Dealer clueless about VTM4 fluid - Honda Pilot

AlH · 06-11-2003, 03:07 PM

Stopped by the dealer where we bought the Pilot to get some VTM4 fluid today. VT what? the parts guy sez. I explain it is the diff fluid for the Pilot. Ohhh....he sez then goes and stands in front of their oil storage shelves. I can see him looking puzzled. Then he asks another parts guy about it. Don't have it he sez, never needed it yet he sez. WHAT? Pilot's been out a year and nobody has had their diff fluid changed? I explain it is needed at 15k max, well he sez most people don't drive that much the average is 12k while giving me the "you must be from Mars look". I'm dumbfounded. I ask well what about the people that do? He then does some more checking and finds it "in the back". Then he sez...OH VTM4 fluid! I thought you said Vtenfour fluid, and he never heard of VTM4 fluid before today. Apparently he has so very little puzzle solving ability, he couldn't connect Pilot differential with VTM4 Vtenfour or whatever.

This is exactly the reason I hope the dealer never has to touch our Pilot.
I got it for $17.

MG Pilot · 06-11-2003, 03:29 PM

I've said it a hundred times...these dealers are dumber than ****!!!

sblvro · 06-11-2003, 03:32 PM

i have to check the manual, you shouldn't replace the VTM fluid as frequently as 15K miles unless you are towing or doing some heavy duty stuff, but normal wear and tear should be every 40K. then again have to check my manual.

ramirami · 06-11-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sblvro
i have to check the manual, you shouldn't replace the VTM fluid as frequently as 15K miles unless you are towing or doing some heavy duty stuff, but normal wear and tear should be every 40K. then again have to check my manual.

replace it every 30K miles except first time

MG Pilot · 06-11-2003, 04:24 PM

First time at 15k, second time at 30k, then at 60k. However, those of us that do the maint. ourselves, should do it every 15k. Your cost is about $11, including washers. $11 to me is worth doing every 15 k. Same goes for ATF as well. Every 15k people...use your brains!!! Waiting for 45k for normal use as suggested by the manual is suicide...

ramirami · 06-11-2003, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MG Pilot
Waiting for 45k for normal use as suggested by the manual is suicide...

and why is that

its actually 30K between changes

MG Pilot · 06-11-2003, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ramirami

and why is that

its actually 30K between changes

I meant 45k for the first transmission fluid change---

ramirami · 06-11-2003, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MG Pilot

I meant 45k for the first transmission fluid change---

I should read posts more closely

AlH · 06-13-2003, 07:50 PM

Just changed the fluid a few minutes ago, came out pretty clean with very little adhered to the magnet, just some black stuff, just like what sticks to the magnet in many auto transmission pans. It took right at 3 quarts. Have about 12,500 miles.
For those that had trouble finding a pump to fit the Honda container the Sta-Lube brand for regular diff oil fit perfectly, got mine at Pep Boys. And NO I did NOT change the "crush washers". I've reused them lots of times on my motorcycles and it isn't necessary to change them hardly at all unless you are heavy fisted and really crush them. In fact I've changed oil 4 times on the same washer and no leaks. Too bad Honda hasn't the class to give the buyer some, my Suzuki outboard came with a bag of crush washers.
Some of you guys fussing over the the first change at 15,000 need to look at your manual more carefully, it is 7500 miles for the FIRST change if you drive the severe cycle, the the SECOND is due at 15,000. It's every 15,000 after that if following the severe schedule.

MG Pilot · 06-16-2003, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlH

Some of you guys fussing over the the first change at 15,000 need to look at your manual more carefully, it is 7500 miles for the FIRST change if you drive the severe cycle, the the SECOND is due at 15,000. It's every 15,000 after that if following the severe schedule.

95% of people fall under the normal schedule...you must have been doing a lot of offroading and towing for you to justify a change at 7500 miles I guess.

ramirami · 06-16-2003, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MG Pilot

95% of people fall under the normal schedule...you must have been doing a lot of offroading and towing for you to justify a change at 7500 miles I guess.

yes for the VTM-4 they say follow nomal schedule (even if rest is severe) unless you do a lot of off-roading

AlH · 06-16-2003, 06:15 PM

My dealer, who isn't the greatest wealth of knowledge classifies city driving as severe, as does the manual. In fact just by living in the south, at least 3 months a year are severe, because they exceed 90deg. I think a whole lot more people are in that severe definition than commonly believed, probably more like 50% rather than 5%.
I virtually never let any vehicle I own go for the max mileage on any fluid change. So I plan on splitting the difference, or if I feel the trans or diff has been abused in some way it'll get an even earlier change. Fluid is cheap...parts aren't.

sagepearl · 07-03-2003, 02:36 PM

I went to the dealer yesterday to pick up an oil filter, and asked the parts sales guy about the VTM fluid. And I get this look like

So he looks at a table mat thats on the counter with all of the oil products and finds it. I told him I wanted to know what weight it was and if I could use synthetic. Again I get this look like

So he brings it out and its the size of anti freeze, A WHOLE GALLON! Is this the only way you can buy it? $25.00 bucks. I guess if you eventually will use it all.

Well I tried to look at the container for any clues as to its weight, no luck. I shook it and looked down the little clear line, and surprisingly its kind of thin oil. For those of you guys that changed it already, is it really thin?

AlH · 07-03-2003, 06:12 PM

You'll use most of the gallon on the change, I think mine took around 3 qts more or less. There is no substitute for the VTM4 fluid according to Honda. Wierd stuff was kinda like a thick ATF.

kemosabe · 07-03-2003, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sagepearl

[ S N I P P E D ]

So he brings it out and its the size of anti freeze, A WHOLE GALLON! Is this the only way you can buy it? $25.00 bucks. I guess if you eventually will use it all.

[ S N I P P E D ]

The Pilot Service Manual says that the VTM-4 differential fluid capacity is 2.64 liters (2.79 US quarts).

06-11-2003, 03:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
AlH Ancient Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SC Posts: 260 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Dealer clueless about VTM4 fluid Stopped by the dealer where we bought the Pilot to get some VTM4 fluid today. VT what? the parts guy sez. I explain it is the diff fluid for the Pilot. Ohhh....he sez then goes and stands in front of their oil storage shelves. I can see him looking puzzled. Then he asks another parts guy about it. Don't have it he sez, never needed it yet he sez. WHAT? Pilot's been out a year and nobody has had their diff fluid changed? I explain it is needed at 15k max, well he sez most people don't drive that much the average is 12k while giving me the "you must be from Mars look". I'm dumbfounded. I ask well what about the people that do? He then does some more checking and finds it "in the back". Then he sez...OH VTM4 fluid! I thought you said Vtenfour fluid, and he never heard of VTM4 fluid before today. Apparently he has so very little puzzle solving ability, he couldn't connect Pilot differential with VTM4 Vtenfour or whatever. This is exactly the reason I hope the dealer never has to touch our Pilot. I got it for $17. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX, 1996 Ford F350 Powerstroke Crew Cab 4x4, 2004 Suzuki DL1000, 2000 Suzuki SV-650, 1998 Honda XR400, 2000 Kawasaki KDX200, 2000 Dodge Durango(company car), 1997 Ford Taurus(son's college car), 1988 Mazda B2200(other son's first car), 1988 Camaro POS project car

06-11-2003, 03:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
MG Pilot Super Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minneapolis Suburbs Posts: 920 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've said it a hundred times...these dealers are dumber than ****!!! __________________ '03 Starlight Silver EX-L...Rear Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, All-Season Mats (Husky Liners In Front), Trailer Hitch, 3M Clear Nose Mask, K&N Performance Air and Oil Filters, Mobil1 5W-20 Oil, Sylvania Silver Star Bulbs, FS Spare, Michelin X Terrains, Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades, Amsoil ATF, Bosch Premium Oil Filters, Purolator PureONE Oil Filters, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Akebono Ceramic Pads, Brembo Rotors-

06-11-2003, 04:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
MG Pilot Super Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minneapolis Suburbs Posts: 920 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	First time at 15k, second time at 30k, then at 60k. However, those of us that do the maint. ourselves, should do it every 15k. Your cost is about $11, including washers. $11 to me is worth doing every 15 k. Same goes for ATF as well. Every 15k people...use your brains!!! Waiting for 45k for normal use as suggested by the manual is suicide... __________________ '03 Starlight Silver EX-L...Rear Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, All-Season Mats (Husky Liners In Front), Trailer Hitch, 3M Clear Nose Mask, K&N Performance Air and Oil Filters, Mobil1 5W-20 Oil, Sylvania Silver Star Bulbs, FS Spare, Michelin X Terrains, Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades, Amsoil ATF, Bosch Premium Oil Filters, Purolator PureONE Oil Filters, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Akebono Ceramic Pads, Brembo Rotors-

06-13-2003, 07:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
AlH Ancient Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SC Posts: 260 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just changed the fluid a few minutes ago, came out pretty clean with very little adhered to the magnet, just some black stuff, just like what sticks to the magnet in many auto transmission pans. It took right at 3 quarts. Have about 12,500 miles. For those that had trouble finding a pump to fit the Honda container the Sta-Lube brand for regular diff oil fit perfectly, got mine at Pep Boys. And NO I did NOT change the "crush washers". I've reused them lots of times on my motorcycles and it isn't necessary to change them hardly at all unless you are heavy fisted and really crush them. In fact I've changed oil 4 times on the same washer and no leaks. Too bad Honda hasn't the class to give the buyer some, my Suzuki outboard came with a bag of crush washers. Some of you guys fussing over the the first change at 15,000 need to look at your manual more carefully, it is 7500 miles for the FIRST change if you drive the severe cycle, the the SECOND is due at 15,000. It's every 15,000 after that if following the severe schedule. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX, 1996 Ford F350 Powerstroke Crew Cab 4x4, 2004 Suzuki DL1000, 2000 Suzuki SV-650, 1998 Honda XR400, 2000 Kawasaki KDX200, 2000 Dodge Durango(company car), 1997 Ford Taurus(son's college car), 1988 Mazda B2200(other son's first car), 1988 Camaro POS project car

06-16-2003, 06:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
AlH Ancient Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SC Posts: 260 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My dealer, who isn't the greatest wealth of knowledge classifies city driving as severe, as does the manual. In fact just by living in the south, at least 3 months a year are severe, because they exceed 90deg. I think a whole lot more people are in that severe definition than commonly believed, probably more like 50% rather than 5%. I virtually never let any vehicle I own go for the max mileage on any fluid change. So I plan on splitting the difference, or if I feel the trans or diff has been abused in some way it'll get an even earlier change. Fluid is cheap...parts aren't. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX, 1996 Ford F350 Powerstroke Crew Cab 4x4, 2004 Suzuki DL1000, 2000 Suzuki SV-650, 1998 Honda XR400, 2000 Kawasaki KDX200, 2000 Dodge Durango(company car), 1997 Ford Taurus(son's college car), 1988 Mazda B2200(other son's first car), 1988 Camaro POS project car

06-11-2003, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
sblvro Super Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: chicago&michigan&arkansas Posts: 2,043 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i have to check the manual, you shouldn't replace the VTM fluid as frequently as 15K miles unless you are towing or doing some heavy duty stuff, but normal wear and tear should be every 40K. then again have to check my manual.

07-03-2003, 02:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
sagepearl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hawaii Posts: 160 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Vtm by the gallon? I went to the dealer yesterday to pick up an oil filter, and asked the parts sales guy about the VTM fluid. And I get this look like So he looks at a table mat thats on the counter with all of the oil products and finds it. I told him I wanted to know what weight it was and if I could use synthetic. Again I get this look like So he brings it out and its the size of anti freeze, A WHOLE GALLON! Is this the only way you can buy it? $25.00 bucks. I guess if you eventually will use it all. Well I tried to look at the container for any clues as to its weight, no luck. I shook it and looked down the little clear line, and surprisingly its kind of thin oil. For those of you guys that changed it already, is it really thin?

07-03-2003, 06:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
AlH Ancient Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SC Posts: 260 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You'll use most of the gallon on the change, I think mine took around 3 qts more or less. There is no substitute for the VTM4 fluid according to Honda. Wierd stuff was kinda like a thick ATF. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX, 1996 Ford F350 Powerstroke Crew Cab 4x4, 2004 Suzuki DL1000, 2000 Suzuki SV-650, 1998 Honda XR400, 2000 Kawasaki KDX200, 2000 Dodge Durango(company car), 1997 Ford Taurus(son's college car), 1988 Mazda B2200(other son's first car), 1988 Camaro POS project car

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