[ZPirate]

FollowMyLine, thanks for posting the video. Interesting information, especially on the 5W-50 Supercar oil, which I was unaware of. You sort of brushed over the Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 European formula and said don't use it, but it's on the list of approved oils from GM for my 22 SS 1LE and its also ESP and Dexos 2. When I researched the oil it was originally developed for Porsche. It's also more readily available in my area than the old ESP or Supercar. I'm currently using it in my car, having just changed my oil a couple of weeks ago. I'm interested in why you don't recommend using it as it appears to be a very good oil and also to meet GM specs. In fact I read somewhere that it developed to be improved over the original ESP 0W-40 from Mobil1.

[Capricio]

Originally Posted by CamaroRSOnt

I was looking at the Castrol Edge Dexos2 certified oils , namely their 5w-30 and it also meets ILSAC-GF6 standards. They are widely available , more reasonably priced, seem less hassle than looking for the harder to find viscositys. Thanks for that video !!



https://www.castrol.com/en_ca/canada...html#tab_5w-30

I only see Dexos1 Gen2 or Gen3? When i put in my car and engine, it says "no recommendation".

[FollowMyLine]

Thanks everyone! I had a good time doing the research and making it!

[haggler]

Later on in the manual, it says 5w-30 Dexos1 may also be used. This manual is a mish mash of the earlier versions.
Edit: this is a 2023 manual. 5w30 dexos2 is much better though for high performance. I'd do the autozone deal for ESPx3 0w40 before I use 5w30 though.

[CamaroRSOnt]

Originally Posted by Capricio

I only see Dexos1 Gen2 or Gen3? When i put in my car and engine, it says "no recommendation".

Says 2 on the label...think the most important part is it is Dexos and meets ILSAC GF-6 standard, see below. Edit - maybe that 2 refers to Gen 2 on the label and not Dexos 2 , but it would still be ok

[CamaroRSOnt]

Originally Posted by haggler

Later on in the manual, it says 5w-30 Dexos1 may also be used. This manual is a mish mash of the earlier versions.
Edit: this is a 2023 manual. 5w30 dexos2 is much better though for high performance. I'd do the autozone deal for ESPx3 0w40 before I use 5w30 though.

Your right that is on pg 237 of my 2023 manual, what I put up which I thought might be a misprint is on pg 238 , didn't see the earlier mention of the LT1 oil. That pretty much cinches that the DexosR on pg 238 is a misprint. Confusing though!

Basically the 2023 manual says you can (for the LT1) use any fully synthetic Dexos1 5w-30 products for street use, no track. Which is where I am at.

[FollowMyLine]

Originally Posted by haggler

Later on in the manual, it says 5w-30 Dexos1 may also be used. This manual is a mish mash of the earlier versions.

Technically, Dexos 1 Ge.3 can be used but it is formulated for smaller turbocharged engines. I would recommend using the DexosR 0W-40 (or 5W-50 for reasons explained in the video) or the older Dexos2 0W-40.

[FollowMyLine]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

FollowMyLine, thanks for posting the video. Interesting information, especially on the 5W-50 Supercar oil, which I was unaware of. You sort of brushed over the Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 European formula and said don't use it, but it's on the list of approved oils from GM for my 22 SS 1LE and its also ESP and Dexos 2. When I researched the oil it was originally developed for Porsche. It's also more readily available in my area than the old ESP or Supercar. I'm currently using it in my car, having just changed my oil a couple of weeks ago. I'm interested in why you don't recommend using it as it appears to be a very good oil.

What I was told by the team at GM, was that the Kinematic Viscosity on the European formula is higher, the ash content is different, the zinc content is lower, the high-temp shear point is different, and the flashpoint is lower. Basically, it's a little thicker even though they are both 40-weight, but not thicker in the way you want. It's slower to flow throughout the engine. Does it technically meet Dexos2 certification? Yes. That is why I said if you need to run it in a pinch you can.

That is why the 5W-50 was called the magic elixir. It flows like a 40-weight oil and stays on parts and protects like a 50-weight.

[LT14EVA]

Originally Posted by FollowMyLine

Hey everyone,

I put together a video to help clear up some of the confusion around the different oil types for the LT1 & LT4. I worked with some of my friends at GM to get more specific information on oil types, why the manuals all have different information from 2016 - 2023, and why the correct oil filter is important.

Great video thanks for sharing. Aren’t there some old YouTube videos out there of you on the track in a blue Camaro? If so, great, driving!

[FollowMyLine]

Originally Posted by LT14EVA

Great video thanks for sharing. Aren’t there some old YouTube videos out there of you on the track in a blue Camaro? If so, great, driving!

Yes, there sure are. That was my blue 2018 1SS 1LE. It met its demise at The Kink at Road America. I have my 2022 2SS 1LE now. Lots of videos on the channel of both! Please subscribe if you haven't already!

[haggler]

There is a oil spec called HTHS (high temp high shear) which dexos2 5w30 has a min value of 3.5. This value is inversely related to fuel efficiency. the 5w30 dex1g3 has a value of 3.0. Street cars are prescribed Dex1g3. The higher value will be better for performance engines driven hard.
GM never had a "performance" spec oil until they branded DexosR, before that they were just using Dexos2 which is for gas/diesel with low sulphur and ash (SAPS) with the previously mentioned higher min HTHS value. Basically dexos2 has a higher bar to meet than dexos1. Realisitically for street driving you could run any dexos1/2 5w30. For track any Dexos2/R 0w40, or M1 15w50, etc.
I run the M1 ESPx3 0w-40 dexos2 because it has Porsche specs, which are higher than anything GM specs for the Camaro/Corvette and its cheapest with the autozone deal.

[CamaroRSOnt]

Originally Posted by FollowMyLine

Technically, Dexos 1 Ge.3 can be used but it is formulated for smaller turbocharged engines. I would recommend using the DexosR 0W-40 (or 5W-50 for reasons explained in the video) or the older Dexos2 0W-40.

For most Camaro SS owners that don't track their car what it says in the manual is key, it is all about warranty coverage, doing the right thing by that.

Given what the 2023 manual says it would be very hard for GM to suggest putting Dexos1 5w-30 in your Camaro somehow is an issue. There is no mention of specific generations of Dexos1 in the manual. Pretty clear on pg 237 Dexos1 5w-30 works for GM, on pg 238 it appears they misprinted DexosR instead of Dexos1 as there is no DexosR 5w-30 oil available anywhere.

My C7 Corvette had the same engine and Dexos 5w-30 was recommended by GM for normal use. Seems that really hasn't changed with the engine in the Camaro, just a lot of added confusion surrounding EPA and mileage standards when it comes to street use. Reality is most SS owners don't track their car. The bureaucracy strikes again.

[CamaroRSOnt]

Originally Posted by haggler

There is a oil spec called HTHS (high temp high shear) which dexos2 5w30 has a min value of 3.5. This value is inversely related to fuel efficiency. the 5w30 dex1g3 has a value of 3.0. Street cars are prescribed Dex1g3. The higher value will be better for performance engines driven hard.
GM never had a "performance" spec oil until they branded DexosR, before that they were just using Dexos2 which is for gas/diesel with low sulphur and ash (SAPS) with the previously mentioned higher min HTHS value. Basically dexos2 has a higher bar to meet than dexos1. Realisitically for street driving you could run any dexos1/2 5w30. For track any Dexos2/R 0w40, or M1 15w50, etc.
I run the M1 ESPx3 0w-40 dexos2 because it has Porsche specs, which are higher than anything GM specs for the Camaro/Corvette and its cheapest with the autozone deal.

Thanks for the info ! These oil threads are never straight forward are they.

Too bad GM wouldn't have made mention to the the video creator when they were discussing this that Dexos1 5w-30 is the default for the normal street driver of a SS/LT1 (and it meets warranty conditions). That really does cover most people who come to these forums and drive a SS.

Anyways we all learned something, thanks to all !

[haggler]

If one wants to use whats in the manual, then its fine to just use the Supercar stuff. But its obvious GM is trying to make money off this. After all, only Mobil makes "dexosR" and on Mobil's website it says go to a GM dealer.

If the minimum spec is Dexos1g3 for street, one can infer anything higher quality than that meets that spec (Dexos2, DexosR). Oil related engine failures do happen, but they are not going to be sending your oil for analysis to check for min/max levels of zinc, sulphur, etc. They will check the dipstick first.
If DexosR supersedes Dexos2, and Dexos2 was previously recommended as an upgrade for track from dexos1, one can infer Dexos2 meets the spec. For about $60 bucks after rebate ($6 a quart) including tax, the Dexos2 stuff will do just fine.