PCM Service Advisory - Updated Oil Specifications

[NautiqueJeff]

EDIT: October 22, 2024
This original bulletin was created back when Dexos was first created. It is referencing DEXOS 1 (Gen 2) oil.

It is NOT calling for Dexos 2.

Current Dexos 1 formulas are all Dexos 1 (Gen 3). According to the site below, the Dexos 1 (Gen 3) oils are backward-compatible to Dexos 1 (Gen 2), and can safely be used in all engines calling for Dexos 1 (Gen 2).

Therefore, the current proper oil for engines previously calling for Dexos 1 (Gen 2) oil is Dexos 1 (Gen 3).

More information can be found here:
https://www.gmdexos.com/brands/dexos1_3/index.html






PCM has just released a Service Advisory related to the oil recommended for certain GM-based PCM engines (Including the H5 and H6, all 6.0L engines, XR and XS 550, and the new LSX).

[markj]

Change your oil every 120 days??? What kind of nonsense is that??? I totally get the every 50 hours thing, but telling people "or 120 days" is crazy.

[bturner]

I would agree but I think the logic they're using is in a worst case environment where the boat is sitting in the water, very damp type of situation where condensation is building up in the oil. Maybe, or they're just trying to cover their butts, Who knows. I put less than 30 hours a year on my boat so it gets changed once a year with all the filters and misc pieces parts.....

[charlesml3]

Shell Rotella 5W-30 is Dexos Gen-2

[Infinity]

Seems like this includes older models too, like my 2014 ZR409 which is a 6.0L. Is this correct?

[charlesml3]

Correct. The ZR409 is the 6.0L engine.

[d_nodixon]

I'm sticking with my rotella 15W40 for my 13 6L. Is was good for 750 hrs in my 06 version and 300 hrs in my 13. Is there a basis for this change?

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[bandit628]

I use 15w40 in my 210 with the 5.7. I change and sample mine at 50 hours. I always get good results.

I wonder why they recommend 30 hours now? I wonder what heavy loads mean? If you sack it out and surf all the time?

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[bturner]

I'm sticking with my rotella 15W40 for my 13 6L. Is was good for 750 hrs in my 06 version and 300 hrs in my 13. Is there a basis for this change?

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The 6L is a very different engine than the old 5.7L engines from the 90's or early 2000's. Who would have thought we'd see 450+ HP out of production small block engines 15 or 20 years ago? These new high performance engines use tighter tolerances throughout the engine and needle bearing roller rockers to handle higher HP and greater torque loads than the older engines and thus the need for lighter, better oil (or at least that's what I've been told). Same goes for the full or blend synthetic recommendations that typically goes along with the spec. My 2016 Camaro uses this same spec as well as the 2.7L turbo in the wife's Ford Edge. Basically new oils for a new generation of engines.

If you're using a quality oil and hitting the changes before the oil starts to break down you'll probably be fine but there is always a reason why manufactures develop a spec or recommendation which I tend to follow explicitly. From my personal perspective, I can buy Mobile 1 at Costco or Wallmart for about the same price as 15-40 when it goes on sale (or at least close enough for me) so why not run the higher spec oil? (Actually my question would be can I run the higher spec oil in my 2016 5.7L 343? I would imagine the answer would be the same but I'll probably stick with the Rotella 15-40 to stay with the spec)

As to loads and hours. Surfing puts a ton of strain on the engine in comparison to say slalom or wakeboarding. I was at my previous dealer over the winter inspecting their new shop and noticed several newer boats having engine work done. I was kind of surprised by this and asked ir the newer engines were less reliable than the older and trusted 350 Chevys that I've grown up with. He told me that he believed the newer engines were actually much better but that they've seen a very noticeable up tick in engine failures across the board which he says has pretty much matched the popularity of surfing and surf style boats. Lots of high load starts with a fully ballasted and loaded boat then extended periods of time at high loads and low RPM contrast sharply with whats seen in slalom or wakeboarding. He said there were even concerns from the manufactures that oil starvation issues were driving up warranty claims as boats were being operated for extended periods listed over thus keeping the oil pickup from being properly submersed in oil. Is this true? I couldn't say but it would make sense to me.

In general if you look at the average boat and how an average family used their boat 10 years ago, it's a very different world today. While there were guys out there sacking their wakeboard boats to the max 10 years ago that certainly wasn't the average usage. Now a days you see entire families out surfing for hours on end in very large and loaded boats. Not saying this is a bad thing or that manufactures shouldn't be engineering for this level of use, just saying the average duty cycle has certainly seen a bump up in requirements fairly recently.

[GMLIII]

Shell Rotella 5W-30 is Dexos Gen-2

My H6 is due for an oil change. Is the 5W-30 Dexos Gen-2 Shell Rotella just as easy to find at a WalMart as the Shell Rotella 15W-40? Just curious

[charlesml3]

My H6 is due for an oil change. Is the 5W-30 Dexos Gen-2 Shell Rotella just as easy to find at a WalMart as the Shell Rotella 15W-40? Just curious

I did a quick search and found it at a local Advance Auto Parts.

[GMLIII]

$21.57 for 5 qt container at your local Wal-Mart . Must be a run on this oil I just bought the last 3 containers. LOL

[greggmck]

Hi Jeff, Do you have a link to the original PDF service advisory? I would like to download the PDF advisory and cant find it. Your post is an image. Thanks!

[greggmck]

It looks like there are now more options for the new Dexos Gen 2 oil specification. I found Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol and others in the specified 5w-30 weight. But I could not find Shell Rotella Dexos Gen2 near Seattle.

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[ducatidesmo]

Mobil 1 is Dexos Gen2 as well. I've been using that for YEARS on my Turbo JK, and that was the plan for the boat as well.