I just bought a 1998 CR-V. The owner's manual, and the Chilton manual I have for it say to use CVT fluid in the differential but, in a pinch, Mercon III may be used but replace it with the CVT ASAP. Since this is long before Honda started using CVT transmissions, I'm assuming it has nothing to do with them. From the stench, it's obvious that what is in there now is some sort of gear oil. A Google search of the topic gives me numerous options, though what looks like it might be the most promising is dual pump fluid. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks.

 

What? That is a garbage manual!

The rear end uses Honda's Dual Pump Fluid II.

 

So what you are saying is that the official Honda 1998 CR-V manual is a garbage manual, and that Honda had no idea what fluid they were using in their CR-V differentials in 1998? RIF

 

Hey look at that, learned something new today. Seems the dual pump rear end predates the dual pump fluid. The correct fluid today for the dual pump rear end is the Dual Pump II fluid.

 

It does say CVT fluid in the manual. I don't even know what CVT was used in Hondas in 1998. Now Honda only recommends Honda dual pump fluid.

 

It was the CVT fluid which had me scratching my head. Although the CVT was invented and first used in automobiles in 1879, from what I've read, Honda didn't start using CVT transmissions until 2013, in the Accord, and didn't use them in the CR-V until 2015.

 

2000 on the CVT's in the Insight. Then again in the 2003 Civic Hybrid and every hybrid after.

Yeah I had to open up my copy of the factory service manual as well. Never paid any attention to it, has always been dual pump fluid to me.