Car Owner Requests Change from 0W-20 to 5W-30 Oil During Service, Dealership Insists on Signed Agreement Before Completion of Request
In a recent development, General Motors (GM) has updated its oil recommendation for specific 2021-2024 model year 6.2-liter V8 L87 gasoline engines due to a recall related to potential manufacturing defects.
If your vehicle is affected by the recall and passes inspection, using the 0W-40 oil is now required, and this change will not void the warranty. For many recent model-year GM 6.2-liter engines, the recommended oil is 0W-20, and this remains the standard for most vehicles, including the 2019 GMC Sierra.
However, a 2019 GMC Sierra owner might face a different scenario. The owner's truck's oil life monitoring system indicates that he still has 50% of his oil life remaining. Despite this, a GMC dealer may require the owner to sign a release form to change the oil viscosity from 0W-20 to 5W-30, as was the case for one owner who visited a dealer while at a resort.
It's essential to prioritize your vehicle's manufacturer's recommendations and be aware of the potential drawbacks associated with using an oil viscosity different from the specified one. Switching to a slightly different viscosity, like 5W-30, might not cause immediate catastrophic damage, but following the manufacturer's recommendations is crucial to ensure optimal engine performance and longevity.
For newer GMC trucks affected by this recall and passing inspection, the dealer will perform an oil change using the newly recommended 0W-40 oil, replace the oil fill cap, provide an updated owner's manual insert, and extend the warranty coverage for the engine. However, some dealers may require a contract to perform an oil change with a different oil viscosity to ensure the warranty and vehicle performance standards are maintained and to document any deviation from manufacturer specifications.
GM dealers are not required to obtain an owner's signature on a release form if they request a viscosity other than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This was highlighted in a 2019 - 2025 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Facebook post by Nicholas McDonald, discussing this issue.
In the case of the 2019 GMC Sierra in question, the service advisor at the GMC dealer required the owner to sign a waiver acknowledging his request to use 5W-30 oil. It's important to note that 0W-20 oil is chosen for its ability to flow easily at low temperatures, beneficial for cold starts, while still providing adequate lubrication at higher operating temperatures.
The GM dealer was being proactive to protect themselves if an owner experiences a problem with their 6.2-liter engine after the dealer performs an oil change service. As always, it's crucial to be informed and make decisions based on accurate information.
This article was written by Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012.
