Just changed my oil for the second time (11,400 miles) in my one year old MDX (normal driving and no towing or mountains) and got a code 6 to change rear differential fluid. I thought I could go to 15-16,000 miles without the service. Is this timed to mileage or number of oil changes?

 

the car's computer takes in account mileage and as well as age and how often the rear wheels are engaged to figure out when you should change the fluid. I'd suggest you get it changed. IMO your going to have to spend it now or spend it in a few months. Might as well have piece of mind and get it done now.

 

Thanx for the reply. I sort of figured that would be the answer. While Acura's service departments are top notch, I dread having to make an appointment (at their convenience) and then having to make the 2 hour round-trip to my dealership. Once there it's always the promise of getting me in and out quickly, but a few minutes always seems to be an hour or so. What's the point of making an appointment?

 

Yes, just do what the computer tells you to do. Our 2010 MDX has not yet required a diff fluid change but we are at 7500 miles only. I do remember that our RL needed a diff fluid change at under 15,000 miles when it was a little more than 1 year old and my indie mechanic friend thought I was crazy. But we did it anyway and no regrets there.

You can get an independent mechanic to do the diff service for you as long as you supply the fluid. That's what I have done for the RL twice already - 66K miles and going strong.

 

Make an appointment, request a loaner and drive there. Leave your car there and go about any activities you have to like going to a bank, grabbing lunch, shopping, etc. Then go back and pick up your car!

 

Been there; done that. It's still a pain and the dear wife will spend money on stuff we don't need with money we don't have. Just kidding, money we have; unlimited time we do not. At my age, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I don't buy green bananas anymore. I wish Acura had the pick up and return service some auto dealers have. Thanx for the suggestion.

 

There's always the Honda dealer option. That's what I do since the closest Acura dealer is in a city 50 miles away. MDX and Pilot same diff. and tranny fluid. I do leave the car there until I pick it up after work. They called me at 10:00 AM and said it was done, the diff. and tranny change, along with the inspection of brakes, etc. that I didn't even ask for. Seems the 30K service list is pretty much the same between the two, but much less expensive at Honda than Acura.

 

My '11 RDX just gave me a B16 code at 13,500 miles (this will be its 2nd service overall). I thought that was early for the 6 service, but I guess not. My appt. is tomorrow.

 

Great suggestion!!! I should have thought of that last week when I had my tires rotated. Going to the Honda dealership in Lafayette will save me 40 miles round-trip and a few bucks maybe. Also, I will not get new car fever there. P.S. I looked at the '11 Crosstour it was like a tin can compared to the ZDX, but you get what you pay for. Sorry, Crosstour owners.

 

You can roll any of those down to my house, since I am just south of the Boon Docks and we can change it in my driveway!!! Drink a beer out of the keg and get our hands dirty!

BTW you need to take the X to Discount Tire and they will rotate for free for you, they are in Lafayette too!!!

Mike

 

How much Acura dealer charges for diffarential fluid change?

 

Hmm.. that seems like a short duration. I'm second guessing my 2006's 30K mile interval now...

 

So how much does Acura charges for the service?

 

I had the fluid changed today at my Acura dealership. Boy, was I in for a surprise. The service writer told me upfront it would be $96.46!!! Yes, you read that right. It was $37.40 for parts; $3.68 for shop supplies; $52.50 for labor; and $2.88 7% sales tax. Oh well, I'm good for 15,000 more miles.

 

I paid about $140.00 for the differential and transmission fluid change on my '08 MDX at my local Honda dealer. That included an inspection of the brake rotors and pads and some other stuff. I think they only drain and fill the tranny once (about 3-qts?), whereas the Acura dealer may drain and fill it twice. But as I said, I didn't have to drive 50 miles to the nearest Acura dealer so I was OK with it.

 

Changing the diff fluid is about as easy as changing the engine oil + no filter to replace. Glad you got it done cheaply OP.

 

MDX and Pilot do not use the same diff fluid. Please do not put VTM-4 Fluid in the X's SH-AWD rear differential.

 

That IS correct. Make sure they have ATFDW-1 for both the transmission and the differential. They use the same automatic transmission fluid for both in the 2nd Gen MDX. ATFDW-1 now supersedes ATF-Z1 that is shown in the owners manual. Your Honda dealer should have the correct ATFDW-1 because the Pilot and MDX use the same for their trannys. Make sure the dealer service tech knows this.

 

Acura uses its own rear diff fluid now that is neither ATF-Z1 or DW-1. Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF)
replaces ATF-Z1 as the recommended rear differential fluid.

 

I can only go by what my Acura dealer tells me, which is the DW-1. These continuous changes are becoming ridiculous.

 

Is it possible this is a spurious code 6 like the one for a weak battery?

 

My dealer charged $120

 

I am changing the rear transaxle fluid in my 2010 MDX (SH-AWD). I found a lot of conflicting information on this subject. Even the mechanics at the dealer (both Honda and Acura) are a bit behind the eight ball because their computer system has not been updated (Mitchell1 [ http://www.mitchell1.com/ ]). I though everyone could benefit from this post since the on-board computer will call for a code 6 (ie. B16) at some point around 12K miles.

It is important to distinguish between the "rear differential", "transfer assembly", and "automatic transmission" fluids. In this post I am referring to "rear differential". The Acura recommended oil is "Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF)" or DPSF for short. This is not the same as ATF-Z1 or ATF DW-1 or VTM-4, all of which have been recommended in some variety with respect to Honda/Acura vehicles in the past. For Acura SH-AWD vehicles this has changed. DPSF is backwards compatible with any of those previously recommended fluids in Acuras with all-wheel-drive.

 

A couple stupid questions about the DPSF fluid...

1. Is it hygroscopic?

2. If so, then that means it attracts water. So should we throw out any remaining fluid from an already open quart? Especially if you live in a humid climate?

 

3. Also, is there a shelf life on this fluid? I found a good price and bought some extra. But may return it if there is a shelf life...