After 28,000 engine failures, GM is recommending thicker oil. Will it work?
Do Thin Oils Damage Engines – https://youtu.be/IKdhgKUZhPA
Subscribe to Engineering Explained for more videos! – https://goo.gl/VZstk7
After over 28,000 reported engine failures, GM is recommending thicker oil as a potential solution — but is that really the answer? In this video, we take a deep dive into why so many GM 6.2L V8 (L87) engines are failing, what the actual root causes are, and why a simple oil change is being offered as a fix in some cases.
We’ll explore:
1. The manufacturing flaws behind these widespread failures.
2. How oil viscosity and the Stribeck Curve relate to engine wear.
3. Whether thinner oils are causing damage in modern engines.
4. If switching to a thicker oil could actually help protect your engine.
This isn’t just opinion — we’re digging into the data, published research, and real-world test results to understand the logic behind GM’s service bulletins and what it means for both affected vehicles and the broader debate around oil viscosity. If you’re curious about the science behind engine lubrication, the role of modern manufacturing, or just want to understand what oil you should be using, this video is for you.
Related Videos:
Do Thin Oils Damage Engines – https://youtu.be/IKdhgKUZhPA
GM Engine Recall Motor Oil Geek – https://youtu.be/pbEdr6Q6cKw
References:
NHTSA Recall Report – https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V274-1598.PDF
GM Recall Details – https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCRIT-25V274-6343.pdf
GM Recall Details 2 – https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCRIT-25V274-5347.pdf
Honda Oil Study (1999) – https://doi.org/10.4271/1999-01-3468
Honda Oil Study (2011) – https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-1247
Toyota Oil Study (2020) – https://doi.org/10.4271/2020-01-1425
Low Viscosity No Fuel Econ Improvement – https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-2241
Corvette Track Prep – https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/vehicles/2020/performance/corvette-experience/02-pdf/02-pdf/2023%20Corvette%20Track%20Preparation%20Form_081722_v5.pdf
Stribeck Curve – https://profile.iitd.ac.in/~hirani/lec13.pdf
Silverado Most Dependable – https://www.chevrolet.com/trucks/previous-year/silverado/1500
JD Power Awards – https://www.jdpower.com/business/awards
Engineering Explained is a participant in the Amazon Influencer Program.
Recommended Books u0026 Car Products – http://amzn.to/2BrekJm
Don't forget to check out my other pages below!
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained
EE Extra: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iA
