DIY - Rear Differential oil change
06-30-2012, 07:25 PM
#41
On models with SH-AWD...Rear Differential Fluid" it indicates, "Use Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF) only.
My original fill was the ATF Acura stuf and now is superseded with DPSF. I wouldn't use anything other that in rear dif.
08-01-2012, 08:55 AM
#42
I'm a bit confused after reading through all that twice..I drive a RDX non-AWD.
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
08-01-2012, 09:05 AM
#43
I'm a bit confused after reading through all that twice..I drive a RDX non-AWD.
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
very good question, i assume your set up would be fwd only and you do not have a rear differential? On my car its a front differential i guess built into the tranny then behind it a transfer case with a drive shaft to the rear differntial to make it awd. your's probably doesnt have transfer case rear drive shaft and rear differential?
08-01-2012, 09:08 AM
#44
I'm a bit confused after reading through all that twice..I drive a RDX non-AWD.
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
So does all rear differential oil changes uses DPSF? Or is the DPSF ONLY for the SH_AWD RDX's?
Since I do not have AWD, do I use DW-1 (now that the ATF-Z1 is discountinued) for both the rear differential and the transmission fluid?
Thank you!
In regards to your tranny use the new stuff, I found a dealer online in MA that ships a case to your home cheaper then buying at dealer local.
10-06-2012, 05:52 PM
#47
Gear Oil Dispenser
I am curious if anyone has tried the Mityvac MITMV6400 Fluid Dispensing System for the differential? I wondered how it might work because temperature might limit how well well the fluid would flow. But if it did work even say during warm summer months it would save alot of manual work.
Here is a link where you can get it with a picture:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/851755898-...ensing-system/
Here is the video link:
Here is a link where you can get it with a picture:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/851755898-...ensing-system/
Here is the video link:
10-26-2012, 04:47 PM
#49
Instructor
Easy as 3.14
Did this today, very easy DIY and well worth the the piece of mind.
The magnetic end of the drain plug was clean. not-one visible metal shaving.
Picked up the washers last month, Typically Acura has them in stock.
One note* I had the use my impact gun on the fill/drain plugs, they would not budge by hand!
The magnetic end of the drain plug was clean. not-one visible metal shaving.
Picked up the washers last month, Typically Acura has them in stock.
One note* I had the use my impact gun on the fill/drain plugs, they would not budge by hand!
12-12-2012, 06:38 PM
#50
Excellent write up, did this basic maintence this weekend and it took me about an hour, including a 15 minute drive to warm up the fluid.
One comment, I bought a Valvoline Qt bottle pump and NAPA and it took over 200 stroke to empty a quart bottle. Damn. Over 500 strokes later, I was done.
That is all....
One comment, I bought a Valvoline Qt bottle pump and NAPA and it took over 200 stroke to empty a quart bottle. Damn. Over 500 strokes later, I was done.
That is all....
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sometimesIride (12-31-2013)
12-12-2012, 07:47 PM
#51
Excellent write up, did this basic maintence this weekend and it took me about an hour, including a 15 minute drive to warm up the fluid.
One comment, I bought a Valvoline Qt bottle pump and NAPA and it took over 200 stroke to empty a quart bottle. Damn. Over 500 strokes later, I was done.
That is all....
One comment, I bought a Valvoline Qt bottle pump and NAPA and it took over 200 stroke to empty a quart bottle. Damn. Over 500 strokes later, I was done.
That is all....
12-13-2012, 06:04 AM
#52
It was a lot less than 500 pumps, but not sure if this pump will last too long its cheaply made.
12-13-2012, 10:23 PM
#53
haole kama'a-ina
Originally Posted by dcmodels
And I thought that I was the only one to do that (count). Same Valvoline pump and same number of strokes - counted the second time I did this job to keep from going crazy laying on the cold cement garage floor.
I used the outboard motor oil pump on the previous page. I didn't really count 'em, but I think I finished in about 80-90 strokes.
Last edited by 737 Jock; 12-13-2012 at 10:26 PM.
03-23-2013, 11:27 AM
#54
Called the dealership today and they asked me 'which differential, front or rear'? I didn't know that RDX has front differential. Can someone confirm? Or are they yanking my tail?
03-23-2013, 11:58 AM
#55
That dealer is incorrect, there is a front transaxle that is part of tranny, transfer case and a rear differential only. Unless you have front wheel drive then no transfer case or rear diff.
03-23-2013, 03:55 PM
#56
I came in the dealer to pick up the diff fluid. The guy almost gave me the transmission fluid which is 1 gallon VTF I believe, Anyhow, I told him it comes in a smaller bottle. He looked at me all confused. I showed him the pic and he was like, 'oh my bad'.
03-23-2013, 04:17 PM
#57
I think he almost gave you fluid for mdx.
05-15-2013, 10:43 AM
#58
haole kama'a-ina
Just did my 4th diff change. This time I let it go about 30k miles and the ATF-Z1 came out looking cherry and smelling clean. The was almost nothing on the magnet. Overnight drain yielded a few onces shy of 3 quarts.
Put in DPSF for the first time. No noticable difference. Drives and feels identical to ATF-Z1.
Put in DPSF for the first time. No noticable difference. Drives and feels identical to ATF-Z1.
05-26-2014, 01:34 AM
#60
5th Gear
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did this today and the bolts were getting rusty and would not bulge. I had to use some pb blaster and had to jack one side of the rear up to give myself more room for the wrench. Im not a big guy and the space is very limited.
once I have the bolts out i used a mityvac fluid pump to fill....piece of cake
once I have the bolts out i used a mityvac fluid pump to fill....piece of cake
05-26-2014, 01:35 AM
#61
5th Gear
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did this today and the bolts were getting rusty and would not bulge. I had to use some pb blaster and had to jack one side of the rear up to give myself more room for the wrench. Im not a big guy and the space is very limited.
once I have the bolts out i used a mityvac fluid pump to fill....piece of cake
im going to invest on a impact gun...no more breakin knuckles
once I have the bolts out i used a mityvac fluid pump to fill....piece of cake
im going to invest on a impact gun...no more breakin knuckles
05-27-2014, 02:01 AM
#62
And only the washer touches the case. The bolt is harder to remove than install, because the aluminum washer galls (cold welds) to the aluminum case, esp if installed dry - I apply ATF/ DPSF to the washer before installation, and reduce the torque by 10%.
You can use a Q-tip and dielectric grease on the steel bolt, and around the OUTSIDE of the aluminum washer, to prevent the bolt from rusting, and the aluminum washer from corroding to the aluminum case. Do NOT apply the grease, until AFTER the bolt is installed. Otherwise, it will cause you to over-torque the bolt.
Improper use of an impact gun can damage the aluminum diff case/ drain hole threads. I find that holding the end of the wrench with one hand, and a very firm bump against that hand with the palm of my other hand, is usually sufficient to break loose the bolt.
Last edited by dcmodels; 05-27-2014 at 02:04 AM.
11-29-2014, 06:43 PM
#63
Third time around for "6" service (84k miles). PITA in removing the fill bolt. I gave up trying to muscle my way on the drain bolt and used a floor jack to push against the wrench to loosen it.
12-09-2014, 09:14 PM
#64
Is there anything other than dpsf that can be used? Also, will the mid tell me when this needs to be done, or should i just do it every 30k? Mostly higheay miles, just got the rl and trying to learn all i can.
04-05-2015, 09:03 AM
#67
12-08-2015, 12:17 PM
#71
03-07-2016, 08:54 AM
#72
Acura Customer Service advice
Just talked to Acura Customer Service. They said the correct rear differential fluid is ATF-DW1. Acura RDX 2008.
As a side issue, they mentioned an air bag recall coming out in June.
As a side issue, they mentioned an air bag recall coming out in June.
03-07-2016, 10:01 AM
#73
your dealer is incorrect I would call them back . I just changed mine rear diff fluid and have been using this fluid which is the recommended fluid by Acura:
08200-9007A | Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF) - Bernardi Parts
03-07-2016, 10:44 AM
#74
03-07-2016, 11:04 AM
#75
This week I went to an Acura dealer and asked for a rear differential fluid for 2008 RDX. The salesman gave me three ATF-DW1 quarts. Since I've already seen this topic, I asked him isn't DPSF supposed to be used in rear differentials? He told me that ATF-DW1 is a replacement fluid for ATF-Z1 and that is what they use in rear differentials now. Then I looked on the back of the container and it clearly says "Not to be used in rear differential and clutch cases" and I asked him about that. He repeated again that they use DW1 in rear differentials but if I want, he can order DPSF for me since they don'y have it in stock right now. He also mentioned that DPSF costs twice as much.
Since this was a reputable Acura dealer I decided to buy DW1 and trust their judgement. However, something just didn't sound right about that and a couple of days later I decided to ask another Acura dealer in the area for a second opinion. I told them the story and their mechanic immediately told me that I don't want to put DW1 in the rear differential and I should use DPSF instead. They were even kind enough to swap DW1 I got from the first dealer for DPSF - without extra charge.
Since this was a reputable Acura dealer I decided to buy DW1 and trust their judgement. However, something just didn't sound right about that and a couple of days later I decided to ask another Acura dealer in the area for a second opinion. I told them the story and their mechanic immediately told me that I don't want to put DW1 in the rear differential and I should use DPSF instead. They were even kind enough to swap DW1 I got from the first dealer for DPSF - without extra charge.
see this Above, do not put DW1 in rear only DPSF
Last edited by wifesRDXtech; 03-07-2016 at 11:07 AM. Reason: additonal text
03-07-2016, 11:19 AM
#76
03-07-2016, 12:39 PM
#77
I would call another dealer or go to a local dealer and look at the bottle DW1 it will say do not use in differential. Would not trust Acura customer service person or Amazon .
09-18-2016, 11:17 AM
#78
2005 Acura RL
i have a 2005 RL and its rear diff is setup a little different then what is shown in this thread. i found a great tutorial video on youtube for the 05-08 RL models and he shows the drain plugs for both the diff case and the clutch case. very informative video so i thought i would share it. 
