atomarchio

I have a 2011 Acura MDX with 12,000 miles. I've been told service price is $179 including rear differential fluid.

The "diff fluid" has special cleaner/connector.

Do I really need to do this? And can I go to local auto shop for 1/2 the price or is it worth paying double for the Acura dealership?

Please let me know. Thanks.

usmarinedelta

iTrader: (1)

It's easy, all you need is a adjustable regular 3/8th socket wrench. When I mean adjustable I mean handle wise. It's really easy, you also need a siphon pump, I recommend the ones that look like a mini bike pump with one tube going into the bottle and the other tube going into the diff, they sell them at walmart for $8, it's red. Get 3 quarts of fluid and pump until the top drips and overflows out, then hurry and put the plug back in. It's right in front of the spare tire. You'll see a circle hole then that's the plug. Get at it from the other end of the circle.

04-6mt-atx

iTrader: (2)

How often should the rear diff fluid be changed?

atomarchio

Interesting price at dealer is $179 then is'nt it. Do you think this is really necessary at only 15K miles?

fxcarden

I had my diff fluid done at the dealer, and I think I paid around $140 ?. Seemed a little high but I saw in the manual where it was recommended, so I decided not to take chances. I did get into a pissing contest with them when they tried to charge me $130 to change the cabin air filter.

paz840

iTrader: (2)

I changed the rear diff fluid in my 2011 MDX for under $35 and it took me 25-30 mins.
The dealership wanted $149. Crooks.

You just need a pump, 3 quarts of DPSF and a couple crush washers (18, 20mm).

usmarinedelta

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't even get a new crush washer unless your already at the parts counter, the torque on these things are so low that numerous members on here have reused the oil crush washer without issues such as me. In other words, it's not needed but if available why not. As for doing it at 15k I wouldn't say it's an absolute need but I would suggest it since your car is fairly new and the differential is breaking in so the fluid is probably worn.

NJ06RL

Doesn't the MID tell you when to do the rear diff fluid change ? My first one was somewhere in the teens so 15k does not sound wrong. And yes, never a need to go to the dealer for this. Just get the right fluid from them - Acura AWD fluid - the caramel colored one. Don't use Honda VTM4 and we are no longer supposed to use Acura ATF Z1.

atomarchio

Do you know how I turn off the B16 light on the 2011 MDX?

They are various instructions online but can't find one that works. Then I tried downloading the manual from Acura.com and the file won't download.

Then I e-mail my Acura salesperson and he does not know. The dealer is not open right now.

Please help. Thanks.

NJ06RL

It's in the manual for sure. Similar for both my RL and the MDX - can't remember the exact sequence but when you get to the correct page in the MID, you're supposed to select reset oil life and the MID warning light will go away while oil life resets to 100%.

Do a search of your manual and if I drive our MDX later today, I'll check for you too and tell you which page.

NJ06RL

Page 507 of the 2010 manual deals with the maintenance minder. The reset instructions are there. Search under maintenance minder in your manual.

Hope this helps.

atomarchio

Still can't download PDF manual from Acura but was able to print the page.

Hopefully I can figure this out.

Thank you.

EL_PIC

Acura Dealer charges a lot for that rear Diff Fluid change but $130 for Cabin Air Filter ??? WTF ??
Sounds like Jiffy Lube for me ..

atomarchio

I am leasing a 2011 MDX.

I am 12 months into a 36 months lease and the vehicle will likely have 36K miles at end of lease.

Do I really need to spend the $180 on this diff fluid change for a car I won't be using in 2 years?

What are your thoughts?

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

The prices above seem awfully high. I have an 08 and my dealer charges $75, which seems more reasonable.

However, I just noticed in another post
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...4&postcount=10
that starting in 2011, there is a new fluid (DPSF) that is more like gear oil. I wonder if this new fluid is what drives the price up.

EL_PIC

Don't kid yourself that the new fluid justify the 2x price.

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-2007-2012-147/anyone-switch-dw-1-dpsf-yet-818464/

fyaajster

atomarchio, click on the link below and follow the detail there.
http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-2007...ntial-how.html

NJ06RL

Been having my independent mechanic replace my rear diff fluid for both my SH AWD cars since 2006. Spec used to be ATF Z1 ( same as in the tranny ), but last year or two, Acura changed it to Acura AWD Fluid DPSF for the rear diff. It is more expensive than ATF Z1 by maybe about 50%.

Still, the best way to get your AWD diff fluid replaced is to buy the fluid your self at maybe $7 -$9 per quart and DIY like people are saying or get an independent mechanic to do it for you at a labor charge of about $35-$50. All in cost should not be more than $60-$80 parts and labor.

fxcarden

WTF was exactly my response.