My question is: when the dealer changes the transmission fluid, is the transfer fluid always also changed? Is it basically one housing where you either change both or neither?

The last time I was at the dealer for service, the service advisor completely confused me on when the transmission and transfer fluids are changed. I assumed they should both be changed at the same time. However he was showing me on his "pricing list" that both fluid changes are listed separately - separate price for each. After I left, I was reviewing my paperwork and saw where it listed transmission fluid was changed, but didn't mention anything about the transfer case. I then called and the service advisor told me both are changed at the same time. I questioned why it was not listed on the work that was done, but he seemed to indicate that's normal.

So I'm kind of left wondering now, did the transfer fluid get changed after all? Any comments on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Do a search in the DIY section on the transmission fluid change, and transfer fluid change. There are posts with pictures. They are two different housings, but right next to each other. Transfer case takes about 1/2 quart of GL-5 gear oil when drained & re-filled. The transmission takes just under 4 quarts of Acura/Honda transmission fluid when drained & re-filled. While it is up on the lift, the dealer probably feels it is just as easy to do both at once.

 

I would

I change the both at the same time on my subaru

 

For me, I'd do the tranny fluid more often since you don't really replace all of that fluid with a fill/drain. Maybe every other tranny fluid change, do the transfer case fluid? Might be a good option. But I can say that based on my experience with the wife's TL, that if you leave the tranny fluid in there past 25 k miles you can feel it getting not as smooth, so make sure you keep up with that change interval.

andy

 

If they didn't list it and didn't charge for it...

Fluids break down w/heat. So no matter what a service interval schedule says you'll know more about its real condition than a one sized fits all chart or profit driven service dept. If you sit in traffic a lot.. or are in heavy AWD use (like snow and/or experiencing tire slip on a regular basis) then your a prime candidate for keeping the fluids changed. I'd suggest tranny, transfer, and brake fluid be changed more often. In my older cars I do those once a yr. Coolant & PS fluid every two yrs, and engine oil changes are highly dependent on its condition. (a different subject for a different thread)

 

Thanks for giving me the fluids I need and the amounts. I'll pick them up from the dealer tomorrow. I'm almost at 40k miles on my RDX and haven't done the Transmission, Differential, nor Transfer case fluid change yet. Just been doing oil changes and tire rotations. I bought my 2014 RDX new in Fall 2013 so it's about 2.5 years old.