Bought a 2012 Pilot with 191k on the clock and originally knew nothing of this VCM. Once I found what it was I started searching for a fix and came across the same kit used in this video. Easy install and mileage hasn’t suffered at all plus there’s more power and I have peace of mind the engine isn’t totally wearing out the 3-4 cylinders that are always running.
My Pilot is now 12 years old and I always thought that shudder was normal. My wife recently got a new vehicle so I'm driving the this old pilot more. I did the valve adjustment over the weekend and my mechanic told me to buy the S-VCM. Thanks for your explanation and presentation of this information.
I put one in my 17 Odyssey at 70000 miles about two years ago . Best thing that I could have done. No mileage drop, better power and no eco light. Highly recommend this modification. Even the Honda techs noticed and commented on it when I took it in for service. This is a very common issue that is well documented mentioned on most Honda forums .
I have a 2013 Pilot EX-L 2WD with (almost) 120K on it. Was my wife's car, but I "inherited" it when we upgraded her SUV (funny that her "upgrade" - 2017 BMW X5 PHEV - was in the shop for two weeks waiting for a part and she had to drive the Honda...but I digress). I put the S-VCM on about a year and a half ago. Best decision I made for this vehicle. I do most of the maintenance myself on the vehicle. No excessive oil consumption (knock on wood), so I'm hoping I caught that before VCM could do its damage. Also immediately noticed better/more consistent throttle response - which should be expected since it's now working like a V6 should. I saw no appreciable change in mpg, either. One thing you may want to check, if you haven't already. The original inlet hose from the throttle body to the filter box will often crack with age, causing misreads by the MAF sensor. You won't always get a CEL from it, but it does affect how the vehicle operates. For me, the crack was on the bottom of the hose, so it wasn't readily noticeable until I changed the air filter. Just an FYI. Not sure how you've kept that white paint so good. Pilots are notorious for bad paint; the white ones in particular. I live in Florida, so our Silver paint is baking and starting to look pretty bad. If you're not already on it, there's a FB group for 2nd Gen Pilots that's pretty informative. You should join if you're on FB.
I read some reviews people mentioned the muzzler actually helped them gain more mileage. Looks to be the case for you. Great video and thank you for your time
I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey VCM1. 242k miles I just installed S-VCM Controller. I had noticed for the last 40 k miles or so its been using a lot of oil. initially it was because of oil leaks. but after all that was taken car of it was 2-2.5 qts of high mileage sync blend 5-20 Havoline. and now have been noticed some engine imbalances during 3 cylinder mode. (this is from a part warn out the dampens the imbalances) that was a signal to me it was a time to put on the S-VCM Controller.. now I am going to calculate the mpg and oil consumption.
Thanks for your comment about preserving engine mounts! Looking at a brand new Odyssey or perhaps a Passport. Learning that the engine has VCM made me worry about increased oil consumption and never considered the engine mount longevity too. I test drove a 2025 Odyssey yesterday and was kind of surprised at how much throttle I had to give it to get it moving compared to our current 2004 Odyssey. I wonder if that's VCM related or just that it's a brand new vehicle with less than 10 miles on it...
I had this S-VCM on my 2013 Honda accord v6 close to 2 years now I wish I have known this when I first bought the car in 2019. It works as it should be I bought a V6 so I should get a 6 cylinder not a 3 cylinder. I drove it 13 hrs straight with S-VCM from L.A to Colorado with A/C on no problem. I rather pay a little bit of gas than replace the whole car. The car is responsive and shift smoothly compare with no S-VCM. Before it was sluggish and rough on the shifting. Just make sure after you install the S-VCM to check your radiator make sure the fans kicks in. Other than that your car is a real V6 now.
What do you mean by check radiator to make sure fans kick in?? I just bought this for my 2013 accord V6 as well, excited to see the difference. Vibration in my steering wheel that won’t go away, already replaced mounts. Hoping this fixes that
That's a great point. If it's telling the computer a false temperature, will the thermostat override it to keep the car from overheating? I'm wondering if there's another way to disable the VCM than giving it false data. Overheating is a serious issue if not handled correctly. 🤔
@stevenj5839 just read the S-VCM manual so you ll know the exact work around with this tiny chips. Like I said I drove my car from L.A to Colorado with A/C on no issues. That's one of my hesitation also but after I install it I am very happy.
I installed s-vcm on my 2015 Pilot a few weeks ago. The most noticable difference was improved throttle response which is very helpful when passing at highway speeds and it just feels like a more consistent ride. I didn't notice much of a negative change in MPG if at all. This is just a short sample size. I figure the potential benefits of s-vcm far outweighs the potential harm without it.
S-CVM doesn’t require resistors. You will likely need to change your resistor to a higher reading as weather cools and then again as it warms. Hopefully you paid anywhere from $10-20 USD whereas S-VCM requires no resistors but costs $110 USD shipped to Dallas standard shipping.
Installed on my 2020 Honda Pilot. Completely stopped the faint rumble strip noise from the drive train experienced during light acceleration (particularly around 40 mph and 60 mph in my case). Power with throttle is more responsive.
Can you connect the power wire to a fuse that is only powered when the vehicle is turned on or does it need to be powered all the time. And by the way great video and explanation
Hi, has anyone experienced battery drain after installing this? I've read on some forums that it might happen because it constantly draws power from the battery. I'm wondering if the other version, which doesn't connect to the battery, might be better? I'm planning to put one on my 2025 Ridgeline. Thanks!
So did it change mpg much or not all it seems? Just learned about vcm deletes but i do about 40k highway miles a year, would it be a significant drop in highway mpg with vcm off?
I did such a small sample size cause of time. However, I've been driving it all this time and there really is no difference in mpg. The benefit (preventing catastrophic failure) outweighs the risk (loss of mpg, if any) in my opinion. Cheers.
Hi Esteban, s-vcm works flawless as it should. ECO light has stayed off ever since install. I still have the torque converter shudder under load. I'll be doing an oil consumption video soon but I can tell it has helped with that. Goodluck!
Is there a difference between the $20 & the $100 units? I ordered a $20 to start & see if it works. It comes with 4 resistors from 60 to 120 ohms. Hope it works. 17 accord
@ Yes, I’m aware of their statement. I’d like to know if they plan on developing a version for the DOHC. There’s not contact info to ask them a question unfortunately.
I have 08 accord with 190k i cant notice the vcm activating when its on ECO , i also have 2010 crosstour and i can feel and hear the engine vibrating at crusing speed with ECO light on, i think im going to install it on the crosstour for now, question is, does the engine run hotter with vcm delete ?? Thank you !!
Hasn't GM shown that cylinder deactivation is a bad thing for 40 years now? This is the first I've heard of Honda trying it. Glad I avoided them recently.
I understand with the muzzler, you have to pick and choose resistance levels. With S-VCM, it eliminates that step. From research, both equally do the job. Cheers.
If it's telling the computer a false temperature, will the thermostat override it to keep the engine from overheating? Your outside temperature was reading 110⁰ in one shot. Humans aren't meant to exist in temperatures that hot, and cars don't do much better. I just got the vehicle and noticed the shutter, so far it's not burning oil, but I do feel the shutter and didn't know what it was, front end, steering, etc. 🤔, so I took it to Honda and everything checked out good. So I'm glad to know it's the VCM, but I'm concerned about cooking the engine, and it may hit 100⁰ here a couple of days a year for an hour or so, but at 110⁰ I'd be looking for a cooler climate. Engines don't like excessive heat.🤔
@@dadaking sweet! Looking forward to it! I’m one of many Honda owners finding out about the dark side of VCM through oil consumption. I’m hoping to reverse this by disabling it. I’ve noticed that long trips where the vcm works for extended periods of time is especially bad for oil consumption.
A little follow up…my 2016 Odyssey with 182,000 miles was burning a ton of oil to the point where it would actually trigger the check engine light. After watching your video I ordered and installed the S-VCM and it appears the oil consumption has essentially stopped!
0:45 OMG! I know what a crazy burn rate! Wowzers! I can’t believe Honda destroyed the reliability of their entire brand with the decision to develop and deploy VCM. What a total piece of shit, this seems to doom every Honda V6 for the past 18+ years. It’s also kind of amazing that a $100 electrical bypass module can completely deactivate the system and the incredible Honda reliability may return.
I guess new hondas have green button inside to turn it on or off, just taking a guess that it might do simmilar thing if that green eco button is not pressed, better ask mechanic if you that in ur 23+ model
I just bought 2012 Honda odyssey with 176000 miles and I don’t have the oil consumption problem am I the only one ..2012 Honda odyssey touring elite model
I hope it stays that way for you. Mine reared it's ugly head once I regularly took it commuting to work on the hwy. If it's mostly city driving, the VCM, doesn't get a chance to kick on as often.
The “ECO” light is actually just a warning that you’re burning out your VTEC oil sensors. I don’t know why they made it green. It should be BRIGHT RED AND FLASHING. Like “WARNING. YOU’RE TRADING A FEW MILES PER GALLON FOR A FAT REPAIR BILL.” 😂
It appears you did your test based on city mileage which does not fully address highway conditions. I do mostly country two lane and interstate driving during which I get 25 to 26 miles per gallon in My 2014 Pilot. Add that up over one hundred thousand miles and the savings is in the thousands of dollars based on current gas prices. So, not quite a totally valid test.
According to some; You actually should do that. Because if you let the tank “empty” it’ll be taking whatever “dirt” it has at the very bottom of the tank 🤷🏻♂️
wrong. there's a big screen/filter attached to the inlet/bottom of every electric fuel pump made these days. virtually nothing foreign gets into fuel systems anymore- that's pretty much a thing of the past.
I have an oil consumption update here ua-cam.com/video/Dymoy3F4rlc/v-deo.html
Bought a 2012 Pilot with 191k on the clock and originally knew nothing of this VCM. Once I found what it was I started searching for a fix and came across the same kit used in this video. Easy install and mileage hasn’t suffered at all plus there’s more power and I have peace of mind the engine isn’t totally wearing out the 3-4 cylinders that are always running.
That sounds exactly like what most owners go through. Glad it's working well for you 💯
My Pilot is now 12 years old and I always thought that shudder was normal. My wife recently got a new vehicle so I'm driving the this old pilot more. I did the valve adjustment over the weekend and my mechanic told me to buy the S-VCM. Thanks for your explanation and presentation of this information.
Same! Thought it was "normal." Great to hear.
I put one in my 17 Odyssey at 70000 miles about two years ago . Best thing that I could have done. No mileage drop, better power and no eco light.
Highly recommend this modification. Even the Honda techs noticed and commented on it when I took it in for service.
This is a very common issue that is well documented mentioned on most Honda forums .
I have a 2013 Pilot EX-L 2WD with (almost) 120K on it. Was my wife's car, but I "inherited" it when we upgraded her SUV (funny that her "upgrade" - 2017 BMW X5 PHEV - was in the shop for two weeks waiting for a part and she had to drive the Honda...but I digress).
I put the S-VCM on about a year and a half ago. Best decision I made for this vehicle. I do most of the maintenance myself on the vehicle. No excessive oil consumption (knock on wood), so I'm hoping I caught that before VCM could do its damage. Also immediately noticed better/more consistent throttle response - which should be expected since it's now working like a V6 should. I saw no appreciable change in mpg, either.
One thing you may want to check, if you haven't already. The original inlet hose from the throttle body to the filter box will often crack with age, causing misreads by the MAF sensor. You won't always get a CEL from it, but it does affect how the vehicle operates. For me, the crack was on the bottom of the hose, so it wasn't readily noticeable until I changed the air filter. Just an FYI.
Not sure how you've kept that white paint so good. Pilots are notorious for bad paint; the white ones in particular. I live in Florida, so our Silver paint is baking and starting to look pretty bad.
If you're not already on it, there's a FB group for 2nd Gen Pilots that's pretty informative. You should join if you're on FB.
I read some reviews people mentioned the muzzler actually helped them gain more mileage. Looks to be the case for you. Great video and thank you for your time
Appreciate you brother👊🏽💯
It won’t increase mileage, but it will double the lifespan of the engine from no longer fouling up the rear bank pf cylinders 1-3.
The best mod I've done to my 2017 Ridgeline. Its a must have.
💯
I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey VCM1. 242k miles I just installed S-VCM Controller. I had noticed for the last 40 k miles or so its been using a lot of oil. initially it was because of oil leaks. but after all that was taken car of it was 2-2.5 qts of high mileage sync blend 5-20 Havoline. and now have been noticed some engine imbalances during 3 cylinder mode. (this is from a part warn out the dampens the imbalances) that was a signal to me it was a time to put on the S-VCM Controller.. now I am going to calculate the mpg and oil consumption.
Same! I plan to calculate out to see if oil consumption stops, or at least improves. Keep me updated
Where did you got the part? I have an 06 with 27plus milles, i would like to try it. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment about preserving engine mounts! Looking at a brand new Odyssey or perhaps a Passport. Learning that the engine has VCM made me worry about increased oil consumption and never considered the engine mount longevity too.
I test drove a 2025 Odyssey yesterday and was kind of surprised at how much throttle I had to give it to get it moving compared to our current 2004 Odyssey. I wonder if that's VCM related or just that it's a brand new vehicle with less than 10 miles on it...
Even with all the VCM baggage, it's still a Honda and they run great 👍🏽. Goodluck with the Odyssey.
I had this S-VCM on my 2013 Honda accord v6 close to 2 years now I wish I have known this when I first bought the car in 2019. It works as it should be I bought a V6 so I should get a 6 cylinder not a 3 cylinder. I drove it 13 hrs straight with S-VCM from L.A to Colorado with A/C on no problem. I rather pay a little bit of gas than replace the whole car. The car is responsive and shift smoothly compare with no S-VCM. Before it was sluggish and rough on the shifting. Just make sure after you install the S-VCM to check your radiator make sure the fans kicks in. Other than that your car is a real V6 now.
Exactly 💯
What do you mean by check radiator to make sure fans kick in?? I just bought this for my 2013 accord V6 as well, excited to see the difference. Vibration in my steering wheel that won’t go away, already replaced mounts. Hoping this fixes that
@@dadakingwhich one did you buy? I want do it tomy 16 accord v6
That's a great point. If it's telling the computer a false temperature, will the thermostat override it to keep the car from overheating? I'm wondering if there's another way to disable the VCM than giving it false data. Overheating is a serious issue if not handled correctly. 🤔
@stevenj5839 just read the S-VCM manual so you ll know the exact work around with this tiny chips. Like I said I drove my car from L.A to Colorado with A/C on no issues. That's one of my hesitation also but after I install it I am very happy.
I installed s-vcm on my 2015 Pilot a few weeks ago. The most noticable difference was improved throttle response which is very helpful when passing at highway speeds and it just feels like a more consistent ride. I didn't notice much of a negative change in MPG if at all. This is just a short sample size. I figure the potential benefits of s-vcm far outweighs the potential harm without it.
Very well said 👊🏽
Just ordered one of these right now - wondered why my ‘23 ridgeline with 8,000 miles on it felt strange
make sure you install it when the engine is cold, not hot or warm, I installed mine with resistor 82 ohm
S-CVM doesn’t require resistors. You will likely need to change your resistor to a higher reading as weather cools and then again as it warms. Hopefully you paid anywhere from $10-20 USD whereas S-VCM requires no resistors but costs $110 USD shipped to Dallas standard shipping.
Installed on my 2020 Honda Pilot. Completely stopped the faint rumble strip noise from the drive train experienced during light acceleration (particularly around 40 mph and 60 mph in my case). Power with throttle is more responsive.
Exactly! A whole new world with the muzzler
you need bright light shining down as you find the parts and install the unit.
Can you connect the power wire to a fuse that is only powered when the vehicle is turned on or does it need to be powered all the time. And by the way great video and explanation
I don't see why you couldn't hook up to a switched source. I also don't see why it would need constant power. I wouldn't hesitate to.
Hey bro does this affect the coolant temp readings? Or affect the cooling fans? If so how much? Does it let you know if it overheats
You can also disable VCM by getting engine to throw an ECL code.
Good decision to disable the VCM. I plan on doing the same on my new 2025 Honda Ridgeline. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You're welcome! It's a game-changer.
Is this compatible with 2025 ridgeline? Heard it gives lot of error codes…
Looking to buy the 2025 Ridgeline. Curious if you installed on your new vehicle and your experience.
@@Lopes12676 I purchased the VCM TUNER 2, but I haven’t installed it yet. I just finished the break-in period, and changed the oil.
Hi, has anyone experienced battery drain after installing this? I've read on some forums that it might happen because it constantly draws power from the battery. I'm wondering if the other version, which doesn't connect to the battery, might be better? I'm planning to put one on my 2025 Ridgeline. Thanks!
So did it change mpg much or not all it seems? Just learned about vcm deletes but i do about 40k highway miles a year, would it be a significant drop in highway mpg with vcm off?
I did such a small sample size cause of time. However, I've been driving it all this time and there really is no difference in mpg. The benefit (preventing catastrophic failure) outweighs the risk (loss of mpg, if any) in my opinion. Cheers.
I have a question. Did your oil consumption go down with the muzzler or did you Honda continue to run low on oil?
I actually have a video going over this. Check out the pinned comment
Nice job, I am going to install this fix on my odyssey. The part I got does not hook to the battery? So I'll see how it goes Thanks
You'll love the difference
Dada...how is the engine now? I got 2012 pilot and it's bugging me. Any advice on VCM ( svcm or tuner)
Hi Esteban, s-vcm works flawless as it should. ECO light has stayed off ever since install. I still have the torque converter shudder under load. I'll be doing an oil consumption video soon but I can tell it has helped with that. Goodluck!
Is there a difference between the $20 & the $100 units?
I ordered a $20 to start & see if it works.
It comes with 4 resistors from 60 to 120 ohms. Hope it works.
17 accord
There are many muzzlers out there. One I was considering was the muzzler 2. I was swayed to the s-vcm so I didn't have to mess with any resistors.
Does anyone know if S-VCM are working on a new version for the new DOHC V6? Their website says nothing about it and there’s no way to contact them.
Their website says:
... As long as your vehicle has a Honda 3.5Litre V6 SOHC engine with VCM.
@ Yes, I’m aware of their statement. I’d like to know if they plan on developing a version for the DOHC. There’s not contact info to ask them a question unfortunately.
Great video.
Thank you!
I have 08 accord with 190k i cant notice the vcm activating when its on ECO , i also have 2010 crosstour and i can feel and hear the engine vibrating at crusing speed with ECO light on, i think im going to install it on the crosstour for now, question is, does the engine run hotter with vcm delete ?? Thank you !!
Engine will run at the same operating temperature. The temp gauge will show it running just a tad lower, which is what tricks the VCM to not activate.
Hasn't GM shown that cylinder deactivation is a bad thing for 40 years now? This is the first I've heard of Honda trying it. Glad I avoided them recently.
I tell people the same. Avoid all this VCM stuff if you can. Sounds good on paper but that's about it.
Just bought a 14 Accord 86000. Is there a difference between the S-VCM and the VCMuzzler II?
I understand with the muzzler, you have to pick and choose resistance levels. With S-VCM, it eliminates that step. From research, both equally do the job. Cheers.
@@dadaking sorry, also which sparks and coil you rec?
@@26oreos I like NGK iridium for plugs and try to find denso for coil replacements. Cheers.
Can I use that on a 2011 Acura MDX? all the ones I see online say 2013 and up Acuras
Looks like you have a 3.7L. From what I understand, this only works on the 3.5L J series.
@dadaking thanks brother
If it's telling the computer a false temperature, will the thermostat override it to keep the engine from overheating?
Your outside temperature was reading 110⁰ in one shot. Humans aren't meant to exist in temperatures that hot, and cars don't do much better. I just got the vehicle and noticed the shutter, so far it's not burning oil, but I do feel the shutter and didn't know what it was, front end, steering, etc. 🤔, so I took it to Honda and everything checked out good. So I'm glad to know it's the VCM, but I'm concerned about cooking the engine, and it may hit 100⁰ here a couple of days a year for an hour or so, but at 110⁰ I'd be looking for a cooler climate. Engines don't like excessive heat.🤔
Considering normal operating temperature of an engine is about 200 degrees F, I would worry about an ambient temp of 110 deg F
so did your oil consumption stop after Muzzler was installed?
It didn't stop but significantly decreased. Check out the pinned post for an update on oil consumption.
Please tell me where you bought this please…
thanks…
www.svcmcontroller.com/
Did it help your oil consumption? Thx
Yes! It most definitely improved it. I will do a followup video.
@@dadaking sweet! Looking forward to it! I’m one of many Honda owners finding out about the dark side of VCM through oil consumption. I’m hoping to reverse this by disabling it. I’ve noticed that long trips where the vcm works for extended periods of time is especially bad for oil consumption.
@@alanmorrison370 that's how I found out about it too, hwy miles.
A little follow up…my 2016 Odyssey with 182,000 miles was burning a ton of oil to the point where it would actually trigger the check engine light. After watching your video I ordered and installed the S-VCM and it appears the oil consumption has essentially stopped!
@@alanmorrison370how is it now?
Save a couple quarts of gasoline, burn a couple quarts of oil. May as well install the muzzler and be done with it - for those who haven't yet.
0:45 OMG! I know what a crazy burn rate! Wowzers! I can’t believe Honda destroyed the reliability of their entire brand with the decision to develop and deploy VCM. What a total piece of shit, this seems to doom every Honda V6 for the past 18+ years. It’s also kind of amazing that a $100 electrical bypass module can completely deactivate the system and the incredible Honda reliability may return.
Trying to find a video/ anyone who has installed this on the new generation Honda Pilot (23+).
Any help or input greatly appreciated.
I guess new hondas have green button inside to turn it on or off, just taking a guess that it might do simmilar thing if that green eco button is not pressed, better ask mechanic if you that in ur 23+ model
I just bought 2012 Honda odyssey with 176000 miles and I don’t have the oil consumption problem am I the only one ..2012 Honda odyssey touring elite model
I hope it stays that way for you. Mine reared it's ugly head once I regularly took it commuting to work on the hwy. If it's mostly city driving, the VCM, doesn't get a chance to kick on as often.
Honda decided that their vehicles lasted too long so they pulled this S**T!
Preach it! Might just get back into a 90s Honda 😏
The “ECO” light is actually just a warning that you’re burning out your VTEC oil sensors. I don’t know why they made it green. It should be BRIGHT RED AND FLASHING. Like “WARNING. YOU’RE TRADING A FEW MILES PER GALLON FOR A FAT REPAIR BILL.” 😂
😆 💯
It appears you did your test based on city mileage which does not fully address highway conditions. I do mostly country two lane and interstate driving during which I get 25 to 26 miles per gallon in My 2014 Pilot. Add that up over one hundred thousand miles and the savings is in the thousands of dollars based on current gas prices. So, not quite a totally valid test.
I got one 2014 and the best i can do highway is 20 😢
There are a lot of false assumptions in your reply, which I won't get into. Conditions will vary from case to case. This is simply, my case.
Me too I took mine off I bought a cheap kit on amazon
Rita Route
why in the balls are you filling up prematurely? you still had 1/3 of a tank left every time.
I'm so sorry 😞
According to some; You actually should do that. Because if you let the tank “empty” it’ll be taking whatever “dirt” it has at the very bottom of the tank 🤷🏻♂️
wrong. there's a big screen/filter attached to the inlet/bottom of every electric fuel pump made these days. virtually nothing foreign gets into fuel systems anymore- that's pretty much a thing of the past.
Most fuel pumps are cooled by the fuel, so not running it empty regularly helps the pump last longer.
1/3 of a tank is NOFREAKINGWHERE NEAR "empty"
1/10th of a tank is nowhere near empty