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Hi everyone. Just wanted to share information about how to replace the rear differential fluid to help you avoid paying $120+ at the dealer. Acura recommends replacing the fluid at 15,000 miles and again every 30,000 miles after that.
Items you need:
DPSF-II (P/N: 08200-9007A) - Can be purchased at your dealership for about $10/qt. You'll need just under 2 quarts. This is not the same as Dual Pump 2 (P/N: 08200-9007) used in the Honda CRV.
Washers (for drain and fill plugs). I don't have the part numbers but your dealer's service department will know. The washers are different sizes and cost $2 each.
3/8" Socket Wrench - No socket required but an extension may help with the fill plug. Ideally a torque wrench to tighten to the recommended torque (29 lb-ft).
Towel
How to:
Locate the drain and fill plugs (see photos below). You'll notice both are accessible without having to lift the vehicle. It may be a tight space for some.
Remove the fill plug FIRST. You want to make sure you can open this before draining any fluid.
Remove the drain plug and let the fluid empty into the drain pan.
Once empty, wipe the drain plug clean with your towel, replace the washer, and re-install it. Ideally, you want to tighten to the recommended torque (29 lb-ft), or just do it by feel.
Attach your pump to the DPSF-II bottle and insert the hose into the fill hole so you can begin adding the fluid. Continue filling until it begins to leak out of the fill hole. It will take roughly 1.8 quarts of fluid.
Once filled, wipe the fill plug clean with your towel, replace the washer, and re-install it.
That's it. Only takes 10-15 minutes and costs less than $30 in parts.
The fluid sold by Acura dealers as "DPSF" ( Dual Pump System Fluid ) may or may not be the same as what Honda dealers sell as DPF-II ( Dual Pump Fluid II ), but unless something has changed in the last few months you will be hard pressed to find a bottle labeled DPSF-II in this country. Dunno why that's what's printed in the manual. This subject has been beat to death in other forums.
But the SH-AWD differential is used in both Honda and Acura models, and the respective fluids ( DPSF or DPF-II ) are compatible. In other words, either fluid meets the required specifications for RDX's rear differential. Really.
But, VTM-4 fluid is NOT compatible. Hence the big embossed lettering above the fill port on the diff: "DPSF"
Did this service yesterday and it was super easy, took all of 20 mins start to finish. That being said I feel it was a waste of time and money as the fluid looked perfectly fine and still had a nice thick consistency. Glad I didn’t pay the $130+ the dealer wanted for this.
very timely. with just about 10,000 miles on the car & 1400 miles since the last oil change, the A6 code just came up last week on my 2019 RDX Advance. No orange waning lights but its on the dash maintenance screens.
I thought I read to expect to flush it at 15k. I don't push the car & don't do off roading. Why would the screen show this at just 10k?
Did this service yesterday and it was super easy, took all of 20 mins start to finish. That being said I feel it was a waste of time and money as the fluid looked perfectly fine and still had a nice thick consistency. Glad I didn’t pay the $130+ the dealer wanted for this.
Not a waste of time or money. Cheap insurance.
The thing that degrades is the friction modifiers that are necessary to prevent premature wear of the constantly slipping clutch plates. You can't see it. But if you neglect the changes long enough, the plates will start to shed friction material and the diff will start to shudder. And that won't necessarily be resolved by changing the fluid after the fact. And that could mean a new differential for a few thousand bucks.
Old-school limited slip differentials had the same issue. Sometimes they even had an additive you could dump in the diff on a schedule, rather than changing out the base fluid.
very timely. with just about 10,000 miles on the car & 1400 miles since the last oil change, the A6 code just came up last week on my 2019 RDX Advance. No orange waning lights but its on the dash maintenance screens.
I thought I read to expect to flush it at 15k. I don't push the car & don't do off roading. Why would the screen show this at just 10k?
It's being flagged for the next expected oil change. You don't need to worry about it until then. This MM displays those things a lot earlier than previous versions.
The diff fluid change interval suggested by the MM is not adjusted for driving conditions. So if the vehicle is driven under severe conditions such as towing or mountainous terrain, Acura suggests changing the rear diff fluid at 7500 miles, then every 15k miles, whether or not the MM has requested a change. For Honda/Acura vehicles, "severe service" intervals are typically half the "normal service" interval, so this is the basis for my previous claim that the normal service interval for this vehicle is @15k miles, then every 30k miles.
Of course, it's possible there's something I don't know, but if you don't neglect the service when the MM says it is due, you should be fine.
Just changed mine. Wow, it was so easy. If you know how to change oil, this will be a much easier step.
unbelievable how much dealer charges for it.
the total parts cost is $25-30.
I just got my A6 code and while doing research I’ve found a couple sources that have an additional step to this process:
After the initial fill of the rear diff the fill plug should be installed hand tight with the old washer, then the car should be started and idled for about a minute, shut off then recheck and top off the rear diff.
Can anyone with access to service data confirm of deny if this step is in the official procedure? If so it should be added to this thread.
EDIT: member above asked the same question. I’m gonna bite the bullet and buy access to Honda service data and see what it says. When I do I’ll come back and update this thread.
I just got my A6 code and while doing research I’ve found a couple sources that have an additional step to this process:
After the initial fill of the rear diff the fill plug should be installed hand tight with the old washer, then the car should be started and idled for about a minute, shut off then recheck and top off the rear diff.
Can anyone with access to service data confirm of deny if this step is in the official procedure? If so it should be added to this thread.
EDIT: member above asked the same question. I’m gonna bite the bullet and buy access to Honda service data and see what it says. When I do I’ll come back and update this thread.
Looking forward to the explanation. I’m curious, but not enough to buy access to the service data! When you remove the plug, don’t be surprised if it is on really tight. Mine was very tight….way over 29 ft lbs.
I did the fluid change on our car a couple of weeks ago and didn't bother with that step but I'm curious to hear what you find also.
The manual says it takes 1 and 3/4 quarts to refill the differential and that's exactly how much I got in before it started to overflow.
When I initially removed the fill plug nothing ran out so if anything the level is slightly higher now than it was from the factory.
I just got my A6 code and while doing research I’ve found a couple sources that have an additional step to this process:
After the initial fill of the rear diff the fill plug should be installed hand tight with the old washer, then the car should be started and idled for about a minute, shut off then recheck and top off the rear diff.
Can anyone with access to service data confirm of deny if this step is in the official procedure? If so it should be added to this thread.
EDIT: member above asked the same question. I’m gonna bite the bullet and buy access to Honda service data and see what it says. When I do I’ll come back and update this thread.
I cant see any harm in this step, the only thing it might be waste of time (5min?).
The fluid sold by Acura dealers as "DPSF" ( Dual Pump System Fluid ) may or may not be the same as what Honda dealers sell as DPF-II ( Dual Pump Fluid II ), but unless something has changed in the last few months you will be hard pressed to find a bottle labeled DPSF-II in this country. Dunno why that's what's printed in the manual. This subject has been beat to death in other forums.
But the SH-AWD differential is used in both Honda and Acura models, and the respective fluids ( DPSF or DPF-II ) are compatible. In other words, either fluid meets the required specifications for RDX's rear differential. Really.
But, VTM-4 fluid is NOT compatible. Hence the big embossed lettering above the fill port on the diff: "DPSF"
Recently with supply chain issues. Honda and Acura all now use the DPSF in the Acura bottle. This confirms they are the same thing!!
11-11-2019, 03:06 PM
