Six Shifter

Yesterday, after hitting 17421 on the clock, the B16 service light comes on. Now, when I hit 8399, the A16 service light came on, so this is at least somewhat consistent (performed first service at 9012). What I'm wondering is why does/should the rear differential fluid be changed at each/every service interval? The car runs over 95% highway miles, and I'd not really consider the run up/down I-83 between southern PA and Baltimore to be exceptionally hilly. I doubt anybody else on the forum is at this mileage yet on the 6-speed, but doesn't this sound a bit excessive?

Kingmeow

That's interesting! If I remembered correctly, I read some posts on this forum that the first one comes quick, e.g., A16 and then it's about 30k miles after that.

I sure would hate spending $100 at every oil change to change the rear diff fluid! I would wait for others to chime in.

Hapa DC5

Wow, what does severe service suggest in your manual for the rear diff. intervals?

Six Shifter

I seem to remember somewhere (althought I checked, and it's not in the service manual) that Rear Diff was supposed to be every 12-15 under severe conditions. Since I'm hitting my service intervals around every 9k miles, I thought this would be an acceptable compromise (assuming the first one was a quick one). Seems I might have to engage Acura tech on this one, cuz this would be expensive ... especially if I was using the stealership I had used on my previous two Acuras (who wanted over $300 just for the TPMS assembly and washer and locking nut).

Hapa DC5

Absolutely as Kingmeow said this is an extra $100 per oil change/rotation. That adds up.

Kingmeow

From the manual:

"Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds rssults in higher level of mechanical (sheer) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles , then every 15,000 miles."

A couple of comments. Six Shifter drove highway. I don't see that as being mountainous unless he lives out West. Also, they don't say what it is if you DON'T drive mountainous roads!

Six Shifter

A sustained 68mph wouldn't be considered very low speeds, unless it was the autoban. I'm 67 miles each way every day to/from work. I'm thinking the computer doesn't know how to deal with maintenance intervals that exceed 7500 mile (which is when I took my CL in each/every time ((on the dot))), so it probably errors on the side of caution knowing that more than 15k miles would pass before the next service interval light comes on and it comes on every time (if both times can be considered every time).

Kingmeow

Never mind...I reread your post.

Hapa DC5

I assume that every other oil change would suffice.

Six Shifter

A couple of weeks ago I had my 5th service at 46700 miles (ok, 46697 to be exact). The "B" light has not come on since the 17421 reading, and it did not stay on constantly. So, I have had one computer dictated "B" service, which was at the very first service, and haven't been told to change the rear diff fluid since, which means it's been over 39000 miles since the rear diff fluid was changed. This seems somewhat odd to me, but just doing what Acura says to do.

acuratech1

the sub service 6 can come on anywhere from 7500 to 15000 miles depending on key cycles, driving conditions and style

normally it comes on about every 12000 with normal drivers...

as for them not not saying your due or you seeing the sub service 6 could be becuase the tech does not inform you and just resets the light becuase its prob some punk kid...if your 39000 overdue next time you go for service def tell them you want it done...

Richs09TL

I recently had transmission fluid change, and differential fluid changed. The service tech there told me to change differential like every 5,000 miles. I thought that sounded ridiculous.

Kingmeow

It is. Just follow the MID.

draph

My 6 service came on at the second oil change. I'm doing it myself. Just pulled the plug. The fluid is transparent red (the ATF for the 2010 model vs. the caramel color of the DPSF that I plan to replace it with).

So, my question is, what is breaking down in the fluid, and can you tell with the naked eye? By appearance, this fluid at 15,000 miles is just as good as when it went in. I always thought ATF started turning an opaque brown when it started wearing out.

There's a part of me that wonders if these intervals are designed to keep the dealers in the black. Think about it: If you sell reliable cars with the same margins as those who sell less reliable cars in similar quantities, it's hard to rely on maintenance and repair to carry you through low sales periods. ...and Acura dealers are lower volume than Honda dealers. BTW, the Honda "double pump II" fluid costs 9 bucks a quart, much less than the Acura fluid - another sign the Acura dealers may need the extra service revenue.

draph

OK, the capacity in the manual says 2.67 quarts. I put almost 3 full quarts (all but about 4-6 oz) into the fill hole, and nothing spilled out of the fill hole, like expected on a typical differential fluid change.

I just ran around the block - can't make the tail hang out with power oversteer like before. ...wondering if 2-4 oz of "overfill" or the new double pump fluid (vs. old ATF) is "slippier" and allows more slippage in the rear diff clutch plates... ...could just be paranoia as it is warmer now and the MXMs are sticking to the pavement better, too. I'm going to assume the latter for now...

Richs09TL

My Acura dealership guy said to change every 15,000. I think they just want money. I had to get my brakes flushed out at 30,000. @129.99 They also said I need to change cabin air filter @114.99, absolutely ridiculous. Cost me $7 for filter off ebay, took me all of 5 minutes to swap out!

crxb

I have had my engine oil changed about every 3 - 4 thousand miles
at over 19k I never saw the code for the rear diff service
come to find out if you change the engine oil b4 the car MID oil change comes up - and the tech resets your oil life to 100% w/o watching for other codes - you will never see the code asking for the rear diff change

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

i change my own oil ever 5k, and reset my oil life....this time around when i went to reset the mid, the code that came up at 10k was b16 which calls for the diff change...i am going to wait and have it changed at 15k....

i know you already know this, but for others that may not, when you reset the mid early before it comes up...when you go to reset the oil life, you are in a sence pulling up the next service code, and then resetting that code...which for me was the b16 at 10k...the 6 in that code was the diff fluid.

Six Shifter

OK ... coming home from work today, the 15% service light came on (55097 miles), showing B126. So, I guess there isn't a problem ... and as I expect to have the service done around the 56,500 mile mark (+ or -), this means the MID is telling me to change the rear diff fluid every 47,500 miles or so ... or roughly every 5th service. I think I can live with this expense.

silver01cltypes

Iam looking to replace my rear diff fluid soon.what is everyone using?the new acura fluid or the old trans fluid?Has any one used synthetic trand fluid like the redline d4 stuff?

jdscott

Right on! That's exactly how I feel. Have had 5 other manufacturers AWD vehicles with 50,000 mi. rear dif oil change recommendation.

3rdGenHybrid

Some guys are using Dpsf fluid?! Wow ... That fluid sucks in cr-vs let alone use it in sh-awd. I'm sticking with the new Honda ATF fluid. I'm at over 20k with no diff service and I'm a certified Honda tech doing my oil changes at 3k miles or roughly 60%. Might change it tomorrow, I know the pilot vtm-4 gets changed every 15k. As well as ATF, so it wouldn't hurt, Plus it's free.

3rdGenHybrid

Lol oops , I was thinking dpf2 ...

3rdGenHybrid

So I looked up the Acura part number for dpsf fluid and turns out its the same as the crv's dual pump fluid 2, same part number too.

lji

Why do you say that the DPSF fluid is crap? Any issues with the differentials where this fluid was used?

3rdGenHybrid

Just sucked in the cr-v, surprised that the TL would use it since its awd is far more superior than that of the crv