I have a 2017 AWD model and the same information Dammit referred to is on page 121 of the Owner's Guide and page 383 of the Owner's Manual.
Rear Differential Fluid (AWD)
I went in to get a wind noise issue fixed and discovered the differential fluid from the factory is a break-in fluid. It needs to be replaced after the first 15K miles and then every 30K miles. This is why I missed not having a listed maintenance schedule in the owner's manual and have to rely on the Maintenance Minder.
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If you own a 2017, Dammit's details supplied are all on page 383 of the owner's manual. As far as I can tell, it's only a list triggered by the maintenance minder, I saw no specific references to mileage intervals.You don't mention which year HRV you have. I have a 2016. In the 2016 Owner's Manual on Page 385 it describes the maintenance service items. The table for Sub-Items is CODE Maintenance Sub Items
1 ● Rotate tires
2 ● Replace air cleaner element*2
● Replace dust and pollen filter*3
● Inspect drive belt
3 ● Replace transmission fluid*4
4 ● Replace spark plugs
● Inspect valve clearance
5 ● Replace engine coolant
6 ● Replace rear differential fluid*
I don't think there is any car built that is "maintenance free". Neglect is a step backwards, Hikendan.
Honda is the only car I have owned that required a differential fluid change, perhaps due to the 4 wheel drive. I have a 2005 Pilot and ignored the recommended 60,000 mile fluid change until I heard noises from the rear when turning. A differential fluid change took care of that and now I change the fluid regularly.I have enjoyed reading & learning about my HR-V. I read this post on changing the rear end differential oil. We are talking about the HR-V, right? I cannot find any mention about this in the owners manual, and no one from Honda ever mentioned it to me. I have heard about replacing the fluid in Honda CVT's every 30,000 miles, but I have never heard of having to replace fluid in ANY differential EVER. Please give me the page number. If there is in fact a need to replace the differential fluid ever, I am going to sell my car. I see no reason for it. My mechanic told me that Honda is getting close to making a maintenance free car, and this would be a step backwards. Please show me...
On my 2016 HR-V I just changed the differential and transmission fluids at 20,000 miles. Not a big deal or very expensive since I did it myself. Although I would prefer zero maintenance, it is hardly a reason (at least for me) to consider selling an otherwise terrific car. Regular maintenance on modern cars is much less than the old American cars I owned where I had to change plugs, points and shocks quite often (not to mention all the other things that would break).
In case some people are unaware of it. Brake fluid gets replaced every 3 years regardless of milage.
differental fluid
My Honda dealer straightened this out for me. Changing the fluid is Recommended, not Required. Since I use my 2018 EX AWD HR-V mostly on paved roads and never in the AWD mode, I see no reason to change the fluid every 30,000 miles. Changing the factory fluid, maybe. As far as I know, the rear differential uses no belts (like the CVT)...I do see a reason to change the CVT fluid because of this periodically though. Something else I wonder about...my User manual only has 150 pages. Some mention higher number of pages...how could that be? I am a retired builder, and use my head for some of these things. I do enjoy learning though. Maintenance free is something all car makers are heading for. I see it in many things
My Honda dealer straightened this out for me. Changing the fluid is Recommended, not Required. Since I use my 2018 EX AWD HR-V mostly on paved roads and never in the AWD mode, I see no reason to change the fluid every 30,000 miles. Changing the factory fluid, maybe. As far as I know, the rear differential uses no belts (like the CVT)...I do see a reason to change the CVT fluid because of this periodically though. Something else I wonder about...my User manual only has 150 pages. Some mention higher number of pages...how could that be? I am a retired builder, and use my head for some of these things. I do enjoy learning though. Maintenance free is something all car makers are heading for. I see it in many things
Yes, brake fluid absorbs moisture and turns black. Eventually it will corrode the caliper bores. I change mine whenever it is no longer clear regardless of time or mileage. Important to flush the entire system and not just the master cylinder reservoir.In case some people are unaware of it. Brake fluid gets replaced every 3 years regardless of milage.
I wouldn't skip any Maintenance Minder items, no matter what a stealership idiot says.My Honda dealer straightened this out for me. Changing the fluid is Recommended, not Required. Since I use my 2018 EX AWD HR-V mostly on paved roads and never in the AWD mode, I see no reason to change the fluid every 30,000 miles. Changing the factory fluid, maybe. As far as I know, the rear differential uses no belts (like the CVT)...I do see a reason to change the CVT fluid because of this periodically though. Something else I wonder about...my User manual only has 150 pages. Some mention higher number of pages...how could that be? I am a retired builder, and use my head for some of these things. I do enjoy learning though. Maintenance free is something all car makers are heading for. I see it in many things
This is the link for the Detail Manual vs the Guide
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/AT7A1717OM/enu/AT7A1717OM.PDF
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/AT7A1717OM/enu/AT7A1717OM.PDF
You should have two manuals, an Owner's Guide and an Owner's Manual. The guide is smaller.My Honda dealer straightened this out for me. Changing the fluid is Recommended, not Required. Since I use my 2018 EX AWD HR-V mostly on paved roads and never in the AWD mode, I see no reason to change the fluid every 30,000 miles. Changing the factory fluid, maybe. As far as I know, the rear differential uses no belts (like the CVT)...I do see a reason to change the CVT fluid because of this periodically though. Something else I wonder about...my User manual only has 150 pages. Some mention higher number of pages...how could that be? I am a retired builder, and use my head for some of these things. I do enjoy learning though. Maintenance free is something all car makers are heading for. I see it in many things
The CVT and the differential are two different parts of the vehicle. The rear diff will have gears that move one against another. Even if you aren't driving off road those gears are constantly moving one against another. The fluid helps coat and protect them. Over time the viscosity will change as the fluid breaks down from heat and just doing its job. Your choice. Change the fluid, or wait until the gears grind to nothing and change the whole assembly.
My understanding is that the first differential code comes early. Mine was about 17K mikes. I've been told that this is a break-in period and that future differential oil change intervals will be longer. I haven't had mine long enough to know. None the less, I think that not performing any required maintenance is a fool's errand.
Guys, This is my 4th new Honda (one of them I drove 350,000 miles), my 4th AWD/4WD car, I have driven over 1 million miles without hitting anyone else, I have built several homes and did every part of them (I only knew 1 other person who could do that), have overhauled many engines and am known as “the person who can fix just about anything” but have never needed to change differential fluid, and needing to that does not make sense to me. I know very well the difference between a differential and a transmission. One of my best friends is a certified Honda mechanic. And every other brand too (including Porsche, Mercedes and BMW..I have seen his certificates). I wrote to Honda America, and they told me that they don’t answer technical questions and to ask my "idiot" dealer. I am here to learn what Honda may not have told us. This brings up 2 questions….does anyone know if the rear differential is always “active”? Something tells me it is not….When I bought my HR-V,, the dealer only gave me 2 books…a 150 page owners manual and a much smaller customer information book. It sounds like each dealer is different?
Yep, I only got the Guide and got the Detail manual on line per my link in separate post. Trying to save some trees I guess.
Don't know if the option is still available? When registering your Honda on-line. One can order the full owner's manual for free.
I preferred the PDF version, easier to search.
I preferred the PDF version, easier to search.
hikendan the diff is always turning with the rear wheels. it has a clutch pack the connects it to the driveshaft as required.
The internet is a great thing... Despite what your dealer gave you, you can get PDFs of the various manuals here: https://owners.honda.com/vehicle-information/manualsWhen I bought my HR-V,, the dealer only gave me 2 books…a 150 page owners manual and a much smaller customer information book. It sounds like each dealer is different?
Changed mine yesterday- the maint minder came up to change diff fluid at next oil change (17,600 miles.)
its a 2017 that is daily driven - mostly city roads.
did not need jack stands and i did it while my engine and engine oil cooled off (before i did the oil)
Here are some pics - the drain and fill opened with a good pull- nothing dramatic. Remember to remove
the fill port first- in case it is seized etc.
Fill is on drivers side higher up on case
Drain is on passenger side - obviously lower.
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its a 2017 that is daily driven - mostly city roads.
did not need jack stands and i did it while my engine and engine oil cooled off (before i did the oil)
Here are some pics - the drain and fill opened with a good pull- nothing dramatic. Remember to remove
the fill port first- in case it is seized etc.
Fill is on drivers side higher up on case
Drain is on passenger side - obviously lower.
I am about to roll over 19 K miles on my 2017 EX AWD. The maintenance minder code is telling me I need to have the differential fluid change in addition tol an oil change, tire rotation. I get my tires rotated for free from Discount Tire and usually get my oil changes done by the Honda Dealer since cost is the same as other places.
Does the rear differential fluid need to be changed this early- is it truly a break in fluid only?
thanks!
Does the rear differential fluid need to be changed this early- is it truly a break in fluid only?
thanks!
The first one at 15K miles and then every 30K miles.
I would change at 1/2 of the required change.
My reliable mechanic says you only replace the rear differential if it needs it. If you use the 4 wheel drive a lot then you might need to. Honda is trying to make money.Guys, This is my 4th new Honda (one of them I drove 350,000 miles), my 4th AWD/4WD car, I have driven over 1 million miles without hitting anyone else, I have built several homes and did every part of them (I only knew 1 other person who could do that), have overhauled many engines and am known as “the person who can fix just about anything” but have never needed to change differential fluid, and needing to that does not make sense to me. I know very well the difference between a differential and a transmission. One of my best friends is a certified Honda mechanic. And every other brand too (including Porsche, Mercedes and BMW..I have seen his certificates). I wrote to Honda America, and they told me that they don’t answer technical questions and to ask my "idiot" dealer. I am here to learn what Honda may not have told us. This brings up 2 questions….does anyone know if the rear differential is always “active”? Something tells me it is not….When I bought my HR-V,, the dealer only gave me 2 books…a 150 page owners manual and a much smaller customer information book. It sounds like each dealer is different?
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