VTM4 Fluid Alternative?

FirstShirt · 02-13-2011, 02:45 PM

The Army has brought me to the beautiful country of South Korea, and I brought the Ridge with me. I recently replaced the VTM4 Fluid which I purchased at the local Honda dealer for the sweet sum of just under $100.00! Yes, that's right. The local dealer charged me just under $100.00 for one gallon of VTM4 fluid. I thought I was buying liquid gold, but it was just the regular VTM4 fluid.

What are my alternatives to being gouged by this Honda dealer? I have vowed never to go back as I see no reason to pay for his nice new BMW. Any help is greatly appreciated.

csimo · 02-13-2011, 03:15 PM

Sorry, but there is no alternative fluid.

Jet Pack · 02-13-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstShirt

The Army has brought me to the beautiful country of South Korea, and I brought the Ridge with me. I recently replaced the VTM4 Fluid which I purchased at the local Honda dealer for the sweet sum of just under $100.00! Yes, that's right. The local dealer charged me just under $100.00 for one gallon of VTM4 fluid. I thought I was buying liquid gold, but it was just the regular VTM4 fluid.

What are my alternatives to being gouged by this Honda dealer? I have vowed never to go back as I see no reason to pay for his nice new BMW. Any help is greatly appreciated.

How much would it cost for shipping from US to SK?
Either way, you're paying for somebody's new BMW.

MikeT · 02-13-2011, 05:42 PM

Talk to a supply Sargent and have them fly some over for you.

bikerbudmatt · 02-13-2011, 11:11 PM

Are you doing a lot of miles? If not, you may not need to do this again until you are out of SK and away from that dealer. If on the other hand you're going through that much of it…I'm not sure what the ins and outs of FPO mail are in terms of shipping stuff like fluids, but if it's a possibility, you can plan ahead. $100 seems excessive, no doubt.

hawaiianpool · 02-13-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstShirt

The Army has brought me to the beautiful country of South Korea, and I brought the Ridge with me. I recently replaced the VTM4 Fluid which I purchased at the local Honda dealer for the sweet sum of just under $100.00! Yes, that's right. The local dealer charged me just under $100.00 for one gallon of VTM4 fluid. I thought I was buying liquid gold, but it was just the regular VTM4 fluid.

What are my alternatives to being gouged by this Honda dealer? I have vowed never to go back as I see no reason to pay for his nice new BMW. Any help is greatly appreciated.

wow that's a ton. You can try this out. Idemitsu Lubricants (the one and only mfgr of VTM-4 and ATFZ1) has a location in Seoul you should be able to find them on google.
Go Army

chiph · 02-14-2011, 06:53 AM

I'm surprised you could take a POV to Korea. Back in the mid-80's it was an unaccompanied tour (no car, no spouse).

Not sure if the APO/FPO system will let you ship fluids through them, but can't hurt to try.

Chip H.

Ourfarm09 · 02-14-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiph

I'm surprised you could take a POV to Korea. Back in the mid-80's it was an unaccompanied tour (no car, no spouse).

Not sure if the APO/FPO system will let you ship fluids through them, but can't hurt to try.

Chip H.

I was stationed in Korea from Aug 97- Aug 99 and you couldn't take your POV. But I find it odd that nothing else will work or is good for the VTM, Talk about cornering the market.

rollinhonda · 02-14-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ourfarm09

I was stationed in Korea from Aug 97- Aug 99 and you couldn't take your POV. But I find it odd that nothing else will work or is good for the VTM, Talk about cornering the market.

The Honda VTM is not like any other differential. That's why it does not use conventional differential fluid. It has been that way since it's inception some 10 years ago.
Since only a few models of Honda use it (MDX, Ridgeline, Pilot) there is not likely a lot of incentive for other mfg. to come out with an equivalent fluid.

Actually, to a large extent this is true for the transmission fluid used on all Honda automatics (Z1) although there are a couple of universal synthetics out there that claim to be equivalent.

tigertom1965 · 02-14-2011, 07:16 PM

This was off of H and A Accessories web page.

"We are not able to export any of the items. Honda restricts the export of any US market parts and accessories."

So they won't ship APO/FPO.

I would try Honda America and see if there is an alternative source for the fluid. I would guess you will need the Honda tranny fluid as well.

02-13-2011, 02:45 PM	#1
FirstShirt ROC Rank: Freshman 2006 RTL Nighthawk Black / Beige Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 71	VTM4 Fluid Alternative? The Army has brought me to the beautiful country of South Korea, and I brought the Ridge with me. I recently replaced the VTM4 Fluid which I purchased at the local Honda dealer for the sweet sum of just under $100.00! Yes, that's right. The local dealer charged me just under $100.00 for one gallon of VTM4 fluid. I thought I was buying liquid gold, but it was just the regular VTM4 fluid. What are my alternatives to being gouged by this Honda dealer? I have vowed never to go back as I see no reason to pay for his nice new BMW. Any help is greatly appreciated. __________________ '06 "Special Edition" Nighthawk Black RTL

02-13-2011, 03:15 PM	#2
csimo Moderator 2006 RTL Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 5,258	Re: VTM4 Fluid Alternative? Sorry, but there is no alternative fluid. __________________ -Joe email: joe at ridgelineownersclub . com (anti-spam measure, but you can figure it out)

02-13-2011, 05:42 PM	#4
MikeT Mall Ninja Moderator 2006 RTL Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arlington, Texas 76002 Posts: 7,498	Re: VTM4 Fluid Alternative? Talk to a supply Sargent and have them fly some over for you. __________________ 2006 Ridgeline RTL, Silver with roofrack. 2000 Accord V6 EX, White no roofrack.

02-13-2011, 11:11 PM	#5
bikerbudmatt ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2010 RTL Dark Cherry Pearl Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,168	Re: VTM4 Fluid Alternative? Are you doing a lot of miles? If not, you may not need to do this again until you are out of SK and away from that dealer. If on the other hand you're going through that much of it…I'm not sure what the ins and outs of FPO mail are in terms of shipping stuff like fluids, but if it's a possibility, you can plan ahead. $100 seems excessive, no doubt. __________________ -- Matt, Connecticut 2010 Ridgeline RTL, BakFlip G2 cover, USA Spec iPod interface, Lund AVS Vent Visors from Burtman Industries, Lund AVS Hood Deflector from Tonneau Covers World and how to install, plated arch folding ramps from AllRamps, and a ROC Decal (white) (here) Are you paying the dealer beaucoup $$'s to change your cabin air filter? Check out this all-time great thread!

02-14-2011, 06:53 AM	#7
chiph ROC Rank: 2k Comma Club 2006 *Former Ridgeline Owner Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,562	Re: VTM4 Fluid Alternative? I'm surprised you could take a POV to Korea. Back in the mid-80's it was an unaccompanied tour (no car, no spouse). Not sure if the APO/FPO system will let you ship fluids through them, but can't hurt to try. Chip H.

02-14-2011, 07:16 PM	#10
tigertom1965 ROC Rank: Junior 2007 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kunkletown, PA 18058 Posts: 443	Re: VTM4 Fluid Alternative? This was off of H and A Accessories web page. "We are not able to export any of the items. Honda restricts the export of any US market parts and accessories." So they won't ship APO/FPO. I would try Honda America and see if there is an alternative source for the fluid. I would guess you will need the Honda tranny fluid as well. __________________ 2007 Honda Ridgeline RTL Billit Silver w/Hard Tonneau 2009 BMW R1200RT Sapphire Black w/premium package Kunkletown, PA 1858

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