dminches

Our 2023 RDX has about 6000 miles on it and the maintenance code 6 just came on. This is for a change in rear differential fluid. Everywhere else I have read seems to say that the first change is at about 15k miles. Has this changed? Could this be an error?

russianDude

you sure its on and its not suggesting that its coming up for next service?

dminches

When I start the car the service wrench appears and then the code says “A 1 6”. The oil is at 10% so I assume that it means the oil and rear differential fluid require replacement.

russianDude

Looks like this is your first service? It is strange that for your first service it wants rear diff. I would call dealer and ask.

dminches

Yes, this is my first service. I am going to call service and find out what is going on.

Jmar55

I have had the same codes come up on mine today. I have about 6500 miles on mine. I’ll be checking with the dealer this week as this seems early for a differential fluid change

russianDude

wonder if for 2023 they changed it to be at first service.

dminches

Thanks. Let me know what they say. I will do the same.

rahcu2

My 22 also called for A 1 6 at the first service around 13,000km (~8,000 miles).

russianDude

seems like a programming changed to do it sooner for 22+. The gear case does have a lot of metal shavings during first oil change, maybe they changed their mind.

dminches

The dealer service center said it shouldn’t be changed at 6000 miles and they won’t but they did also say they will call Acura to see if something changed.

attofarad

My wife's 2022 RDX showed a B6 at 6017 miles -- maybe at 6000 and I didn't notice. It had already had an oil change, so I did the service at ~11k miles with the next oil change. I would have done it by 15k/1yr regardless, which is what the 1st interval was back when Acura published time/mile schedules (different SHAWD and different fluid back then, though).

markAZ

Just for comparison, our 2021 called for it at just over 11,000 mi at the second oil change. I thought that was pretty early.

Texasrdx21

Mine came up at the 13K oil change (second one). Not a big deal, was only $125 to do at the Acura dealer.

Jmar55

The service tech told me today that the rear diff fluid needs changed now because it is a "break-in" fluid. It should be covered as part of the 2 year complimentary service, right?

russianDude

I doubt its a special fluid. But these cases have a lot of metal shavings come out during first oil change during break in period.

anoop

I'm also seeing A 1 6 at about 6000 miles. I am scheduled to go in next week.

ross7777

2022. Mine showed up around 8k. Dealer said to change it at the next service as long as it's before 15k. So that's what I did.

Texasrdx21

That seems early. Mine didn’t show up till almost at the 3rd oil+filter change. Right at 1k and almost 24 months. Once you do it, should last for 30k miles.

attofarad

Is that what people have been saying as the when the MM will flag the 2nd change? Years ago for Acura, it was 15k, 15k, then every 30k after the first two changes. I'll probably do that, even if the MM doesn't flag the service by then for the 2nd change. It is under $30 in parts, and less work than an oil change.

Texasrdx21

Just oil and maybe a new washer. It's the labor and easy that makes it a no brainer for the majority of us. You have the tools and place to do it - sounds like an easy DIY project for you.

russianDude

its easier DIY than an oil change. If you change your own oil, this will be so easy too

Legend2TL

Pretty easy job, easier than a engine oil/filter change. FWIW, a transfer pump makes this job ALOT easier. I have this one from HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-...ump-63144.html

anoop

Was yours covered? I just dropped my car off for the A 1 6 at ~6300 miles and was told only the oil service is covered by the 2 yr/24k complimentary service plan. I was quoted ~$140 for the rear differential fluid service.

Jmar55

I'm having mine serviced this week. I'll let you know.

anoop

Mine was done Friday. I had to pay out of pocket.

MJ4RDX

Hmmm...my dealer told me all scheduled maintenance was covered. I am in MA so included maintenance is for the first four years. I am at 70% oil, so will be a few months yet.

Jmar55

I just had my rear differential fluid changed at 7K. They hit me for $200.00. The Service Advisor said I should be good for 30K miles. I hope!

russianDude

Its about $30 in parts and 5min of work. In fact, regular oil change takes longer.

Texasrdx21

Assuming you have the tools (wrenches, torque wrench, oil catch container and oil bottle pump), and can get the RDX up a bit to pop the torque of the drain plug and filler plug.

russianDude

Yes, basic tools are needed, but no need to lift it, just crawl from the rear.
I realize not everyone is DIY, but was just pointing out that dealership overcharges for such a simple job. It should be same as an oil change in terms of labor and parts.

MyGuti

I went in for my first complimentary service the other day, dealer told me only engine oil and filter are covered under this first service.

They also notified me the rear differential was needing to be changed, I thought it’s probably bullcrap since im at ~15.5km. Checked the maintenance schedule and it says to do it at 12km.

I will be doing my own at home, dealer wasnt even willing to rotate my tires for free

anoop

Interesting on the no rotation. I think mine did it for free. But I did pay for the differential fluid.

attofarad

Where are you? Canada? In the US, there is no "maintenace schedule" -- only the Maintenance Minder. The MM codes (other than oil change) come up early, so that they can be done along with an oil change for convenience. My rear differential code ("6") came up at 6017 miles, anticipating my next oil change at ~14k miles. I changed it at ~11.2k miles along with an oil change.

MyGuti

there is a maintenance schedule, for Canada at least, which is where I'm at

attofarad

Can you post the schedule, either by a link or a scan/photo? We don't get one down here.

Edit: I did find this: RDX Canada schedule? It shows changing the rear differential fluid at 12k km IF towing or driving a lot in mountainous regions -- does that apply to you? If not the MM will probably display the maintenance code such that it is completed by 15k miles/ 24k km. Generally, the severe use schedule is 1/2 the miles of the normal use schedule.

achilleas101

fyi - you posted a link to your hard drive... "file///C:/Users/Allman/Downloads/Maintenance%20Minder%20A0%20Schedule%20-%20ENG.pdf"

MyGuti

https://www.acura.ca/en/service-part...ance-schedules, scroll down and pick the last link for download

and the towing part doesn't apply to me, but the mountains does.
its more of a peace of mind thing for me, 30 bucks and some of my time today won't hurt, plus it'll be my first time doing differential fluid

also, after getting back in the car from the oil change, I did scroll through the menus and the minder for differential fluid was on there. I wasn't prompted by it before, wondering if the tech brought it up on his own or not.

JORDY

my 23 showed to change the rear diff fluid around 8k miles. I just changed it myself when I changed the oil

John from PA

On my 2022 RDX, and the dealer knows I do most of my car work, I was advised to first make sure I could get the refill plug out. It seems as though this is installed at the factory very tightly. Some people drain the differential, then find they can get the refill plug removed. Whoops!!!