Fluid Changes

[haasport]

Hey all - getting ready to do a massive fluid change day. Have just hit 25K miles on my 2007. Was at the dealership last week for an inspection and they recommended I do the following soon as they would be due soon.

Oil and filter
Trans and transfer fluid
Rear Diff fluid

As luck would have it I got a B123 a week later.

Been reading all of the posts on B16 and B123, etc.

I always change my own oil, etc. but this will be my first trans/transfer and rear changes.

Just looking for advice, wisdom that others are willing to lend from their experiences. Has anyone used non-Acura/Honda fluids besides Mobil 1 for engine oil?

[carguy07]

Mobil 1 for engine oil and transfer case. Everything else OE for me.

[riontegra]

Here's a link for the 2004, everything is the same EXCEPT for the fluid. The 07-10 uses Honda ATF Z1 and not VTM-4.

How to Change Your Acura MDX VTM-4 Differential Fluid



Here's a pdf for the transfer case. It used 80w-90 gear oil.

[lion9mdx]

Make sure you can get the fill plugs out before you take out the drain plugs.

[MDX_rocks]

For my curiosity, my '07 has 40k already and I haven't done any Trans & Tranfer Fluid/Rear Fluid, change yet. Would anyone know when an X need this service? I also do my own oil change to using Mobile One (full synthetic). But then, I do not recall a maintenance code for Trans-Transfer Fluid/rear fluid. I hope my X still in good shape or better off if I do the service now. Advice needed on this please?

[rdm190]

Originally Posted by MDX_rocks

For my curiosity, my '07 has 40k already and I haven't done any Trans & Tranfer Fluid/Rear Fluid, change yet. Would anyone know when an X need this service? I also do my own oil change to using Mobile One (full synthetic). But then, I do not recall a maintenance code for Trans-Transfer Fluid/rear fluid. I hope my X still in good shape or better off if I do the service now. Advice needed on this please?

I believe the code for diff/transfer/tranny is B123. Look in the manual to check for sure.

I just did mine the other day and I have to say, short of rigging up a funnel to fill the transmission, it was one of the easiest maintenance items I have ever done on a car/suv.

-Ryan

[quyenph]

I have done "Oil and filter" ,"Rear Diff fluid" but never done "Trans and transfer fluid". Any1 have done it please give me a quick precedure how to do it? What kind of fluid? (I beleive ATF-Z1 but I am not sure). Thanks.

[G. COLTON]

I have aalways used Castrol full synthetic in the MDX.

G

[MDX_rocks]

Originally Posted by rdm190

I believe the code for diff/transfer/tranny is B123. Look in the manual to check for sure.

I just did mine the other day and I have to say, short of rigging up a funnel to fill the transmission, it was one of the easiest maintenance items I have ever done on a car/suv.

-Ryan

Thanks Ryan, for the info. How many miles did you have when you did that?

[MDX_rocks]

Originally Posted by MDX_rocks

For my curiosity, my '07 has 40k already and I haven't done any Trans & Tranfer Fluid/Rear Fluid, change yet. Would anyone know when an X need this service? I also do my own oil change to using Mobile One (full synthetic). But then, I do not recall a maintenance code for Trans-Transfer Fluid/rear fluid. I hope my X still in good shape or better off if I do the service now. Advice needed on this please?

For those who's an expert mechanic or at least for those who has done this maintenance:
I do not know if I missed the Code Minder or not, but would anyone know if I need to do the Transmission & Tranfer Fluid/Rear Fluid if I have 40,000 miles already on my X? If you have done this on MDX, what was your mileage when you did it? Help me please....

[Jeepster]

The Acura service manual maintenance schedule calls in for:

Rear differential fluid at 15000 miles for regular use, or 7500 miles for severe conditions (frequent towing, mountain driving, severe driving conditions)

Did not find yet what are the recommended intervals of both the tranny and transfer case, on my other Honda car it is stated at 60000 miles the first oil change for the tranny, and then each 20000 miles after that. I assume it should be similar for the X, let me double chack again in my service manuals.

[MDX_rocks]

Originally Posted by Jeepster

The Acura service manual maintenance schedule calls in for:

Rear differential fluid at 15000 miles for regular use, or 7500 miles for severe conditions (frequent towing, mountain driving, severe driving conditions)

Did not find yet what are the recommended intervals of both the tranny and transfer case, on my other Honda car it is stated at 60000 miles the first oil change for the tranny, and then each 20000 miles after that. I assume it should be similar for the X, let me double chack again in my service manuals.

Thanks Jeepster! Wow... I'm 25k over due. I hope my X is still in good shape. Was there really a code minder for this? I just can't believe I missed this. Jeepster, I appreciate your respond. I need to do this asap.

[Jeepster]

Funny....i digged both in my service manual, and also in my owner's manual....they clearly specify at which mileage to do the rear diff but nothing on the tranny itself, and transfer case....?

Anyone know at what intervals they were prescribed for the 1st gen....? We could do it at this one since not specified on the second gen.

I hate relying on computers and gimmicks for my maintenance schedule, i prefer to do them myself once needed then when a stupid code lights on.

[Will4271]

I had the same question.. not in the book also.

I called the service dept on the dealer and they said til the maintainance minder tells us though. Yeah.. hate to rely on the computer part.

[Jeepster]

Talk about a stupid way of doing your maintenance.....relying on a computer and on a code.....i prefer to do my maintenance with my mileage, see this is something i really hate about the actual MDX.....i call that 'wrong way' of using the technology.

Same for the stupid TPMS.....if you are not able to check your tires by yourself then you do not belong to drive a car in my opinion....!