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According to the maintenance code on my 2012 SH-AWD TL, I need to change the "transfer case fluid" since I have a 3 in my maintenance code.
Does anyone know of a video or at least step-by-step procedure which shows how this is done? I can't imagine it's too much different from the rear differential fluid change (apparently the transfer case is considered to be the front differential?). Maybe a different type of fluid, torque setting for the fill/drain plug, and amount of fluid needed. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.
So easy a caveman can do it. You might have to jack the car up. Just drain (from bottom plug) and fill (side plug) till the oil starts to spill out similar to a RWD differential. Both plugs can be removed with a 3/8" ratchet like the transmission fluid plug. Will need to replace the seal washers (I recommend it). P/N is 94109-20000 and you'll need 2. AT TRANSFER (6AT) for 2012 Acura TL To fill you will need a gear-old bottle that you can squeeze the fluid up into fill hole. It can't be "poured" in. A oil bottle pump also works but I use mine for the rear differential fluid and I don't want to mix the fluids in the pump. I think the Honda Ridgeline and MDX are very similar if not the same so perhaps there is information on the web for those. The spec oil weight (75W-85) is difficult to find retail. I buy Red Line via the web and transfer it to a squeeze bottle to install.
So easy a caveman can do it. You might have to jack the car up. Just drain (from bottom plug) and fill (side plug) till the oil starts to spill out similar to a RWD differential. Both plugs can be removed with a 3/8" ratchet like the transmission fluid plug. Will need to replace the seal washers (I recommend it). P/N is 94109-20000 and you'll need 2. AT TRANSFER (6AT) for 2012 Acura TL To fill you will need a gear-old bottle that you can squeeze the fluid up into fill hole. It can't be "poured" in. A oil bottle pump also works but I use mine for the rear differential fluid and I don't want to mix the fluids in the pump. I think the Honda Ridgeline and MDX are very similar if not the same so perhaps there is information on the web for those. The spec oil weight (75W-85) is difficult to find retail. I buy Red Line via the web and transfer it to a squeeze bottle to install.
You rock man! Would you happen to know where the transfer case is located? I'd imagine it'd be close to the engine oil pan and transmission oil pan. I don't want to be training the fluid of something else by accident
Also, should I be concerned of applying a particular amount of torque using a torque wrench for the fill/drain plugs?
You rock man! Would you happen to know where the transfer case is located? I'd imagine it'd be close to the engine oil pan and transmission oil pan. I don't want to be training the fluid of something else by accident
Also, should I be concerned of applying a particular amount of torque using a torque wrench for the fill/drain plugs?
- Located on transmission and the propeller shaft connects to it's output shaft. Make sure you remove the fill plug first incase you can't remove the drain plug. Search the web.
- The sealing washer helps to absorb some over-torque. I don't know the actual torque spec. I just install good-n-tight. Tight enough where it won't leak or unscrew on it's own.
You mentioned to use a 75W-85, but the owner's manual states a different type of fluid:
Correct you are!! The OM does list SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90. I must have obtained my info from another (incorrect) source. I'll look into where I got that spec.
Awesome, that's what I was going to do about the torque setting. The rear differential requires 33 ft lbs on the fill/drain plugs, so maybe I'll use that (just a thought). And I've bought some extra washer too, so I should be good on that part.
I have more information about the transfer assy oil spec. See attached chart.
- Honda/Acura hypoid gear oil (HGO-1: 8200-9014/-9014A) is GL-5 75W-85.
- HGO-1 is the recommended oil spec starting in all 2013+ Acuras.
- 80 or 80W-90 is the spec from 2003 to 2012 but HGO-1 is listed as “acceptable”.
- The transfer assy part number (29000-RK4-000) is the same for 2012 & 2013.
- Therefore since the assy’s are the same they CAN (if you so choose) use the same weight oil.
- The only difference between the two oils is 75W-85 is slightly less viscous.
- I suspect the H/A wanted to either:
1) Start selling their HGO-1 oil (they don’t sell 80 or 80W-90) or
2) In theory the less viscous oil would yield slightly better MPG; if it’s even great enough to be measured.
Last edited by Reorge; 10-01-2015 at 09:15 PM.
Reason: typo
Attached is a picture (from front) of a transfer assy for a MDX. The TL is the same. Drain plug is on bottom and fill plug is in front. I verified from the service manual that the torque is 33 ft-lb.
I know I've been quiet on this. I do apologize for the delay, it was a bit of a hectic weekend.
I really appreciate all of the info on here, especially the photo and the chart! I'm planning on doing all three major trans flushes (tran fluid, transfer case, and rear diff) this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well.
I bought the Castrol 80W-90 gear oil yesterday at my local O'Reilly's, so hopefully that will do the trick. I did notice though that the 75W-85 was a much more common oil, so I may switch over to that in the future.
I just completed the drain/fill for the transmission, transfer case, and rear diff on my 09 awd. All were easy as pie, although I busted my hand up loosening the ATF Fill bolt in the engine compartment. I used all Honda/Acura fluids... all fluids ran me approx $75 total.
I noticed that my transmission drained out 4 qts..... anyone else have this?
As far as the pump goes, it will make life much easier to use one for the transfer case and rear diff. I immediately noticed smoother shifts.
I noticed that my transmission drained out 4 qts..... anyone else have this?
Congrats and yes, mine takes 4 qts. Perhaps the factory external fluid cooler (2009-2011 SH-AWD & 2012+ All) takes a little more than tranny without one.
I just completed the drain/fill for the transmission, transfer case, and rear diff on my 09 awd. All were easy as pie, although I busted my hand up loosening the ATF Fill bolt in the engine compartment. I used all Honda/Acura fluids... all fluids ran me approx $75 total.
I noticed that my transmission drained out 4 qts..... anyone else have this?
As far as the pump goes, it will make life much easier to use one for the transfer case and rear diff. I immediately noticed smoother shifts.
My 12 AWD TL drained 5 quarts recently. I jacked the drivers side of the car up after it was drained completely flat and more came out. I don't know how much more but I wouldn't say over a quart.
The shop manual says with SHAWD 3.0 qt, without SHAWD 3.5 qt (2.8 and 3.3 L). I drain anywhere between 3.5 to 4. If I fill it up with 3 and follow their test process, the dipstick barely touches the edge, not even close to the "hot" marking. Also it is noticeable if you only fill 3.0, when the auto tranny tries to shift to a higher gear, it takes a tad longer.
Nice to know I am not the only one that noticed! I think someone should tell Acura/Honda to change that in their documentation, or at least issue a TSB correction or something...
Thanks for the feedback fellas. I was hesitant to re-fill a full 4 qts since the manual states 3qts for tranny change. I figured the possibility the tech who serviced the tranny fluid last could have over filled it. I know the proper way to check the tranny fluid is to start the car and let the engine reach its operating temp and turn off the vehicle as soon as the radiator fan kicks on. I haven't been able to do this just yet due to lack of level surface.
Last edited by ncxvtguy83; 10-14-2015 at 07:25 PM.
I posted just about the same time and didn't see your post. That is interesting that the concensus is ~4qts.
Originally Posted by Tonyware
The shop manual says with SHAWD 3.0 qt, without SHAWD 3.5 qt (2.8 and 3.3 L). I drain anywhere between 3.5 to 4. If I fill it up with 3 and follow their test process, the dipstick barely touches the edge, not even close to the "hot" marking. Also it is noticeable if you only fill 3.0, when the auto tranny tries to shift to a higher gear, it takes a tad longer.
Nice to know I am not the only one that noticed! I think someone should tell Acura/Honda to change that in their documentation, or at least issue a TSB correction or something...
I was just talking this morning to Acura Tech about 80W90 which is transfer case gear Oil for my wife's 2013 Acura RDX. This is the one recommended by Auchra and I can on,y imagine it will fit the other models by Acura, best way is to follow manual recommendations .
when it comes to Honda / Acura I don't fool around and always use Honda / Acura own products - never an issue.
09-30-2015, 08:22 PM
