360 Steering&F1 Fluid

Theoretically it should be ok but the fluid will absorb water over time so why not just replace it all. I drained the old and went to VI no problems but I didn't mix.

 

F1 fluid calls for Donax TX

 

Because one can not easily obtain the Shell Donax TA in US, I use FormulaShell Automatic Transmission Fluid, which has very similar specifications as the Shell Donax TA. The label specifically indicates that it is for used in vehicles previously serceable by Dexron-III/Mercon brands (see picture attached). You can purchase it in any Shell gas station and in any automotive store (or in even in WallMart!).
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Same with my car

 

There are at least two different configurations of steering hydraulic piping: on older 360s (1999-2001 incl.) there is a rubber hose directly compressed into the metal tube via a linker, which is notorious for leaking at this junction, especialy if a wrong hydraulic fluid is used (ie, not the Dexron III/Mercon); the whole line (from the pump all the way to the hydraulic actiator in the front) has to be replaced alltogether... Later cars have a coupling there, which can be disconnected and faulty parts of the hydraulic line can be replaced.
There was even a recall for this for 2001-2002 cars, but somehow Ferrari ignored the older years... I have had this problem on my 2001 360F1...

 

I removed the back wall of the trunk and the bottom pan. Then I disconnected at the lowest point by pulling a rubber hose off the pipe. It all drains pretty well. A little compressed air will clear the lines quickly. Push it back to gether and you are in business. PM me if you want a couple of pictures; I think I took some.

Next time I may take my line out and add a drain to it. Should be pretty easy but has to be welded so I will get it done.

 

Dexron VI is not same as Dexron III. you may expierence premature seal problems. cost me a hard way to learn it.

 

I am using VI. The new fluids exceed the older spec. The reason you see both specified in the same car isn't because they are different. It is because the pump manufacturer has tested and "certified" the pump for the most current fluid at the certification time. The auto maker buys the pump and you have 2 different fluids spec'ed for the car. Then a new version of fluid comes out with higher specs but there are new pumps etc. and it is too expensive to go back and test everything again. No magic here, simple business.

 

Do you think GM cares or provides warranty who else uses Dexron VI fluid in what type of cars. GM dealer serviced my truck with Allison transmission and put Dexron VI in it instead of Dexron III as it was recommended by GM at the time of production. cost me a transmission and lots of research to find out that Dextron VI is not same as Dextron III. Later on Alisson changed the components of the transmission to mach Dextron VI. I refered you to the Allison bulletin.
http://www.allisontransmission.com/service/autoapp/172/viewpage.jsp?ThisPage=2

 

This is the GM TSB on DEXRON-VI


Service Information


#04-07-30-037D: Release of DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) - (Nov 21, 2007)


Subject: Release of DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)


Models: 2008 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

2003-2008 HUMMER H2

2006-2008 HUMMER H3

2005-2007 Saturn Relay

2005 and Prior Saturn L-Series

2005-2007 Saturn ION

2005-2008 Saturn VUE with 4T45-E

2005-2008 Saab 9-7X



Except 2008 and Prior Chevrolet Aveo, Equinox

Except 2006 and Prior Chevrolet Epica

Except 2007 and Prior Chevrolet Optra

Except 2008 and Prior Pontiac Torrent, Vibe, Wave

Except 2003-2005 Saturn ION with CVT or AF23 Only

Except 1991-2002 Saturn S-Series

Except 2008 and Prior Saturn VUE with CVT, AF33 or 5AT (MJ7/MJ8) Transmission Only

Except 2008 Saturn Astra



Attention: DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON®-III and/or prior DEXRON® transmission fluids.



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This bulletin is being revised to update model/model year information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037C (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).


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MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSFER CASES and POWER STEERING
The content of this bulletin does not apply to manual transmissions or transfer cases. Any vehicle that previously required DEXRON®-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use P/N 88861800. This fluid is labeled Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid. Power Steering Systems should now use P/N 9985010 labeled Power Steering Fluid.

Consult the Owner's Manual or Service Information (SI) for fluid recommendations.

Some of our customers and/or General Motors dealerships/Saturn Retailers may have some concerns with DEXRON®-VI and DEXRON®-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and transmission warranty claims. DEXRON®-VI is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON®-III and/or prior DEXRON® transmission fluids. Please remember that the clean oil reservoirs of the J 45096 - Flushing and Flow Tester machine should be purged of DEXRON®-III and filled with DEXRON®-VI for testing, flushing or filling General Motors transmissions/transaxles.

DEXRON®-VI can be used in any proportion in past model vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission/transaxle in place of DEXRON®-III (i.e. topping off the fluid in the event of a repair or fluid change). DEXRON®-VI is also compatible with any former version of DEXRON® for use in automatic transmissions/transaxles.

DEXRON®-VI ATF
General Motors Powertrain has upgraded to DEXRON®-VI ATF with the start of 2006 vehicle production.

Current and prior automatic transmission models that had used DEXRON®-III must now only use DEXRON®-VI.

All 2006 and future model transmissions that use DEXRON®-VI are to be serviced ONLY with DEXRON®-VI fluid.

DEXRON®-VI is an improvement over DEXRON®-III in the following areas:

DEXRON®-VI

Fluid Service Change Interval
160,000 km (100,000 mi) For Cars and Light Duty Trucks*

80,000 km (50,000 mi) (Severe Use) For Cars and Light Duty Trucks*

Clutch Friction Stability
Improved 100%

Clutch Durability Due To Fluid
Improved 120%

Oil Film Thickness
Increased 20%

Fluid Oxidation
Improved 100%

Foam/Aeration
Improved 150%

Shear Stability
Improved 200%


* These ATF change intervals remain the same as DEXRON®-III for the time being.

2006-2008 Transmission Fill and Cooler Flushing
Some new applications of the 6L80 six speed transmission will require the use of the J 45096 - Flushing and Flow Tester to accomplish transmission fluid fill. It is highly recommended that the clean oil reservoir of the machine be purged of DEXRON®-III and filled with DEXRON®-VI

Parts Information
Part Number
Description

88861003 (US)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1 qt bottle)

88861045 (US)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1 gal bottle)

88861046 (US)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (55 gal drum)

88861004 (Canada)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1L bottle)

88861043 (Canada)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (4L bottle)

88861044 (Canada)
DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (205L drum)

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

 

You are welcome Alex, Dex VI is only for automatics, I would use the Dex III in the PS system (that is now called “ manual transmission and transfer case fluid”) by GM

GM quit licensing the name DEXRON to anyone, so real Dex only comes from GM now, other fluids can only say “ DEXRON XX compatible”
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GM claims Dextron VI is for GM transmissions. even that did not work for my GMC truck with Allison transmission made by GM, Allison has to modify the transmission seals to work with the new fluid. They do not recommend for other cars. Talk to people in Canada they make the Dextron VI. Use what your manuel says, Do not mess with that car for couple Dollor of fluid. What is wrong with Dextron III made by Castrol if approved by ferrari..

 

A GM dealership cannot submit a transmission or transaxle warranty repair claim to GM and expect to have the claim paid if the Dex VI part number is not on the repair order if it is required per the TSB.

Some of the early allison equipped vehicles that have the incompatible seals are still under warranty (5 years 100k miles)

Unfortunately, there is no choice for the dealer except to follow the TSB on warranty work if they want to be reimbursed for the parts and labor they provided to do a transmission repair, so, in everybody’s best interest, they should have replaced all the seals in an early unit at the time of the repair to prevent future seal problems with the Dex VI.

I can tell you the cold viscosity is lower on the Dex VI then the Dex III by how fast it goes thru a flush machines hoses or a funnel.

Since it is a semi-synthetic fluid, I suspect that it loses less viscosity hot then Dex III.

I suspect the seal swell factor is lower also.

Did you have warranty work performed on your vehicle?

Did you have a light duty truck? ( 3500 series and lower )

Yes, it is only for certain GM auto transmissions (as per TSB)

GM owns the copyright on the name Dexron III and the formula, (and also on all DEXRON products) any licenses they issued expired at the end of 2006 and were not renewed.

Fluids claiming DEXRON-III type performance continue to be sold, since the DEXRON-III licensing system no longer exists, these fluids are not regulated in any way.

 

Make no mistakes and dont follow the "upgrade is better" slogan! The dealer in CA who sold me the car (2001 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider) had refilled the power steering reservoir with the regular ATF, which almost ruined the pump and lines. Needless to say, the lines started to leak and pump became very noisy, because this regular ATF fluid causes swelling of rubber and silicone seals somehow... I have changed the whole hydraulic fluid to Dexron III by Shell, and after a couple of weeks the noise gradually went away and leak from the rubber hose to metal tube junction diappeared.
However, after all - it is your car, so you can do what you wish...
Just let us know about the outcome one way or another in a couple of weeks after you change the fluid.
Cheers.
JG

 

Anything Dexron III will be suitable. However, I use Shell, because I figured that all other esential synthetic oil components should be similar between different Shell hydraulic fluids of the Dexron III class. Often, the difference is just in the name under which a product is marketed in Europe vs North America...

Cheers,
Juri.

 

Castrol should be fine as well. Make sure you stick to one product if it works for you.
JG