The 2023 Honda Pilot only has 6,300 miles on it. Today, it gave me a code A16. From what I understand that means an oil change, tire rotation and rear differential fluid change. What a rear diff fluid change at 6,300 miles??? What's even more crazy is that the rear diff is not cover under Honda's 3-year free maintenance coverage. I have a maintenance light showing a wrench, but the dealer WON'T CHANGE THE OIL UNTIL IT REACHES 6,500. SO, WHY IS THE PILOT SHOWING THE WRENCH REMINDER TO CHANGE THE OIL, ROTATE THE TIRES AND CHANGE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. I read on the Pilot Forum that the rear diff fluid only needs
to be changed at 15,000 miles. I am confused and disgusted!
The 2023 Honda Pilot only has 6,300 miles on it. Today, it gave me a code A16. From what I understand that means an oil change, tire rotation and rear differential fluid change. What a rear diff fluid change at 6,300 miles??? What's even more crazy is that the rear diff is not cover under Honda's 3-year free maintenance coverage. I have a maintenance light showing a wrench, but the dealer WON'T CHANGE THE OIL UNTIL IT REACHES 6,500. SO, WHY IS THE PILOT SHOWING THE WRENCH REMINDER TO CHANGE THE OIL, ROTATE THE TIRES AND CHANGE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. I read on the Pilot Forum that the rear diff fluid only needs to be changed at 15,000 miles.
Here's an explanation of Honda's maintenance-minder
The first recommended maintenance starts at 7500 miles. Additional recommended services are at 15K, 30K and 60K. The first rear differential service is recommended at 60K miles. If you have a '6' in your alert code, it's an alert to service the rear differential. (AWD model). That's not right and the dealership needs to remedy it for you.
Sounds like the dealership is willing to give an oil change a bit early at 6500 miles.. earlier than 7500 miles. But you can and should change the oil whenever you like, preferable every 5K miles. FWIW, All dealerships tend to 'recommend' oil change intervals that are too infrequent.
That seems really early for diff fluid.
Unless you’ve been driving your car like mad.
It could also be that the rear diff needs a “break-in” fluid change, similar to “break-in” oil changes in the past.
These are just guesses.
