Is this normal, I took my 2005 Acura RL with 60k miles to the dealer for a seat heater repair and the dealer tells me I need to perform a transmission flush, and a front and real differential fluid changes. I drive my car lightly and treat it well. The dealer claims the transmission fluid is a dark brown color and should be flushed. I asked him what about the drain and refill method but he claims that will only change 1/3 of the fluid and so it wouldn’t help much. Here are the prices he quoted me:

Trans Flush: 229
Trans drip and refill: 157
Front differential: 81
Rear differential: 92.12

So just the flush and differentials are over $400 bucks. Seems very high and not sure if I even really need them. What do you guys think? The dealer is Suburban Acura in Farmington Hills, MI.

 

I wouldn't change any of these fluids until the Maintenance Minder tells you to, unless you drive under tough conditions, which you say you don't. There's a reason Honda programs the MM the way it does. End of story.

 

Do we have a front diff?

 

Is there any mileage estimates on when to change those?

 

It should pop up in a code on the MID. Check the owners manual for the key, at least one is rear diff fluid change.

 

With car sales the way they are, I'd be surprised if the dealers weren't trying to increase their service revenue. I'd wait for the MID message.

LL

 

Good timing! I just now returned from dropping my car off to have this service done. I have 57,xxx miles on my car and I'm doing it now because I waited until 100k on my TL and I started experiencing jerky shifts and vibrations in the drivetrain at about 90k and it all cleared up once I had the fluids changed.
Just so you know, my dealer is charging $199 for trans fluid, rear diff fluid and a tire rotation (had a leak in the transfer case seals a few months back and they changed the fluid at the same time so normally it would be a bit more) so that estimate does sound very high.
Fatty... front diff = transfer case.

 

yea that is good advice!! and super green that is a great list of cars you have you still have all of them?

 

I thought the front trans/diff was all one unit......?? At least that is what the dealer has stated.

Having said that, wouldn't it just be the rear diff oil and front trans fluid to change?

 

Yea my dealer said 155 for the front and 87 for the rear diff and thats CAD you guyz should come to canada if you can . The front is one piece. you should do your fuel filter and pcv valve also 2 important but over looked items.

 

Nah just the RL now. That would be nice though eh? ...although the only ones I really miss are the NSX and the del Sol.

 

yea the nsx is nice but the RL is a better machine. They need to come out with a AWD-sh NSX T turbo. That would be big seller.

 

I just got ripped a new one. Gave it in for a routine 4k oil change. Guy calls and tells me rear diff needs new oil immediately. Cost $150 !!!.This is what happens when you dont read the manual, i had no idea it would indicate its requirement.

Salt in the wound:
Oil :15
Labor :135 for an hour!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This may sound somewhat stupid of me-- so hold the "flames" for a moment:
back in the days-- the cars had a 30, 60, 90, 100K service and lists all the things you need. In our RLs generally it is service A or B-- just wondering-- is there a list we should be looking for during these intervals or should the MID console be alerting us-- that is the confusion part (cars are getting to smart for the driver in my case--)

 

You are absolutely right, it does cause confusion and is the source of my debate with the local servicing dealer. If I follow their "A 3750, B 7500, I 15000, and C 30000" recommended service schedule the question is whether it satisfies all the MID service requirements that are displayed. The MID requirement is the result of some algorithm that is supposed to capture several different operating results (mileage, temperature, avg speed and rpm, etc) and then display the service needed based on processing that information. If the dealer reset doesn't address the MID message that I might get the week after a mileage interval service then I have to go back to the dealer to get it reset; I don't need the inconvenience an extra trip. I spoke with one of the dealer techs who said there are ways to do specific resets but he has never done one. The Acura rep said stick with the MID. It's definitely causing problems between me and the dealer service folks.

 

NEVER FKUSH according to ACURA...NEVER FLUSH NEVER FLUSH

SEE LINK BELOW:

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B060200.PDF

 

I work for Honda and we are not even allowed to use the word "flush"

Don't do it. EVAR!

 

No flame here.....just a reminder to read the Owner's Manual. Everything the MID tells you is therein. There's absolutely no confusion.

 

Pretty amazing, I had my car in to Acura because I thought the transmission was acting odd after a 350 mile trip through PA yesterday. They checked it out and everything was fine. But, they said my transmission fluid looked "somewhat" dirty (that's the word written on the receipt.). They recommended a flush for $190, I passed. I called my acura dealer I normally deal with here at home in NJ and they don't even have transmission flush equipment, they said to just drain it manually, which takes out a third of it, and you're fine. I will use honda fluids, but I'll do it myself for $30 or so.