How to change Honda VTM-4 Rear Axle Differential Fluid Oil in a Ridgeline or Pilot

Changing the rear end VTM-4 fluid in a 2007 Honda Ridgeline. #honda #ridgeline #pilot #VTM-4

[@TheScubacamper]

Starting with fill plug: sounds like the voice of experience, and that tip alone makes this video worth the price of admission. :)

[@gregs_garage]

correct.

[@lucasquezada7513]

I love the "tight but not too tight." Gonna give it a go now.

[@pkdude5334]

that's an exact torque spec that I've used many times

[@avowedindependent3934]

Thanks for taking out time to make the video and help others.

[@reecewouters1445]

Very clear and informative.

[@solomonking5097]

Thanks for making this video buddy and stay aafe during this Pandemic....

[@downeastoutdoors8713]

So squeeze the fluid in until it starts to run out of the fill plug? Great video very informative 👏 👍

[@gregs_garage]

Correct. Yes the bottom of the fill plug is the right level

[@downeastoutdoors8713]

@@gregs_garage Thank you Greg! Much appreciated

[@erastuserazade9785]

Very smooth technique and smooth tutoring Cheers mate ! 🤙🏾.

[@pawekozowski3081]

Bardzo dobry film

[@kenyasims9771]

Thanks for the video my VTM-4 light is on do you think this will help it? I have a 2003 Honda Pilot

[@gregs_garage]

I'm not sure what triggers the VTM light. But this oil needs to be changed regardless of VTM fault. It is regular maintenance on these.

[@stevekeller8876]

awesome video!

[@garychambers5930]

One thing that I do that he didn't is spray it all down with carb ,break ,or some sort of parts cleaner It'll get it nice and clean and help tell if ya have a leak

[@gregs_garage]

I wash it with a pressure washer.

[@miltonRT]

hello good evening I have a 2004 acura mdx it does not turn off the vmt-4 stays on it has a vmt-lock design button I press and nothing happens the VSA is on it does not turn off it stays on

[@4HisGlory07]

Great clear video thanks. A few nights ago while coming home pulling a small 16 foot travel trailer my VTM-4 light and a engine symbol came on. Before I saw your video I watched another one where are the guy had the same problem and he change the vtm switch. And then change the oil. Is there a way to know if the vtm switch is bad or do you think ice just need to change the oil? I’ve had my all for pilotAnd put on about 40,000 miles. It has 154k now. I subscribe to your videos and I really truly appreciate your video and your reply if you are able. I have been afraid that there’s something very serious wrong with my car and so it just sits for two days and I really can’t afford to take it to Honda and have them play with it and charge me zillions of dollars

[@gregs_garage]

You need to change the VTM-4 oil regardless. Change it and see what happens. The switch or something else may also be wrong, but change the oil anyway. You need to change the VTM-4 oil every 40,000 miles or so, at most. I change mine every 40,000 kms. It's cheap maintenance.

[@4HisGlory07]

Greg's Garage Thank you very much. Will order the fluid now and hope that turns the light off. If not, the sensor next ?

[@gregs_garage]

@@4HisGlory07 worth a try. not sure if you have to reset the light. check the ridgeline forums. I've never had a light on my truck. It's like new with nearly 200,000

[@angelpatino7152]

Did your vtm-4 light ever turn off when you the changed the vtm-4 oil?

[@Mr49rell]

@@4HisGlory07 did it turn off ?

[@ubFortnite]

Thank you for your video. I wanted to know when the oil is changed does the vtm-4 light on the dashboard come off or do I need to reset it? Thank you

[@gregs_garage]

I've never had the VTM light come on. I don't think it is connected to the maintenance minder... but I don't know!?

[@davekingsley966]

Nice video

[@CarmenRodriguez-bx9tx]

Hi I recently changed this exactly how you showed because my light was on so now my VSA ⚠️ light came on any thoughts please Thanks

[@gregs_garage]

did you use VTM-4? fill to the hole about 3 quarts?

[@CarmenRodriguez-bx9tx]

Greg's Garage yes purchased at Honda dealer even replaced both rings

[@gregs_garage]

@@CarmenRodriguez-bx9tx the rings don't matter. I wonder how long the old fluid was in there. Maybe the new fluid woke up a sensor!

[@milehighboost5521]

Might be a faulty sensor as well. I would change out that $50 part at the same time as you do the change just in case before you start chasing other potential issues. Remember our vehicles are getting older to the point random sensors could start failing.

[@anglegrinder4630]

@@milehighboost5521 funny not funny how they all go at the same time,and if you fix them all you will get a p0175 code like me which leads to doing the dreaded valve adjustment ,or it could be just your knock not tripping enough air..

[@edgarduque9172]

Noice!!

[@edwardarsiaga3569]

Can u add limited slip

[@gregs_garage]

no

[@s.benedetto2147]

What method do you suggest to remove the differential fill plug when the previous dealer gorilla tightened it or used an impact wrench and you can't budge it with a breaker bar and a pipe extension?

[@trevorneufeld5038]

add heat? Tap gently, liquid wrench, repeat, try tighten and loosen both (gently back and forth)

[@garychambers5930]

I had the same issue It only has to be torque to 33 lb Damn Honda tech!!! I will do it myself from now on

[@jtjunya4756]

Give the 3/8ths extension a few raps with a hammer….not real hard though….typically the shock will free it up enough to wrench off more easily. Not hard, I repeat 😊

[@gregs_garage]

See my corvette transmission video where I tried everything then finally used an electric impact which broke it free. I have no idea why people over tighten plugs

[@s.benedetto2147]

@@gregs_garage Those that do this over torquing stuff are too lazy and careless to do it right.

[@anglegrinder4630]

Does this fix vtm4 light?or is it the oil sensor that seems to NOT EXIST

[@gregs_garage]

it may!? I've never had a VTM light because I maintain the trans oil

[@gregreitan3634]

An alternative to VTM-4 in my opinion is BG Syncro Shift 2, Amalie Universal Synthetic ATF, Valvoline SYN Guard ATF ES, or an ATF designed for a diesel truck. They have a slightly higher viscosity than regular ATF. Don't forget to change the gear oil in the transfer case aka ptu unit, that takes 75w90 or higher! A suction gun is another easy way to put the fluid back in.

[@gregs_garage]

I don't know if I would risk anything but VTM-4.

[@boomerguy9935]

Honda is very specific about which fluid to use in the rear diff. I use alternate full-syn fluids in my Honda manual and auto trannies but I ahven't found any alternate fluids that I would use in the transfer case and rear diff.

[@gregs_garage]

@@boomerguy9935 in Honda's I run all OEM fluids from the dealer. It's no more expensive and why guess? Honda MT probably doesn't matter but the others are sensitive

[@orlandodizo5097]

You must remove the fill plug all the way so the oil will flow flowingly!!!

[@gregs_garage]

I'm skeptical that it matters. all the oil flows out as far as I can tell (except what is in the torque converter of course)

[@lanabouma4423]

My VTM-4 light came on the dashboard but I didn't turn on the switch. I'm just wondering if you know why the light would come on by itself? When I went to see if the switch was touched by mistake the switch light wasn't on so I pushed it to see if it would go on so I could turn it off but it never did come on. The dashboard VTM-4 light stayed on.

[@gregs_garage]

have you ever changed the VTM fluid?

[@lanabouma4423]

@@gregs_garage Now that I watched your video I will change the VTM fluid. I never knew about it till now. Thank you for your video.

[@gregs_garage]

@@lanabouma4423 you're welcome. VTM fluid needs to be changed periodically. Like I do it maybe every 3 oil changes.

[@jtjunya4756]

That light doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with the differential….the computer will sometimes disengage the rear wheel drive if there’s an engine issue too…which will then turn on that light.

[@Cowboys-state]

lol smart idea

[@imagehunter1]

How come its so much rust under your Ridgeline 🤔🤔🤔

[@gregs_garage]

cold climate

[@imagehunter1]

@@gregs_garage …so in winter they use salt to melt the snow…you should spray with undercoating paint…i live in florida and always undercoat my vehicles every 6 months and they never rust like that…i enjoy your videos, thanks 👍🏼

[@gregs_garage]

@@imagehunter1 thanks. The climate is harsh here. There is no paint that can stop it. Not as bad as the rust belt though, where a 2007 vehicle would be dissolved by now.

[@mouachang874]

Tightened it to torque specs. Cranks it tight and no torque 🤣

[@gregs_garage]

= no leaks and no stripped threads. torque specs are for head gaskets and bearing caps!

[@brandonmacdonald7802]

@@gregs_garage Honda engineers, what do they even know right?

[@jtjunya4756]

Sir, that washer is a “crush” washer, it crushes/compresses a bit to both provide a complete seal and also allows for tightening adequately into an aluminum housing with less risk of over tightening and damaging the threads. This type of washer is never, ever, ever, ever to be re-used a second time, never mind what seems you’ve said is now its third. Please if you can, edit this video so people aren’t being misinformed….though an innocent mistake, this can and will cause people harm. Do it. This is a big blunder.

[@gregs_garage]

Disagree. I’ve rarely replaced these Honda washers and NEVER leaked a drop. I Re-use them. People can form their own opinions.

[@jtjunya4756]

@@gregs_garage this isn’t a debate or an exchange of opinionated ideas….it is a fact that those washers are designed for single use only and saying otherwise while providing instruction as a professional is misinformation. To double down rather than admitting to an innocent mistake now removes its innocence. Ah…. The joys of the Internet. 🙄

[@gregs_garage]

@@jtjunya4756 Yes replace crush washers if you can. I know they are meant to be replaced. I'm saying I rarely replace them and they have never leaked a drop on any of my Hondas. I have never seen a re-used crush washer leak and there is little risk of me over-tightening as they don't need to be very tight. Just my experience. I don't recommend anyone do any of this work. It's merely a demonstration video of my experience. Yes replace crush washers if you can.