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Rear Differential Fluid Change

39K views 69 replies 15 participants last post by  Icedogg23  
#1 ·
Hello all,
I took my 2019 Pilot today to the dealer where I purchased it for the maintenance minder B16 service. After I left, I noticed on my receipt that for the differential oil they used was something called “Syncro Shift 75W80” fluid and not the recommended Dual Pump II differential fluid shown in the owner’s manual. I did a little research and found that the Syncro Shift fluid is made by a company called BG out of Wichita, Kansas. I also called the service manager and talked to him about it, and he proceeded to tell me this brand fluid was better than the recommended DPII Honda fluid. He assured me that it wouldn’t void any warranties etc., but I’m not sure what to think. Has this situation happened to anyone else in this group? Should I specify on my next change to use only Honda fluids etc?? Thanks in advance.
 
#4 ·
I would ask to have it in writing on dealership letter head, signed by the service manager and dealer owner, that you still have warranty through Honda using non approved fluid. If Honda knows there was non approved fluid, they will deny warranty. One of our customers had to pay for a 9 speed trans, because he found a "better" fluid, and torched the trans while towing his boat.
 
#7 ·
That does ease my mind showing it’s compatible, here is a picture of my dealer receipt (that my handwriting referring to what they used) Why should I have to be questioning the products my selling dealer would be using?! I just assumed they’d use Honda owner’s manual spec fluids! I was gonna do this service myself since I’m on vacation this week, and I have all the stuff needed, but didn’t feel like it since it’s been in the 90*’s all this week, I guess that’s what I get...
137550
 
#9 ·
I'd take it back and have them put the correct fluid in it. It may be fine at that dealer but if you ever have a warranty problem and you aren't at that dealer they could look at the different fluid and deny any assistance based off of that. Plus the rear differential fluid isn't really a debated subject. Everyone just uses the Honda fluid. I've never even heard of using a different fluid.
 
#10 ·
Compatible IS NOT the same thing as Approved or Licensed!

Valvoline Max Life transmission fluid says it is recommended for use in the Honda 9 speed transmission which Honda says to use a 3.1 fluid. Of course, Valvoline is the one saying it is recommended, not Honda! Appears that BG is saying the same thing for their fluid, not Honda. You would be putting in an unapproved transmission fluid which does not carry a Honda license.

Have a problem with the transmission down the road after using an unapproved product, see how your warranty could very easily be denied for not using the proper product.

BG products are sold by many dealerships of all makes because it is a BIGGER profit maker than the other fluids they could sell.

I would make sure that fluid was removed, the rear differential flushed with a Honda approved product, and then filled with he proper product.

And just what is a BG Supercharged Roadside (may be other words that didn't copy in your picture) on the repair ticket you posted??????
 
#11 ·
I don't know about in the rear diff in place of dual pump. I can tell you that in my old Corolla stick shift, after MANY different factory and aftermarket gear lube changes, Syncroshift II kept me from doing a rebuild and tranny shifted better at 200k than my Sonata new. It was recommended to me by a BMW top tech because BMW recommended it in any of their cars that had slight synchro issues. The BG44k works awesome for injector cleaning (at least in pre direct injection). I had a trusted mechanic (and ASE trainer that helped write ASE tests) recommend and use BG to get rid of carbon in a Ford Explorer. The before and after borescope was amazing.

Only issue I ever had was when Toyota used the ATC+ in my Sequoia. It made for a soft delayed shift that felt like slipping to me when towing. I had them flush that and go back to factory T-IV, but still use the other BG products to this day.

If future warranty is a concern, definitely have DEALER change back and note it on the service orders what was done. After warranty then I'd have no issue partially that the dealer was OK using it.. The DPF that came out my kids CRV was gross. Not sure when it was done prior if ever. I bought my BG stuff from local Infiniti dealer as they used for all their services. It was cheaper from them than on line.
 
#12 ·
I don't know about in the rear diff in place of dual pump. I can tell you that in my old Corolla stick shift, after MANY different factory and aftermarket gear lube changes, Syncroshift II kept me from doing a rebuild and tranny shifted better at 200k than my Sonata new. It was recommended to me by a BMW top tech because BMW recommended it in any of their cars that had slight synchro issues. The BG44k works awesome for injector cleaning (at least in pre direct injection). I had a trusted mechanic (and ASE trainer that helped write ASE tests) recommend and use BG to get rid of carbon in a Ford Explorer. The before and after borescope was amazing.

Only issue I ever had was when Toyota used the ATC+ in my Sequoia. It made for a soft delayed shift that felt like slipping to me when towing. I had them flush that and go back to factory T-IV, but still use the other BG products to this day.

If future warranty is a concern, definitely have DEALER change back and note it on the service orders what was done. After warranty then I'd have no issue partially that the dealer was OK using it.. The DPF that came out my kids CRV was gross. Not sure when it was done prior if ever. I bought my BG stuff from local Infiniti dealer as they used for all their services. It was cheaper from them than on line.
Did you change the tranny fluid in the corolla? The dealer that the op goes to probably used the fluid that they used instead of the Honda fluid probably because it was cheaper. You probably changed your fluid to the other one because it’ll last longer. Why would the dealer choose for you what’s better and what isn’t?
 
#13 ·
I have NEVER heard of an alternate fluid to VTM or Dual Pump fluids... very interesting, I may need to do more research on the fluid. Our rear diffs are pretty complicated little buggers so I am hesitant to use something not blessed by Honda and I find it a little odd that a Honda dealer is pushing anything other than Honda fluids... some will push Quaker or whatever oil they can get cheap but that's the farthest I've seen them go.
 
#15 ·
Update...After calling 5 other area Honda Service Departments and inquiring about the fluids they use for the differential service and being told all use the DPII fluid, I then called the Service Manager where I had my service done yesterday and told him my warranty concerns etc., I asked, and he agreed, with a stand offish attitude, to revert and do the fluid change out using the Honda DPII fluid which I then went right over and had it done this morning. What bothers me most is that they don’t tell you upfront that they don’t use the Honda DPII fluid, nor does the service writer know this is their practice, but tells me when I called back yesterday that Syncro Shift is a Honda’s fluid. I like this dealership, but going forward I will have to clarify what they are to be using. ☹
 
#16 ·
Update...After calling 5 other area Honda Service Departments and inquiring about the fluids they use for the differential service and being told all use the DPII fluid, I then called the Service Manager where I had my service done yesterday and told him my warranty concerns etc., I asked, and he agreed, with a stand offish attitude, to revert and do the fluid change out using the Honda DPII fluid which I then went right over and had it done this morning. What bothers me most is that they don’t tell you upfront that they don’t use the Honda DPII fluid, nor does the service writer know this is their practice, but tells me when I called back yesterday that Syncro Shift is a Honda’s fluid. I like this dealership, but going forward I will have to clarify what they are to be using. ☹
I still find the fluid awfully intriguing... almost no other manufacturers claim to meet Honda VTM or DPII fluid. I'm open to using a fluid that is superior (if it is actually superior) but I would need to see a lot of hard evidence first.
 
#23 ·
I'll bet the dealer would charge you a heck of a lot more for two differential fluid changes. Your cost for one so far was $21 dollars and some time. You should have enough left over for another change down the road. That $21 is pretty much equivalent to a weeks worth of Starbucks for most people and will do a whole lot more for a whole lot longer than one of those fancy Starbucks drinks.
 
#30 ·
That's definitely not correct. The Pilot used to take VTM-4 fluid, back when the AWD system was called VTM-4 and used a slightly different technology in the rear differential. I think that applies to Gen 1 and Gen 2 (through 2015).

The Gen 3 Pilots with the iVTM-4 system (2016 and up) use Dual Pump System Fluid (or DPSF) in the rear differential housing.
 
#32 ·
And as always a PSA.....remove the fill plug BEFORE you remove the drain, just in case fill doesn't come loose.

And if you get 1 quart of Honda HGO-1 you can do the front transfer case/differential 2x. It takes less than 1/2 quart. Other versions will work also but it's only 1 bottle.
 
#38 ·
I just bought 3 quarts of this from the dealer who said that the rear differential In my 19 pilot takes 3 quarts I look at the manual says 3.3 quarts so I’m hoping being .3 quarts low might not be a bad thing

also is dpf2 the same as dpsf2 ?
If not I’ll have to return it and get the correct fluid again
 

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#39 ·
Same fluid just referenced differently at times due to long name. Dealer is confusing Transmission drain and fill (that takes 3.3qt) with the rear differential at just shy of 2qts.
 
#41 ·
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#44 · (Edited)
I'd need to look for links/posts here for others. On my picture linked for the HGO-1 for front transfer it lists 32 lbf-ft for both fill and drain using a new washer.

LINK to Ridgeline owners club that has a download for torque specs for Ridgeline. Basically all the same stuff as Pilot but an open seating third row :D .

Rear Differential 35 lbf-ft for both with new washers.
Transmission drain plug is either 36 lbf-ft for 6 speed or 26 lbf-ft if 9 speed all with new crush washers.

Update your profile/signature so it shows what trim level you have and location if you hover over the flag. Recommendations may vary pending trims and where you live (snow/cold, high heat etc.)
 
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#45 ·
Good thing you kept the 3rd quart. Book says 1.92 qts, both of mine needed a little more than 2 quarts to get to the full mark per the factory instructions.
 

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#51 ·
I have been using Maxlife in my 6speed for almost two years now and it seems to be holding up better than DW1. You will notice that the shifting is slightly firmer with Maxlife especially the downshifts but they will be a lot smoother after you install the SVCM. After 2 years with Maxlife, I don't even notice the difference now and appreciate how much better a full synthetic fluid stands up.
 
#52 ·
The only reason I'm staying with DW-1 and more changes is that I do have the Hondacare for 8-120.

It's a tough choice as I know that the synthetic would be better but if something happens I'd hate to be denied coverage. After the warranty then I probably will switch to something. Pending other maintenance concerns and coverage between now and then it might just be a trade in before warranty ends.
 
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