Waetherman

I just brought my 2020 RDX in for service because it It popped up the B17 code which I believe is oil change and brake fluid flush, and I realized it has probably needed alignment since I got it so I wanted to have it done at the dealer rather than my usual mechanic. I've put 15,000 miles on it in the last three or so years I've had it, and here's what the dealer is recommending;

Engine/Cabin filter replacement - $180
Differential flush (rear) - $160
Throttle body cleaning - $200

I've never had an Acura before, but I can tell you on my Honda I spent less money maintaining it for 50,000 miles. It never needed any of those things.

Does this all seem necessary? I'm inclined to forego it and just do the filter replacement myself because $180 for that is robbery.

Thoughts?

Midwestuser1

I know the rear Differential flush is recommended at 15K, brake fluid change at 3 years. I’d pass on the filter and throttle body cleaning. Filters quote as you said is a complete ripoff!!

EXCALIBUR1

Waetherman,

Engine/Cabin filter replacement - $180: You can order a generic cabin air filter on Amazon or eB*y for less than $25 and change it your self. It's easy. Good luck.

Waetherman

Thanks that's super helpful.

Waetherman

Yeah that's my plan. Or maybe get one of those K&N filters - I hear they boost the horses by 20!

just kidding

Texasrdx21

Air cabin and engine air filters are less than $40 on Amazon for both combined.
HOW TO: The Air Cabin filter you can change in less than 3 minutes.
The Engine air filter is about 5 minutes, you'll need a long socket or Philips head screw driver, a flat head thin screwdriver (for the 2 or 3 push pins you have to remove) and then its simple. Google both to see how to install them - already a few good videos.

Throttle body cleaning - IMP a waste of good money, not necessary.

Differential change - a little aggressive at 15k miles, you can easily stretch that to 3 years or 25k miles. Since you hit 3 years and if you are keeping it - I'd do it.

Oil and filter change - use synthetic and a good filter - should last 6K-10K miles.

Rotate the tires - every 6k-8k miles. (Discount tire does that for FREE).

Waetherman

Yeah I watched a video of how to change the engine filter -- more complicated than on my old Honda but seems straightforward enough, and I have the tools.

Texasrdx21

Engine air filter change is Really quite simple. The toughest part is removing the fragile Acura push pins without breaking them. I broke two, and just got two at the Honda dealer while getting the oil changed (Acura was a 2 hour drive away - plus the Honda push pins are way stronger and better - go figure).

The air cabin filter is super easy - my dog could do that one. Easy access in the glove box.

ross7777

Seems like the dealer is recommending more than the factory code calls for.

And yeah that cabin filter quote is outrageous.

attofarad

If you are happy to change the oil yourself, you can change the differential fluid in about the same amount of time, maybe less. There isn't any
filter to replace, or any panel to remove. You may prefer to drop the spare tire, if you have one. You probably don't even need to lift the vehicle.

For under $30, you can do the process in under an hour if you are really slow/not in a hurry. The next time, 15-20 minutes.

Get the 2 quarts of fluid from the Acura dealer. You will need a cheap fluid pump from Amazon or auto parts place.

Either get the drain and fill crush washers from the dealer, or order 5 each from Amazon: There are plenty of good Youtube videos on how to change the rear differential fluid. At 15k, it is time for the first change. I would
do the 2nd change at 30k, then every 30k after that.

For me, I can do any of the routine maintenance (oil, tranny, diff, brake fluid, transfer case, tire rotation) in less time than it takes me
to take it to a dealer. Plus, I save a bit on the cost and make my wife (RDX owner) happy.

I cannot imagine cleaning the throttle body at 15k miles. 60k maybe, 80k more like it -- unless there is something bad
about these engines.

russianDude

There is no throttle body service, its made up

russianDude

Actually, why they are recommending air filter and cabin filter, its not part of B17 service, especially with only 15k miles. I would just follow MID

russianDude

No its not, Acura SH-AWD requires first fluid change at around 15k miles and then about every 30k. First fluid change is earlier to remove initial fill with break in

Texasrdx21

Both will be pretty dirty after 3 years and even after 18 months at 10k. Super easy to do and cost a fraction of what the dealer charges.

Bonus - the so-so HVAC system need as much air flow as possible - a new, clean filter aids in that.

Waetherman

I'm fine changing fluids under the right conditions, but I live in a city and street-park my car. I don't have a garage, or even a driveway, to do my work from. I see people do it sometimes on the street, but it looks like a messy pain in the ass. So in this case, I'm fine just letting someone else do it Normally I have a mechanic who I trust and he's very reasonable, but because of the alignment issue I wanted it to be done at the dealer. and of course once I brought it in they decided to throw in a bunch of other stuff. Again, I don't mind paying for the convenience of having it done, I just don't like to overpay, and I certainly don't want to do work that isn't necessary.

I always thought the air filter got changed at the same time as an oil change. For my old Honda that was pretty much once a year because I only drive about 5000 miles a year and my "oil life" indicator would only ever be at about 70% by that time. With the RDX the oil life indicator pretty much goes to zero in a year or sooner.

I'll probably do the air filters myself. You're right about the AC, though I doubt a new cabin filter will help. Come to think of it though, I don't recall it being replaced before so I'm curious to know its condition after almost three years.

russianDude

not necessarily, depends on driving conditions and etc. mine air filter at 22k looks pretty good, cabin time to change. The best is to look if you want to do it ahead of schedule