The MID gave me a Service Needed Soon message with an A16 code. I had already made an appointment for the battery problem that re-appeared so asked for the A16 service to be done also if there was time. That service is an oil/filter change, tire rotation, and change rear diff fluid. I was careful with the service writer to confirm the A16 as a-la-carte and not their usual package.

When I picked up the car there was no record that the fluid had been changed. I was then told that because the car is SH-AWD it has no rear diff.!Rather than argue I asked why this information was even in the Owners Manual and was told it must be a "computer error". Wow, these guys are something else but before I confirm that I am the stupid one there really is a rear diff, right? How else could the rear wheels be driven? I also told them not to rotate the tires as I had mounted new snow tires about 500 mi. ago; of course the tires got rotated. Direct from our friends at Prime Acura in Walpole, MA.

As far as the battery is concerned the symptom of no steering wheel retarction had re-appeared and the batterry went dead twice last week. Fortunately I was at home in Maine and had a charger. The dealer claims that they found no parasitic current draw and that the battery installed three months ago was defective. We'll see.

 

LOL! No rear diff. So what's that big 'ol transfer case under the rear of the car that even I, a non-mechanic guy, can see? I might have politely pointed that out to the service staff. I wish I could tell you to try another dealer, but isn't the one where you are the only one?

 

Prime Acura is a joke. They used to be Clair Acura but the Clair dealerships all changed their name to "Prime". I had nothing but lousy experiences with them when shopping for cars in the past.

No rear differential? Unbelievable.

 

I spoke with the Acura Client Services rep and he (they) were as astonished as I was about the comment. They are going to have some regional rep deal with the situation; I just want all the maintenance requirements satisifed so as not to jeopardize the warranty.

I would like to use a different servicing dealer but have been seduced by convenience-this place is 3 miles from where I work and I think my other options are either in-town Boston or on the north side, both really inconvenient but I may have to accept that. I guess the other choice is to find a reliable and knowledgeable independent shop but I am concerned about them not having necessary special tools or experience.
Once I posted a question in an exisitng thread about a good service place in the Boston area but never got a response.

 

Are you sure you still want to go there?

 

I'm having a bad experience with the people at Prime Acura myself. They are more convenient, but I'm having a hard time trusting their "expertise" on just about anything.

Next I'll try Acura of Boston. I'm taking my car in for a road test, so I'll let you know how they do. It's definitely out of the way for me, but if they can fix my rough ride, it'll be worth the drive.

 

Where do you have your car serviced in Boston?

 

Sent you a PM.