I had a 2001 CR-V that had quite the appetite for differential fluid. It seemed to go through a change of fluid about once a year or so (10-15K miles). It would start with squealing in tight turns, and when the AWD kicked in. If you let it go for a few more weeks, it would be awful squealling in EVERY turn.

Over at hondasuv.com, it seemed that this is a regular problem for RT4WD, even though it's supposed to last 60K.

Have folks had similar problems with Elements, particularly late model ones, or are the issues fairly well ironed out at this point?

People seem to be replacing their diff fluid between 35000 and 50000 miles on average...

At about 48000, I had "shuddering" when in tight slow speed turns going up hill. Changed tires early and had alignment checked. No change in problem. Do not trust dealer.
Discovered this website and fixed problem with Honda Fluid and a pump from Many, mo, and Bro. $21 and 30 min work. Love these folks!

My car had the same symptoms-- started squealing on turns uphill, then it felt like the underside of Element would start vibrating on turns. Only on turns. I took it to the dealer and they immediately diagnosed it. The repairman said Elements are being brought in as early as 15,000 miles with this problem, but some as late as 60,000 miles. He also said my differential fluid was replaced with a fluid that was a different color from the stuff that came out, prompting him to question whether Honda changed the makeup of the differential fluid recently.

I've an '01 V with 120k miles that's had two fluid changes at scheduled intervals. No diff dilemmas, albeit the RT system hasn't seen much active use. I'll keep an ear open -- lots o' hills and tight corners in this town...

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

We really need a STICKY on this issue.:x

I'm at 65,000 miles and have had the vibrations on slow speed turns for a while (no squeal that I've noticed). Today I bought the Dual Pump lube at Honda ($11.95 a quart:mad:) and had my guy change it out for $20. Vibration seems to be gone.8-)

.... He also said my differential fluid was replaced with a fluid that was a different color from the stuff that came out, prompting him to question whether Honda changed the makeup of the differential fluid recently.

Your dealer should have known (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=496911&postcount=43)that there is a new Dual Pump Flid replacement. Old and new types shouldn't be mixed...but new is ok to use in older cars.

Will

Your dealer should have known (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=496911&postcount=43)that there is a new Dual Pump Flid replacement. Old and new types shouldn't be mixed...but new is ok to use in older cars.

Will

Here's an update to the link you provided. (note the completely compatible part)

Here's an update to the link you provided. (note the completely compatible part)


The link I posted (old) shows that they are not "compatable"....as in they should not be mixed. It does say you can use the newer fluid in the older cars, which is what really matters in most cases.

The diff only uses 1.1qts .....I still figure why mix 'em....just buy all one type.

Will

I am at the dealership as we speak having the fluid replaced. I also experienced the vibration in the steering wheel and the humming in the rear end when parking or turning. I have 65K
I was told by the Service Manager at Honda that they like to change it every 30K but when I got here the girl who registered me, said 15K.
Go figure. :rolleyes:
I'm just amazed that with all the technology of today, this seems to be in a backwards direction. Cost = $89.00
But thanks to this website, I am not sitting going crazy thinking that the dealership is ripping me off.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL:D

I work with a lady that has a 2006 CRV and I have a 2004 Element, she has around 40,000 miles on hers and asked me about the humming, I test drove and for her it was horrible, told her that it was probably the diff fluid needed checking, I also had a little hum at 95,000 miles but it wasn't that bad. She went and had hers done at the dealership($100.00), they told her every 20,000 miles. I went and bought the fluid and had my local oil change shop do it, they only charged me $10.00 to change and refill. The humming has stopped, I think I got away a little cheaper with the same results. I have also noticed a little bit better performance and gas mileage.

This has been a hot topic over at the CRV-OC. As Honda Tech noted in an earlier post, according to the 1997 through 2006 CRV owners manuals, the rear differential fluid had a 90,000 mile normal, 60,000 severe service change interval. The common wisdom for the older CR-Vs was to change at 30,000 miles. However some owners of the 05 through 07 CR-Vs have experienced noise at lower mileages. There is a TSB out for changing to fluid on 2002 to 2007 CR-Vs for moaning problems. Note this is for the CR-V, not the Element.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A07-024.PDF

As Honda Tech noted, on the 2007 CR-Vs with the Maintenance Minder it appears that the subcode 6 for changing the rear differential fluid is appearing at the second oil change--somewhere around 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

I don't know this for a fact, but my understanding is the the CR-V and Element use similar if not exactly the same AWD systems so it would seem that our experiece at the CRV-OC should apply to the Element as well.

The issue with the new fluid verses the old fluid was from the Honda ServiceNews. In the June 2007 issue, Honda announced the Dual Pump Fluid II and mistakenly claimed that it could not be mixed with the original fluid. In the July 07 issue they reversed the claim. Here is the link and text on the new Dual Pump Fluid II from the July 07 Honda Service News page 4.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/A070700.PDF

(to see June, change the A070700 to A070600 in the above link)

New Dual Pump Fluid Is Here!
Currently Applies To: All models with Real-Time 4WD

EDITOR’S NOTE: In a June ’07 article, we told you
that Dual Pump Fluid II isn’t compatible with Dual
Pump Fluid. We were wrong. Make sure you discard
any hard copies you made of that article and use this
article instead.
Meet the new kid in town! It’s Honda Genuine Dual
Pump Fluid II (P/N 08200-9007, H/C 8632044). This
fluid is the factory fill for all ’08 CR-Vs and Elements,
but it’s completely backwards-compatible with all ’07
and earlier models that use the original Honda
Genuine Dual Pump Fluid (P/N 08200-9002,
H/C 6512644).Dual Pump Fluid II—like the original Dual Pump
Fluid—offers these benefits:
• It meets Honda’s stringent quality standards
• It’s resistant to high-temperature breakdown
• It was developed in association with Honda R&D
Each Honda dealership was recently sent a case of
this new brew to accommodate the mid-June release
of the ’08 Element. If you need more, you can order it
from Honda parts stock. If you’re servicing ’07 and
earlier models, keep ordering and using the original
Dual Pump Fluid until Honda parts stock runs out
of it.

HandA has the fluid available for $7.68 a quart.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementmaint.html

Two things to note:

1. You must use the Honda Fluid.

2. On the CR-V, some owners have noted difficulty removing the fill plug due to overtorquing at the factory. Before draining your rear differential, make sure you can get the fill plug out.

Only recently have I noticed the vibration from the rear-end along with lower gas mileage -- it has been driving me crazy! Today I resolved to check here for an explanation, and I wasn't disappointed. This is the second 'fix' I have found here, you all are great.