[mm19InPA]

Can you tell a difference by changing trans fluid every 15K mi ?

I bought the truck in jan 2020 with 25k and pretty sure trans fluid wasnt changed... i was blind to any 6 sp trans issues til, at 40k i got the infamous 'judder' issue between 20-30 mph... thx to the good folk on this forum, i heeded their recommendations and i changed the filter and fluid (quite inexpensive and easy, even for this 64 yr!) and the judder went away... just a fluid change - no flush, no 3x fluid change)... since then, I've changed it again once and i dont think I notice any diff, but i havent had the judder or any other issues with trans since (knocks on wood>!

 

[mm19InPA]

@mm19InPA

I assume you are in PA.

You can have pretty cold winters and hot spells in the summer......but you are not in mid or Northern Canada......or Arizona.

If the truck is parked outside 24/7 then I might be inclined to do it a bit early.....but I think you do not have to do it now.

If garaged, I think the standard schedule is fine for you.

thx for the response... truck is garaged... still looks/runs awesome with no issues <knocks on wood!>... the standard schedule is 100k OR 7 years.... so im on year 8 now, hence my quandary. If the service wasnt about $1200-$1500, I wouldnt hesitate... but thats a nice chunk of change but in the long run, its cheaper than engine replacement or new truck.

 

[CanAmSteve]

I belive the 2026 model is the last ridgeline.

You never know with Honda - they have canceled an awful lot of popular models over the years in order to concentrate on the gravy train ones. I suppose that's the never-ending struggle between the engineers and designers and the accountants

I wouldn't be surprised if Honda "ran out" the 2nd Gen - just kept making it with the existing major components and minor cosmetic tweaks(as they have done previously) until sales drop off markedly or some major item needs updating (this would have been driveline to meet stricter emissions but it seems that's no longer an issue)

While I think RL sales are about half of the Tacoma's, that's still significant. So if the RL demographic keeps buying what is a relatively unique vehicle with no direct competition, it would make sense for Honda to keep selling it. I would expect a hybrid Pilot model is imminent, and that would seem to be an easy transplant into a possible Gen 3 RL. Whether they would pause production as the did between Gen 1 & 2 is unknown

 

[john brown]

How refreshing reading these posts of optimism as apposed to reading all the doom and gloom that was being propagated. Thanks to all of you!
Bill

well Bill what you are reading is owners changing trans fluid way more than normal and hoping that keeps them riding, I am back to what I have said all along, and Honda backs it up, more of a fluid problem than a trans problem.

 

[Navydave]

How refreshing reading these posts of optimism as apposed to reading all the doom and gloom that was being propagated. Thanks to all of you!
Bill

well Bill what you are reading is owners changing trans fluid way more than normal and hoping that keeps them riding, I am back to what I have said all along, and Honda backs it up, more of a fluid problem than a trans problem.

Pls explain what the fluid problem is. Tks

 

[john brown]

Pls explain what the fluid problem is. Tks

That’s a $54 question but everyone seems to think, including Honda the only solution to the problem is to change the fluid often. And that’s the only solution Honda offers for it.

 

[Navydave]

Pls explain what the fluid problem is. Tks

That’s a $54 question but everyone seems to think, including Honda the only solution to the problem is to change the fluid often. And that’s the only solution Honda offers for it.

Is Honda suggesting drain & fill more often or a full flush more often ?

 

[wjfyfe]

Performing fluid changes can be very profitable for the dealerships. Whether the fluid changes are necessary is another question entirely?
As far as I am aware, Honda, as a company, has not revised their recommended service times for fluid changes?

Bill

 

[Rayfasano]

Oh I agree. Twice since the second transmission went in, fluid change has (temporarily) eliminated two problems. First, the judder and 10K miles later, transmission bang shifting from 1st to 2nd. One drain and fill solved the judder, and 2 drain & fills has stopped the shifting problem for now. For lack of an approved or proven other type oil, I'll stick with the DW-1 every 5-10K miles. FYI.... the oil always looks good/ok when drained. Never a lot of buildup on the drainplug magnet or dark & smelly oil. So ... could the oil just be breaking down?? Honda will never tell

 

[wjfyfe]

stick with the DW-1 every 5-10K miles. FYI.... the oil always looks good/ok when drained. Never a lot of buildup on the drainplug magnet or dark & smelly oil. So ... could the oil just be breaking down?? Honda will never tell

The numerous analysis that I have had done have not shown any issues with the fluid. The latest analysis even includes episodes of temperatures exceeding 250 degrees while doing some heavier towing.

Bill

 

[john brown]

The numerous analysis that I have had done have not shown any issues with the fluid. The latest analysis even includes episodes of temperatures exceeding 250 degrees while doing some heavier towing.
View attachment 472024

Bill

reminds me of the time I was wheeling along with a know it all and we got a crossing restriction, he started typing it in, I suggested 3 times might want to start down and then fiddle with that box, he played with the game board and ignored the obvious, got us in the penalty box and a dance on the carpet, case point, never ignore the obvious.

 

[Wrascal]

Huh?

 

[Pleease]

reminds me of the time I was wheeling along with a know it all and we got a crossing restriction, he started typing it in, I suggested 3 times might want to start down and then fiddle with that box, he played with the game board and ignored the obvious, got us in the penalty box and a dance on the carpet, case point, never ignore the obvious.

"Know it all"? The guy has a 6-speed 2019 with 88k miles, tows a pretty big travel trailer across mountain ranges and has his transmission fluid analyzed. It's good of him to share his experience & data.

 

[john brown]

"Know it all"? The guy has a 6-speed 2019 with 88k miles, tows a pretty big travel trailer across mountain ranges and has his transmission fluid analyzed. It's good of him to share his experience & data.

easy bud, never said he was a know it all, said I was working with a know it all, and I understand the analysis, and it for face value seems all is well with the fluid, but then you get the slipping or the judders and the first thing honda service guys say do is do the dump and fill! what are you doing, changing the fluid. Everybody who experiences this judder thing what is the first and only thing they do to relieve it? Change their fluid, why? Because that is the only thing you can do to get it to quiet down and extend the life of your transmission, care to argue with that/ granted, fluid analysis's say the fluid is fine, but then why is honda and the rest of us dumping perfectly fine fluid? to remedy the problem. I do not like it any better than the rest of you folks do, but either you ignore Honda's recommendation and live with the slipping and cook a trans or dump the fluid. oil analysis have their place, but in this case I am not sure it apply's, never overlook the obvious.

 

[Pleease]

easy bud, never said he was a know it all, said I was working with a know it all, and I understand the analysis, and it for face value seems all is well with the fluid, but then you get the slipping or the judders and the first thing honda service guys say do is do the dump and fill! what are you doing, changing the fluid. Everybody who experiences this judder thing what is the first and only thing they do to relieve it? Change their fluid, why? Because that is the only thing you can do to get it to quiet down and extend the life of your transmission, care to argue with that/ granted, fluid analysis's say the fluid is fine, but then why is honda and the rest of us dumping perfectly fine fluid? to remedy the problem. I do not like it any better than the rest of you folks do, but either you ignore Honda's recommendation and live with the slipping and cook a trans or dump the fluid. oil analysis have their place, but in this case I am not sure it apply's, never overlook the obvious.

I stand corrected - thought you were inferring that he is a know-it-all.

I never argued against changing the fluid.

 

[Thegeezer3]

easy bud, never said he was a know it all, said I was working with a know it all, and I understand the analysis, and it for face value seems all is well with the fluid, but then you get the slipping or the judders and the first thing honda service guys say do is do the dump and fill! what are you doing, changing the fluid. Everybody who experiences this judder thing what is the first and only thing they do to relieve it? Change their fluid, why? Because that is the only thing you can do to get it to quiet down and extend the life of your transmission, care to argue with that/ granted, fluid analysis's say the fluid is fine, but then why is honda and the rest of us dumping perfectly fine fluid? to remedy the problem. I do not like it any better than the rest of you folks do, but either you ignore Honda's recommendation and live with the slipping and cook a trans or dump the fluid. oil analysis have their place, but in this case I am not sure it apply's, never overlook the obvious.

Judder is starting on my 2019 rtl-e with 65,000+/- miles. Very disappointed in Honda. I was used to Hondas lasting much longer than this. CRV’s and Civics in my past were great vehicles. What has happened to the reliability that Honda once had? I would move to Toyota but Toyota is moving to turbo charged small engines. I have no interest in a turbo anything premium fuel and lubrication problems with turbos are enough to keep me away.

 

[longball2go]

Judder is starting on my 2019 rtl-e with 65,000+/- miles. Very disappointed in Honda. I was used to Hondas lasting much longer than this. CRV’s and Civics in my past were great vehicles. What has happened to the reliability that Honda once had? I would move to Toyota but Toyota is moving to turbo charged small engines. I have no interest in a turbo anything premium fuel and lubrication problems with turbos are enough to keep me away.

You are right in the sweet spot mileage wise for transmission failure
It’s like I always say if you happen to get one that stays together you can’t understand how frustrating it is to pay top dollar for “name brand “ only to find you got junk

Do the new turbo Tacomas require premium fuel? if so...ewwwwww

 

[john brown]

Hey, we all feel your pain. I had a 19 did the same thing at about the mid 60s.
I had a 2009 Honda CRV I bought brand new in Myrtle Beach. I asked the service manager what do I need to do to make this car run 150,000 miles? He said sample changed the oil regularly and change your transmission fluid every 15,000 miles and you’ll make it no problem., otherwise you’ll probably need a transmission at 100,000 miles. So I did and I got 155,000 miles on that vehicle and it was fine.

Fast-forward to 2019 for the Ridgeline transmission, turned out to be junk

Cared to guess what both of those vehicles had in common transmission fluid

 

[Jelly donut]

Judder is starting on my 2019 rtl-e with 65,000+/- miles. Very disappointed in Honda. I was used to Hondas lasting much longer than this. CRV’s and Civics in my past were great vehicles. What has happened to the reliability that Honda once had? I would move to Toyota but Toyota is moving to turbo charged small engines. I have no interest in a turbo anything premium fuel and lubrication problems with turbos are enough to keep me away.

If you bought it new, it looks like you run about 10K miles a year. In your shoes, I would change the fluid out and see what happens. You may buy yourself another few years of uneventful service being on the lower end of usage.

Also, you're driving a 6 year old vehicle now. Replacing it with brand new is not your only option. If you like the Ridgeline you could replace it with a 2020 or newer with the 9 speed. Plenty of low mileage (even certified) used Ridgelines to choose from. Most Ridgeline owners seem to be old geezers who don't drive them all that much or work them very hard. Not hard to find a very nice, lightly used example from someone who upgraded because they just had to have a different console or stamped tailgate. These ain't Shelby Mustangs that were rode hard and put up wet.

 

[Thegeezer3]

Hey, we all feel your pain. I had a 19 did the same thing at about the mid 60s.
I had a 2009 Honda CRV I bought brand new in Myrtle Beach. I asked the service manager what do I need to do to make this car run 150,000 miles? He said sample changed the oil regularly and change your transmission fluid every 15,000 miles and you’ll make it no problem., otherwise you’ll probably need a transmission at 100,000 miles. So I did and I got 155,000 miles on that vehicle and it was fine.

Fast-forward to 2019 for the Ridgeline transmission, turned out to be junk

Cared to guess what both of those vehicles had in common transmission fluid

I just got off the phone with the dealership.
Have their person drive it and see if it needs fluid replacement or flush. Wants $185.00 for replacement. No mention of the TSB on the 2019 transmission.
The dealership has been good so far will take it in soon and see what happens.