Service Sequence
 

For those of you who had the RLX Sport Hybrid since new, what was the order of services? I like Acura's Maintenance Minder, but I also dislike it as Acura doesn't provide a nice timeline.

Based on my 2012 TL SH-AWD MT, these were my sequence of services for first 5 years when I purchased new:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...b369a99224.jpg
I don't want to assume the order of services is the same for the RLX Sport Hybrid, so I'm reaching out to see when I should expect the first B16 service for the RLX Sport Hybrid. Slot sequence, or if you have mileage, bonus. Thanks!

Someone posted this awhile ago so I stole it. I pretty much only had to do A1 oil changes once per year and Twin Motor Unit fluid on our MDX at 12K miles so far our our MDX SH. I replace engine and cabin filter myself once per year. My RLX is only 5K miles and dealer already did A1 service before selling the car, so I'm good until Oct 2021 for another A1 service. DO NOT miss Twin Motor Unit fluid initial change at 15K miles. Someone here skipped that service and had some major issues down the road.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...1ac0d7cd6f.png

18 RLX hybrid with 15,000 miles (purchased used with 7200 miles, Dec/19)
19 MDX hybrid with 20,500 miles (purchased new in Mar/19)

Pretty much keeping the same service schedule interval posted by jdpdata for both vehicles. So far, the M.I.D. maint schedule doesn't seem to all that different compared to my sh-awd 08 RDX or 11 MDX. Modifications to the schedule I made are:
- bring my own oil for A/B services (Walmart Mobil 1 0w-20)
- purchase and change myself cabin filter each spring (Amazon, Bosch 6029C HEPA)
- purchase and change myself OEM engine air filter
- rotation/balance with Discount Tire every A/B oil service
- Lifetime Firestone Alignment with new tires, suspension work, before a big trip, or once a year
- brake fluid every 3-4 year (very low humidity in NM)
- stick to a 30K 7DCT and twin motor unit fluid change

That chart was mine......steal it ruthlessly!! :)

On the twin motor unit, the importance of that first change at 15,000 miles is to remove the break in fluid that is installed at the factory.

This is consistent with the rear diff on a normal SH-AWD unit as well. the 15k first change is the one you don't want to miss.

Looking back on what I spent on my RLX hybrid and MDX Hybrid in 2020 and it was pretty inexpensive to maintain (data from iPhone app RoadTrip):

18 RLX Hybrid:
5490 total miles for 27.06 mpg avg for 2020 (High mpg 30.97 mpg for 266 miles, low mpg 21.69 mpg for 152 miles)
$447 spent on gas for 2020
$26 engine air filter
$20 cabin air filter
$24 Mobil 1 0w-20
$150 for B16 service at 14,600 miles
Free lifetime rotation/balance with Discount right before B16 service
TSB# 20-040 service for 7DCT in Sept/20

19 MDX hybrid:
8703 total miles for 24.45 mpg avg for 2020 (1700 mile road trip to Grand Canyon, 2100 mile road trip to San Antonio/Corpus Christi)
$788 spent on gas for 2020 (High mpg 28.69 mpg for 348 miles, low mpg 21.24 mpg for 170 miles)
$21 engine air filter
$20 cabin air filter
$24 Mobil 1 0w-20
$180 for B16 service at 17,900 miles
Free lifetime rotation/balance with Discount right before B16 service
TSB# 20-039 service for 7DCT in Sept/20

Just to be clear, are you talking about more current SH-AWD models? My '07 RL never needed that, according to the maintenance manual.

Actually, it's always been that way with the SH-AWD system and even the early MDX and all Pilot's with the VTM-4 system. Rear diff fluid replaced at 15k miles and then 30k miles after that. I remember that pretty clearly as we had an '04 and '06 Pilot and remember "discussing" that with the service tech at the time (as I thought it was too early...).

Was the 15,000 indicated by A16 or B16?

It was a B16 for my MDX/RLX hybrids.

Interesting. Like I said, maintenance manual doesn't call that out, don't recall it eve being done (but will check the records) and the car is passing 165,000 with no issues.

IMO, tranny/twin motor change intervals for the first change are too late. Other reasonable opinions do also exist!! For me, this car is has the long term view for ownership.

At 7k, the tranny fluid was far darker than expected, but not quite 'burnt' smelling. I am glad I now have new fluid in there.

The twin motor unit has not been checked or changed yet, but will be soon.

Could be a waste of some bucks, but those tranny and twin motor units are not cheap.

IMHO that's one of the weaknesses of a forum such as this one. Anecdotal and opinionated service advice is shared, often at tremendous costs to the owner and no substantial benefit to the cars......the legendary "3X3" tranny flush being a prime example. Change the fluids when it's recommended.....FULL STOP!

Manufacturer's recommended service intervals are there for a reason (backed by millions of dollars in engineering expertise and research), just like break-in fluid remaining in a twin motor unit for "about 15,000", not just 7,000. Yet we see garage mechanics deciding they know better. I don't get it.....when did you guys get all this "superior" knowledge?!!

Rant over.....

UPDATE: I do now recall (it was a while back :)) the service tech telling me they changed that rear diff fluid and commenting that it "...was still quite red".

DanL07RL,

A very good point about 'break in fluid'.
I have only heard anecdotal and opinionated rumors about its existence. Or maybe it is 'break in fluid' only because the regular stuff is in the car during the break in period.
I am still looking for the specifics about such a fluid and whether it exists for the Acura RLX SH.

I got my info from Acura service techs and managers. Have you tired that route?

I've been told by more than one tech (one from Honda, a couple from Acura) that it's not so much it's break-in fluid so much as it is making sure any materials that may be residual from the assembly process get removed via that initial fluid swap. Regardless of the reason, it's just good peace of mind to do the fluid change around 15k for the first time - especially if it means that any future warranty work won't be questioned.....