your second rear diff change...

[shingles]

I was wondering, has anyone performed a second diff oil change? Was it another about 13,000-14,000 miles? Or was it futher apart this time?

I got to thinking while getting mine changed this morning that Honda might call for the first change to be sooner and spaced out the rest further apart...

[swampler]

I thought the 1st was at 15k, then every 30k after that, but someone else posted that their dealer told them every 15k. I hope I'm right, but don't know yet.

[shingles]

Well, I am going with the minder on this. Whle I don't think another 2k would kill the rear diff, I am being cautious on this one. First year truck, who knows what can happen. I prefer not to give my local dealers and doubt about warranty if something happens.


I am hoping though that the after the 1st, the rest of the changes are spaced out futher.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by shingles

Well, I am going with the minder on this. Whle I don't think another 2k would kill the rear diff, I am being cautious on this one. First year truck, who knows what can happen. I prefer not to give my local dealers and doubt about warranty if something happens.


I am hoping though that the after the 1st, the rest of the changes are spaced out futher.

I didn't mean to imply I'm going by 30k and hoping nothing happens (I just read your post on the other thread), rather I'm hoping the maintenance minder doesn't alert me again until 30k that I need the service. I too, plan to follow the MM for my service schedules.

[BillB]

I was the poster who said every 15K for Diff fluid and this came from my Honda Dealership and also confirmed by another who just had the service done and his Dealership said the same - every 15K. I too am interested in who gets the 2nd service minder about Diff change and at what mileage it comes up at and also if it is indeed tied somehow to when the Oil Monitor is reset. There still is mystery surrounding this tie in between the Oil Monitor and other service minders and since the documentation given us by Honda is terrible when it comes to what service intervals to expect we are left guessing at these answers. I for one am not happy with Honda treating us like some brainless children and not giving us a difinitive service interval chart in our Owners manual. This is the first vehicle I have owned that such a chart was not included in owner's book and I can't for the life of me figure why anyone at Honda thought this was worthwhile to leave out.

[Webwader]

Per the owner's manual:
"Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid or frequently fully loaded. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)."

It states nothing about when to change it under normal driving conditions so it must just want you to follow the MM.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by BillB

I for one am not happy with Honda treating us like some brainless children and not giving us a difinitive service interval chart in our Owners manual.

I think the point is that the MM gives a better indication of when this stuff needs to be changed than a hard and fast schedule because everyone drives differently and in different conditions. As a result, the MM should be more accurate on an individual basis than a specified, generic, service interval.

I will agree though that it would be nice to have an interval chart in order to have some idea what is coming up soon.

[BillB]

Per the owner's manual:
"Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid or frequently fully loaded. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)."

I remain open minded and your quote from the manual is somewhat hinting that Honda believes there is a 1/2 time break in and change period for the 1st Diff fluid service. If you "translate" this to mean that normal driving is at ~ 15K for first change, than double that for all subsequent changes would be at 30K each subsequent. Why can't they just come out and say this for regular usage drivers. How many owner's did they think were going to use the Ridgeline like a RAM 3500.

[swampler]

Dealers always quote the servere duty as what you should follow (so they'll get more of your money), so that would reconcile my 30k guideline with your dealer's recommendation of 15k. Greedy Bastids!

[shingles]

Originally Posted by swampler

I didn't mean to imply I'm going by 30k and hoping nothing happens (I just read your post on the other thread), rather I'm hoping the maintenance minder doesn't alert me again until 30k that I need the service. I too, plan to follow the MM for my service schedules.

Oh yeah, I agree with you fully. I am hoping it is further apart after the first change.