Engine performance is a vital indicator of your vehicle’s health. A timing belt moving at pace, air and fuel combustion happening at just the right time, and pistons rocking back and forth in rhythm are typically good signals that confirm your engine is working as intended.
In today’s high-tech landscape, you can achieve even better performance with the right products for your engine. Recognizing that substandard oils prevent drivers from getting the most out of their vehicles, General Motors demanded an oil quality that eclipsed the requirements from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), leading to GM dexos®. Let’s discuss what dexos is and what it means for your engine.
What Is dexos Oil?
Rather than describing a type of oil dexos is a manufacturing standard. When GM engineers searched for an engine oil that could support the performance demands of their modern engines, they developed a strict list of requirements that oils should meet to qualify for use in their vehicles.
This list challenged manufacturers to produce oil that released fewer emissions, was fuel efficient, and improved the engine’s overall life. As a result, this standard emerged as a series of evaluation tests for oils to prove GM engine compatibility. Formulas that pass are authentic licensed dexos products.
What Is dexos1 Oil?
The dexos1 is a list of tests designed specifically to assess the compatibility of oils for GM vehicles that run on gasoline. The dexos1 has seen several edits since its first implementation, which have given us three generations of oil specifications:
Gen 1 dexos1 Oil
The Generation 1 requirements were the very first set GM introduced in 2010. While they have since been replaced, they covered 11 tests that reviewed factors like aeration, wear, sludge, and cleanliness, and they also tested for properties like corrosion, viscosity, and shear stability.
Gen 2 dexos1 Oil
In an attempt to limit low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), GM introduced dexos1 Gen2 in 2015. The new standard demanded that oils prove LSPI resistance. Low-speed pre-ignition refers to fuel and air combustion occurring outside the controlled environment, most likely in the cylinder.
Normal combustion should occur in the combustion chamber, but sometimes, it can happen outside the chamber due to high temperature and pressure. This process can cause an engine knock and, over time, damages your engine. With the newer testing standard, dexos1 Gen 2 encouraged engine oil companies to develop formulations that significantly reduce the likelihood of LSPI.
Gen 3 dexos1 Oil
GM released the current standard for dexos oils in 2021. These new specifications pushed the boundaries of engine performance even further. To meet Gen 3 dexos oil requirements, a formula must form fewer deposits, offer higher fuel economy and maintain cleaner engines.
What Is dexosD Oil?
While dexos standards were established for oil in gasoline engines, dexosD outlines a set of criteria created specifically for Duramax light-duty diesel engines, such as the LM2 3.0-liter engine. Although GM initially designed the dexos2 for rating light-duty diesel engine oils, it was not compatible with Duramax engine oil. The need for an accurate evaluation specification for Duramax engines led to the creation of dexosD.
GM officially discontinued dexos2, encouraging vehicle owners who rely on dexos2 to use dexosD-certified oils.
Requirements for dexos Oils
To be approved and certified as a dexos oil, engine oils must undergo a series of tests. Some of the parameters GM tests for include:
- Stochastic low-speed pre-ignition: Testing ensures that engine oils significantly reduce the likelihood of premature fuel combustion.
- Turbocharger deposits: It evaluates an oil’s capability to form deposits within the turbocharger.
- Oxidation test: GM designed these criteria to analyze an oil’s resistance to oxidation.
- Shear stability: It evaluates an oil’s tendency to change viscosity under mechanical stress, searching for a low propensity to change, signifying high shear stability.
What Is the Difference Between dexos Oils and Conventional Oils?
The difference between conventional oils and dexos oils is their properties. Conventional oils, which are simply refined mineral oils, lack the performance capabilities required from an engine oil. Due to varying molecular size, their behavior in high-pressure and high-temperature conditions is unreliable.
As synthetic products, dexos-grade oils are manufactured in a lab. Manufacturers like Hot Shot’s Secret specifically engineer these formulas for high performance in multiple situations. For this reason, dexos oils will hardly be conventional. However, some dexos-approved oils can be blends, meaning they may have a percentage of traditional base oils mixed with synthetics.
The Benefits of dexos Oils
GM recommends dexos oils for all GM vehicles. Of course, a recommendation is not a requirement. While GM strongly suggests you use dexos-certified oils, you have the freedom to choose. Depending on your driving and performance needs, some reasons you should select dexos oils include:
- Quality: To be licensed as a dexos product, an oil must use high-quality ingredients.
- Better shear stability: Authentic dexos oils flow easily without thinning out at high temperatures or thickening in cooler temperatures.
- Increased wear protection: Using dexos oils means getting better metal-to-metal protection, reducing friction and wear.
- Improved oxidation protection: These oils possess better antioxidation technology.
- Higher sludge protection: Due to their improved oxidation resistance, dexos oils are resistant to sludge formation.
- A cleaner engine: Certified dexos oils carry high detergent capabilities, which result in better engine cleanliness.
- Better fuel economy: By ticking off boxes like reduced friction, minimal deposits and better temperature regulation, dexos oils improve fuel efficiency.
- Undisputed warranty: Using a dexos-approved oil means GM won’t dispute your warranty claim should your engine suffer failure.
How to Identify dexos Oils
The sure way to identify whether an oil has dexos approval is by the packaging. All dexos oils will have indicating markings on the front, so look out for the dexos label before purchasing a bottle. The bottle should also indicate which dexos category the oil falls under. For example, an oil designed for gasoline vehicles should have a dexos1 Gen3 label.
Our dexos Oil Range
At Hot Shot’s Secret, we manufacture engine oils powered by science. We research, test, innovate, and then rinse and repeat to ensure you have an oil that supports your engine and how you drive. In our strive for scientific excellence, we formulated an oil that exceeds dexos standards.
Red Diamond Passenger Car Oil
If you are looking for an oil that will not void your manufacturer’s warranty, choose Hot Shot’s Secret Red Diamond Passenger Car motor oil. We formulated this oil to provide superior protection against LSPI, sludge formation and deposits.
Our oil uses our proprietary FR3 Nano Technology that improves the oil’s shear and oxidation stability. We have a detergent package that ensures your engine remains clean, regardless of activity. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or your engine is idling in traffic, your engine will remain protected for longer.
Beyond the dexos compatibility, you can use the Red Diamond motor oil in engines requiring API SP/GF-6A oil. The experts at Hot Shot’s Secret understand that your engine can have varying lubrication demands, so we created an oil with varying viscosity. Select an oil based on your specific viscosity requirements.
Choose Quality Oils and Additives From Hot Shot’s Secret
When you buy Hot Shot’s Secret oils, you put your money into reducing emissions, improving performance and achieving better fuel economy. Beyond formulating our oils to meet industry standards, we give you something to exceed expectations.
Purchase a superior engine oil today.