How to change Transfer Case Fluid on an Acura MDX

[@vrod1a]

Nicely done with very clear instructions, You are absolutely right about regular maintenance, I am still driving my 16 year old Ridgeline with zero problems.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Right on!

[@husnainkhan1861]

Much thanks! This is a lot easier than I thought and really like your approach. Engine coolant change video please. haha

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks. Glad you liked the video. More stuff coming. Just did a quick tranny fluid change today along with B1 maintenance. Posting those shortly. Need to do a brake fluid change and brake job soon and will capture those on video. Probably get around the a coolant system flush at some point as well so stay tuned.

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

Great video, ty for the time and effort, perfect detail on everything!! Im doing a 2016 RDX, same method. ty again..DSFP acura

[@enghaddock]

Thank you so much! You help me a lot doing this today! Helpful video.

[@RoughRidersTV]

You are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my channel. Have several other MDX videos as well and a couple more on the way.

[@joejoseph7697]

Very good video, very helpful. Many Thanks

[@RoughRidersTV]

You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

[@alexandredudin4563]

Thank you, it is a good video, well explained.

[@RoughRidersTV]

You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

[@inderveerbilling]

Great work keep it up👍

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks ✌️

[@magmag9999]

Excellent!

[@davidsteckley8846]

I personally use Redline in mine. In my 2007 MDX you can use red line ATF in the rear differential also. In the 2015 no. Do you have any idea what this Honda dual pump fluid is that they say to use now in the rear differential?

[@RoughRidersTV]

I don't know the chemical composition of it. I do know they require it on my 15 so I just get it from the dealer.

[@davidsteckley8846]

@@RoughRidersTV eneos makes a synthetic dpsf I found

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@davidsteckley8846 Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[@LoveToGoEverywhere]

Thanks for the DIY sharing. What are the correct sizes of crush washers? Are they both 20mm, or one 20mm and the other 18mm? Thanks!

[@RoughRidersTV]

Unfortunately, I don't remember and can't find my receipt. I think they were both 20 but I know on the rear differential 1 was an 18 and the other was a 20. It's probably best to call your local Acura Dealer and check with the parts counter to confirm. Sorry, I should have documented that in the video.

[@LoveToGoEverywhere]

​@@RoughRidersTV Thanks for reply. I just did my ATF, T-case and diff fluid swap on my 2015 MDX. All in all, I needed 3x 20mm, 2x 18mm crush washers. ATF needs 18mm, both drain & fill plugs on T-case needed 2x 20mm washers. Interestingly, differential needed 18mm for drain, 20mm for fill plug. Bought the crush washers from oemacuraparts.com, 18mm #90471-PX4-000($2.16/ea), 20mm #94109-20000($.70/ea). They're of the same material, smaller ones are 3 times more expensive than the larger ones, interesting pricing. Oh, found the ATF was pretty black, crush washer was way over-tightened, looks like never been serviced. On the other hand, T-case and diff fluids looked much better, washers barely have any dent, reused fill plug washers.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Great update. Thanks for sharing that info.

[@5thgen69]

Thanks for a great video. Do you have the part number of the Mobil 1 gear oil that you used? The dealership dose not sell it anymore.

[@RoughRidersTV]

It's just Mobil 1 75/90 synthetic gear oil. You should be able to find it at just about any auto parts store. Should be on the same aisle as their motor oil but on a different shelf. You can also find it online all over the place by searching for Mobil 1 Gear Oil. Hope that helps.

[@5thgen69]

Rough Riders Thanks. I’m looking forward to watching a video of you doing a coolant flush on the MDX.

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@5thgen69 Thanks. Yep, it's on my list, just need to find time to get it done. Also need to do the brakes and brake fluid change. will video all of it when I do them.

[@aapple5274]

I have 2003 Acura MDX Transfer case now 1/16/2024 I takes care of my truck and. See how this happens

[@almanu04]

What need to check if the shawd light comes on

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

I just tried to remove fill plug on front diff. NO WAY!! using alot of penetrating oil, let sit...coming back next week to try!! starting to round the inside of plug, yikes!! Going to get new plug from dealer before removing, ty again...and wish me luck!

[@RoughRidersTV]

Wow. You might try a light tap with a hammer on a socket extension. (not too hard so as not to crack the housing) but just a tap might break it free. Good luck.

[@MinhTran-ei5dp]

How often do you change the oil in the transfer case on the Mdx? Thank you. I like your videos

[@RoughRidersTV]

That should be specified in the owner's manual. However, it is usually at every 30K miles for most cars. That is about when i do it on my wife's MDX.

[@ProfessorX484]

two 20 crush washers or one 18 and one 20?

[@RoughRidersTV]

I don't recall, but it's time to do it again this coming weekend so I will check. I think for the transfer case they are both 20. I think the differential uses and 18 and 20.

[@Charkatak]

Is there a sharp edge and rounded one on the crush washer? Last time I did an oil change, I put sharp edge towards the oil pan.

[@RoughRidersTV]

These were rounded on both sides so the orientation of the washer did not matter. But yes, if it had a flat edge, I would put that on the pan side.

[@Charkatak]

@@RoughRidersTV I haven't changed differential and/or transfer case fluids yet. Do you think I would be greeted with rounded crush washers on both sides? I have 2nd gen RL

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@Charkatak Hard to say, depends on what Honda had in stock when they built the car or whomever changed the fluids last time. However, it doesn't really matter as long as you replace them with a crush washer when you do the change. It doesn't really matter if the crush washer you use is rounded or flat. As you probably know, the point of a crush washer is that it crushes (flattens out) as you torque down the bolt creating the seal in the process. So it doesn't matter what the starting shape is because it will get crushed anyway.

[@Charkatak]

@@RoughRidersTV That is true but I see that the engine oil crush washer looked like a sandwich meaning it had two different types of metal on each side. One was a bit more shiny and the other looked if like an aluminum

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@Charkatak I've never seen a mix. Mine have always been either aluminum or copper but never a mix of different materials.

[@samuelgarcia3087]

How many quarts did you use to refill ?

[@RoughRidersTV]

As I recall, it was just under 1 qt. However, you refer to the Owners Manual for the exact specifications for your vehicle.

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

It takes 1.7 qts, grab 2 qrts of DPSF DIFFRERNTIAL FLUID, Acura

[@johnreinhart8328]

How much fluid was needed ?

[@RoughRidersTV]

I don't recall the exact amount, it was less than 2 QTs as I recall. I always have to check the manual for the exact fluid amounts.

[@PR1M3L4B]

Always use OEM fluids. You can find them online cheaper than at the dealer.

[@RoughRidersTV]

I think it depends on what you are working on and what you are comfortable with using. For some stuff, there isn't a 3rd party equivalent. However, for others there are some great 3rd party fluids out there that do an excellent job of lubricating and keeping components cool. I have had great luck with Mobil 1 fluids for some of my vehicles but each person should use what they are most comfortable with using.

[@repairvehicle]

Stay away from oem unless you want to keep dealers in business repairing your transfer case.

[@hammertime4257]

​@@repairvehicleyeah that's great advice Not

[@repairvehicle]

@@hammertime4257, oem fluids are the lowest quality fluids money can buy. If you think I am wrong prove it with facts. I have facts, oil analysis reports for oem fluids and they all fail before 40k miles

[@ofcbob6391]

My 2016 MDX looks just like this 2015....same ZF 9 speed...but mine has NO dipstick, NO fill hole on topside? Is it because the 215's had AWD standard and mine is just FWD? Anyone?

[@RoughRidersTV]

No, the 15 has a 6 speed transmission, not the ZF 9. That ZF 9 is way more tempermental about proper fluid levels, operating temps, etc. It's why I chose the 15 instead of a 16 when I bought ours a few years back. As I understand it, there is a fill hole but it's under a bunch of stuff on the drivers side of the engine bay.

[@dig1035]

MDX, what year? I like that you tell us why you use 35 ft/lbs. Thanks and Thumbs up!

[@RoughRidersTV]

Mine is a 2015 but this process is basically the same from year to year. If you look on my YT channel, you will see I do almost the exact same process on my off road SxS which is 4WD. Different torque specs but the basic process is the same.

[@Abdullah__M__]

Hello please what the name the oil

[@RoughRidersTV]

I use Mobil 1 in all my vehicles but it's really up to you to decide what is best for your vehicle. Be sure to read the user manual for the specific oil weight/viscosity as each car has specific requirements.

[@Abdullah__M__]

Rough Riders thanks

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@Abdullah__M__ You can see the gear oil I used at the 1:12 mark in the video. This is a full synthetic blend.

[@LuvFORTUNEs]

👍🏽

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks for the thumbs up Jett. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@opichocal]

Where did you find what fluid to use and how much. I’m doing my transmission fluid on my 2014 RDX and not sure if the Honda atf-dw1 is the same as the Acura fluid. Thx

[@RoughRidersTV]

DW-1 is DW-1, the only difference between the Acura fluid and the Honda fluid is the label. For the amount, it should be in the specification section of your user manual for the car. It should have the amount for the transmission, transfer case and differential. For mine on the transmission, it was roughly3 to 3.5 quarts per drain/fill. Just get an old jug of some sort (preferably something you can see through) and Premark .5 quart intervals on the side. When you drain it, put it in the jug to determine how much you pulled out and then put that sam amount back in. You should be pretty close to the correct amount on your dipstick and then fine tune as necessary on the fluid amount. Be sure to measure the fluid at operating temp (drive the car around a bit) so that you are getting an accurate read. Transmission fluid expands as it heats up and therefore, will measure differently cold vs warm. For the transmission fluid, you should do it 3x (once per week) to get about 90% of the fluid changed. You will have a lot of fluid in the tranny fluid channels/chambers that won't get drained on the 1st go. This is why you do it 3x so that you get most of the old fluid out.

[@opichocal]

Rough Riders thanks for all the details. I ordered fluid from Amazon and plan to change it next week. Great job on all your videos!

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@@opichocal You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to ask away. The job is pretty easy with even the most basic set of tools. Good luck on your fluid change.

[@frazer9]

Do not use anti seize on threads unless you want it come loose and Leak ..... "Anti seize" just like the name says will stop the bolt from seizing in place ... USE THREAD SEALER ........

[@RoughRidersTV]

I've been using anti seize for 40 years of working on cars and have never had a problem.

[@Star-ty1nx]

@@RoughRidersTV When torque values are given it is always for a clean and dry screw (no grease). Also since the transfer case is made of aluminum and the drain plug steel, there is no risk of seizing. Also no need of using thread sealer as @frazer9 is suggesting, the crush washer will ensure a perfect seal.

[@justinyu7]

don't put ant-seize on those drain bolts.... and you should use Honda fluid for this...

[@RoughRidersTV]

For the front transfer case, you can use gear oil (it's documented in the user manual provided with the car as well as in the certified repair manual). If you are doing the differential, then yes, you want to use the honda/acura DPSF fluid as there is no alternative. As for Anti sieze, in 40 years of working on cars, I have never once had a drain bolt back out on me or cause any problems. I understand the concern but it's literally never happened to me over a 40+ year period of working on cars.

[@sithsiri]

careful using a torque wrench to break bolts; they're not really designed for that and the calibration could get all wack

[@RoughRidersTV]

Good point. Thanks for sharing