Just got back from the agency where I had transmission, front and rear differential fluid changed. My RL has 89,300 miles. Bought it with 83,000 miles and had a hunch that even though the Carfax said that the fluids were changed that they were not. After speaking to the tech my hunches were confirmed. He said that the old style fluid was in there which was a different color and that if it was done before there would have been markings to line up the drain plugs which there were none. I am lucky that the original owner used the car for all highway driving. Total cost was $277.00 including tax for all 3 fluids to be changed. I am very happy. Being 63 years old and retired I no longer have the desire to do it myself.

 

Does it feel any better? What about the transfer case?

 

To be honest can't tell the difference. Just have peace of mind that I will not have a problem in the future due to lack of preventative maintenance.
I meant the transmission, differential and transfer case.

 

Piece of mind is some of the most expensive pieces money can by sometimes.

 

I have a piece of my mind dedicated to peace of mind.

 

I was trying to be clever there... attempt failed.

 

Did you go to the dealer? I have a hunch my Honda mechanic is starting to be more expensive or just as much as the dealer.

 

I did go to the Acura dealer. I plan to keep this car until I can't drive anymore. Only drive a couple thousand miles every 2 years.

 

This is the best car that I have ever owned.

 

Here here.

And from the sound of it you will be the best owner the car ever had.

 

All I need to do is change the plugs, timing belt and water pump and I am good to go forever other than oil changes.

 

Did they change fluid in transfer case too? Got to be careful, some service writers aren't that familiar with car and neglect to tell you and/or also write up a transfer case fluid change along w/ transmission change.

Be sure that was done too.

 

 

I just got my 08 RL (CMBS/PAX) and am looking to change the differential and transmission fluids. Am I correct when reading this tread and others that in addition to needing to change both the front/rear differential and transmission fluids that I should also change the transfer case oil? What type of oil goes in the transfer case. I plan to use Dual Pump in the differentials and ATF-Z1 in the transmission. I want to ensure fresh fluids are in the car even though it only has 35K miles and the previous owner had all the maintenance done at the dealership.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

When we say front and rear diffs, we mean there are two chambers in the rear diff. One is in front of the other.

You are correct about your diff and tranny. The transfer case is one of the few fluids that does not need to be Honda specific. The manual calls for SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service classified GL4 or GL5 only. All fluids are listed on the last page of the manual.

 

The rear diff is supposed to take Acura SHAWD fluid even though the manual says ATF Z1 for our 2006s. Spec change by Acura last year i think.

 

The part number is DPSF, but the bottle says Dual Pump Fluid II.

 

I just did the both chambers in the rear diff, that was the first change probably since the 7500miles and 6 years (car is a 2005) the color is not that different, the dual pump is light red, what was coming out was dark red.

plus I wouldnt be so sure about the previous owner highway driving - they all say that....

 

The color will not change in the rear dif fluid or the transfer case fluid. The transmission fluid is the only one that will change. I am sure that they changed front and rear fluid because I stood and watched the tech actually do it at the agency. That is the only way that I feel comfortable with having my car serviced.