How to Pick the Right Acura TL Rear Differential Fluid
You can change your Acura TL’s rear differential fluid at home if you have the right tools. You should change it every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
Written by Nick Kunze
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Replacing your Acura TL's rear differential fluid is important to your car's upkeep. If you don't change your fluid regularly, your rear axle will degrade at a fast rate.
It can feel like there are a million different components to car ownership—oil changes, tire rotations, and more. However, one aspect of car upkeep you can't neglect is changing your rear differential fluid—you'll want to get fresh fluid in your differential every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
What rear differential fluid should you use? And how do you put it in your car? You’ve got questions and
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The best Acura TL rear differential fluid
The Acura TL's top recommended rear differential fluid is
Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid
, or AWD Differential Fluid, Acura DPSF 0820-9007A. Acura makes this rear differential fluid specifically for their cars. Choosing this fluid will guarantee to keep your rear axle lubricated and your back wheels in motion.
What is rear differential fluid—and why does your Acura TL need it?
Rear differential fluid keeps your rear axle lubricated—this works to keep your back wheels spinning and moving freely. It also allows your wheels to rotate at different speeds, which helps with turning and off-roading.
Neglecting to change the rear differential fluid can impact your car's performance, and your rear axle will experience excessive and damaging wear and tear.
How often to change Acura TL rear differential fluid
You must change your Acura TL rear differential fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Sticking to this interval will keep your car working in top condition.
While most vehicles can make it to 50,000 miles before a fluid change, if you regularly go off-roading or deal with poor road conditions, you may need to get your fluid changed closer to 30,000 miles.
No matter how many miles its been since the last change, the following symptoms are usually a sign you need fresh rear differential fluid:
- A burning smell from the rear gearbox
- Whirring, howling, or straining noises
- Any unusual vibrations
How to change your Acura TL’s differential fluid
With the right equipment and a little patience, you can change your Acura TL’s differential fluid at home.
Before you get started, make sure you have access to the following supplies:
If you’ve got all of the above, it's time to get started. Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing your rear differential fluid.
- Jack up your Acura for easy access to the rear differential.
- Remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug. If it is stuck and you’ve already drained the rear differential fluid, you won’t be able to use your car.
- Remove the drain plug and let the old fluid drain into your drain pan.
- Replace the drain plug.
- Use your pump to fill the rear differential with fresh fluid.
- Replace the fill plug and bring your vehicle back to the ground.
With all that done, you’re good to go!
How to find affordable Acura insurance
Car ownership is associated with ongoing expenses, like any labor and material costs associated with changing your differential fluid. With this in mind, you should save money on car-related costs wherever possible. One easy way to save is to lower your
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