When it comes to the safety of vehicle engines, GM is one of the few names that got those using the engines by the very same brands covered. Thanks to whoever from the company decided to come up with their rare engine oil blends in the form of Dexos.
These engine oils offer more safety to our GM engines than we ever expected and are doing really well in terms of popularity too.
Suiting specific GM models, these engine oil blends come with several specifications that make them stand apart from other regular oils.
To simply give you an idea of what these oils are and what’s so special about them, we can tell you their basic composition before we move on to the comparison between the Dexos 1 vs Dexos 2. 
All Dexos oils are purely synthetic with some specially curated additives added to meet the requirements of particular GM engines. These blends are made in a way to increase your vehicle’s mileage as well as to provide utmost protection to the engine.
Moreover, the Dexos oils work to increase your engine’s life, and hence they are revered globally. Over time, these oils were so famed and well-used that the brand came up with two separate blends of these. One is called the Dexos 1, while the other, without a surprise, is called the Dexos 2.
While both these Dexos work differently and are made to suit specific models, people are still not really sure about what exactly makes these two different from one another and how. If you are also looking forward to using these oils and are not really sure as to what makes them different, you are at the right place.
Reading this article will help you understand the basic differences between the Dexos 1 and 2 and will help you make a better and more informed decision of buying anyone between these two.
Given below is a detailed discussion of the two oils with a one-to-one comparison of their most distinguishing features. This discussion on comparison will be later followed by a brief idea of the individual products.
So, without further ado, let us get started. But, before that, it is more convenient for you to glance through this table for a gist of what really makes these two oil models so different:
Dexos 1 | Dexos 2 |
|---|---|
 |  |
Made to work for gasoline engines | Made to work for diesel engines and some gasoline engines too |
Very high working power | Relatively lower working power |
Can easily work with longer oil change intervals | Cannot really work great with longer oil change intervals |
Gets the engine running for up to 15000 miles | Gets the engine running for up to 10000 miles and sometimes less |
Made to work for engines running on Northern American and Asian terrains | Made to work for engines running on European terrains only |
Work well for engines made post 2011 | Works equally well for models both pre and post 2011 and even the classic ones |
Offers replacement with GM4718, GM-LL-A-025, and GM6094M | Offers replacement with GM-LL-A-025 and GM-LL-B-025 |
Now that you have a quick idea of these two oils and their differences, it is about time we go in with a few details too:
Contents
Similarities Between Dexos 1 and Dexos 2
Given here are those few points of similarities that often confuse people between which oil they need to go for. Don’t worry about these, once you read the differences’ section, you will know the best Dexos for your engine:
1. Usage
What makes these two oils a little similar to each other is how and in what kind of engines they are used. While the similarity here is exhaustive, the good part about these two is that both suit the Gasoline engines quite well.
However, you can expect Dexos 1 to perform better than Dexos 2 in such engines since the latter was made to supplement the diesel engines better.
2. Resistance to Engine Wear
This is one striking resemblance between how these two oils work. Both the Dexos 1 and 2 are a synthetic and pure blend, made to supplement your engine’s power. This is why both of these work really well when it comes to elongating the life of any engine and its components.
Using these oils, even when at times, not a necessity; is great for the engine’s life and keeps it going well for years.
3. Maintenance and Cleaning of Engine’s Interior
We all want a cleaner engine with no clogging and filth stuck inside it, right? GM kept our needs in mind when it came up with these engine oils.
Hence, the oils are made to cleanse the engine’s interior. Using these on a regular basis cleanses your engine, removes and prevents filthy stuck-up, and also reduces clogging.
The best part about this one is that both Dexos 1 and 2 are equally well at this job.
Differences Between Dexos 1 and Dexos 2
Now that we know what makes these two oils so similar, it is time we draw the line between the two and see what makes these two so different and hence worthy of all the debate.
Before we go on, we must clarify that none of these is absolutely better than the other when it comes to a competition between these two.
Rather, the only thing that gives one of these Dexos some sort of privilege over the other is their suitability for specific engines and your specific needs. To determine which one of these is going to suit your purpose more, here is a detailed account of how these two differ.
Going through these differences will help you easily understand which one of these you need the most and hence your investment would be all worth it:
1. Engine Suitability
While both these oils are worth a shot when it comes to gasoline engines, the Dexos 1 must never be used with diesel engines at all. However, Dexos 2 is specially made for such engines and hence works great for all modern petrol and diesel engines.
If you are looking for some engine oil that can cater well to all your vehicles, you must try going for Dexos 2, especially because how it works great with gasoline engines too.
2. Model Suitability
Coming to the model of your GM vehicle and engine, here the Dexos 2 also provides great versatility. You can use the Dexos 2 with almost all engine models in GM. This oil was made to suit the fresher models that were developed post-2011.
However, we can assure you that using it with the previous models will not harm the engine too.
Coming to Dexos 1, it is not a good option to use with your classical engines. It has been only made to suit the models developed post-2011 and would never work at all for the previous models.
What’s more, to know here is that trying to use Dexos 1 for the older models does more harm to the engines than good and hence, you should try not to do so at any cost.
3. Mass Usage
This is where Dexos 1 wins over the other oil in comparison. Upon its release, GM declared the Dexos 2 perfect for mass usage and people used this oil blend for the same purpose.
However, only a few years later, it was found that this blend, even when it is otherwise perfect in so many ways, does not cater to LSPIs.
Hence, the mass usage was stopped and rather resisted and people started using this one in lower amounts in only diesel engines. Dexos 1, then was renewed for a second generation as its most updated form.
This second generation of Dexos 1 is now being treated as the ultimate engine oil for mass usage and is also going to fit with most modern gasoline engines too.
4. Temperature Range Suitability
When it comes to suiting different temperatures, Dexos 1 wins over Dexos 2. The former is capable of keeping the engine from ruining at higher temperatures but also works great to avoid solidification in lower temperature ranges.
This explains why the Dexos 1 is being suggested for a wide range of regions including North America as well as most Asian lands. This one is also a better choice if the vehicle you are using it for is used for various purposes – from simple city drives to adventurous races on sand dunes and whatnot.
On the other hand, we have Dexos 2 that is better when used only in specific temperature ranges. It cannot prevent the engine’s fuming at a hotter temperature. However, it can still keep its liquidity intact in colder zones easily.
This explains why this oil is most suggested to use only in the European region. Yet, it can work for all vehicle types including those you run for grocery as well as those you take out for off-road trips.
Dexos 1 Oil Quick Review
Specially made to help your engine’s performance, the Dexos 1 is great at the optimization of your engine and its minute components. It has been richly supplemented to perform in a way that increases the engine’s lifespan.
Coming as a purely synthetic blend, this one works well for all sorts of vehicle usages – both on-road and off-road. It has also been designed in a way to keep up with your engine’s inner cleanliness, hence improving its efficacy.
Given below are some important features of the Dexos 1 oils:
Product Features
- Made to fit gasoline engines only
- The blend is done in a way that can bear the highest of temperatures easily
- Certified surpassing of ILSAC GF-5/API SN standards
- Gets the engine flowing even in extreme cold
- Made to fight and prevent engine issues like low speeding, filthiness, and other fuel issues
Dexos 2 Oil Quick Review
Made with the highest quality standards, the Dexos 2 is what you need to ensure the health and long life of your vehicle engines. Perfectly suited for engines that run on petrol or diesel, this one can be used for gasoline engines too and would not disappoint you at all.
Dexos 2 is said to be specifically made for modern age vehicle engines. However, using it with the older GM engines and models has also resulted in great improvements in those engines.
Thanks to its environment friendliness, this oil reduces and stops the chemical deposits’ emission.
Given below are some important features of the Dexos 2 oil:
Product Features
- Used in diesel engines and gasoline engines, both
- Offers a good replacement for OEMs
- Ensures better cleaning of the engine
- Made to elongate engine’s life by reducing wear
- Very strong and thick
Is It Important to Use Dexos Oils?
Now that you are aware of all the differences and similarities between the two, it is worth considering if you actually need any of these or can you do better even in their absence.
Well, we suggest you go for these no matter how bulky investing in any of these seems to you. These synthetic fuels do not harm the system at all even when popular opinion thinks of these as so.
Rather, using these oils can help your engine with detriment avoiding and covering more mileage. Moreover, these oils determine longer life for your engines.
Hence, even when they might seem expensive, these oils are saving you a fortune in the long run, and that is something you would surely root for.
Conclusion
Both the Dexos 1 and Dexos 2 are made to ensure better performance from your engine alongside increasing its life and providing it with more chances to cleanse and protect itself from wear.
Depending upon your GM vehicle and engine’s model, you can choose to go with any of the given oils and you’d surely see the good results of making such an investment real soon.
Good Luck and happy driving!
Nice article except both products you are comparing are dexos 1. The EDGE is dexos 1 gen 2.