FYI – i incorrectly state the bolt torque – it should be 33 ft-lbs, not 33 lbs per sq inch or foot π
How to Change Acura MDX/Honda Pilot VTM 4 Differential Fluid
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I’ve done my 05 Pilot twice already. There’s no way to describe how easy
this is. and the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself is priceless.
Now if the cabin air filter was this simple (not impossible but Damn!) you
will require a couple extra beers.
great vid!!!!! when should this be changed?
Isn’t ATF Z-1 a discontinued transmission fluid from honda? i don’t think
you want to put that in the differential. i would call your honda dealer
and check.
sure thing – i’m no mechanic and i think with the video you can see how
really easy this is. its not so much what the dealership charges for this,
it is the time to take the car in and just wait π
Wow thank you so much for posting this, I also checked out your Ridgeline
video $ealership wants $300 dollars to do this. About how long does it take?
thank you very much you just save me a trip to the dealer and $85.00 go
piloteers
Thanks again. You’re awesome. So what if I’m too cheap to buy a torque gun,
no problem right? π
Thanks for getting back to me. So any recommendation for the torque wrench
I should get?
nice work! stay thirsty my friend
well it is but that’s what’s available even at the Honda dealer in Nigeria
and have searched every other dealer shops that i can get such but its not
available at all except the AT Z-1
i have heard what a pain those cabin air filters are. I sold both of my
pilots before they got to 50k miles so i never actually changed them. I
wonder if it is worth the hassle? π
Great video! Just did mine today.
I’m hoping to buy one good torque wrench that will let me do this job as
well as when changing a spare.
Once you get all the right tools it is very similar to changing your oil.
(maybe a wee bit slower since you have to hand pump the VTM back in) I
highly recommend getting that torque gun – i couldn’t break the bolts loose
from their factory settings the first time i tried.
LOL i actually tried this without a torque gun and i couldn’t break the
bolts loose. i don’t think i paid more than $40 for mine. they are totally
worth it. i use mine to remove the drain plug on the oil, switch lawn mower
blades, etc.
Hi. For a 2006 Pilot, what mileage should I do this? I’m at 68k. Thanks.
you’re welcome hope it all went well – it makes it really easy to sell your
honda pilot when someone asks you “well how do i know the maintenance was
done on this vehicle” and you can now make your own video and show them the
youtube link π
sweet! i would get the VTM fluid at the dealer and if you find a cool tech,
they may give you a discounted price. it is funny but if you tell them you
are doing it yourself sometimes i have had them discount it.
Very cool – great explanation. I have the fluid ready, crush washers, pump,
torque wrench and Cerveza del Pacifico now heading to the garage to take
this project on. Thanks for empowering fellow Pilot owners.
no problem – sold the pilots so i now have a couple of 2012 mdxs – will
post videos of those fluid/oil changes soon!
Hi MorganAndMegan thanks a lot for the video its so educative but can i use
an ATF Z-1 for my rear differential on my 2003 pilot because i cant seem to
get the VTM-4 oil where i reside
where you buy the oil pump i need one
@cory8791 LOL great question. honda dealerships say between 15K and 30K and
I have done mine around that 15K mark, but i might say the fluid comes out
looking super clean. No other car I owned has such short duration for the
VTM. Wonder if it is poor engineering? fluid that breaks down too easy? or
just a weird quirk with honda?
I believe it is recommended to change every 50k.
the torque wrench i got is just from sears – i think it is a craftsman. as
long as you don’t overtighten i’m sure you’re fine. i think it was $30 or
so. the torque gun to take the bolts off was from wal-mart.
for light duty, anything you find at a Wal-Mart, O’Reily Auto Part or
Autozone is going to be just fine. i would recommend you use the torque gun
to take the bolts off, but ALWAYS hand torque the bolts back on
autozone, o’reilly or checkers auto should all have them. Wal-Mart may –
just depends on your area
Great video. Thank you for taking the time to document this and walk us
through the process. I really appreciate it.
thanks for the reply bro. can you pm me a recommendation for which torque
wrench to use? thanks!
honda says you’re suppose to do it every 15k and while i have done that i
think it is overkill.