My RDX has just crossed 15,000 miles and service message B16 has popped up. Th manual says that B16 code includes "replace rear differential fluid" in addition to tire rotation and "B service". Is this common to have the differential fluid to be replaced at such mileage? Is it a "major" job?
Also, I would like to know how much time can I anticipate the car to be left at the dealer. Thanks.

 

It's a "drain" bolt and a "fill" bolt. It should take maybe 20 minutes to replace the rear differential fluid. It is not regular GL-5 gear oil. Acura has their own fluid for the rear differential. Their timeline is a little "aggressive" on their replacement of fluids. I just crossed 26,000 miles and replaced the transmission fluid and the transfer case fluid. Both have "drain" bolts and "fill bolts". Not difficult to do. A B16 service (with a lift) should be around an hour, but they "check this....check that" and it will be closer to 90 minutes.

 

Yes... its normal. The next differential service will pop up around 40k miles.

 

Thanks a lot guys. I booked an appointment through owners.acura web site. It's super cool and easy to see the entire available slots for service. Requested a loaner as well. Do other premium / luxury brands offer such service? (I'm talking about the website, not service ).

 

Acura/Honda have always suggested the first rear diff fluid change to be done at the 15k mark (give or take), and then subsequent replacements are longer intervals. Seems to be similar across the various AWD/4WD configs - The ones on our original 04 and 06 Pilots, both of the SH-AWD vehicles we own(ed) and now the RDX....

 

Lexus and Mercedes will hand out loaners. My Acura dealer would only give one if I had a repeat problem, or the car would be kept overnight.

 

Getting a loaner is dealer dependent and how large their loaner fleet is. I'm guaranteed a loaner as a long time customer and I can get a pick of what I want if available. If I can't hang out then I ask for a loaner. My dealer also happens to have a pretty big fleet of loaners.

 

Yes, this is the proper time to change...I have ONE person that works on all my cars at my dealer. He has every Honda cert. and ASE certs he can get. A Master Mech....and he is the shop Lead. He normally doesn't do oil service work, tires, etc....but, for me he does. He is a personal friend.


I asked him specifically about the rear diff. fluid change...kinda early??? He said...NO...that factory fluid needs to come out...per the engineers and thus "coded in the system." The next one is much longer.


As you've already been told it's very simple to do. I get to be in the shop...plus I'm a trained mech. also. Fill plug...drain plug...push it in...old comes out. No big deal.


IF you want to maintain a well running rear diff. have it done. He said that those that don't do it when required....and put on thousands of extra miles more....some have had major problems.

 

Thanks guys again. I've all set up for next week.

 

Hi all,

First time poster here. Have had my '15 MDX AWD Tech for just over a year, and the B16 MIL popped up yesterday at about 11.5K miles.

Called around some Acura and Honda dealers in the NoVA area and have received quotes between $260 and $400 depending on the stealership.

If anyone has experience with the B16 in NoVA and can share a recent estimate, or recommend a dealership/independent shop to do the work, I'm all ears. I'm not particularly enamored by the concept of dealership service since they are typically priced for the ignorant customer that simply obliges and pays up without asking too many questions.

FWIW - I used to/occasionally take all my other cars to Currys Auto, but they've gone downhill in the past 3 years, esp. with the acquisition by Mr. Tire.

TIA, and I look forward to being a part of this active community!

 

What's a reasonable price for the service (rear diff)? Shouldn't be too high if really only a 20 min. job. What's the book time?

 

Two different dealers in the greater Boston area had prices of $159.00 and $130.00 a year ago for just the rear differential fluid change. There are Youtube videos that show how to do it.