Honda and Acura Front and Rear Differential Fluid Change

The 2001 thru 2006 Acura MDX, all 4WD Honda Pilots, and the 4WD Honda Ridgeline trucks all use the VTM -4 Differential Fluid in the rear differential. Accurate Automotive recommends a drain and fill of this fluid at least every 3 years or 30,000 miles - which ever occurs first.

Honda's Duel Pump Fluid is the rear differential fluid that is specified in many lighter duty AWD and 4WD Honda and Acura vehicles. These models include the Acura RDX, Honda CRV, the Honda 4WD Crosstour, and the 4WD Honda Element. The differentials that use the duel Pump fluid will have the letters DPSF on the case of the differential at the fill plug.  Accurate Automotive recommends the drain and fill of this fluid at least every 3 years or 30,000 mile interval - whichever occurs first.

The Front differential on some AWD and 4WD Honda and Acura vehicles uses hypoid gear oil and this can vary from year to year. If the front differential is separate from the transmission; Honda specifies 75W90 gear oil with the GL-5 additive. To our knowledge, Honda does not specifically bottle this lubricant under the Acura or Honda trademarks. Accurate Automotive recommends draining and filling the front differential gear oil (where applicable) at least every 3 years or 30,000 miles - whichever occurs first.

Finally, some Acura vehicles simply use the red automatic transmission fluid in the rear differentials. This application is identified on the rear differential case with the letters ATF at the fill plug. The rear differentials that use this lubricant are  the Acura vehicles that are equipped with the  Super Handling- All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. These include the Acura RL (starting in 2005), the All Wheel Drive Acura TL units, the Acura MDX (starting in 2007). Accurate Automotive recommends changing this fluid in the rear differential at least every 3 years or 30,000 miles - whichever occurs first.