HELP! Dealer states differential fluid change @ 7500 miles?

[dudley]

Can someone help? First off, I love my dealer and the people working there, so this issue is for me to learn more about my truck.

I just had my A1 service at 6850 miles! I have read the manual and this forum and both agree overall to follow the maint schedule.

My dealer stated, since i have the tow package, I should bring my truck back to have the differential fluid changed @ 7500 miles since this fluid when new was "starter" fluid. It will cost $70. I am not worried about the money as much as learning.

1) I have not towed my boat or anything yet
2) I have 6885 miles
3) brought new 8.1.07

Any honda techs agree with this dealer about changing this and why? Or am I ok to have it changed when it says too (although I have not found that info yet)

thank you for the help in advance

[xridgelinex]

Start to hate your dealer... It's a lie....

Wait to the 15K mark... And I only pay $52 with tax for a diff. change...

[oldcoastie]

Sounds like a scam to me. How would Honda know whether you would tow anything just because you have a tow package? And what exactly is the "tow package" - did you get the hitch and everything? The RL comes with all you need to tow, except for the hitch on one model.

[dudley]

well, one thing that sucked about my RTL -- it was all decked out, but as you stated, only the RL came with the towing package. I have no idea why honda thought people buying the higher end truck did not also want to tow. Long and short, I had the honda factory tow package installed when i brought the truck which I would assume is the same you have. It has everything required to tow.

I even stated I have not towed anything, but he said, well, its a starter fluid and suggested changing it.

[arteegee]

Better toughen up, Dudley. Vtm-4 change code comes with the 2nd oilchange or about 12k to 15k miles.Trust the MM.

[Webwader]

The owners manual does recommends that if you tow regularly to change the VTM-4 initiallly at 7,500 miles and then every 15,000 miles. Since you haven't towed anything, this obviously doesn't apply to you so follow the MM and save your money.

[xridgelinex]

Originally Posted by dudley

well, one thing that sucked about my RTL -- it was all decked out, but as you stated, only the RL came with the towing package. I have no idea why honda thought people buying the higher end truck did not also want to tow. Long and short, I had the honda factory tow package installed when i brought the truck which I would assume is the same you have. It has everything required to tow.

I even stated I have not towed anything, but he said, well, its a starter fluid and suggested changing it.

I suggest you make them put that in writing... Then contact corporate Honda and let them know how you got/or was about to be scammed by one of their franchises....

[smroycro]

The good news is that it is easy to say no thanks...I'll wait for the regular schedule according to the MM.

[Pug]

As hard as it is to believe that the dealer mistakenly thinks that Honda would put inferior "starter" fluid into a diff that may be required to work even harder than one without a tow package, it's even harder to believe that he would think his assumption wouldn't raise an eyebrow or two!
I'd say "no thanks, I've been doing some research."

[jwizard]

Talk with the owner or the service manager and ask them to educate the money hungry service advisor. If that doesn't work, do what I did. I have bought five Hondas from the same dealer that I now, no longer go to for service. The other local dealer has an excellent service team, but charges way more for a new Honda. Oh, the service advisor still works there and the service manager manages to work hours when it is impossible for a customer to speak with him.