How often does PTU fluid actually need to be changed? 2015 Honda CRV AWD

[TheReal_DW]

I’ve seen it being said you never have to change PTU fluid in this vehicle, same with others like the 2020 Trax Service manual. I don’t believe in lifetime fluid, and wanted advice if I want to get the most life out of this vehicle… It shudders a bit at stops and I don’t want to deal with it anymore. What fluid intervals for this vehicle? I don’t want to rely on solely the maintenance minder as I’ve learned there is more to maintenance than oil changes.

The rear differential and PTU fluid and CVT fluid haven’t been changed as far as I know in all 155,000 miles for context

 

[Nukeman7]

The Dual Pump fluid for the rear differential and the CVT fluid should be changed every every 30,000 to 50,000 miles based upon severe duty or normal duty service. At 155,000 miles, you are way, way, way overdue.

Honda Dual Pump II fluid for the rear differential

Honda HCF-2 fluid for the CVT

 

[Snagglefoot]

Are you planning to do it yourself? My Honda Pilot holds a 1/2 quart. The tough part is the plugs are recessed square drives and might be tight. See if you can get it up on four ramps. You’ll be crawling around. Always undo the fill plug first. Mine looked good but I don’t know when it was done last. No scary sludge monster stories.

 

[TheReal_DW]

The Dual Pump fluid for the rear differential and the CVT fluid should be changed every every 30,000 to 50,000 miles based upon severe duty or normal duty service. At 155,000 miles, you are way, way, way overdue.

Honda Dual Pump II fluid for the rear differential

Honda HCF-2 fluid for the CVT

Does the PTU and CVT use the same fluid for this vehicle? I’m getting mixed signals from a few forums. I don’t wanna buy Hypoid oil if the vehicle doesn’t need it

 

[Nukeman7]

Watch these videos first:

 

[martinq]

Are there magnets on the drain plugs? ... are there drain plugs?!?

I would definitely do three drains on those units and then again after a year. Add magnets if you can.

 

[Nukeman7]

Are there magnets on the drain plugs? ... are there drain plugs?!?

I would definitely do three drains on those units and then again after a year. Add magnets if you can.

Both of the drain plugs have a protruding magnetic tip as shown at the 3 min. mark in the first video. That has been a standard Honda design since the early 90's.

 

[TheReal_DW]

Both of the drain plugs have a protruding magnetic tip as shown at the 3 min. mark in the first video. That has been a standard Honda design since the early 90's.

Is there a serviceable PTU on these or does it use the same fluid as the cvt?

 

[Nukeman7]

Is there a serviceable PTU on these or does it use the same fluid as the cvt?

Unlike 4WD trucks, there is no "PTU" on Hondas. The RealTime AWD uses the Dual Pump technology; hence you need to change the rear differential with Dual Pump II fluid and the CVT with HCF-2 fluid. There are no compatible aftermarket fluids...just buy a few quarts from your local Honda dealer and be done with it.

 

[bdc101]

Isn't there a "PTU" or rather just a transfer case that bolts onto the CVT and doesn't share fluid on these hondas? Or is that just the J35 AWD units? Basically a right-angle drive which turns the rear driveshaft (but has no center differential).

I'm not an expert but I believe my stupid Acura has one.

 

[I<3oil]

Unlike 4WD trucks, there is no "PTU" on Hondas. The RealTime AWD uses the Dual Pump technology; hence you need to change the rear differential with Dual Pump II fluid and the CVT with HCF-2 fluid. There are no compatible aftermarket fluids...just buy a few quarts from your local Honda dealer and be done with it.

There are certainly compatible aftermarket fluids for HCF-2. Amsoil and HPL both make CVT fluid that covers it.

 

[Nukeman7]

Isn't there a "PTU" or rather just a transfer case that bolts onto the CVT and doesn't share fluid on these hondas? Or is that just the J35 AWD units? Basically a right-angle drive which turns the rear driveshaft (but has no center differential).

I'm not an expert but I believe my stupid Acura has one.

I'm not familiar with the J35 AWD systems, but here are the details for the OP's CR-V's RealTime AWD system.

Honda CR-V AWD

 

[bdc101]

I'm not familiar with the J35 AWD systems, but here are the details for the OP's CR-V's RealTime AWD system.

Honda CR-V AWD

That link just seems to talk about the rear differential.

If you navigate to the previous article in that link, it will take you to the "Transfer Assembly" which is the right-angle drive that connects to the transmission. The front driveshaft must be continuously powered by the transfer assembly in order for the Dual Pump system to work. So it's just a plain old right-angle drive with no differential, which makes sense because it doesn't need a differential. (That function is filled by the dual pump clutches.)

I love ebay for this stuff because you can look up junkyard parts and they have a ton of pictures. I think this part is what we're talking about, and I don't see any separate drain or fill plugs on it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/157726087054

This part basically takes power off the front differential, and converts a FWD transaxle to AWD. I don't know if "PTU" or "transfer case" would be the correct term. Any FWD-based AWD car will usually have something like this though (except Subaru).

However, I think this part on the J35 cars have their own fluid, because I have seen the drain and fill plugs.

https://www.crvclub.ru/manuals/CR-V-2_manual_eng/manual_uk_shop/group14e.htm#221569

 

[Nukeman7]

That link just seems to talk about the rear differential.

If you navigate to the previous article in that link, it will take you to the "Transfer Assembly" which is the right-angle drive that connects to the transmission. The front driveshaft must be continuously powered by the transfer assembly in order for the Dual Pump system to work. So it's just a plain old right-angle drive with no differential, which makes sense because it doesn't need a differential. (That function is filled by the dual pump clutches.)

I love ebay for this stuff because you can look up junkyard parts and they have a ton of pictures. I think this part is what we're talking about, and I don't see any separate drain or fill plugs on it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/157726087054

This part basically takes power off the front differential, and converts a FWD transaxle to AWD. I don't know if "PTU" or "transfer case" would be the correct term. Any FWD-based AWD car will usually have something like this though (except Subaru).

However, I think this part on the J35 cars have their own fluid, because I have seen the drain and fill plugs.

https://www.crvclub.ru/manuals/CR-V-2_manual_eng/manual_uk_shop/group14e.htm#221569

^^^^Very helpful information...glad to learn something new every day from this great BITOG community!

 

[dlundblad]

I’ve sited this before, but I asked the same thing about the PTU in my dad’s Taurus SHO. The Chevy could be different?

A guy chimed in either with a link or him saying his Explorer (same platform at the time) had the track package which entailed cooler lines to the PTU as well as a drain and fill plug. The unit took a 75w140 gear oil and after 10k miles, the gear oil was shot per a UOA.

Dad’s SHO didn’t have the track package. I could hardly get my hands to it and feel the fill plug. He traded it in back in 2022 with ~65k miles. If it was more serviceable, I probably would have bought it. 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and AWD.