I've looked all over the forums but haven't been able to find the same problem. I was offroading (well sorta) for the first time in Squamish British Columbia about a month ago. I followed my friend in a Jeep YJ (2 inch lift, slightly bigger tires). He off course made it no problem. I had aired down to about 28 lbs on all four corners, I disengaged the VSA (just hit the button, no need to pull the fuse), shifted into D2 and hit the VTM lock. The climb into the mountains wasn't really steep but after about 15 minutes, the Trans overheating light came on. I was traveling about 30 kmh. I was hoping the overheat light came on only because I was traveling to fast with the VTM locked in. I gonna try it in D1 next time (or whatever gear is the lowest, and slow it right down). The vehicle has about 9000 km on her if that makes a difference. Slight tangent here, I saw a green Ridge up there parked and camping, but didn't want to intrude and say hello, they were parked next to another campsite where they were skining a bear, since they had guns I REALLY didn't want to intrude.

I'm going out again in a few weekends to Chilliwack BC, so I'd like to have this figured out before then. As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

I've looked all over the forums but haven't been able to find the same problem. I was offroading (well sorta) for the first time in Squamish British Columbia about a month ago. I followed my friend in a Jeep YJ (2 inch lift, slightly bigger tires). He off course made it no problem. I had aired down to about 28 lbs on all four corners, I disengaged the VSA (just hit the button, no need to pull the fuse), shifted into D2 and hit the VTM lock. The climb into the mountains wasn't really steep but after about 15 minutes, the Trans overheating light came on. I was traveling about 30 kmh. I was hoping the overheat light came on only because I was traveling to fast with the VTM locked in. I gonna try it in D1 next time (or whatever gear is the lowest, and slow it right down). The vehicle has about 9000 km on her if that makes a difference. Slight tangent here, I saw a green Ridge up there parked and camping, but didn't want to intrude and say hello, they were parked next to another campsite where they were skining a bear, since they had guns I REALLY didn't want to intrude.

I'm going out again in a few weekends to Chilliwack BC, so I'd like to have this figured out before then. As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Next time, place the transmission in D1 with the VTM-4 locked. In D2, you may have had the transmission working too hard due to the second gear ratio. In the mean time, have the transmission and rear differential fluids checked to see if they need to changed or if there may be an issue that needs further investigation.

Next time, place the transmission in D1 with the VTM-4 locked. In D2, you may have had the transmission working too hard due to the second gear ratio. In the mean time, have the transmission and rear differential fluids checked to see if they need to changed or if there may be an issue that needs further investigation.

Thanks for the reply, I never thought to have the fluid checked. I'll need to book an appointment.

I would question having the VTM4 lock on at all. It is not designed for continuous use. To quote from the owners manual, "If you become stuck, you can activate the VTM-4....This mode is only intended for intermittent use at low speed to free your vehicle if it becomes stuck or when you encounter a step grade with one wheel on a slippery surface. Generally you should first allow the auto mode to operate to adjust to the available traction conditions".

I would tend to think that an overheat condition from relatively slow speeds would be more a case of the torque converter not being locked up. Continuous slippage creates a TON of heat. Couple that with the fact that at low speeds you don't have the fast-moving air to cool the radiators (engine and trans) and it just seems ripe for an accumulation of heat. It would really boil down (pun intended) to how and when, exactly, the PCM is programmed by Honda to lock up the converter. This is the first time I have seen a post noting this condition, making me wonder if it isn't something with regards to your specific RL. Or maybe there are so very few of us follwing CJs up grades!! :D

A quick update. The tranny fluid was changed out and the dealership stated it was neither dirty, or boiled over. I have no idea how they figure out whether it was boiled over… I went out to Chilliwack BC this weekend around the Cultus lake area. Again following the same friend in his Jeep. I pushed the VSA button to “off” (29 lbs, hot pressure) and put her in D1, just like the previous replies stated. It didn’t overheat once. The old logging roads are mainly gravel with some mud and I couldn’t tell you the degree of incline but the vehicle didn’t slide once. It really was a fun time. I’ll try and post some pictures once I get them from my friend. I saw another Green Ridge up there. His was a lot cleaner or maybe green doesn’t show dust as much as black. Then I saw a fellow black Ridge in Aldergrove I think, his was clean like the showroom. It makes me smile every time I see another Ridge.

The main thing I learned is don’t drive it in VTM for long. Thanks all for your replies.

A quick update. The tranny fluid was changed out and the dealership stated it was neither dirty, or boiled over. I have no idea how they figure out whether it was boiled over… I went out to Chilliwack BC this weekend around the Cultus lake area. Again following the same friend in his Jeep. I pushed the VSA button to “off” (29 lbs, hot pressure) and put her in D1, just like the previous replies stated. It didn’t overheat once. The old logging roads are mainly gravel with some mud and I couldn’t tell you the degree of incline but the vehicle didn’t slide once. It really was a fun time. I’ll try and post some pictures once I get them from my friend. I saw another Green Ridge up there. His was a lot cleaner or maybe green doesn’t show dust as much as black. Then I saw a fellow black Ridge in Aldergrove I think, his was clean like the showroom. It makes me smile every time I see another Ridge.

The main thing I learned is don’t drive it in VTM for long. Thanks all for your replies.

Yes, you got it....put it in low and drive. Do not put it in 2nd and try to "off road". This has been noted in several threads where folks either tried to off road or climb a steep hill in 2nd and ended up having issues. If you put it in 2nd...The transmission does not start in 1st and then shift to 2nd. I starts in 2nd and stays in 2nd. If you are doing slow off-road crawling, put it in 1st and leave it in 1st.

If you put it in 2nd...The transmission does not start in 1st and then shift to 2nd. I starts in 2nd and stays in 2nd. If you are doing slow off-road crawling, put it in 1st and leave it in 1st.[/QUOTE]


I did not know that.....I thought the trans in 2nd, would go from 1st to 2nd and not past 2nd. In other words, the trans will only go up to the # selected. Thanks for the info.

As lingered mentioned, reading these posts, people seem to want to push that lock button too soon. When I climb, less than 1% of the time. I put the truck in 1st or 2nd, disable the VSA, and climb. Without issues. If the truck is not moving were I need it to go, I push the lock button. THEN, assuming that gets you going, turn the lock off. So nothing overheats. But what do I know?:D

I wish that Honda had never put a selection for 2nd gear on the PRNDL. The only thing that second gear is good for is causing a bunch of confusion.

I say this with the best intentions.

JUST SAY NO TO 2ND GEAR!! Friends don't let friends use it!!

2nd is used for starting a slippery conditions so not as much torque is applied to the wheels so spinning is less likely. It is very useful in the correct usage. If you don't read your owners manual and assume things stuff gets messed up.

If you look the selector says 1 2 D4 D5 with D3 used on the stalk button. Unless there is a D in front of the number that's what gear you'll be in.

I did not know that.....I thought the trans in 2nd, would go from 1st to 2nd and not past 2nd. In other words, the trans will only go up to the # selected. Thanks for the info.

No problem. I assumed the same as you. I found that out from reading many a post here at the ROC about 2nd on the RL...so I'm not as smart as you think I am. Well, I am...but...I "borrowed" somebody else's knowledge on 2nd gear on the RL.... :D

I was under the impression that VTM-Lock only works in D1 and automatically disengages above 18mph or so. Is this just the foggy memory of an old fart, or am I correct? Also, when the VTM-Lock is engaged, there is an additional light that comes on on the instrument display. Was that on?

My theory is that in D2, the VTM-Lock was not actually engaged, and the overheating was simply due to too low RPM's and expected transfer case slippage.

I was under the impression that VTM-Lock only works in D1 and automatically disengages above 18mph or so. Is this just the foggy memory of an old fart, or am I correct? Also, when the VTM-Lock is engaged, there is an additional light that comes on on the instrument display. Was that on?

My theory is that in D2, the VTM-Lock was not actually engaged, and the overheating was simply due to too low RPM's and expected transfer case slippage.


VTM-4 works in 1st, 2nd, and reverse. :)

2nd is used for starting a slippery conditions so not as much torque is applied to the wheels so spinning is less likely. It is very useful in the correct usage. If you don't read your owners manual and assume things stuff gets messed up.

If you look the selector says 1 2 D4 D5 with D3 used on the stalk button. Unless there is a D in front of the number that's what gear you'll be in.

Hey Mine doesn't have D4 !! Sure wish it did though