What Is Dexos1?
By on Oct 01 2020
Many have asked this question and in this article, we hope to get you an answer.
What is dexos1?
Dexos1™ Gen1
Approximately every 5 years, a new service category is placed on engine oil. The reason behind this is that auto manufacturers are under constant pressure to reduce emissions, offer better protection against sludge, and increase fuel economy. In 2011, the American Petroleum Institute (API) Service Category SN and International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) GF-5 were introduced as the latest Resource Conserving service categories. API and ILSAC have set the standards for oil for 60 years. API is recognized as an American standard and ILSAC is an internationally recognized specification.
In 2011, GM introduced their own stand-alone specification, "dexos" to meet the stringent requirements for their engines. The difference in a GF-5 approved oil and dexos approved oil is testing. GM dexos approved oils require proprietary tests that are not included in current industry standards. GF-5 is tested to meet API specifications. GF-5 oils are available in conventional, synthetic blend, and full synthetic versions, whereas dexos has to have some level of synthetic in order to meet GM's stringent requirements. This leads one to wonder what will happen if they do not use dexos where it is required.
GM claims that severe damage can be done to your engine if a dexos-approved oil is not used and there is a possibility your warranty can be void. GM's newer model vehicles now use oil life monitors which anticipate longer drain intervals based on the use of dexos-approved lubricants. Using a non-dexos-approved oil can result in the use of an oil that will not have a service life that is programmed into the oil life monitor. This can give the driver a false sense of security that the oil in their engine is still good —when in fact it isn't. So always follow what is specified in your owner's manual when choosing your motor oil. Be sure that what you are purchasing meets the proper API, ILSAC, or in this case dexos1 specification.
Dexos1™ Gen2
So what are the differences between Dexos1 Gen1 and Gen2?
Gen2 has all of the benefits listed for Gen1 and more, offering more advanced engine protection capabilities not currently found in the Gen1 oils. This includes features like improved deposit control, improved oxidation, and more advanced engine protection capabilities regarding LSPI, or low speed pre-ignition. LSPI is known to affect smaller turbocharged engines and the new generation of oils does an outstanding job protecting them.
Petroleum Service Company offers a wide range of dexos1 approved products that are fully licensed and approved to meet the stringent requirements of GM's dexos1 specification including Castrol GTX Magnatec, Mobil 1, Kendal GT-1 MAX, and Sunoco Ultra.
