ODD CVT+DIFF Fluid change on high mileage 2015 CRV

[TheReal_DW]

Carfax shows that no transmission or differential fluid changes were performed, however I found some stuff that contradicts this. The car drain and fills 4.5qts of HCF-2 CVT fluid, and 1.3qt DPF2 Differential fluid. The car was sold to a new owner at 72k

Story: 156,000 mile 2015 Honda CRV experiencing shuddering and vibration in Drive when stopped at a stoplight. Hasn’t had any transmission or differential services since purchased according to the owner.

When I drained the transmission fluid, the drain plug was extremely tight, much more than 36ft/lb that is specced. Then 5 quarts came out. Smelled like proper old HCF-2 fluid, not burnt. Okay… I went to drain the rear differential and the fluid was dark purple? It was properly leveled but DPF2 is brownish.

The shudder improved slightly, but isn’t gone. They will come back for a couple more fluid changes to fully dilute the old fluid.

Why was the differential fluid purple?

 

[GSCJR]

Could it be that a red lot of DPFII was used? Which turned dark purple while in service?

 

[danstraylee]

It's the brand of fluid being used. I imagine it was Royal Purple gear oil instead of dual pump fluid that is required. Won't hurt anything though. Plenty of consumers use standard gear oil in the Honda diff's with no ill effects.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

The 180k and 118k original dpf out of the our 2002 crv and a coworkers 2016 hrv were both a very dark purple just like yours shown. The 3 bottles of dpfII used to fill the were red in color.
The honda transmission bolts are also known to get very tight if they have not been opened for awhile.

 

[The Critic]

The honda transmission bolts are also known to get very tight if they have not been opened for awhile.

They're always very tight, even when properly torqued.