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Perhaps they can turn the VCM off. However, your fuel economy will probably drop to 17 city, 25 highway, my guess.
I'm trying, Pat.
I have found cruise control keeps the ECO light on where as my control is less smooth. I try to drive with the ECO light on all the time. Its a challenge.
The hard ride of a BMW 335...hit your head on the ceiling running over a paper cup.
The less than expected cushy ride of a $35k Maxima.......
The lackluster acceleration of a 2.4 Chevy engine in a Malibu
The jumpyness of a G37 Infiniti...
The engine noise and constant AT shifting of a Honda Accord 4cyl
The LACK of all engine sound in a Lexus!!
Its just a matter of what one desires and can "get used to" All vehicles have their personalities. I like a more visceral driving experience. I like "knowing" the engine is running. I like a softer ride with decent handling. The Altima Coupe had neither. The Infiniti had both but in the end simply wasn't worth $10K more...I test drove the Maxima and expected a far cushier ride and well ''"sport suspension" is the rule there.
The BMW was my brothers.....He sold it after 4 months, and bought a ES350 because of the ride (and fuel pump issues)
Yeah we all have to get used to that which is new and different. Some can some are OCD about their cars and will NEVER be truly satisfied.
Here is something else I noticed about my Accord...I can actually feel the transmission downshft into 1st at very low speeds YIKES???
Honda Accord is not a $30,000 car!!! Its a $20,000 car with $10,000 in "options" And I don't know anyone who paid even $30K for any Accord. If so......... their bad..
NOT ONCE have I felt or experienced this "problem" and it has never been brought by a customer.
Apparently you and your customers "got used to it"
Some people should not buy new cars. Expectations for many will never match with reality.......Those people wonder why Honda Accord owners buy Extended Warranties..They expect Honda to be free of all defects.
We do (and they are far less expensive than a Chevy) because we live in the real world and know even one issue can cost more than the $655 I paid for my 0 deduct 80K 84 month Honda Care EW. At that price its hard NOT to buy one. At twice that price it's hard not to buy a Malibu EW even with the 100k PT warranty.
I expect there will be issues. but far less of the kind that just keep you going back and nickel diming one to the tune of $200-300 per visit to death.
It is not helpful to anyone for you to keep popping up here telling people that what they perceive does not exist. Your opinion is noted. Feel free to move on.
So by this logic the posters who repeatedly post the same complaint regarding VCM over and over are deemed to have exhausted their opinions as well correct ?
Some of these posters no longer even own a Honda product.
At what point are these posters who have beaten their points to death told to "feel free to move on"
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
It is not necessary for people who believe that VCM issues do not exist to keep saying that over and over here in this discussion. The issues clearly do exist for some people. Those who don't believe that the issues exist and who have made that clear over a vast number of posts do indeed need to feel free to move on to other subjects.
If Honda hasn't, is there an aftermarket company that provides computer chips or alterations to effect that end. Someone out there is enough of a geek that surely they could try the altered programming and then rewrite the origional programming back. It's a shame to have to wait through the 36000 mile warranty period before being free to try a test like that.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Hallelujah!!!! Couldn't agree more. The guy who says that Honda's lost their business? Fine. Move on, dude. The rest of us don't care. Go buy your Camrys with wallowy suspensions and contact your dealer with "Oh, Toyota needs to fix this floaty marshmallow ride, where I couldn't feel a boulder if I drove over it, or they'll never get my business." At which point they should go buy a Buick.
Pat:
Thank you.
Enough please - let's get back on topic here, everyone.
I think that Yes the VCM did compound the problem. The only frustrating part is that when I test drove a brand new V6 Accord it vibrated more than my car. You do not notice it unless you take it up to highway speeds, which is why many buyers who do not drive the car fast enough may see this during the test drive.
One thing I have noticed recently is that the main "change" when the VCM activates isn't the vibration so much as an audible change in engine tone. When I'm listening to music, I am far and away less likely to perceive the VCM activation than when I'm driving in silence. And when I'm doing any kind of spirited driving, which is when I want to really enjoy the car, the VCM seldom engages.
The bottom line for me is that VCM is worth the almost 4-cylinder level of fuel economy, with the power of a V6 when you need (want?) it. Honda could come out with a 6-speed auto next year that delivers similar fuel economy without the need for VCM, and that would be fine too IMO, but then you'd have more auto-shifting vibrations to deal with, so it's probably a wash.
Oh, fwiw, this is my 7th Honda Accord since 1982 and I hate to think my last but I'm considering it strongly.
I'll search for another thread on the brake problem. I've already had my rear ones replaced before reaching 30000 miles. That's unacceptable too.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have a 70 mile round-trip commute so once I'm on the 4-lane I slip into cruise control. On those days when I'm in a really big hurry I'll set the cruise on 74 mph and don't experience the back-and-forth nearly as much, if at all. But it's on the days like today when I set the cruise at 65 mph that it's really noticeable.
I understand why Honda went in this direction. The car is heavier than in previous iterations. It has more horsepower and the tires are wide...all detriments to good gas mileage. I'd strongly consider the 4-cylinder if it came with the same features/option package.
I've got my eye on the Crosstour but as I previously stated, if it has VCM and the issue hasn't been corrected I'll have to pass.
Yeah it feels different than past cars but I would rather that then get 17 MPG on the V6. I did notice it on the test drive as well so no surprises here.
For those who do not want to "feel" the VCM on a Honda...all I can say is find another brand. There are plenty to choose from. I cannot imagine buying a car without test driving it , nor can I believe the VCM technology was completely transparent on a PROPER test drive.
Here is a quote from your 11-16-09 post:
" I am glad this is not my car and I will tell you that I will never buy a Honda with my own money if this issue is not resolved by Honda Corp."
"I just bought a new 2010 Legacy 3.6R Limited which I absolutely love. This is my first Subaru and this car rocks. I have on question regarding the transmission. When starting from a stop and turning either left or right it feels like the transmission is not smooth/slipping. This does not happen when going straight from a dead stop, so it may be the CV joint. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced the same thing and if it is just related to the Subaru. Thanks. "
This is about the VCM feature of the Accord, not other posters. Let's stick to the topic. Thank you.
Thanks to all who choose to cooperate.
Just giving a little feedback about hers and not trying to say others don't have problems. We sold our 1998 v6 accord for 5700 (86,000 mi). The new one is so much better it doesn't even seem like the same company made it. For us, the extra size is great and the extra gas mileage above the 1998 (26 best) is a bonus.
I guess we hear more about the problem ones as opposed to the good ones. I'm really not sure what would be normal but maybe since they sell so well my experience might be more typical.
Now, how about that CRZ! Accord for her; CRZ for me. :>)
Let's please move on.
Looks like you noticed a difference in your Accord also
17MPG on a non VCM V6? The Camry V-6 DOHC with 268HP gets 19/28 with a fueleconomy.gov average of 26.9 MPG. The Accord SOHC with 271HP V-6 VCM gets 19/29 rating with fueleconomy.gov average of 23.0 MPG.
I don't know about you- but I'd take a few less miles per gallon versus a car that accelerates violently out of control killing its occupants.
Me too. Fortunately, the Camry isn't killing people; the dipsticks using mats on top of other mats are the ones killing themselves.
I guess I need to clarify my point. If Toyota can build a V6 that is similar in performance and gets the same gas mileage as the VCM engine then what is the advantage of the VCM? I am asking because I do not know. I do know that it has issue's with certain people and I can only guess that 1/2 your engine will be wore out before the other half?
I expect that the Honda engineers did their homework (as usual). Anything else is just conjecture.
Toyota has 7 years of engineering up on Honda; their 3.5L 2GR debuted in the current Avalon 5 years ago.
http://wardsauto.com/reports/2009/tenbest/best_engines_2009_081205/
Ward’s Announces 2009 10 Best Engines Winners
By Ward’s Staff
WardsAuto.com, Dec 5, 2008 12:54 PM
Special Report
Ward’s 10 Best Engines
SOUTHFIELD, MI – Amid plummeting vehicle sales, thousands of job losses, an economy officially in recession and pleas for federal assistance, a handful of auto makers have cause to celebrate.
Ward’s Automotive Group announces its 2009 10 Best Engines list, which reflects the diversity of powertrains that will play a role in reshaping America’s automotive landscape.
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Selected by Ward’s editors, the 2009 list marks the 15th year for the Ward’s 10 Best Engines program, the North American auto industry’s only awards honoring powertrain excellence and considered by many to be the “Oscars” for automotive engines.
The Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2009 (engine and tested vehicle):
Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (335d)
Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
Ford Motor Co.: 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.: 4.6L DOHC V-8 (Genesis)
Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
Volkswagen AG: 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)
Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) is Honda's term for a variable displacement technology. It uses the i-VTEC system to disable one bank of cylinders during specific driving conditions (for example, highway driving) to save fuel. The 2008 Accord takes this a step further allowing the engine to go from 6 cylinders, down to 4, and further down to 3 as the computer sees fit. Honda's VCM uses overhead cams as opposed to DaimlerChrysler's Multi-Displacement System and General Motors' Active Fuel Management pushrod systems.
It uses a solenoid to unlock the cam followers on one bank from their respective rockers, so the cam follower floats freely while the valve springs keep the valves closed. The engine's drive by wire throttle allows the engine management computer to smooth out the engine's power delivery, making the system imperceptible. Vehicles equipped with VCM are equipped with an "ECO" indicator on the dashboard which corresponds to the VCM system's operation. Vehicles equipped with VCM also include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Honda's Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system. The ANC and ACM systems work in cooperation to cancel both noise and vibration that could occur in relation to the cylinder deactivation process. The ANC system uses the audio speakers to cancel out noise by using an opposite phase sound.