Well, for their part, Chrysler/ Dodge has always had great powertrain engineerso. They've had a few hiccups, but far fewer than Ford/GM/Chevy. I think the legendary 426 Race Hemi probably helped attract a following of good powertrain engineers.
Honda cylinder deactivation management
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I will be installing 'VMC Muzzler II' (google it or search for it on the piloteers forums) on my '17 RL as soon as i get it. It disables VCM completely and so it runs like a regular v6 at all times. I doubt VCM would cause any real issues to begin with, but i personally prefer all 6 cylinders going at all times so i don't even have to think about it 
That do anything to the Honda warranty?I will be installing 'VMC Muzzler II' (google it or search for it on the piloteers forums) on my '17 RL as soon as i get it. It disables VCM completely and so it runs like a regular v6 at all times. I doubt VCM would cause any real issues to begin with, but i personally prefer all 6 cylinders going at all times so i don't even have to think about it
Our "Joe" agrees with you he answered this question I posted in another thread see it here.http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/138-second-generation-2017/132890-why-no-locking-tailgat
So I feel that I, and yourself, and I am sure many others are in good company regarding this subject.
Unfortunately the link I provided does not get the job done csimo or Joe answered in the "why no locking tailgate" thread at the bottom of the page on page two.
Too good not to copy/paste Csimo's informed comment:
"I will say that I did talk to a Honda powertrain engineer on this issue off the record. His words were that it's an "oil burner and that's why we increased the oil capacity". There wasn't much about it he liked other than the system was much improved from the previous 3 mode VCM.
It's a necessary EPA evil. No, EPA doesn't require it, but Honda needs VCM to hit their CAFE goals.
So in reality I would expect that you will use more oil, and the overall engine life is not quite as good. The MM is based on 10,000 mile oil changes under optimum conditions and at 10,000 miles you'll probably be a quart low on oil... and that will be considered "normal". Since the oil capacity increased there should be no problems in that respect. On the "dead" bank during VCM operation the spark plugs keep firing to keep the plugs hot, but both valves are disabled and the fuel injection turned off.
So the old trick of coasting down a long hill in Neutral will result in increased fuel consumption since the eedngine must keep the three active cylinders firing at idle vs. if in Drive the fuel injectors are turned off completely... no fuel being fed to the engine at all.
It's really a lot more complicated than my simple explanation... but again a "necessary evil". Buy the VCM disable cable and take the hit on fuel economy... I would.
The good news is that there's a cable that de-activates VCM. If I were to buy a G2 Ridgeline I'd put that cable on ASAP. Just remember to remove it before taking it to a dealer for repairs."
"I will say that I did talk to a Honda powertrain engineer on this issue off the record. His words were that it's an "oil burner and that's why we increased the oil capacity". There wasn't much about it he liked other than the system was much improved from the previous 3 mode VCM.
It's a necessary EPA evil. No, EPA doesn't require it, but Honda needs VCM to hit their CAFE goals.
So in reality I would expect that you will use more oil, and the overall engine life is not quite as good. The MM is based on 10,000 mile oil changes under optimum conditions and at 10,000 miles you'll probably be a quart low on oil... and that will be considered "normal". Since the oil capacity increased there should be no problems in that respect. On the "dead" bank during VCM operation the spark plugs keep firing to keep the plugs hot, but both valves are disabled and the fuel injection turned off.
So the old trick of coasting down a long hill in Neutral will result in increased fuel consumption since the eedngine must keep the three active cylinders firing at idle vs. if in Drive the fuel injectors are turned off completely... no fuel being fed to the engine at all.
It's really a lot more complicated than my simple explanation... but again a "necessary evil". Buy the VCM disable cable and take the hit on fuel economy... I would.
The good news is that there's a cable that de-activates VCM. If I were to buy a G2 Ridgeline I'd put that cable on ASAP. Just remember to remove it before taking it to a dealer for repairs."
That is well and good, but the system is still there. I don't know if it's susceptible to rodent damage (chewing wires, etc.) but I have to wonder about unintended consequences when "stuff" happens.
IIRC, the system can also disable oil flow to various components, based on operational parameters.
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The VCM Muzzler II doesn't change the normal function of the engine at all.. from my understanding everything is as it would be, in effect eliminates VCM and leaves everything else to function as it normally would.
People who have installed it have nothing but great things to say, better instant acceleration, no lag, less wear/tear on engine mounts, etc.
Here's a video to show how simple and easy it is to plug in/out.
Im not trying to advertise for the guy, i dont even know him and haven't used one yet so all i know is what ive read but im getting one as soon as i have my G2
People who have installed it have nothing but great things to say, better instant acceleration, no lag, less wear/tear on engine mounts, etc.
Here's a video to show how simple and easy it is to plug in/out.
Im not trying to advertise for the guy, i dont even know him and haven't used one yet so all i know is what ive read but im getting one as soon as i have my G2
Plex I agree with you, if I had the second-generation Ridgeline, I would be installing this as quickly as I could get one.
I read a real good entry regarding this device written by the manufacturer unfortunately it was early in the morning hours when I read it and I did not record the thread. It was in another forum but it was very complete and evidently the device works by fooling the computer into believing that the temperature of the Ridgeline engine is below the temperature required to activate the VCM. They have had no bad reports at this point in time about the use of the device.
It just seems such a shame to me that Honda would let themselves get sucked up into this, because they have a lifetime of loyal customers who believe in their drive trains. By installing this device and making a few bucks(and while a few bucks in their environment may be tens of millions of dollars) still I would think their reputation that they have spent countless amounts of money on over the years developing would be more important to them. Particularly in light of the recent lawsuit that they lost about this device. Also in light of the fact of Volkswagen and there run-ins with the law over trying to get better EPA numbers.
Oh well, down the road we go! I'm just so very glad that I looked into this matter because I was seriously considering a brand-new Ridgeline. Even though I have no need for it at all. But it does have some new features that really were appealing to me. I like the looks of the truck, the enhanced all-wheel-drive, and the new safety features. But this piece of junk to save a little bit of gasoline blew me away. I've even seen reports that by using this device to circumvent the VCM has actually raised some people's miles per gallon. The lunacy out here is beyond comprehending! But I was in business long enough to know that when you think "you have seen everything" you are deluding yourself!!!
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Yes there is, the guy who makes them doesn't exactly have good documentation or a website with any info, he just has a forum post on the pioteers forum and an ebay page
best bet would be to message him on the piloteers forum and ask about getting one for the new RL, he will know which one you need.
best bet would be to message him on the piloteers forum and ask about getting one for the new RL, he will know which one you need.
Thanks Plex, for the look up. hopefully the new 2017 Ridgeline will have a much needed upgrade VCM system that will not need this "fix!" But, and not to put to negative a spin on it. "I very much doubt it!" I have been wrong many times in my life, hopefully, I am wrong about this item as well!
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The Muzzler builder relies heavily on help and feedback from Piloteers members. The first thing he needs to know is the exact configuration of the connector plugs for the temperature sensor wire on any new ED 3.5 applications. I haven't kept up with the evolution of the Muzzler for the Gen3 Pilot, so I don't know how that's going. I do know that the latest VCM is nearly undetectable to new Pilot owners, which undoubtedly has lessened the interest in Muzzler purchases, except for those concerned about long term engine wear issues.
I searched over at the 2016 piloteers forum and found no one either.
It will be an interesting experiment to see how the VCM Muzzler and direct injection get along over the long term.
For GM V8 engines, cylinder deactivation can be disabled with a device that plugs into the OBD-II port:
v8 ? Range Technology | AFM Solutions for GM Cars, Trucks & SUVs
v8 ? Range Technology | AFM Solutions for GM Cars, Trucks & SUVs
Just read a disturbing report at Edmunds.com regarding the 2017 pilot. Evidently they're having a lot of problems with the new nine speed transmission. I wonder how much of their problems are occurring because all of this mechanical equipment is tied together electronically? VCM sounds to me like a real potential headache, all for a few miles per gallon increase to satisfy café standards.
And with the delays were seeing on getting the new Ridgeline on the market it will probably be sometime before we know how the Ridgeline is going to make out.
Given the fact that there's been such a delay due to the redo on the Ridgeline it is very disappointing to see these further delays. I think Honda management has lost their Golden touch. One of my first motorcycles was a single cylinder Honda produced during the reign of "Papa Honda" it was an entirely different company back then.
If only !!!!!
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I was ready to buy a Ridgeline until I saw that there was the VCM system (they were not up front about this in their brochures). I loved the Ridgeline, but will probably buy a Tundra instead since it is one of the only trucks left that doesn't have this terrible system. I would love a smaller, more efficient truck, but not at the expense of reliability. I'd rather buy gas than pay for repairs. If I decide to lease, then I'll still get a Ridgeline, but I want to keep my vehicles long term I foresee way more problems than benefits.
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