[jimbomaybe]

The maintenance minder on my Honda CRV AWD tells me to change the differential fluid, a $220. Job at the dealer. Thinking to save a few bucks I bought two QTs of Honda Dual pump fluid ll, considerably more expensive than the generic. I called the Valvoline drive through oil change at 17500 US441, Mount Dora FL 32757,confirmed that they did not sell the Honda product, that would bring my own gear oil . The differential holds 1.32 US quarts I asked for my empty and the second bottle with remaining oil and bottle returned to me no problem.
Unless you confirm that the bottle of fluid is a sealed manufactures product before the tech get it and the bottle and fluid never leaves you sight before it goes into your car you cannot be sure what went into your car. If you bring your own fluid put an identifying mark somewhere on the bottle and get it back. In my case the differential case holds about 1 ½ of q US QT of fluid, by getting the half full bottle back I could use it for the next fluid change.
When I arrived, 3/4/25 I explained both techs I talked to that I wanted the empty and the half empty bottles back, no problem.
After the work is “completed” I ask for the empty and the half-filled bottles. I get some nonsense about being in the drain rack,. Where is the half-filled bottle?” I used that to flush the case”, HUH? This was something new to me, why would you flush the case? How could you do that with ½ a Qt with 1 ½ case just poring it one hole and out another without moving the VEH? I drove around the block and returned, the tech was on his break, I waited until he returned going over this again to be sure of what was said, at the end of this the Tech gives me “Honda Dual pump ll Fluid” bottle that he told me was new but wasn’t one of mine with, you guessed it had a damaged / broken seal containing who knows what.
Now I don’t know what was put in my car, in fact I cannot be sure anything was done so what to do?, take it to the dealer for the $200. Diff oil change, I recently moved and do not have the where with all to do it myself as of yet. Another nice touch is the “guest information has my name right but nothing else, invoice: 82672, I guess if Valvoline checks up on the service it will go to a friendly source.

[Battlebasset]

Sorry you had that experience. I did the same thing with a BMW about 20 years ago. They let me watch, so I knew my product was going in.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by Battlebasset

Sorry you had that experience. I did the same thing with a BMW about 20 years ago. They let me watch, so I knew my product was going in.

Traded in a 2008 Honda CRV, 110,000 miles loved the car, took such good care of it It wouldn't have surprised me if it followed me home when I traded it in . No other maintenance than oil , filters, tiers, brakes and starter. Love the new one, technology is a wonderful thing , high cost of dealer work is the only fly in the ointment, you pay for the reliability, oh well. Once I get my ducks in a row most work will take place in my garage

[CoachKandSportsguy]

yep, I take it to the dealer, and even then I don't trust them either.

Had a dealer use 5 quarts of engine oil for a 6 quart oil change.

Never went back to that dealership again, who also had the owners successfully prosecuted for fraud. .

I've had other incomplete or skipped maintenance from independents. . it's tough but it's worth the effort to find a service location which won't bs you, and you have to appear knowledgable . . . read a bunch of motor gear head sites, and you will slowly learn enough to appear informed.

I had a tire repair shop try to sell me extra tires, and I gave him a very technical explanation about tire wear, just from reading web pages over and over again. . . he shut up. .

[retiredguy123]

I would have saved $220 and not done anything. The only oil I ever change is the motor oil.

[JoelJohnson]

We had a 2008 Honda CRV (with 160k) and LOVED it! Our daughter needed a car so we got a 2024 CRV EXL and LOVE IT! Been getting an oil change every 4-5 thousand miles at the dealer. Got a recall notice for the gear box, brought it and only took 1 1/2 hours. (Got an oil change at the same time). Only 18,000+ miles so far. Will change the CVT fluid at 60,000. Online it says to use 91 octane. That sounds excessive, but, with direct injection the top of the values don't get cleaned like they used to. The higher octane from Shell and Sonoco have been proven to help keep the values cleaner. But then we will only be using the car for about 5k a year from now on, so the price of gas and oil changes, etc is not a big deal. If this car goes as far as the last one, it just might out last me!

[Ecuadog]

Can anyone recommend a shop where you know that you can bring your own fluids and trust them to do the right thing?

[MrFlorida]

Dealerships are ripoffs , worse than private garages. Never changed the differential fluid in any of my cars.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Dealerships are ripoffs , worse than private garages. Never changed the differential fluid in any of my cars.

I understand your point , but the rear differential in the Honda AWD CRV is somewhat more complicated than your normal rear wheel drive differential in order to work properly

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe

The maintenance minder on my Honda CRV AWD tells me to change the differential fluid, a $220. Job at the dealer. Thinking to save a few bucks I bought two QTs of Honda Dual pump fluid ll, considerably more expensive than the generic. I called the Valvoline drive through oil change at 17500 US441, Mount Dora FL 32757,confirmed that they did not sell the Honda product, that would bring my own gear oil . The differential holds 1.32 US quarts I asked for my empty and the second bottle with remaining oil and bottle returned to me no problem.
Unless you confirm that the bottle of fluid is a sealed manufactures product before the tech get it and the bottle and fluid never leaves you sight before it goes into your car you cannot be sure what went into your car. If you bring your own fluid put an identifying mark somewhere on the bottle and get it back. In my case the differential case holds about 1 ½ of q US QT of fluid, by getting the half full bottle back I could use it for the next fluid change.
When I arrived, 3/4/25 I explained both techs I talked to that I wanted the empty and the half empty bottles back, no problem.
After the work is “completed” I ask for the empty and the half-filled bottles. I get some nonsense about being in the drain rack,. Where is the half-filled bottle?” I used that to flush the case”, HUH? This was something new to me, why would you flush the case? How could you do that with ½ a Qt with 1 ½ case just poring it one hole and out another without moving the VEH? I drove around the block and returned, the tech was on his break, I waited until he returned going over this again to be sure of what was said, at the end of this the Tech gives me “Honda Dual pump ll Fluid” bottle that he told me was new but wasn’t one of mine with, you guessed it had a damaged / broken seal containing who knows what.
Now I don’t know what was put in my car, in fact I cannot be sure anything was done so what to do?, take it to the dealer for the $200. Diff oil change, I recently moved and do not have the where with all to do it myself as of yet. Another nice touch is the “guest information has my name right but nothing else, invoice: 82672, I guess if Valvoline checks up on the service it will go to a friendly source.

Been better it you would have went to trusted recommended shop (plenty recommended on here) and not 5 min oil changers. Or just bit the bullet and when to dealer? But that still no guarantee they do it right? I found that out then I got here with my Accord oil change. They couldn’t even do that correctly (over filled by quart, didn’t even follow up by checking oil level afterwards) since then I changed all my fluids myself being s I am still able to do it.

I don’t understand why you went all way to Mt. Dora?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Dealerships are ripoffs , worse than private garages. Never changed the differential fluid in any of my cars.

Yep follow that advice. But most don’t keep vehicles long enough anyway.

Well if you don’t keep it very long no need to it be next owner problem? some of us keep car for 10 years or more and know when fluids require changing. My accord 12 years old and I could probably drive it to Alaska and back without even adding quart of oil.

[Stu from NYC]

My camry tells me to use synthetic oil.

Few years ago went to our usual service station for changing oil and filter. Get the bill back and much cheaper than it should be.

Went back to the office and was told they decided to save me money with regular oil.

Looked at him like he had two heads and never went back.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

My camry tells me to use synthetic oil.

Few years ago went to our usual service station for changing oil and filter. Get the bill back and much cheaper than it should be.

Went back to the office and was told they decided to save me money with regular oil.

Looked at him like he had two heads and never went back.

Hopefully you didn’t wait long to re change it with correct oil?

[retiredguy123]

Vehicle maintenance is too expensive and too much of a hassle. I change the motor oil, tires, brakes, and wiper blades. And, if something breaks, I get it repaired. I don't do anything else, regardless of what the manual says.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Vehicle maintenance is too expensive and too much of a hassle. I change the motor oil, tires, brakes, and wiper blades. And, if something breaks, I get it repaired. I don't do anything else, regardless of what the manual says.

I would like to commend you in your proper spelling of "breaks" and "brakes". It is rare these days.