150 for ten quarts)

Now at 5800+ on the clock, 1877 miles on the oil (the DCI was reading near 10% since the 12 month clock of the last oil change was near.

The manual reads 7500 miles or 12 months. Since the convertible sits in a storage unit most of the time, I didn't think the oil was at its end of life. Perhaps the lube engineers feel there may be too much water condensation in the oil but in Florida, it rarely gets cold enough for condensation problems. As I have before on another vehicle, I had an oil test performed and paid an extra $10 for a TBN number. Measure oil life that remains.

It turns out the TBN is 6.9. New oil can be 8-14 but I do not know the European Oil from Valvoline 0w40 is. Mobil 1 has the same named oil and both are not officially dexos2 approved. Just cannot dexos2 0w40 oil here in Central Florida but the oil is formulated for "European Car Formula Full Synthetic"

If you read the oil report, it is still good probably for another year and a few thousand miles. For a $40 oil test you'll know your oil and engine is good or for worse. I've used Blackstone several times and alway like their reports. This time they claim a trace amount of fuel in the oil. I use Mobil/Exxon Premium and I'll run the car for a few hours driving around Central Florida. This time I bough the hand pump to extract the oil into the oil test kit and it worked quite well.


Attachment 1106543

I hope you never have to get warranty work on the engine. GM is not going to like the fact your maintenance history shows use of non-approved oil. Slam dunk for them. AutoZone carries the oil online, and Walmart now stocks the renamed version: Mobil 1 Supercar. At the very least, 5w-30 dexos is available at Walmart, which GM says you can use in a pinch.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by WorthFlorida

Perhaps the lube engineers feel there may be too much water condensation in the oil but in Florida, it rarely gets cold enough for condensation problems.

Agree, the factory recommendations have to cover many contingencies. Drive on that oil as long as you are comfortable. Doubt you will push it past its prime.
There will be many members here who feel you should IMMEDIATELY change your oil to the new spec Mobil 1 regardless of... anything.

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by Camden45

I hope you never have to get warranty work on the engine. GM is not going to like the fact your maintenance history shows use of non-approved oil. Slam dunk for them. AutoZone carries the oil online, and Walmart now stocks the renamed version: Mobil 1 Supercar. At the very least, 5w-30 dexos is available at Walmart, which GM says you can use in a pinch.

The direct statement in the owner's manual is that dexos1 Gen2 5W-30 is acceptable for street use in this motor. If the oil used meets that standard, there is no voiding of the warranty.

[Camden45]

Originally Posted by ember1205

The direct statement in the owner's manual is that dexos1 Gen2 5W-30 is acceptable for street use in this motor. If the oil used meets that standard, there is no voiding of the warranty.

He used Valvoline 0w-40. They don't have any 0w-40 that meets spec. I'm sure his motor will be fine, but he basically just voided the warranty on his motor if GM asks for maintenance records.

[95 imp]

Originally Posted by Camden45

He used Valvoline 0w-40. They don't have any 0w-40 that meets spec. I'm sure his motor will be fine, but he basically just voided the warranty on his motor if GM asks for maintenance records.

He'll also jack up his motor because the DI doesn't like the volatility of standard motor oils. Hence the Dexos test standard.

He'll be cleaning valves more often, and possibly get engine knock/failure.

[buck50]

So you currently have a Valvoline 0W-40 oil in your engine that has no dexos rating and you are considering continuing to run it longer than the 12 months GM recommends for change interval. Your car and of course you can do what you want. If it were mine, and the engine still under warranty, I would have the oil changed now to a dexos rated oil likely Mob1 dexos1 Gen2 5W-30.

[LT4Greg]

Use whatever oil the owners manual states and if you can’t find it then use the oil that can be substituted for use according to GM. It’s not rocket science.��