change VTM-4 rear differential fluid

[sagaliba]

I am sure someone has posted this before, but I did a search, and could not find it.

My Pilot has just reached 10,000 miles and needs to replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid. Do I need to take this back to the dealer, or any shop can do it? I think that Pilot uses special differential fluid, don't know if any shop would stock them.

[rockman19762001]

Any shop should be able to replace the VTM-4 fluid, however, in Midland no one except the Honda dealer stocks the VTM-4 fluid used by Honda. So, I always buy the fluid and take it to my mechanic who does the work.

[sagaliba]

My B1 service light had come up, so I made an appointment yesterday to have oil change/tire rotation today. But this morning, when the odometer exceeds 10,000 miles, the service minder suddenly changed to B16. I checked the forum, isn't first VTM-4 rear differential fluid change supposed to be around 15,000 miles? Anyway, the place I take my car to is not a Honda dealer, and I don't have time to go to Honda dealer to buy fluid. So I am thinking wait till the next service interval to replace the VTM-4 fluid. Wonder if the "6" minder will come up next time when I need oil change?

[rlapid]

the '6' will probably not appear next time the maintenance minder pops up. after your mechanic resets the mm for the oil change/rotation, the mm will assume you have also changed the VTM4 fluid, so it won't appear until ~30k miles. i know pilots have two service schedules, 'normal' and 'severe'. if your pilot falls under the 'severe' category (driven hard, towing often, going off-road or using 4WD often), then i'd say you should replace the VTM4 now. otherwise, i see no problem in waiting till your next oil change do to the VTM4.

[ED27]

Originally posted by sagaliba
....Anyway, the place I take my car to is not a Honda dealer, and I don't have time to go to Honda dealer to buy fluid.

Talk to your mechanic and see if they can get it for you. Most shops have wholesale accounts with dealers and can get OEM parts/fluids the same day.

[whizmo]

It's very common for the MM system to call for a VTM change around 10K for the first one, then they go to more like 15K-20K. On mine, it's also calling for ~5K oil changes more or less, which seems awfully often as well. Whether it really needs it or not, no idea, but I'm following the system.

Isn't it an amazing coincidence that the cars which include "free maintenance" during the warranty period (e.g, BMWs and MBs) have very extended maintenance periods, but those in which you have to pay for maintenance (e.g., Honda), seem to require quite frequent maintenance.

- Mark

[ecsw]

it's here. should be sticky.

DIY VTM-4 (differential) Fluid change with pictures

[sagaliba]

Originally posted by ecsw
it's here. should be sticky.

DIY VTM-4 (differential) Fluid change with pictures

I agree it should be sticky. Good info there!

I just took mine in for VTM-4 fluid change. Dealer charge US$120.

[CNJ]

Originally posted by sagaliba

I agree it should be sticky. Good info there!

I just took mine in for VTM-4 fluid change. Dealer charge US$120.

$120 for a diff fluid change! Yikes How much does a gallon of VTM fluid cost? Our beloved Pilot is coming up for the 15k service. DIY of course

[ctobio]

About $25/gal. Only comes in gallons. You'll use about 2.75 quarts, so your next change, you're buying another gallon. Same with the next one as well, and then finally, the one after that, you'll have enough from the last gallon you bought to not have to buy another.

Make sure you use the oldest one first. Fluids do have a shelf life (measured in years, but 30k after the first change averages out to every couple of years or so.)

[sagaliba]

About $25/gal?!

On my invoice, my dealer charged me $45.38 for fluid, plus two washers, amounted to $50.35 for parts.

[natedog_37]

Our dealer told us 20K on or 07 Pilot before we need to change it.

[sagaliba]

Owner's manual says 15,000 miles. But from reading posts here, looks like the "6" maintenance minder usually comes up synchronized with the oil change between 10,000 miles and 15,000 miles.

Mine came up shortly after 10,000 miles when I was on my way for an oil change (see my previous post).

[natedog_37]

Originally posted by sagaliba
Owner's manual says 15,000 miles. But from reading posts here, looks like the "6" maintenance minder usually comes up synchronized with the oil change between 10,000 miles and 15,000 miles.

Mine came up shortly after 10,000 miles when I was on my way for an oil change (see my previous post).

Well we have 22K on it now and still only reminder we have had it oil.

I plan on doing this in the next couple of weeks.

[ecsw]

Originally posted by sagaliba

I agree it should be sticky. Good info there!

I just took mine in for VTM-4 fluid change. Dealer charge US$120.

and I thought dealer up north charge $80 was expensive.

I am changing my vtm-4 2nd time this weekend before winter comes.
It's B16 with 60,000km(37,500miles). This time I got the crashable washer.