Dexos oil? Or other manufacturers' own spec oils?
Discussion
Hi, I was just wondering whether anyone has had any issues with the recently implemented dexos oil standards by GM with regards to warranty claims etc?
Or indeed has anyone had any issues with other manufacturers' own specification oils and warranty claims?
AFAIK, from a legal perspective to refute the warranty they would have to be able to prove that the use of non-spec oil was the root cause of the issues?
Bear in mind I am interested in specifically manufacturers specifications for oil, not using 5w-40 instead of 0w-40 etc...
Cheers in advance.
Or indeed has anyone had any issues with other manufacturers' own specification oils and warranty claims?
AFAIK, from a legal perspective to refute the warranty they would have to be able to prove that the use of non-spec oil was the root cause of the issues?
Bear in mind I am interested in specifically manufacturers specifications for oil, not using 5w-40 instead of 0w-40 etc...
Cheers in advance.
It probably depends how much you would wish to pursue a case IF there was an issue within the warranty period and the manufacturer declined to pay out. The need for proof might well rest with them, but you would still have to start proceedings. However, that might not be a worry if your legal team is bigger than theirs 
With regard to Dexos, my understanding is (was) that some oil brands weren't prepared to pay the licensing fees to be 'approved' etc etc.. Hence, there may not be so many approved oils available, certainly initially.
If the car is within the manufacturer's warranty, I would just stick with an approved oil. Whilst others will meet the spec., if they aren't approved, I wouldn't run the risk for the sake of a few extra pounds on the oil. If it's outside warranty, just check the spec.meets the requirements. GM are quite specific, for example, that certain cars using 5/30 oil must not use A1 spec 5/30,(I think it has to be A3 etc.), so check the specs carefully.
With regard to Dexos, my understanding is (was) that some oil brands weren't prepared to pay the licensing fees to be 'approved' etc etc.. Hence, there may not be so many approved oils available, certainly initially.
If the car is within the manufacturer's warranty, I would just stick with an approved oil. Whilst others will meet the spec., if they aren't approved, I wouldn't run the risk for the sake of a few extra pounds on the oil. If it's outside warranty, just check the spec.meets the requirements. GM are quite specific, for example, that certain cars using 5/30 oil must not use A1 spec 5/30,(I think it has to be A3 etc.), so check the specs carefully.
Ozzie Osmond said:
This is quite beyond me. The manufacturer tells you what oil is recommended. Why not use it??
Devil's advocate: what if they charged 10x the going rate for the oil? 100x? If you agree that they can't get away with charging more than the going rate, the question becomes: "when does it stop being reasonable?" 2x? 3x?
C
Thanks for the replies so far.
I'm still interested in hearing from people who have experience of this first hand, if there are any.
Some would argue that it's anti-competitive and that the European Comission would be interested in it, especially with the forthcoming changes of Block Exemption Regulations with regards to aftersales issues.
AFAIK there are at least a couple of oil manufacturers whose oil would meet dexos standards that aren't willing to pay the licensing fee to GM.
I'm still interested in hearing from people who have experience of this first hand, if there are any.
Ozzie Osmond said:
This is quite beyond me. The manufacturer tells you what oil is recommended. Why not use it??
Because there's a difference between a manufacturer recommending that you use a certain ACEA or API standard oil, which has been the case until recently, or that you must use oil that meets a manufacturers special requirements, and then charging a licensing fee for oil manufacturers to meet these standards.Some would argue that it's anti-competitive and that the European Comission would be interested in it, especially with the forthcoming changes of Block Exemption Regulations with regards to aftersales issues.
AFAIK there are at least a couple of oil manufacturers whose oil would meet dexos standards that aren't willing to pay the licensing fee to GM.
LuS1fer said:
Do you think this will ever be an issue? Seriously?.
Short answer: Yes.http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article001820574.cf...
http://themotoroilevaluator.com/members-blog/gener...
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