seanmkava

I bought my wife a 2018 MDX SH-AWD last Sept. I was taking it in for service today at Pohanka Acura. It has 13,800 miles They said the manufacturer recommends you change the differential fluid every 15K miles? Is this truly necessary? Every car I've ever own you changed diff fluid around 60K miles. Seems excessive.

Donn0128

What does the owners manual say? There is always a suggested service listed in the manual.

jdpdata

That's completely normal. Our '17 Sport Hybrid had diff change at 12.5K miles. The AWD system in MDX is quite complex and required first diff change fairly early. Subsequent diff change should be much further down the line around 30K. Diff change service was only $99 at our local Acura dealer, not bad for peace of mind and keep warranty intact

andysinnh

The typical maintenance for the rear differential is once at 15K miles then every 30k miles thereafter. It's been this way on every MDX I've owned, and even Honda Pilots with the similar AWD system.

andy

GrebRL

For the Sport Hybrid owners out there be careful about using 'differential' when you mean the 'twin motor unit'. A differential splits power from the engine and uses gear oil. The hybrid twin motor unit is not connected to the ICE and uses ATF. Hybrids don't have a differential, at least not to be found in the hybrid owners manual.