[fx_chip]

Some folks have the VCMTUNER/VCMTUNER II installed on their engine to negate Honda's cylinder deactivation technology. Justification for this install includes wanting access to the full 6 cylinders at all time, elimination of engine hesitancy and prevention of damage to engine mounts.

If you installed a VCMTUNER, after X number of years of Passport ownership do you feel any benefits?

If you never bothered to install the VCMTUNER, after X number of years of ownership has there been any engine wear or engine mounts damage to your car? Do you wish you had installed it?

 

[JLH]

We're on our 4th 3.5L Honda engine since 2005 and I've never seen a need to install one on any of our vehicles, even though the "evidence" was out there which insisted everyone should install one. I've spoken to a minimum of 6 different certified Honda mechanics, and or independent shop mechanics, that I know & trust over the past 15-17 years and only one of them stated that it probably couldn't hurt anything to try one. The rest basically said "Don't bother" or "Don't waste your money." BTW, One of those engines went for over 270,000 miles before the car was totaled out and nothing major had ever been done to the engine or transmission. Our son-in-law is driving the second Ody we bought new & I believe it is now over 150,000 miles on it now with no issues. We traded the 3rd one, (a '16 Pilot) with 74,000 no issue miles. I'm not trying to start an argument or to have a discussion with anyone who firmly believes that all engines with VCM needs the VCMTUNER. If they want to do it, that's fine with me. As for me, I'll trust the pros & stick with their advice until they're proven wrong... Pick a side & go with it. I've never heard of any issues that a VCMTUNER has caused, so I don't think that's a cause for concern either.

 

[Tadakatsu]

If you never bothered to install the VCMTUNER, after X number of years of ownership has there been any engine wear or engine mounts damage to your car?

I don't follow this line of questioning because it presumes to think that there would be damage from not having used this product. What would lead you to believe that this product prevents damage that would have otherwise occurred?

Also I'm going to change your thread title because I don't know why you would presume to think that it is or is not necessary to use this product.

 

[fx_chip]

I don't follow this line of questioning because it presumes to think that there would be damage from not having used this product. What would lead you to believe that this product prevents damage that would have otherwise occurred?

Also I'm going to change your thread title because I don't know why you would presume to think that it is or is not necessary to use this product.

Perhaps you should check the VCMTUNER website for a description of the Honda VCM "problems" it claims to solve? I clipped a few below.

Many members here claim to have the VCMTUNER installed and many have mentioned several engine damage types it prevents, so my questions are directed at anyone who owns or is familiar with the gadget, no morning coffee yet but I think it's reasonable to ask if it indeed solves or prevents damage to a Honda VCM engine as it claims. Maybe you should have a cup or two too.

 

[fx_chip]

We're on our 4th 3.5L Honda engine since 2005 and I've never seen a need to install one on any of our vehicles, even though the "evidence" was out there which insisted everyone should install one. I've spoken to a minimum of 6 different certified Honda mechanics, and or independent shop mechanics, that I know & trust over the past 15-17 years and only one of them stated that it probably couldn't hurt anything to try one. The rest basically said "Don't bother" or "Don't waste your money." BTW, One of those engines went for over 270,000 miles before the car was totaled out and nothing major had ever been done to the engine or transmission. Our son-in-law is driving the second Ody we bought new & I believe it is now over 150,000 miles on it now with no issues. We traded the 3rd one, (a '16 Pilot) with 74,000 no issue miles. I'm not trying to start an argument or to have a discussion with anyone who firmly believes that all engines with VCM needs the VCMTUNER. If they want to do it, that's fine with me. As for me, I'll trust the pros & stick with their advice until they're proven wrong... Pick a side & go with it. I've never heard of any issues that a VCMTUNER has caused, so I don't think that's a cause for concern either.

Thanks for the in-depth response, I don't want to get into any arguments either but I had my doubts about the usefulness of the gadget too, just wanted to confirm other people's experience with it.

 

[407guy]

Thanks for the in-depth response, I don't want to get into any arguments either but I had my doubts about the usefulness of the gadget too, just wanted to confirm that other people's experience with it.

I think you answered your own question.

 

[Gray_Beard]

I had a 2008 Accord that had VCM problems which resulted in getting a 2009 Accord which also had VCM problems. And I had a 2013 Accord which had... yes VCM issues. Fast forward to 2019 Passport and yes for peace of mind I have the VCM Tuner II. Was it a waste of money? Maybe, maybe not but I sure as hell wasn't going to go through that again.

 

[fx_chip]

I had a 2008 Accord that had VCM problems which resulted in getting a 2009 Accord which also had VCM problems. And I had a 2013 Accord which had... yes VCM issues. Fast forward to 2019 Passport and yes for peace of mind I have the VCM Tuner II. Was it a waste of money? Maybe, maybe not but I sure as hell wasn't going to go through that again.

Thanks for adding your insight to the conversation.

 

[PNWGarageDad]

This is a good topic and great feedback from both sides with being diplomatic.
Fx_chip has given 270 productive posts, why would his title need to be edited? That is very disappointing.

 

[fx_chip]

This is a good topic and great feedback from both sides with being diplomatic.
Fx_chip has given 270 productive posts, why would his title need to edited? That is very disappointing.

Thanks for the vote of support.
Since we all mod our vehicles, I was hoping a collection of experiences will help inform Passport owners including myself if the VCMTUNER is important or not, I have the VCMTUNER II and the IdleStopper V2 on my summer shopping list and I want to be sure I'm making the right decision. I know very little about the VCMTUNER other than what the manufacturer said on their website but I know the IdleStopper is also controversial, however, I'm getting the IdleStopper anyways - automate, automate, automate. But the jury is still out on the VCMTUNER II.

That said, the VCMTUNER II is presently sold out with no restock date so loads of Honda owners have certainly installed it. I wish more people will say why.

 

[billz]

I installed one. My reasoning is that shutting down 2 or 3 cylinders in a 6 cylinder engine causes an unbalance. That puts more stress on bearings, engine mounts and possibly other parts. It's just a bad idea which can potentially cause problems and only marginally improves mpg. This is strictly MY opinion but there are many others who agree with me.
VCMTUNER II is a simple device and has safeguards built in. I haven't heard of anyone having problems after installing it.
The idle stop feature is another bad idea but I routinely turn that off when I start the engine so I don't feel the need to install the idleStopper device.
I would never try to convince anyone to modify their vehicle but I feel strongly enough about it that I probably would not have even purchased the vehicle if the VCMTUNER and similar devices were not available and with good reviews.

 

[Janizary]

The entire VCM debacle was what almost made me shy away from a new RL/PP/Pilot. I have been looking at both options, but have also noticed that as long as I am not in ECON mode VCM almost never engages on my PP. I've been paying attention to the ON/OFF on my SGII and noticed that, at least compared to the 2103 Pilot, that barring going downhill or very flat cruising (even rarely then) VCM stays off in my 21PP. The '13 Pilot VCM was on a lot. On roads and freeways where my PP VCM does not turn on. Something very different in the logic that Honda uses from the VCM malaise-era 3.5 to the newer generation.

That said, I'm still looking, reading, and watching my own VCM behavior and would be very interested in feedback on this topic.

Frankly, I just wish Honda would let us make our own choice and turn it off it we wanted to.

 

[fx_chip]

Thank you @billz and @Janizary for adding your insights to the conversation.

 

[14v6]

I had a 14 Accord V6 where VCM was noticeable especially in the winter but that car could get 40mpg on summer gas highway only in the summer. I sold that car after almost 90k and 7 years and it never burned a drop of oil other than on the first interval on factory oil. I've had a Ridgeline and now a Passport, barely detectable. I don't worry about engine damage or oil burning with the revised VCM that debuted with the Earth Dreams V6's back in 2012 for the V6 Accord. I'd be suspect of anyone that brings up the class action lawsuit with the prior VCM design and uses it as justification for a defeat device to use with the current VCM design. IMO, it's all folklore. Sure I would like to have the option of turning VCM on and off just like you have that option with ECO mode but then again I sometimes wonder if there was no VCM would we still have a Honda V6 or a turbo 4 banger to pass the EPA test?

 

[fx_chip]

I had a 14 Accord V6 where VCM was noticeable especially in the winter but that car could get 40mpg on summer gas highway only in the summer. I sold that car after almost 90k and 7 years and it never burned a drop of oil other than on the first interval on factory oil. I've had a Ridgeline and now a Passport, barely detectable. I don't worry about engine damage or oil burning with the revised VCM that debuted with the Earth Dreams V6's back in 2012 for the V6 Accord. I'd be suspect of anyone that brings up the class action lawsuit with the prior VCM design and uses it as justification for a defeat device to use with the current VCM design. IMO, it's all folklore. Sure I would like to have the option of turning VCM on and off just like you have that option with ECO mode but then again I sometimes wonder if there was no VCM would we still have a Honda V6 or a turbo 4 banger to pass the EPA test?

Interesting to know that the VCM concerns are not entirely phantom but Honda has fixed it a while ago. Thanks for adding your insight.

 

[carpayments4life]

No regrets after 2.5 years.
I installed my VCM Tunerii, within 2 weeks of purchasing the suv, in 2019.
I get 20 - 21 mpg around town (v6 only) and when traveling on the Interstate for hours and hours, I connect the device's green wire to ground and let Honda's VCM PC improve my MPG to 25, at 80 mph(ish).
I think that causing the engine's cylinders to unevenly wear is going to catch up with me at around the 200,000 mile mark.
My bigger concern was wear on the hydraulic engine mounts.

 

[fx_chip]

No regrets after 2.5 years.
I installed my VCM Tunerii, within 2 weeks of purchasing the suv, in 2019.
I get 20 - 21 mpg around town (v6 only) and when traveling on the Interstate for hours and hours, I connect the device's green wire to ground and let Honda's VCM PC improve my MPG to 25, at 80 mph(ish).
I think that causing the engine's cylinders to unevenly wear is going to catch up with me at around the 200,000 mile mark.
My bigger concern was wear on the hydraulic engine mounts.

Thank you for adding your opinion of the VCMTUNER II to the conversation, you have loads of Honda experience so your opinion on this topic is appreciated.

 

[Steveg203]

We had a 2009 Pilot that was very well cared for. The engine packed it in at 128,000 miles and you really felt the vibration in it. We had a 2015 Pilot that didn’t vibrate as much but i didn’t like how it felt. I don’t feel any vibration in my Passport and I really don’t want to be bothered with the muzzler. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the earlier models with the vcm also cut down to 2 cylinders And now I think its only 3.

 

[fx_chip]

We had a 2009 Pilot that was very well cared for. The engine packed it in at 128,000 miles and you really felt the vibration in it. We had a 2015 Pilot that didn’t vibrate as much but i didn’t like how it felt. I don’t feel any vibration in my Passport and I really don’t want to be bothered with the muzzler. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the earlier models with the vcm also cut down to 2 cylinders And now I think its only 3.

The VCM system is meant to cut out some cylinders when it senses that the V6 power is not needed, it switches to 3 or 4 cylinders, and that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

 

[mr_bots]

The J35Y engines have been out for almost a decade now and can't say I've heard of any VCM issues. They also only switch between 6 and 3 cylinders by shutting off the rear bank, there is no 4 cylinder mode any more. The only fairly common issue I've heard is fuel injector issues on 2016-2019 engines. Personally, I'm at one year and 30k issue free miles without even noticing it dropping to three cylinders and my mom is at 60k and four years on her Pilot without any issues.