Interesting GM Observation
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Interesting GM Observation
I was changing the oil in my '05 Buick this weekend. I looked in the manual to see if I could use some of my stockpile of SL oil, or if I had to crack into my stockpile of SM oil (I was sure that I did not have to crack open my stockpile of CH-4 oil 
)
Anyway, GM does not spec out SH, SL, SM, etc. Instead, they tell you to use an oil that meets the GM spec (GM3094 or something like that). I checked the book on my '04 GTO, same thing (except it was written on the opposite side of the page
).
The SM 5w-30 oil (Exxon) had that spec on the bottle, but the 10w-30 (Exxon) SL oil did not.
Funny. The industry argued for years to get the API SM rating issued, now it looks like they still don't agree.
)Anyway, GM does not spec out SH, SL, SM, etc. Instead, they tell you to use an oil that meets the GM spec (GM3094 or something like that). I checked the book on my '04 GTO, same thing (except it was written on the opposite side of the page
).The SM 5w-30 oil (Exxon) had that spec on the bottle, but the 10w-30 (Exxon) SL oil did not.
Funny. The industry argued for years to get the API SM rating issued, now it looks like they still don't agree.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
That spec requires 5W-30, so even SM 10W-30 would not qualify.
Despite every effort to include all major manufacturers in API and ACEA specs, more and more wont just go with it. BMW Longlife, VW, GM and Ford oil specs, Dexron VI, Mercon V and +4 ATF's and the list goes on. Now we even need a different coolant for each make.
Jim
Despite every effort to include all major manufacturers in API and ACEA specs, more and more wont just go with it. BMW Longlife, VW, GM and Ford oil specs, Dexron VI, Mercon V and +4 ATF's and the list goes on. Now we even need a different coolant for each make.
Jim
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by jimandmandy
That spec requires 5W-30, so even SM 10W-30 would not qualify.
The book also says 5w-30 is preferred, but 10w-30 is acceptable.
H'mmmm. I wonder which one is right.
No real problem, short of Emu oil, I am pretty well covered.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jschira
Gee, that's funny. The book says "Make sure that you use oil meeting GM3094 or else blankety, blankety, blank."
The book also says 5w-30 is preferred, but 10w-30 is acceptable.
H'mmmm. I wonder which one is right.
No real problem, short of Emu oil, I am pretty well covered.
The book also says 5w-30 is preferred, but 10w-30 is acceptable.
H'mmmm. I wonder which one is right.
No real problem, short of Emu oil, I am pretty well covered.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 1
The GM spec 6094, which is probably the one you are referring to, has to do with the cold flow properties of the oil. I don't have the exact spec in front of me and I wouldn't want to give you wrong info but I believe it has to have a cold pour point of - 30F. GM engines suffer from not so hot engineering in regards to the lube system. The oil MUST flow at cold temps or damage at the mains will happen, in particular, the front main. This is the reason the Corvette requires a PAO synthetic.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Flash
The GM spec 6094, which is probably the one you are referring to, has to do with the cold flow properties of the oil. I don't have the exact spec in front of me and I wouldn't want to give you wrong info but I believe it has to have a cold pour point of - 30F. GM engines suffer from not so hot engineering in regards to the lube system. The oil MUST flow at cold temps or damage at the mains will happen, in particular, the front main. This is the reason the Corvette requires a PAO synthetic.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by Flash
The GM spec 6094, which is probably the one you are referring to,
Originally Posted by Flash
has to do with the cold flow properties of the oil. I don't have the exact spec in front of me and I wouldn't want to give you wrong info but I believe it has to have a cold pour point of - 30F. GM engines suffer from not so hot engineering in regards to the lube system. The oil MUST flow at cold temps or damage at the mains will happen, in particular, the front main.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
I lived in Teaxs for a bit in mid 70's and that was the only place I have ever been that you could buy straight 60 and 70 weight engine oil off the shelf at the time.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Flash
The GM spec 6094, which is probably the one you are referring to, has to do with the cold flow properties of the oil. I don't have the exact spec in front of me and I wouldn't want to give you wrong info but I believe it has to have a cold pour point of - 30F. GM engines suffer from not so hot engineering in regards to the lube system. The oil MUST flow at cold temps or damage at the mains will happen, in particular, the front main. This is the reason the Corvette requires a PAO synthetic.
Only reason Corvette is speced for PAO is that the sump temperature will go above 305F in hard roadracing conditions, and not installing an oil cooler for the 99.9% of Vettes that will never get used to this potential was a no brainer.
The above is straight from the GM engine engineer that helped design the system.
PS - back to the original question, the GM spec translates to a 5W30 SM GF4 spec oil. Most 5W30 on the shelf are GF4 now.