Rear Differential and Transmission Fluid
 

Hi all,

New member just bought a 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD automatic. I have been trying to search for an alternate rear dff and transmission fluid on this site as well as google, but I am not coming up with anything other than Acura's DFSP or Honda's own fluids. Can I use anything else other than those two? Or would you recommend sticking to them?

Thanks!

When it comes to rear differential fluid and ATF, use OEM. Unless you have a manual transmission, then you want to use ACDelco fluid.

thanks!

Neighbor uses Amsoil Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30 or his favorite fluid at the time, I know I always order it for him when I am buying gear oil.

I've always used OEM differential fluid for my '09 Pilot but that's a different animal of course. I'm just not sure about the composition or compatibility of other fluids when it comes to that specific application.

I use Valvoline Maxlife ATF. It's worked great for the last 70K miles. It's cheaper than Honda DW-1 (about $18 for a 1 gallon jug at Walmart) and has lots of good reviews from Honda owners.

Swapped out the rear diff fluid in my 2010 TL SH AWD on Monday this week. Drained out 2.7 quarts of red fluid and in the clear drain container it seemed to be in pretty good shape just a bit darker shade of red then the new fluid to the naked eye. The stamp on the housing says ATF. Done a lot of reading on the fluid change over to DPSF and the later 2010 models having that stamp on the housing. I filled it with fresh standard Castrol TransMax with the Z1 rating. Viscosity of the fluid I removed and the new fluid was basically the same to the naked eye putting a sample of each in a shot glass and pouring them and watching. Don’t know the exact capacity of the rear diff, I’ve read 2.6 quarts and I’ve also read 3 quarts. Putting back the same amount I drained looks like in any case I got most of it.