I bought a 2021 Honda Ridgeline brand new currently has 12k miles on it. I bought it rather than a Tacoma or a Tundra because the Tacoma was too small, and the Tundra was too big. I want to make sure it lasts as long as possible, so I already bought a module to disable the auto stop/start feature as soon as the engine starts, but I'm reading about how VCM has impacted Honda engines in the past, so I wonder if I should I disable it on my 2021 Honda or do you think Honda has resolved the issue? As I'm sure you know it's the 3.5 V6 AWD which is the only option in that truck.
I disable stop/start every time I get in mine, but OP was asking about the AFM, or cylinder deactivation.
I have not heard of Honda having a lot of issues with their system. You have to understand though that any system they have will be LEAGUES ahead of GM.
My 2021 Ridgeline just ticked over 20k miles and I haven't done anything to it except put in an AEM dry air filter and change out the cabin filter once. Other than that, just oil changes and tire rotations. I'm hoping to get a good, long life out of it and I'm sure you want the same from yours. I won't be doing anything to mine for the deactivation, but that's just me.
Yes.
YES!
There should be an on/off button on or near your shifter. That's my preferred method because of warranty concerns with using an aftermarket device and because I'm too cheap to buy an OBD2 plug in when I already have a button.
OP is talking about disabling cylinder deactivation (what Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management or VCM), not auto start/stop. There is no way to disable that without an aftermarket device or software flash.
Sorry, May be I misunderstood. I thought they were asking about disabling auto stop/start but were referring to VCM improvements as a possible reason not to.
It’s not a problem, generally, to deactivate auto start-stop. In fact, many vehicles come stock with a button that does just that, though you usually have to hit it every time you start the engine.
HOWEVER, talk to your dealer first, and see if that voids your warranty. Also, if you can, talk to other people who have installed the module (not just reviews on the website where you bought it) to see what problems and install issues they had.
If I imagine I'm in your shoes, I'm about 50/50 split on whether or not to do it.
Even though it's a Honda, I still don't like the technology they are using to save a tiny amount of gas.
I found the following site:
I took a look at that site. Firstly, they are talking about 2013 and older VCT problems. Secondly, I don't like the overall way they present their case. Thirdly, anyone who says "easily removable to prevent warranty issues" is a liar. When you alter the programming on a vehicle, that data is logged into the ECU. Pulling out the dongle will not erase those changes in the parameters. It is easy to tell that the tuning has been tampered with by any tech worth his salt. I wouldn't recommend purchasing their product unless you don't mind losing your warranty. *Disclaimer: I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it works. Also, there's nothing wrong with posting a link like this one to help others. I just wanted to give a heads up on some of the issues I saw on their site, as well as some insight to my experience with similar devices.*
I was hoping you would respond.
I made a guess that the person posing the question had already researched buying a tune from a third party, so I randomly selected one myself.
My 50/50 is now 100% DO NOT ALTER the tuning for the Ridgeline. The "fix" is too risky, and losing the warranty would be very expensive.
Actually my dad has a 2007 Honda Odyssey with 150,000 miles. His vehicle does have VCM. He didn't disable the VCM but it treated him decent. I would disable it just to be safe. VCM is obviously better than any other manufactures' cylinder deactivation system.
