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If they achieved 23mpg for 3.0L engine, for 3.5L engine (without VCM) they should have achieved only 19.7mpg (calculations below), but they've acheived 21mpg, which is improving their own efficiency by 7%. So now you have even more power with greater efficiency. Thank GOD for Honda!
(23x3) / 3.5 = 19.7
Thanks.
One of big "problem" with the new Accord V-6 when it comes to fuel economy? Needs to on a major diet - 3600 pound Honda? Our 1990 Legend Sedan was 3100 pounds, the 2007 V-6 Sedan 3344 pounds. Odd thing? Honda used to actually get MORE mpg than EPA advertised - example? The Legend? EPA rated 19/22 for the auto. We regularly got 20+ all around and 26 on the highway. Why did it get less MPG than today's cars? Well, only had 161 HP V-6 so lbs/ hp were high, and final gearing was higher so engine revved higher at highway speeds, so engine worked harder. I got 28 MPG with a Pontiac Trans Am on the highway - 2000 RPM at 80!!!!!!!!! Talk about overdrive! And Corvettes get in the high 20's also for the same reason.
The fear factor! Unfortunately that is why I decided to spend another $1000 to get the extended warranty. My main concern in getting the warranty was with the electronics and new gadgets, but now that we keep talking about it I am glad it covers VCM too!
Just thought it might help!
Have a great day.
thegrad
The transmission problems were seen back in the 99 models.
1 - it is noticeable and annoying unlike any other car I have ever driven 2 - you can see the RPMs change with every move into and out of VCM - so the transmission MUST be shifting also - 3,4,6 should not change RPMs regardless of how many cylinders are firing 3 - fuel economy? Ehhh... I would give up 2-3 mpg in exchange for getting rid of the annoyance and discomfort - my wife notices it and wonders what I am doing!!! :confuse: I am a very good driver, can keep a very steady speed myself, and can shift a manual so you never feel a shft, even able to match engine speed with proper gear and shift without a clutch - this car is herky jerky and nothing I can do seems to change it. Like I originally said - Honda's New Coke - why did they have to mess with a perfectly fine V-6 and instead simply go toa 6 speed auto with a tall overdirve for the economy??? The engine has enough torque not to be concerned about low RPMs at cruising speeds!
Here is the report from the invoice after the test:
"A advice for RPM surge between 20 to 30 MPH
Tech did see idle fluctuation at 30 MPH, spoke with tech line, they recommended a two person test drive with HDs to monitor RPM's, tech reset ECM and performed idle learn, then ran the car at 30 MPH and found no fluctuation. test drove good."
What are HDs (or HDS), ECM reset, and idle learn? Why didn't the other dealership perform whatever they needed to perform before sending it to my dealership? Why didn't our dealership check before selling it to us?
My wife drove the car around town after the appointment and she said that it seemed to be working fine. I will drive it tomorrow and see it myself.
She told the dealership about the rattling noise around the glove box area but they could not find any.
According to my wife, the service manager was nice and he told us to call to schedule another appointment if there is any problem. Although I am not completely convinced by the explanation, I am satisfied with the good service that Honda has provided.
Maybe case closed for now...
Interesting that there could be an adjustment that would address your problem. Glad it worked for you - may have to try that myself with my local dealer
.
Mike
Just advising prospective buyers to be careful out there - this is a VERY different Honda from what many Honda owners may have in mind from past experiences. It is HUGE, it is HEAVY, and with the automatic, there is a lot of computer input from the Engine Control Module (ECM) in how it drives, shifts, and runs over which you, as the DRIVER, have little or NO control - to the point of its being unpleasant.
I would have liked to have kept our 1990 Acura Legend with 180K on it, but my wife insisted we get a new car. It drove and handled much better than our new Accord EXL V-6 sedan. Since we live in Manhattan and only drive about 5000 miles a year, I will have to learn to simply live with it. But if I had to drive this every day????? NO WAY!!!!! I COULD NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR EVERY DAY - IT WOULD DRIVE(NO PUN INTENDED) ME CRAZY! I would be angry :mad: with Honda for having ruined a previously very nice car - the 2007 model. AND for betraying the trust of its loyal customers to produce a car that is SO annoying to drive. This whole line of 2008 V-6 VCM Accords may end up with a very big black circle in Consumer Reports as a year to avoid( :lemon: ), and when Honda fully realizes the impact of its folly on its loyal coustomers and new sales, I believe it will reverse itself, and we'll see some sort of retrofitting (new ECMs) available to customers to eliminate the VCM in this engine.
I am not kidding - it is THAT annoying. I will be figuring out mileage with our second tank of all around driving - city/highway, and this weekend report on a highway only trip of about 120 miles and how we did on that, keeping in mind the car has about 700 miles on it. My suspicions are that all the shifting, VCM, etc gong on will result in little savings in fuel - certainly not worth the aggravation, complicated engineering, and machinations needed to obtain it, if there is ANY. :confuse:
So, hold your opinions about "Accord haters" until you know the facts. Facts are that my son bought his 2007 Accord because we are a Honda family and have been since he and his brother were born. He too has driven our new Accord and is happy he got an '07 V6. 27 years of Honda ownership and now this? So much for payback for our loyalty. Mark my words - the '08 VCM WILL be fixed by Honda OR Consumer Reports will have a big black circle in the engine/transmission, and whole car, for the 2008 Accord V6.
Could you outline for us the shortcomings mentioned in the Wall Street Journal article about the VCM? Thanks
In a quantitative comparison the two sedans are as similar as their corporate parents aren't, with comparable prices and powertrains, features and fuel economy. But when you look beyond the specs and start analyzing the design and product planning that went into these two models, the Malibu becomes much more compelling. It represents an upward trajectory for Chevrolet, a triumph of good decision-making that stands in marked opposition to Honda's misguided new model.
GM
Chevrolet Malibu
But before we get into all that, let's consider what you're actually spending your money on when you drive one off the dealer lot -- other than the depreciation. Both the Malibu and Accord are marketed as midsize sedans, although the latter has actually outgrown the category. This is the first strike against the Accord, which is now considered a "large car" in the EPA classification system. Yes, right there on the same list with the big Buick Lucerne, Mercury Grand Marquis and Toyota Avalon.
While the mathematical difference between the Accord and Malibu isn't extreme, the profile they cut couldn't be more so: The taller, wider and longer Accord looks like it could swallow the Malibu whole. The design of the Honda screams for attention in the same way the first and worst Korean cars did, with a wild combination of elements including bulging headlamps, a squarish grille fit for a truck, and a crease along the car's sides that looks like the result of an accident involving a guardrail.
The Malibu, however, is rather understated. Its longer wheelbase makes the car look sleeker and lower than it really is, and by virtue of this illusion it also seems sportier than the Accord. The simple design of the Malibu is classic Chevrolet, using chamfers, smoothed edges and sparse bits of what these days passes for chrome to create a staid but attractive package.
Inside the tables are turned. The Accord plays it safe with as conventional an interior as in any car on the road. GM's designers, on the other hand, have done a bang-up job in obscuring the inferior quality of some of the Malibu's materials, primarily by using color in an optional two-tone scheme. You will realize the brilliance of GM's smoke and mirrors when you feel just how deficient the Malibu's two major touchpoints -- its steering wheel and seats -- are compared to those in the Honda.
Honda
Honda Accord
My Malibu test car was powered by a 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, while the Accord was fitted with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with what Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management. This technology is designed to boost fuel economy by allowing the six-cylinder engine to run on just three or four cylinders when full power isn't needed. It works almost seamlessly, but in this case, "almost" isn't good enough. During highway driving with the cruise control on I could feel a slight vibration when the engine switched from three- to four- to six-cylinder mode, which it does often, a downright maddening behavior. That the Accord managed only 22 miles per gallon during my testing, a single mile per gallon better than the Malibu, only made this all the more annoying.
Speaking of which, the Chevy's six-speed automatic transmission isn't without its own shortcomings, principally its reluctance to downshift and the rudeness with which it finally executes. At least once you coax either engine into full acceleration you'll be treated to a more-than-adequate display of power, rendering the Honda's 16 extra horses something of a moot point. As anyone who has spent much time around high-performance cars can tell you, there are limits to how much power you want to be routing through the front wheels of a family sedan.
That said, for cars likely destined for commuter duty, both handle well. The Accord has long courted the sportier part of the midsize market, eschewing the floaty, "comfortable" ride of the Toyota Camry and its ilk. Clearly GM wants the Malibu to be similarly regarded. To that end both the Accord and Malibu have suspensions that do a nice job of controlling body roll without being harsh.
DISCUSS
1
Discuss: Which do you think is a better car? A very good Chevrolet or a mediocre Honda.2The steering on the Accord has a lighter touch that will feel familiar to Honda owners, while the Malibu has enough feedback through its wheel to make you forget the decades of numb-steering GM cars that came before it. Both the Accord and Malibu have good brakes with a firm and responsive pedal feel. Without putting the pair on a race track together there's no declaring either the true handling champ, a point which comes off as a win for Chevy. After all, who has any expectation that GM could or would actually design and build a car that's as enjoyable to drive as a Honda? Not to mention one that looks better and is competitive on price.
I'm going to hit you over the head with a bunch of sales numbers now, so bear with me, but they're important to understand just how ludicrous the notion of a competitive Malibu is. GM sold 128,312 Malibus in 2007, while Honda sold 392,231 Accords. (Neither company had its redesigned 2008 model on sale for more than the last few months of the year.) By contrast, the all-new Toyota Camry annihilated all comers, racking up 473,108 sales in its first full year on the market. Furthermore, the Nissan Altima (284,762) more than doubled Malibu's sales, while Hyundai's Sonata (145,568) and Ford's Fusion (149,552) also outsold the Chevy.
No matter how GM might spin this model's positioning within the company's bloated division and brand structure, there's no one working for the General who doesn't wish it could sell hundreds of thousands of Malibus annually. But the old model was just so bad, so cheaply made and unrefined, it's questionable whether GM could have given that many away.
The Accord couldn't present a more stark contrast, serving as it does as the "bedrock of the company," as Honda puts it. The Accord is the company's best seller. Indeed, the last time Honda sold as few Accords as GM sold Malibus last year was in 1978.
What all of this means is that the Malibu hasn't got a chance of overtaking the Accord in sales any time soon, no matter if GM dipped the Chevy in gold and Honda fitted the Accord with square tires. This makes it even more impressive that the Malibu has literally come out of nowhere to challenge the best of the competition.
But then again, Honda's reputation has been slipping lately. The company has thrust a number of ill-conceived models on the public, from the ugly Element SUV to the poor-selling Ridgeline pickup truck to the now-discontinued hybrid Accord coupe. These products all reek of too-clever marketers backed by the disto
They are going to admit to nothing because they have been told not to I assure you.
Thay are facing huge liability issues with false advertising, etc. over this issue at the very least, and the last thing they need is service managers ADMITTING it!
Honda's official statement "Is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle"
I don't mind it in the big box Odyssey because I use it to haul kids & like the extra MPG. The Accord is so poorly insulated that the noise probably breaks right through (haven't road tested one but my '08 4-cyl Accord has awful road noise problem).
The large weight mass & better sound insulation properties make the Ody's VCM system tolerable.
Good luck VCM owners.
I guess the WSJ tester drives differently from me. I'm happy with the Accord thus far.
As for the Malibu, My wife and I looked at it and found seating was not nearly as comfortable and adjustable as in the Accord. We could not get a good driving position in the Malibu.
I felt VCM 3-4-6 would merit consideration in replacing my 6M. However VCM precluding 6M (plus new model year basic trepidation factor for me) currently keeps my Naval Reserve 'mad money' drawing .043 tax free. Looking forward to the diesel (but probably not the first year) to supplant my flawless 6M.
..great discussion inputs...
best, ez....
As I posted earlier. This is a known design issue with Honda. While the service managers may not be as aware "yet" or perhaps unwilling to state a confirmation. It is an issue being evaluated intensely. New year, new design but....... I could not agree more with you, golf and the others here and in the WSJ etc. Lets see what Honda does.. if they are as good as they always have been a "Service Bulletin" will be posted and some sort of fix will be implemented.
I think an On/Off option would be best. Keep posting your experiences so we can all continue to compare not just how your driving experience is but what the dealer and Honda are telling you vs. us.
Rodi-
It is clear that V6 owners have not made more than a tiny handful of negative comments about their VCM equipped vehicles. The vast majority have been overwhelmingly positive about VCM.
when I clicked on the 131 reviews here was the 1st one that popped up.
Vehicle
2008 Honda Accord EX V-6 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I've had my Honda for 2 weeks. About a week ago I noticed that my car had a 1 second delay when shifting into drive. When stepping on the accelerator, it would take a moment to actually shift into gear. I also dislike the way the car down shifts when you take your foot off the pedal. It's very noticable...moves you forward in your seat. And when shifting from one gear to the next...well it's rough. I took my car into the dealer and they said it was normal for the Accord. We even test drove another car just like mine and it did the same thing. I'm in the process of trying to give it back and filing a complaint. Who makes a car that has a delay when shifting into drive? Normal?..whatever! Favorite Features
The MP3 port is great for taking along the iPod. Lots of room for a "tall" family.
Suggested Improvements
Speed sensitive volume control doesn't turn the radio down enough without having to manual control the volume, shifting issues, windshield sprayer doesn't cover the window properly to remove dirt, seats are uncomfortable after a long ride....don't purchase-- doesn't live up to Honda reputation.
2008 Honda Accord EX V-6 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I've had my Honda for 2 weeks. About a week ago I noticed that my car had a 1 second delay when shifting into drive. When stepping on the accelerator, it would take a moment to actually shift into gear. I also dislike the way the car down shifts when you take your foot off the pedal. It's very noticable...moves you forward in your seat. And when shifting from one gear to the next...well it's rough. I took my car into the dealer and they said it was normal for the Accord. We even test drove another car just like mine and it did the same thing. I'm in the process of trying to give it back and filing a complaint. Who makes a car that has a delay when shifting into drive? Normal?..whatever!
The problems mentioned in this review don't seem to have anything to do with VCM. Do they? A delay going into drive is transmission related (I would think). Also, Honda automatics have always had hard shifts, since time began, and well before VCM came into the picture. The hard downshifts are likely a product of grade logic. What do any of these things have to do with VCM? I don't get it. This owner does not mention anything about vibration/surging at highway speeds, so what's the connection?
I applaud your campaign and wish you well in resolution of your issues with your vehicle. After all, the squeeky wheel is the one that gets greased.
According to their website, it does not appear that you have reported your concerns to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/