Maintenance Minder B16 on 2wd

[jimmyq]

I've got about 11,000 miles on my 2007 Honda Pilot and the Oil shows at 15% life left so I was expecting to just get B1 but instead the code I got was B16.

The 6 is for VTM-4 flud change. My Pilot's a 2wd so does that make any sense? Do you just ignore the 6 on a 2wd? I would expect a 2wd will never see 6 or am I misunderstanding what the VTM-4 flud is.

Thanks!

[jimmyq]

In case anyone else ever has this question, the answer is just ignore the 6 - this is an expected behavior on 2wd.

I found the answer in a post on another Honda forum. That post pointed me to the May 2007, Honda Service News (http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/A070500.PDF) which says the following:

2WD and 4WD Use Same
Maintenance Minder Logic
Currently Applies To: ’06 2WD Pilots
Here’s something you need to be aware of: The
maintenance minder system uses the same logic for
both 2WD and 4WD models. As a result, a 2WD
model owner could come in to your dealership for a
B16 service. Since sub-item 6 calls for replacement
of the rear differential fluid (VTM-4 fluid), it’s
obviously an error.
If you’re doing scheduled maintenance on a 2WD
model, and the RO says to replace the VTM-4 fluid in
response to sub-item 6, just ignore that task and do
the rest of the recommended scheduled
maintenance that’s listed. Make sure you let the
service advisor who wrote up the RO know that
VTM-4 fluid replacement wasn’t needed.

[ctobio]

That confirms that the logic for the MM is confined to engine operating parameters, and not based on any feedback from the VTM-4 system.

I think what it does is pick an interval not to exceed the mileage of the next scheduled change. So, if based on a pure mileage interval, VTM fluid is replaced at 15k, 45k, 75k 105k it's gonna throw the 6 code at the oil change closest without going over to those milestones. I just got the 6 code at around 39,000 miles. My next change would have me at 47,000 miles, exceeding the change interval.

[whizmo]

Originally posted by ctobio
I think what it does is pick an interval not to exceed the mileage of the next scheduled change. So, if based on a pure mileage interval, VTM fluid is replaced at 15k, 45k, 75k 105k it's gonna throw the 6 code at the oil change closest without going over to those milestones. I just got the 6 code at around 39,000 miles. My next change would have me at 47,000 miles, exceeding the change interval.

Sounds right to me too, but the engine ECU may have some ability to detect how much the rear clutch packs are being used and may factor this in also. It would be interesting to take the car out and use it for thousands of miles in slipperly conditions and see if the VTM intervals come down. I suspect they would but I don't know.

- Mark

[plchan]

My pilot has almost 20k on it and the -6 has never came up. I have never driven on any condition which might require to have the 4WD capability.

My question is, shall I still change the VTM-4 at 15k, 45k, 75k 105k? or shall I just go ahead to change it with my next oil change (the oil level shows it is at 30%).

[youbetcha]

Originally posted by plchan
My pilot has almost 20k on it and the -6 has never came up. I have never driven on any condition which might require to have the 4WD capability.

My question is, shall I still change the VTM-4 at 15k, 45k, 75k 105k? or shall I just go ahead to change it with my next oil change (the oil level shows it is at 30%).

Actually, the 4wd "comes on" every time you accelerate from a stop, whether or not you are slipping, even on dry pavement.

I would just follow the MM, it won't let you down.

[plchan]

Originally posted by youbetcha


Actually, the 4wd "comes on" every time you accelerate from a stop, whether or not you are slipping, even on dry pavement.

I would just follow the MM, it won't let you down.

Thanks for your reply. I will see if the MM f -6 will come up along with my upcoming oil change. I might still go ahead to change the VTM-4 fluid as the car is going to reach 20k+ in few days.