Ridgeline VTM-4 Explanation from Gary Flint

[Jet Pack]

Originally Posted by Pug

That is what spawned my question: "How does reducing the drive train to FWD help in deceleration?"

It doesn't help in deceleration! Only helps in fuel economy! When the gas pedal is released and during braking the truck goes into front wheel drive mode till you get back on the gas. Then 4 wheel drive engages if you need it.

[Pug]

Originally Posted by Jet Pack

It doesn't help in deceleration! Only helps in fuel economy! When the gas pedal is released and during braking the truck goes into front wheel drive mode till you get back on the gas. Then 4 wheel drive engages if you need it.

Exactly!!!!

[HH4]

I still think that operating in FWD mode will allow for more control in decelerating. I have a Honda Foreman ATV that originally operated in 4WD only. Applying either front or rear brakes caused braking force on both axles with no means to selectively apply the brakes to the front or rear only. After installing a kit that could disconnect the front drivshaft and allow the bike to operate as a rear wheel drive , I had the ability to apply front or rear brakes as needed. This allows for much greater control when braking and the same basic principle should apply to the RL.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by HH4

I still think that operating in FWD mode will allow for more control in decelerating. I have a Honda Foreman ATV that originally operated in 4WD only. Applying either front or rear brakes caused braking force on both axles with no means to selectively apply the brakes to the front or rear only. After installing a kit that could disconnect the front drivshaft and allow the bike to operate as a rear wheel drive , I had the ability to apply front or rear brakes as needed. This allows for much greater control when braking and the same basic principle should apply to the RL.

That was the point of my previous posts.

[Jet Pack]

Originally Posted by HH4

I still think that operating in FWD mode will allow for more control in decelerating. I have a Honda Foreman ATV that originally operated in 4WD only. Applying either front or rear brakes caused braking force on both axles with no means to selectively apply the brakes to the front or rear only. After installing a kit that could disconnect the front drivshaft and allow the bike to operate as a rear wheel drive , I had the ability to apply front or rear brakes as needed. This allows for much greater control when braking and the same basic principle should apply to the RL.

Not trying to be dificult, just trying to understand your point.
How does this logic apply to the RL if you can not apply front or rear brakes independently?
I've driven dirt bikes and trikes so I get what you say about your ATV, but if in our trucks, all 4 wheels are braking together and have 4 channel ABS on an auto trans. vehicle, where's the problem of control during deceleration?
Like I said, just trying to understand.

[Cajun Country Ridgeline]

Gary Flint's article was the best I have read to date.Thanks for posting it. It was very informative!

[HH4]

We operate one pedal for braking but doesn't the truck operate both front and rear brakes independently? I'm almost certain that the majority of braking force in an unloaded truck is provided by the front wheels. Doesn't ABS take this one step further and allow the truck to independently control not only front and rear but actually braking force at each individual wheel? The point I was making was that this individual control at each corner would be affected if all the wheels were connected through the drive train. I realize the RL brakes are are a far cry from the setup on the quad but the principle of having individual control at each corner, unaffected by the other wheels, just seems to make sense if you are trying to maintain maximum control during deceleration. Then again perhaps the ABS could accomplish this even in a truck with all the side axles locked together and operating as a single unit.

[Pug]

<in my best Desi Arnez voice... >
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"Garrrrry... you got some 'splainin' to doooo!"

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by HH4

We operate one pedal for braking but doesn't the truck operate both front and rear brakes independently? I'm almost certain that the majority of braking force in an unloaded truck is provided by the front wheels. Doesn't ABS take this one step further and allow the truck to independently control not only front and rear but actually braking force at each individual wheel? The point I was making was that this individual control at each corner would be affected if all the wheels were connected through the drive train. I realize the RL brakes are are a far cry from the setup on the quad but the principle of having individual control at each corner, unaffected by the other wheels, just seems to make sense if you are trying to maintain maximum control during deceleration. Then again perhaps the ABS could accomplish this even in a truck with all the side axles locked together and operating as a single unit.

If you remove the drivetrain torque from the rear wheels, their ability to maintain traction rises and allows for better performance. The ABS will release and reapply the breaking force to a wheel the starts to slide. If you add in extras like torque, side load (turning), or acceleration while breaking, the tires limited contact patch is taked with doing many things while trying to maintain traction. Remove the torque and turning, the breaking performance is that much better. SO shifting the FWD mode while breaking removes the drivetrain torque from the rear drive component from the breaking equation allowing for better stopping performance.

[Jet Pack]

Thank you HH4 & MikeT for your explanations. I do agree with you both (I believe you’re both saying the same thing using different words).
When I asked the question I forgot one important equation. EBD! It acts similar to independent front and rear braking.