Rear Differential Fluid (AWD)

99438 Views 90 Replies 40 Participants Last post by koo1it.tb, 8 d ago

Ein

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2016

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.

Reactions: 3

61 - 80 of 91 Posts

Ein

Discussion Starter · #61 · Mar 29, 2021

The rear diff gears still turn whether AWD is engaged or not.

Reactions: 2

Jack of all trades

· #62 · Apr 3, 2021

hikendan said:
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?

This differential is different from the old differentials you are accustomed to. They work like automatic transmissions. Do you know the difference between a four wheel drive and an all wheel drive?

bchan42

· #63 · Apr 28, 2021

Just finished changing the differential fluid, very easy. Make sure that you can loosen the top fill bolt first before taking out the drain plug (the one with the magnet). I drove the rear of the HRV onto a set of ramps to give me room underneath. Drained the fluid, change the washer, tighten to 35 ft lb. Remove the fill plug. I used a bottle pump to put the fluid back in. Much better than the long hose I used to use on my 97 CRV. The pump allows you to just pump in what is needed and stop when the fluid comes out the fill plug. Takes no more than 30 mins and less than $20.00 for fluid and two crush washers

Here is a link to the pump, $12 for two pumps. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LDMXNSO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

See less See more

Reactions: 1

mrblint

· #64 · Sep 13, 2021

I have a 2018 HR-V AWD with 22,500 miles. Recently took it to the dealership to have them check the right rear suspension and they mentioned that it needed a differential service at 15K miles which they have no record of doing. Would that service have been billable or would it have been covered at the time? If it is billable, how much does it usually cost?

Reactions: 1

John35g

· #65 · Sep 13, 2021

mrblint said:
I have a 2018 HR-V AWD with 22,500 miles. Recently took it to the dealership to have them check the right rear suspension and they mentioned that it needed a differential service at 15K miles which they have no record of doing. Would that service have been billable or would it have been covered at the time? If it is billable, how much does it usually cost?

I don't think its a free service - unless you bought some sort of maintenance plan from the dealer before hand or something like that. I should not be too expensive as there is very little fluid, only 2 small crush washers to replace, and once up on a lift- its probably under an hour of labor. I hav no idea what " the dealerships' are charging.

Reactions: 2

Carbuff2

· #66 · Sep 13, 2021

Replacing the rear differential fluid is a maintenance item, so it would have been billable.

Get it done. The first change is recommended at 15,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles after that.

+++++++++++++

Yeah, it doesn't take long to do yourself: drain & fill, pump in 1.3 qts of new Dual Pump Fluid. Should be less than an hours' labor at a shop.

Reactions: 1

Boomer Guy

· #67 · Sep 13, 2021

Because of my driving conditions, I change it in my Honda HR-V, CR-V and Element at 15K mile intervals. It's only 1.5 quarts to refill, not expensive and easy to do in the taller vehicles.
The Element goes to the shop for this because my rolling floor jack won't fit underneath the rear nor will it fit underneath the side steps which are nice, but in the way. I'm too lazy to use the spare tire jack. Can you tell I like Honda AWD vehicles? My other cars are also Honda, but FWD.

CalgaryHRV

· #68 · Sep 13, 2021

There is lots going on in inside the HRV rear differential:
The standard ring and pinion, the wet clutch, stepper motor to control the clutch and the input (the driveshaft) is constantly turning even when AWD is not active.

Plus there is no fluid filter, plus no cooler, plus the very small volume of differential fluid.

All that adds up to the short 15k mile fluid change intervals.

Reactions: 1

Boomer Guy

· #69 · Sep 13, 2021

My 1999 CR-V rear diff took Honda Dual Pump II fluid, the same that I used in my recent CR-V and Element. The old owner's manual called for rear diff fluid changes @ 60K miles, but the service manager recommended 30K mile changes unless the driving conditions were severe and then he suggested shorter intervals. I've used 15K intervals.

Note that the Pilot uses a different system to drive the rear diff which does NOT have dual pumps. I don't know which fluid it takes but I do know that it is electronic instead of mechanical/hydraulic.

spacewrangler

· #70 · Sep 13, 2021

The first MM alert comes about 15K miles to change out the "break-in" oil. The interval for subsequent changes is longer. I'm at 37K miles and haven't gotten it yet. I'm at 90% for the next service which should be about 42K miles and it's still not showing up.

Boomer Guy

· #71 · Sep 14, 2021

Changing the rear diff fluid in any Honda AWD Dual Pump system (excludes the Pilot) is probably the cheapest and easiest maintenance job there is on these vehicles. I can't believe all the took about how long you should go between fluid changes. This is a sophisticated system and the only thing you have to do is replace 1.5 quarts of fluid. Even if you pay someone else to do it, you probably only have to do it at most, is once a year. I'll bet a lot of people pay more on Starbucks in that time.

Reactions: 1

Dr. Toboggan

· #72 · Sep 14, 2021

I just had my 15,000 "break in" done, it was $150. You'll know when it needs to be done, the MM will show a "6".

www.hrvforum.com

Service B 16

What does “Service B 16” mean? I did an internet search and got results for a wheel rotation but for a Civic. When I went in for my oil change I showed it to them but all they did was change the oil and reset the dashboard gauge. Also, what about the rear differential with that many miles...

www.hrvforum.com

www.hrvforum.com

mrblint

· #73 · Sep 26, 2021

Does the service indicator system have sensors that detect when fluids need to be changed, or does it go from mileage and nothing more? Is it a diagnostic or merely a reminder? I am wondering why there's no service code lit telling me to change differential fluid, yet no mention of differential fluid on my 15K service invoice from a year or so ago.

Reactions: 1

Boomer Guy

· #74 · Sep 26, 2021

I would never rely on an automatic electronic service indicator, but that's just me. I change my motor oil and filter @ 5K miles. I change my rear diff and CVT fluids @ 15K miles because I'm retired and don't drive as many miles per year as I used to. Because time is also a factor in the life of these two fluids, this is better for my lifestyle. If I average a minimum of 12K miles per year on my HR-V, I would change both @ 30K mile intervals, like I used to.
Back to the motor oil and filter, I've ALWAYS done this in all of my vehicles and I've been rewarded with the results. When the head is off for the valve adjustment, I can literally see the results, not to mention that none of my vehicles have ever burned oil.

As for the coolant, I apply the same rule to it as I do to my rear diff and CVT fluids. Cheap insurance.

CalgaryHRV

· #75 · Sep 26, 2021

Boomer Guy said:
...When the head is off for the valve adjustment..

I think you meant valve cover..

Boomer Guy

· #76 · Sep 26, 2021

CalgaryHRV said:
I think you meant valve cover..

Yes. Thanks. I had a brain fart. I was thinking of looking at the insides of the head with the valve cover off.

I recently had my Element's valves adjusted and took pictures of the underside of the valve cover and the insides of the head. All were spotless with no carbon, varnish or anything. The Honda head technician who was doing the job was amazed and asked what motor oil I used. I told him I used Mobil1 full synthetic until 75K miles and then switched to the same thing in High Mileage, all the same required viscosity with filter change @ 5K mile intervals. The engine had over 120K miles on it with the original plugs and coils. The insides of the exhaust pipe are white.

By the way, the aftermarket valve gasket made by Fel-Pro leaked (blue silicone) immediately afterwards. Switched to Victor Reinz (black synthetic rubber) and all was good. The Fel-Pro was like a jelly worm.

John35g

· #77 · Sep 27, 2021

mrblint said:
Does the service indicator system have sensors that detect when fluids need to be changed, or does it go from mileage and nothing more? Is it a diagnostic or merely a reminder? I am wondering why there's no service code lit telling me to change differential fluid, yet no mention of differential fluid on my 15K service invoice from a year or so ago.

The general consensus is its all a computer algorithm Honda programs in - based probably on engien temps and run time maybe RPMs etc and of course mileage (prob mostly mileage).
they may use what sensor are on the drivetrain already, but that is about it.

Boomer Guy

· #78 · Sep 27, 2021

From what I've read from other sources, the car manufacturers are trying to extend the intervals between all fluids to be as long as possible so as to make the car APPEAR to be more economical in maintenance expenses. They do not car about the unnecessary wear and tear on the engine and drive train. It's all about perception. It's like the so-called "lifetime" fluids in some vehicles. There is no such thing.

It's your car. Do what you think is best for it. I prefer to pay a little more in extra services to make my vehicles last as long as possible.

However, if you're the type to trade every few years, it doesn't matter. But in the end, somebody will be stuck with the bill for repairs.

John35g

· #79 · Sep 27, 2021

Boomer Guy said:
From what I've read from other sources, the car manufacturers are trying to extend the intervals between all fluids to be as long as possible so as to make the car APPEAR to be more economical in maintenance expenses. They do not car about the unnecessary wear and tear on the engine and drive train. It's all about perception. It's like the so-called "lifetime" fluids in some vehicles. There is no such thing.

It's your car. Do what you think is best for it. I prefer to pay a little more in extra services to make my vehicles last as long as possible.

However, if you're the type to trade every few years, it doesn't matter. But in the end, somebody will be stuck with the bill for repairs.

Could also be an environmental effect - they can boast about creating less toxic wastes.

John35g

· #80 · Mar 21, 2022

did my second change at 34,640 miles yesterday- the magnetic plug held onto what was almost dust and not any larger pieces- which is a good thing, and the fluid was a LOT less dark - almost purple like in color when drained.
I would say changing the diff fluid is easier and cheaper than doing the oil and filter TBH. (if you have that mini- bottle pump).

61 - 80 of 91 Posts