jujufly

The manual page for 2011 MDX says transfer fluid should use SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90, GL4 or GL5, confuse me, which one i should buy? thank you very much.

Ron A

Welcome to the forums.

Since this is a technical issue and not a "New Member Introduction" I moved this thread to the appropriate subsection so you can hopefully get more help.

Please do not post any more technical questions in this forum.

Skirmich

You can use either weight, GL4 or GL5 are standards and the transfer case can work with both as well.
I ended up using Mobil 1 LS 75W-90 on my 2G MDX Transfer Case which is among the best stuff you can use in a transfer.

jujufly

thank you. I just check my 2011 MDX manual, it require to use 80w-90, you are using 75W-90, are they same? is there any influence to use 75W-90? I went to dealer, Dealer only sells SAE 75W-85, i was told it works for my mdx car, I am really got confused now. thank you.

Skirmich

The first number is the cold rating The Stock stuff is 80W so by using 75W you are using a slighter thinner oil for the Summer (It only heavily affects its performance in Hot Areas, In Cold areas a thinner oil can flow the best so lower is better in the Cold)..
Using that in the summer "COULD" grant you slightly better MPG but if the oil is cheap could also make a little more Wear on the Metals (Highly Unlikely though), The second number is the hot rating which means its rated up to 90°C or 85°C of Operating Temperature...

Stock:
80W-90
You use:
75W-90 (Slightly thinner oil, Same maximum working temp)
Alternative:
75W-85 (Slightly thinner and Slightly less maximum working temperature) should improve "some" MPGs in the Summer and Winter.

They should all work all right for the Transfer Case as our transfer case does not see a huge amount of load like a 4x4.
But I still highly recommend the Mobil 1 LS 75W-90 as its the closest to stock rating and one of the best Transfer oils out there as per the Technical Tests.

EE4Life

See this Acura Genuine Oils and Fluids Chart
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/Ac...plications.PDF

Per the chart, the transfer assembly uses HGO-1 (Hypoid Gear Oil, which is GL-5 75W-85).

08200-9014A (Acura branded)
08200-9014A Acura HGO-1 GL-5 75W-85 - Bernardi Parts

08200-9014 (Honda branded)
http://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda-HGO-1-Hypoid-Gear-Oil__08200-9014.aspx

Skirmich

^ Even better!

jujufly

thanks, it is very clear now, I will use mobile 1 75w-90.

jujufly

one last question, i already bought 75W-90, it's on the way now, so 1 quarter is enough, right? thank you again.

Skirmich

Yeah it needs about .7q, there will be leftover..
The Transfer case is actually quite small that is why it doesn´t even need the full quart.

Make sure to fill it up after draining it, A member here destroyed his Transfer case because he forgot to fill it up.

jujufly

i just finish the transfer case fluid change, unfortunately, i found it is full after i pump around .6q, i don't know if this is ok. thank you very much.

AlanW

Another vote for Mobile 1 Synthetic 75W-90. I've used it in all my gear cases where appropriate for years. The fact it is synthetic will more than cover the small variance in the weight from the stock 80W-90.
Be aware that the rear diff/gear case uses ONLY the Honda Rear Differential All-Wheel drive fluid

Skirmich

Don`t worry too much about hard on specifics since the Transfer Case relies on a "Overflow Fill" you cant possibly overfill or underfill unless you are in a pretty bad angle.. If you were dead on FLAT LEVELED and the transfer case overflowed with Oil from the fill hole then you are set!! nothing more you can do..

Congrats on a Job well done!