What Happened to Dexos? Why Some Motor Oil Labels Are Changing

Introduction

Noticed that the Dexos® logo has disappeared from a motor oil you regularly purchase? You’re not alone. Supply challenges and formulation changes have prompted some manufacturers to move certain products away from official Dexos licensing.

That change raises an understandable question: does a different label mean different protection?

The answer depends on the oil’s current formulation and documented performance. Understanding why labels are changing can help you choose with confidence.

Has Dexos Been Discontinued?

Dexos has not disappeared. General Motors continues to operate its engine oil approval and licensing program.

However, some oil manufacturers have transitioned select products to non-Dexos formulations. Pennzoil, for example, announced that ongoing supply constraints led Shell to make this change for certain products while maintaining their stated API SQ performance and other applicable claims.

Why Are Manufacturers Removing Dexos From Some Oils?

Supply disruptions have limited access to certain base oils used in licensed motor oil formulations. Manufacturers may need alternative components to maintain production and keep customers supplied.

Dexos approval is tied to an approved formulation. Changes outside that approval may require additional GM review and testing before the revised oil can be sold as officially licensed. During supply disruptions, those requirements can complicate manufacturers’ efforts to maintain product availability.

GM has acknowledged the supply constraints and offered expedited evaluations of alternative Group III base oils. However, it has maintained its licensing enforcement requirements.

What Has API Done About the Supply Disruptions?

The American Petroleum Institute activated Emergency Provisional Licensing to give eligible manufacturers temporary flexibility within its own licensing program.

Participating manufacturers must provide technical justification for substitutions and complete the required testing. This process helps address supply interruptions while preserving the performance obligations associated with API claims.

API’s program is separate from GM’s Dexos licensing. It does not automatically make a modified oil Dexos approved.

Can Oil Still Be Suitable Without Dexos Licensing?

Official licensing and a manufacturer’s suitability recommendation are different claims.

An unlicensed oil may carry a manufacturer-supported recommendation for particular applications. That recommendation should identify the relevant specification and be supported by current technical documentation.

A missing Dexos logo alone does not establish lower quality. Equally, an oil’s previous approval does not establish the performance of a revised formula. The current product data sheet and supplier recommendation are what customers should review.

What Does This Mean for Presidential Motor Oil?

As of November 6, 2026, our affected Presidential motor oil formulas continue to meet the applicable Dexos performance requirements, even though it no longer carries official GM Dexos licensing.

For customers, that means the removal of Dexos branding does not mean our formula has lost its compatibility with the Dexos applications identified in its current product documentation.

Always match the oil’s viscosity and stated specification to your vehicle’s requirements. If your application specifically requires an officially GM-licensed product, licensing remains a separate consideration.