2010 1st Maintenance reminder A1 ... A16?
 

I don't know if this is unique to the 2010's, or to the SH-AWD's ... so I'll throw it out to the '09 SH-AWD owners for some input (as I'm pretty sure I'm one of (if not the) first people to hit this mileage plateau in the '10).

Last Friday, at 8399 miles, I got my first SERVICE DUE SOON - A1 message which corresponded to my oil life hitting the 15% plateau. This afternoon, after filling up before coming home from work, as soon as I started the car the the message changed to A16. According to the owners manual, this indicates replacing the rear differential fluid, with the following explanation:

"Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles, then every 15,000 miles."

Now, last time I checked, I don't believe anybody would consider the hills on I-83 between York PA and Baltimore to be mountainous ... and since the computer generated average speed is always above 55 mph, I don't believe this constitutes low vehicle speeds. So, question is ...

Is this just something that is normal to the operation of the SH-AWD? If so, I think ACURA should come out and state that more attention is required for the rear diff fluid, as opposed to coming up with the BS statement in the manual which isn't based in reality.

I had heard that the rear diff fluid was supposed to be changed at the first service interval. Just can't remember where I had read that.

In the Pre-Maintenance minder days, the diff fluid was changed at one year (1st major service) and then every two years thereafter. This is probably similar.

I had my rear differential fluid changed at 14,500miles and rotated the tires. Until now, just couple oil changes.

Wow! I'm anxious to hear what other experiences are... Although 8399mi seems early, it reminds me of my S2000. It was highly recommended by fellow S2000 forum members to change the diff fluid earlier than scheduled in that vehicle, and I couldn't believe how filthy the fluid already was when I changed it early. I remember it being so filthy that I recall wishing that I had changed it even earlier! Perhaps the TL will follow in the same footsteps...