Laying a myth to rest DEXRON

[Dorsetnob]

I am afraid that my 70 year old memory has let me down big time. I must own up to being a complete plonker. It is in my defence 22 years since I was in the oil business. Hopefully you will all give me some credit for owning up to being a forgetful old twit!
Corrections in red below. I felt I should be big enough to own up before anybody damages their auto boxes.See also comments about Rover SD1 below.You may all be as rude as you like. I will take it manfully on the chin!!
Grovelling aplogies once again! I was talking to a fellow member last night who had apparently been told by somebody in the club that DEXTRON (sic) was an additive in automatic transmission fluid which could cause damage to some Borgwarner auto boxes. This caused him to have his gear box drained and re-filled with Ford ATF* which , if my memory serves me correctly (and they haven't changed requirements) used to be DONAX.
Having worked for Shell Retail Automotive Lubricants for 21 years, both in sales and marketing I can assure everybody that ..
1 there is no such thing as DEXTRON. It is a common mis-spelling of DEXRON.TRUE
DONAX FOR BW BOXES[/COLOR] Other makes used DEXRON. A different formulation.
For the full story see...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

You will see that due to the age of ALL Stags that DONAX is the correct grade for Stags when new.
Dexron & Donax are both basically hydraulic oils. The correct type is essential for the gear box requirements. DO NOT put DEXRON in your Stag auto box!
However, as far as the power steering is concerned it really doesn't matter as the oil's primary function is as a hydraulic oil to power the steering ram, & secondarily to lubricate.
But there is no heavy loading on the rack as there is in a gear box. So it is not vital which one you use.
Disclaimer.
I should point out that I left Shell in 1993 so the information above was correct at that time. Therefore it does cover our cars. Current requirements and specifications may well have changed.

[Jeff]

I understood it was Ford that put out technical notes on NOT to use Dexron, Dextron whatever it's called, but only reading that on this forum.

Jeff.

[Kevin Garrod]

Fancy Ford not endorsing a GM product.

[milothedog]

I was talking to a fellow member last night who had apparently been told by somebody in the club that DEXTRON (sic) was an additive in automatic transmission fluid which could cause damage to some Borgwarner auto boxes. This caused him to have his gear box drained and re-filled with Ford ATF* which , if my memory serves me correctly (and they haven't changed requirements) used to be DONAX.
Having worked for Shell Retail Automotive Lubricants for 21 years, both in sales and marketing I can assure everybody that ..
1 there is no such thing as DEXTRON. It is a common mis-spelling of DEXRON.
2 DEXRON is NOT an additive it is the correct *automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for BW gear boxes. Other makes used DONAX. A different formulation.
For the full story see...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

You will see that due to the age of ALL Stags that Dexron II is the correct grade for Stags when new. Dexron IV being a lower viscosity.
Dexron & Donax are both basically hydraulic oils. The correct type is essential for the gear box requirements.

DO NOT put DONAX in your Stag auto box!

However, as far as the power steering is concerned it really doesn't matter as the oil's primary function is as a hydraulic oil to power the steering ram, & secondarily to lubricate.
But there is no heavy loading on the rack as there is in a gear box. So it is not vital which one you use.
Disclaimer.
I should point out that I left Shell in 1993 so the information above was correct at that time. Therefore it does cover our cars. Current requirements and specifications may well have changed.

So why does the BL factory manual for Shell oils Specify Donax T7.

[Dorsetnob]

So why does the BL factory manual for Shell oils Specify Donax T7.

I can't say I'm afraid. If you could scan it and email me I will try & shed some light on it. COMPUTER U/S at the mo & can't read attachments on my useless tablet. So don't expect speedy reply.
Rover SD1 was also fitted with BW65 and I remember that their factory recommendation was DONAX but due to the (for the day) excessive power of the 3.5L engine. This very soon started causing problems & I remember my & the service Manager of Wadham Stringer Andover's amazement when we both received instructions that SD1 autos were to be filled with 15w/40 SHELL SUPER ENGINE OIL!
I will contact some Stag specialists & see if they would have any comment on engine oil in BW65.?

[milothedog]

I am afraid that my 70 year old memory has let me down big time. I must own up to being a complete plonker. It is in my defence 22 years since I was in the oil business. Hopefully you will all give me some credit for owning up to being a forgetful old twit!
Corrections in red below. I felt I should be big enough to own up before anybody damages their auto boxes.See also comments about Rover SD1 below.You may all be as rude as you like. I will take it manfully on the chin!!
Grovelling aplogies once again! I was talking to a fellow member last night who had apparently been told by somebody in the club that DEXTRON (sic) was an additive in automatic transmission fluid which could cause damage to some Borgwarner auto boxes. This caused him to have his gear box drained and re-filled with Ford ATF* which , if my memory serves me correctly (and they haven't changed requirements) used to be DONAX.
Having worked for Shell Retail Automotive Lubricants for 21 years, both in sales and marketing I can assure everybody that ..
1 there is no such thing as DEXTRON. It is a common mis-spelling of DEXRON.TRUE
DONAX FOR BW BOXES[/COLOR] Other makes used DEXRON. A different formulation.
For the full story see...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

You will see that due to the age of ALL Stags that DONAX is the correct grade for Stags when new.
Dexron & Donax are both basically hydraulic oils. The correct type is essential for the gear box requirements. DO NOT put DEXRON in your Stag auto box!
However, as far as the power steering is concerned it really doesn't matter as the oil's primary function is as a hydraulic oil to power the steering ram, & secondarily to lubricate.
But there is no heavy loading on the rack as there is in a gear box. So it is not vital which one you use.
Disclaimer.
I should point out that I left Shell in 1993 so the information above was correct at that time. Therefore it does cover our cars. Current requirements and specifications may well have changed.

When I was still working we ran a lot of Allison AT45's which were run on engine oil specified by Allison. Can't remember what oil we were using at the time but I am old enough to remember most Diesels of the time were filled with Shell Rotella (SAE 30 IIRC)


Ian.

[GDPR]

I remember Donax or TQF equivalent for early SD1 with BW box, and Dexron 2 for later SD1 with GM180.

Certainly can't remember an engine oil swap for the trans, and never recall draining engine oil out of a BW during service

I have drained EP90 from an auto Maestro when the internal diff seal failed then mixed with the ATF and sent the governor doolally with the viscosity...

[KOY 23]

Dorsetnob.
All credit to you for manning up and admitting error, we all have "senior moments" but many won't admit errors and keep digging a deeper hole.