Dexos Approved Oil Lists [Dexos 1, Dexos 2, Dexos D]

Do you own a vehicle from General Motors? Then you must have come across Dexos oil as it is the one recommended for all their engines. 

You may be wondering why it has to be Dexos oil and not any other. After all, engine oils are all the same, right? Well, there are numerous reasons why GM uses and recommends this particular oil for their vehicles. 

In this article, you will get a detailed analysis of the Dexos oil, the difference between Dexos 1, Dexos 2, Dexos D, and their approved oil lists. 

Dexos 1 Approved Oil List

Dexos 1 5W30 Approved Oil List

Dexos 1 5W20 Approved Oil List

Dexos 1 0W20 Approved Oil List

Dexos 1 0W30 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 5W40 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 5W30 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 0W40 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 0W30 Approved Oil List

Dexos 2 0W20 Approved Oil List

Dexos D Approved Oil List

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What Is Dexos Oil

Dexos is not an oil. It is a specification specified by GM for engine oil used for their cars. Oil manufactures can meet their requirements and can get licenses. The requirements are sludge reduction, good controlling temperature, optimal friction, proper formulation… 

Dexos oils are synthetic and synthetic blend and were used in vehicles manufactured from 2011 onwards. The first one was Dexos 1. However, there have been improvements to the oil to accommodate the growth in vehicle manufacture technology and increase efficiency. As a result, there are three more generations up to date, namely: Dexos 1Gen 2, Dexos 2, and Dexos D. 

Below are further reviews of the specific oils.

Dexos 1

In 2010, Dexos 1 was first introduced in North America as factory fill oil, targeting vehicle models released in 2011 onwards. To ensure that the oil was ideal for the engines, GM took it through 11 tests. These tests were both physical and chemical and included CEC, ASTM, and GM among others.

The oil is suitable for gasoline engines and can cover up to 15,000 miles before an oil change. Unfortunately, towards the end of August 2017, all the Dexos 1 engine oil licenses expired and were not renewed. It is no longer manufactured or sold.

Dexos1 Gen 2

Dexos 1 Gen 2 was introduced in the market in 2015. As you can see from the name, this oil was an upgrade of the original oil. It, therefore, came in handy for the older vehicle owners after the manufacture of the original Dexos 1 ceased. 

In addition to the benefits of Dexos 1, key improvements include the ability to protect the engine from low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and oxidation, as well as enhanced deposit control. GM incorporated additional tests such as oil separation and LSPI to further enhance its performance. Dexos 1 Gen 2 is used for gasoline applications.

Dexos 2

The motor world cannot underestimate the need for oil that caters to diesel applications. With this in mind, General Motors introduced Dexos 2 for factory fill of their diesel and gas engines. The oil caters to the European market, targeting vehicle models released from 2010. 

The oil has since been accepted globally thanks to the incredible features that include its ability to keep the engine clean and reduce the levels of wear. Other advantages of using this oil include improved fuel economy, high performance, and the exhaust particulate filter.

Dexos D

Currently, vehicle manufacturers have taken a new dimension. There are smaller and lighter engines that are a bit sensitive and hence require extra care. GM has not been left behind and has equally raised its standard to meet the oil needs of these vehicles. 

Dexos D is GM engineered oil for light diesel engines that operate best with oils with a viscosity of 0W- 20. It is used in vehicle models made from 2020 moving on. It meets all the quality standards and has increased efficiency levels that match the current needs and lifestyles.

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Dexos 1 Vs Dexos 2 Vs Dexos D: What Are The Differences?

Here are the significant comparisons of the different Dexos generations to further understand the oil.

	Dexos 1	Dexos 2	Dexos D
Application	– Gasoline engines – Focuses on Asian and North American Region	– Diesel engines, and a few gasoline engines  in Euro – Focuses on European Region	– Light-duty diesel engines – Used for late model GM vehicles with diesel engines that require 0W-20 engine oil
Model Year	– Apply for 2011 model year vehicles	– Apply for 2010 model year vehicle	– Apply for  2020 model year diesel vehicles
Specifications	– Meets ILSAC GF-5 & API SN Service Classification	– Meets API SN and ACEA C2/A5/B5 Service Classification	– Meets API SN and ACEA C5

Application

Dexos 1 is purely formulated for gasoline engines and is mainly used in North America and Asian countries. Dexos 2, on the other hand, serves both diesel and gasoline engines in the European region. Finally, Dexos D is ideal for light-duty diesel engines that need oils with a 0W- 20 viscosity across the globe.

These oils target specific engines with the Dexos formulated for models manufactured in 2011 moving on, Dexos 2 serves 2010 engines while Dexos D is fit for the modern 2020 engines.

Specifications

Before Dexos oils are released to the market, they pass through numerous tests and certifications to ensure that they uphold all the requirements and are safe for use both at home and away.

Dexos 1 meets ILSAC GF-5 & API SN Service Classification; Dexos 2 meets API SN and ACEA C2/A5/B5 Service Classification, while Dexos D meets API SN and ACEA C5 certifications.

Key Features

Some features are common in all the oils. They include being a full synthetic or synthetic blend; they have a longer change interval than the conventional counterparts and outstanding temperature control among others.

However, each has a unique characteristic that makes it ideal for the recommended applications.

Dexos 1 can withstand high temperatures. This feature enables it to stay stable and keep the engine well lubricated, safe and running even when it is very hot.

Dexos 2, on the other hand, has enhanced cleaning power that prevents wear, thus giving the engine a longer life.

Dexos D is characterized by low viscosity and low friction. As a result, it keeps the engine clean, protects against wear, and gives you advanced fuel economy.

Read more: GM 4L60E Transmission Fluid Capacity And Type

Outro

From the above, regardless of which application your car uses, you can choose from one of the above Dexos oils, and rest assured that your engine’s performance will be optimum.

General Motors put a lot of hours into research to develop these specific oils. Therefore, you must follow the recommended oil guidelines for any oil change. This will ensure that your engine operates under the ideal conditions and that you are also safe.

Additionally, any deviation from the recommendations could lead to its voiding if you are under warranty.

If you find any product not included in the list, leave a comment, and I’ll get back to you soon.

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