As some of you may know, I just bought my wife a new Pontiac Solstice GXP for Christmas, and it has the Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine. It's oil filler cap says use Mobil 1 or equivalent. So what is equilivant for these high-tech motors, and others that the General has, like the 'Vettes, Caddy's, GTO's, etc?
The owners manual says we MUST use synthetic lubricants with the designation of GM4718M.
This is a copy of a post I made from the Pontiac Solstice Forum concerning this:
I've been trying to figure out what brands of oil is the best. Tough job! well, not really. This thing called the internet helps. Many of GM's higher performance vehicles require synthetic oil. The oil filler cap says Mobil 1 5w30 or equivalent. So what is equivalent, and what isn't?
PLEASE READ P. 249 OF YOUR OWNERS MANUAL. It says we MUST use synthetic lubricants with the designation of GM4718M.
So what oils fall in this class? Here is the list, and the link that I found this info from:

http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsi...ngine_oils.pdf

GM4718M Registered Products, Revision Date: Nov. 26, 2007
Castrol SLX Professional 4718 5W-30
Chevron Supreme Synthetic 5W-30, 10W-30
CITGO SUPERGARD Synthetic 5W-30, 10W-30
Mobil 1 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30
Northland, Synergy Synthetic 5W-30
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30, 10W-30
Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W-30, 10W-30
Q HorsePower 5W-30, 10W-30
Note: The Mobil 1 is NOT the extended Performance, like I have been using in my other vehicles.

These are the manufacturers that have had their oil TESTED and APPROVED. Some manufacturers CLAIM to meet the GM4718M spec, and they probably do, BUT GM has not tested them. Valvoline, Amsoil, and Royal Purple are 3 of the notably missing.

So which of the eight is the best? The General likes Mobil 1, but I'm sure there is some financial compensation for putting their name on their oil fill caps. I'd still like to see test results, not just pass and fail.

I edited this post for accuracy.

 

actually im glad to hear that i have been useing the right oil since the car was new
bout time i got something right on this thing.

But another thing i got out of your post that i will now need to figure out how to get my paws on th epart number for is the fill cap for your wifes new ride that says use Mobil syn. oils in it.
I want one for the monte becuse i use that oil in it and i have had someone try to be nice and change the oil for me at one of those cold institues of torcher like iffy lube. and they attempted to use pezoil in the car . took the wife calling me and telling me to come down there to get that straight.
But she was being nice. so i didnt say to much but was ready to kill them for not beliveing her when i have a decale that used to be under my hood that said car was switched to syn oils pleas use ____________

 

The GXP has a different fill cap than the 3.8's have. BUT I'm told by the GP guys that an LS-1 filler cap is the same, as those from a Corvette. I wonder if my wife's LS-1 in her Z-71 has the same fill cap as the Intimidator? We'll have to check it out tomarrow.

 

well hummmm that bites but i will keep digging on finding the part numbers for one with the right markings.

 

interesting...well i just put my mobil 1 extended in not to long ago so i got about 9,500 miles left.then maybego to reg.mobil 1 syn.i'll stay posted on this one.good find!

it says date of 5/2/06 is that when the test was taken place?thats almost 2 yrs. old,is that the newest one

 

The GM Tech link is July '07, so that's pretty current. I can't find anything newer.
If anyone belongs to Consumers Reports, I sure would like to see what they have to say about synthetic oil and this GM4718M spec.

 

so thats why it is not on that list because of the super syn.so is that realy bad for the engine?what are the effects does it have on theengine?did you get any info on that

 

My understanding is that it puts out more emmisions than the regular oil. Not sure, but I'll be switching back in the near future.

 

I'm using the Mobil-1 10/30 ... but, I have no intention of leaving it in there until the Oil Life Monitor suggests I change it. I'll probably go 6,000 Miles or less before it gets changed.
I live in New England, near Boston, and the weather gets really cold. That has to have some effect on the Oil ... so, this Spring ... I'll be changing the 10/30 back to 5/30 for the warmer weather (when it arrives, again!).

 

My wife's new Solstice GXP recommends changing the Mobil 1 oil every 5,000 miles. That's what I'm going to change my standards to.
Side note: I've been told that there are 3 additions to this synthetic oil list, but I haven't confirmed it yet. They are: Valvoline Synpower, Castrol Syntec, and an Amsoil product. When I get confirmation on this, I will update the list.
Any help on confirming that these oils have the GM4718M approval on the labels would be appreciated, especially the Amsoil product.