inmydream316

I need to do Transmission and Transfer case fluid change.
can anyone post some pictures where they located?
i know i need to fill Transmission fluid from dip stick (yellow) but would be very helpful to see where drain bolts of Transmission & Transfer

rosen39

Transfer case drain and fill bolts:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...n-fill-933190/

Transmission drain bolt:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...ervice-887162/

inmydream316

thanks. i saw Transfer case thread but not the transmission one.
I will post DIY since there isnt very clear instruction. easy but would help may peeps lol

rosen39

I used the transmission dipstick tube to refill the transmission. No need to get at the bolt on top of the transmission case. I did however remove the plastic air intake to make things easier.

Here is the funnel I used:

https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-10704.../dp/B000EH4V0Y

inmydream316

I got it. i think i have that funnel in my garage

inmydream316

I just replaced both Transmission Fluid and Transfer case fluid.
i couldnt find funnel and had to buy another one. (cheap though)
it was too dark to take picture but if you see under, you cannot miss these drain & filler plugs. look for 3/8 socket hole!

I just drove to 4x1 wood so i could have little more space to crawl under and you can reach to transfer case no problem.
I bought Honda HGO-1 75w-85 oil because Acura didnt have that Transfer case fluid and they show me they use general gear oil.
so i bought only Acura ATF 4 quarts.

anyway i started with Transfer case fluid then it went very smoothly with pump i used (https://www.amazon.com/Plews-55001-L...nsmission+pump)
also Transmission Fluid was easy to drain as well
when i try to reach that dipstick with funnel, it's very tight space!!! that intake snorkel was very tight with rubber adapter but i managed to pry that off with flat screw driver.
then refilling fluid was easy

manual has 3.3 qts to fill so i bought 4 qts but when i checked how much i drained.
it drained about 4.2 qts!!!
I just filled 4 qts and finished since already too dark and Acura is closed to get another qt.
I will just buy 5 qts when i need to do next transmission fluid change.

few tip of doing this
1. you dont have to lift vehicle to change transmission fluid but you wont be able to reach transfer case so Drive up to 4x1 wood.
2. 3/8 short ratchet probably wont give enough leverage to break that plugs so breaker bar or use pipe with ratchet to break it
3. washers didnt look bad but i replaced them anway
4. Acura didnt have that Transfer Case fluid. so get it from Honda!! part# 08200-9014 and you need only 1 qt! and you can use it next time again
5. Get 5 qts of Transmission Fluid not just 4 qts!
6. Intake Snorkel is tight but you can pry that off with Flat Screw driver so dont worry about breaking it.

hope this helps!

Ilovedoughnuts

I am thinking of doing the same thing a bit early only to save time since later on I will be busy and right now I have the time. In reading your post I had a bit of a problem understanding some points. I understand that doing the automatic transmission is pretty easy. You can fill it using the standard fill tube after removing the panel in the engine compartment. But On the transfer case I looked under my 2016 and could easily see the 3/8 socket hole. But despite looking on the drivers side and passenger side underneath I was not able to figure out where the filler is for the transfer case. Ideally a picture and location would be great! Could you please provide some additional tips in doing the transfer case fluid change? I cant figure out where the fill plug is?

rosen39

See attached picture (the is of an MDX transfer case). The fill bolt looks like the drain bolt. The front should be on ramps, and then jack up the back to make the car level. You will need a pump to put on the one quart bottle to pump the fluid in. It will take 1/2 of the quart.

Ilovedoughnuts

On mine its very dark up in there. Its so hard to see anything even with a flash light. I will have another look. Thanks for the quick reply! You did a nice job of documenting the process.

rosen39

You may need a breaker bar to take off the plugs, but just be sure to remove the "fill" plug first. You would not want to drain and then be unable to re-fill. You should be able to see it from the front of the car.

Ilovedoughnuts

Ok, good idea, otherwise i might be stuck. So I am guessing you went under the front of the car to do the transfer case fill? And not the side? Also i am guessing that the clearance is small? Any further tips? Sure appreciate your sight here.

rosen39

Yes, go in from the front. Drive it up on ramps and you have all the room in the world to do the fluid changes. Just make sure you also jack up the rear to make the car level. My driveway is slanted, so I did not have to jack up the rear that much.

davisinla

At what mileage are you guys changing your transmission fluid?

inmydream316

my indication alert poped up at around 28,xxx so i am guessing it needs to changed every 30,000 mileage.
i usually change transmission fluid every 40K - 50K but i just changed

davisinla

Thanks.

Hud

The 2nd Gen RDX has a listing for a transmission fluid filter, FILTER - ACURA (25430-PLR-003). Is replacing this part of the normal transmission fluid service, I didn't notice it in the maintenance requirements section of the owners manual.

inmydream316

hmm interesting...anybody??

rosen39

See attached link below:

25430-PLR-003 - Genuine Acura Filter (ATF)

The page says the part is guaranteed by the Acura Factory Warranty. The powertrain warranty is 6 years or 70,000 miles, so I'd say don't worry about it till then.

inmydream316

nice find. hopefully it's not difficult to change and easy access

rosen39

Looks easy enough to change and real short money. On my wife's 2006 Mercedes I asked the service writer when transmission fluid and filter get changed. He looked at me with a puzzled look on his face and said "only when there is a problem".

Hud

For about $25 and what appears to be about 15 minutes work, I would think changing the ATF filter would be wise at each ATF change/flush. Might be $25 down the drain but perhaps not.

inmydream316

post some DIY when you do

Hud

It will be 2 years until my RDX is due. I did see some pictures online but not from a newer RDX. The part is listed to fit by Acura, Amazon sells the Honda part (same part number), it's an inline filter so unless they buried it behind something it should be an easy change. Reading the Amazon comments the filter is in several different locations depending on the specific Honda model. Follow the transmission cooler lines and I'm sure you'll run into it, looks like it simply attaches with hose clamps.

Amazon Honda Part: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda...B00GI9NP0O#Ask

inmydream316

it will be easy if access is easy enough..hope it's not in very tight space i will share mine if change mine.
when do we need to change on? mileage?

Hud

rosen39 said the part is covered under the drive-train warranty for 70K. I haven't found any Acura recommendation for changing the filter. These two 'facts' would lead me to believe this is a lifetime part that would only be replaced if it failed or perhaps after a rebuild.
If this is the case, it would be the only filter that I have ever encountered that is not considered to be a maintenance item. Since I believe filters eventually plug and become less efficient, for the $25 I plan to change mine every other AFT change, about 60K. Over the life of the car, probably about $50 wasted, but I'll sleep a little better.

inmydream316

that's good idea...i probably gonna change when mine reaches about 90K because i am lazy.
i already did first ATF change at around 29K..

thanks for this info

wb2ee

My 15 MDX manual calls for HGO while the 16 RDX manual says HGO-II.
I assume there's a difference but I cannot seem to find what it is.

Does anyone know? I usually use Mobil-1 synthetic 75w90 in our 04. Hoping I can use it on the other 2 of our vehicles.

rosen39

Is this for the transfer case?

wb2ee

Yes they appear to use two different gear oils.

rosen39

I bought the Acura HGO-1 gear oil for my 2013, and it has the same API GL-5 oil rating as the Mobil-1 75w-90. I have seen Honda HGO-III on the internet but this is probably nothing more than marketing change for the label.

I'll use the remaining 1/2 quart on the next change, but after that, I'd just get the Mobil-1 gear oil.

Acc20yrs

Has anyone changed this filter? It's supposed to be a tranny filter for my 2014 RDX. (Pics from parts geek)

atis

Hi,

Do you know if Acura Hypoid Gear Oil HGO-1 and Honda HGO-1 are the same product?
Can we use Honda HGO-3 instead of HGO-1?

From 2018 RDX manual:
- Acura Hypoid Gear Oil HGO-1
- Hypoid gear oil SAE 75W-85 or SAE 90 (API grade GL4 or GL5)

There is also information about HGO-11 in the 2016 and 2017 RDX manuals but this is probably just a mistake.

inmydream316

I never changed it. you change and post so we can learn

egads

You can check boards and threads from other vehicles that Honda/Acura makes that use this drivetrain, like an MDX, Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey.
Folks with those larger, heavier vehicles that tow and vacation with full loads have and do change them. They are mostly there for Honda to use in
forensics if the trans fails.

Here is a video on the 2011-2017 Odyssey (same 6 speed trans)

RDXRVW

What is the best way to check the transmission fluid level?
Or can I use the same procedure as used on 2011-2012 Honda Odyssey with the 6-speed transmission?

Bought the car used and the fluid is dark and not very smooth shifts. I have done one drain and fill, waiting on more fluid coming in and put back in what I took out, but would like to double check the level.

egads

There is a dip stick, just very low and not visible without a flashlight. Same place as an Odyssey.

RDXRVW

Thanks! I used the dipstick tube it to refill the transmission

Looking for under which condition to check the fluid level; on the Odyssey: let the engine idle until the fan comes on, than check the fluid level within 60-90 seconds (according to the service manual for 2011-2012 Honda Odyssey with the 6 speed transmission).

RDXRVW

Found this procedure from the reference owner’s manual of a 2017 Acura RDX available on manualslib.com

kipsy

Did my transmission drain and fill today and I drained about 4.4 qts and put in almost the same to get to middle of hot lines on stick when checking level after 20 min drive