Maintenance Minder - Rear Differential Service

[Jennings]

I have a 2007 Honda CR-V EX.

When I took it in to the Honda dealer recently for an oil/oil filter change, the service department indicated it was due for a rear differential service including changing the dual pump fluid ($45.00/labor - $9.78/dual pump fluid). The car had 9,985 miles, was exhibiting no problems and no maintenance minder was showing - "27 point inspection" performed as well.

I contacted Honda regarding the mileage they recommended for rear diff service on the 2007 CR-V and they were unable to tell me - it appears the maintenance minder (No. 6) will appear when this is necessary. (?)

Does anyone have any information? The brochure I received at the time I bought the car advised that the preferred (gold) service at 15,000 miles included rear differential service. Was this a dealer rip-off?

Thanks for any help.

[badgerland]

I was a little confused by the post, you had the oil changed but then said that no MMS message was showing. If that is the case, why did you have the oil changed? If it was on, what was the message that told you to get the oil changed, that is the key answer to you own question here. If you saw an "A1" ONLY, then yes, it was the dealer trying to get more money from you.

JM2C

[Jennings]

Originally Posted by badgerland

I was a little confused by the post, you had the oil changed but then said that no MMS message was showing. If that is the case, why did you have the oil changed? If it was on, what was the message that told you to get the oil changed, that is the key answer to you own question here. If you saw an "A1" ONLY, then yes, it was the dealer trying to get more money from you.

JM2C

Dear Badgerland:

Sorry I wasn't clear on my previous post. When I bought the car in May 2007, the Honda dealer provided me with four free oil/oil filter changes to be performed within the first year. I have had this done twice both times at 50 percent oil life left (approximately 5,000 miles each time) and have never seen a MM message. I recently read the owner's manual and apparently I should have waited for the MM to pop up. I would like to contact the service department and inquire as to why this rear diff service was recommended but was attempting to ascertain the recommended mileage for this service beforehand.

Thank you for your response.

['Curly Q Links']

Whatever conclusions you come to . . . Change the rear differential fluid EARLY.

SEARCH through the dozens of threads about 'dual pump' fluid. Then you'll be an informed owner.

[vhercules]

Firstly you do not have to change oil so frequently. It is best to wait for the maintainence minder, typically I have seen and heard people changing oil only around 10k miles ... of course this could vary but changing oil with 50% remaining makes no sense.
Changing rear differential fluid with only around 9k miles seems strange. I would take it to another dealer to check and make sure.

[Jennings]

To vhercules and 'Curly Que Links':

Thank you both for your responses - I agree - changing the oil at 50% oil life makes "no sense" ... With my 2002 CRV- I typically changed the oil every 7,000 miles but apparently my thinking with the 2007 was to use up those free oil/oil filter changes within the first year of ownership before they expired.
I typically put 20,000 miles annually on my vehicle.

I will diligently search "dual pump fluid" posts and hope I obtain some information as to the validity of changing the dual pump fluid at 9,985 miles.

-J

[erniep]

Beven had to have the entire rear diff changed out . . . he did well for himself on it, but I think he had to work to get them to cover it. I don't recall the story exactly, my son was disappearing while he was telling it to me . . . so the details didn't exactly sink in

Where are you located? I can show you where the plugs are *GRIN* Inside joke, check the NEMC Fall Foliage 2007 thread to get the inside joke

-Ernie

[badgerland]

Originally Posted by Jennings

I will diligently search "dual pump fluid" posts and hope I obtain some information as to the validity of changing the dual pump fluid at 9,985 miles.

-J

My rear differential started making a noise around 15,000 and the dealership changed the fluid out under warranty and the noise went away immediately. You might have a case to complain to the management if there was no evidence of noise...and they charged you for this.

[mdugan7000]

At least they charged a reasonable amount. $45 for labor is probably 1/2 hour at the dealer.

[vhercules]

Originally Posted by Jennings

To vhercules and 'Curly Que Links':

I will diligently search "dual pump fluid" posts and hope I obtain some information as to the validity of changing the dual pump fluid at 9,985 miles.

-J

If you are not noticing any problems then changing the fluid so soon does not seem right. I would take it to another dealer to make sure you are not getting scammed