http://www.piloteers.org/forums/82-2...vibration.html

Im in the market for 2015 pilot and saw this link. Pilot is base on the MDX so was wondering if anyone has this issues?

 

I have 9K miles on my MDX and have not experienced the vibration from the VCM. I drove a Pilot before and knew about the vibration.

However, I had a vibration noise from the left front area which was fixed by a TSB issued by Acura:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-mdx-2014-2020-414/anyone-else-experiencing-front-driver-side-vibration-894604/

It has something to do with the plastic engine cover under the hood.

 

Yes it does, on the new MDX you can tell the VCM is working but it doesn't vibrate like the Pilot does. In my opinion it's a very soft, gentle transition with no vibrations as contrary to the Pilot. My wife traded her 2011 EX-L Pilot for the new MDX and the VCM system is completely different and refined for this engine. If Honda uses the same engine again for both vehicles I think the VCM will be a non-issue.

 

^^^^ Correction, it doesn't vibrate. Sorry for the confusion!

 

I would say the VCM switch-over is un-detectable. I have a 2005 Odyssey EX-L with first gen VCM, witch is VERY noticeable (also has a light on the dash to indicate 3 cylinder mode). The MDX is both smooth, and doesn't seem to have an audible VCM signature.

 

At what speed does the VCM switch over? Is there any indicator when this happens? I have a advance MDX and I've never notice anything (audible noise or vibration) unusual driving on the highway.

 

I've experimented a bit on open roads where I could easily adjust my speed while watching the Instant Fuel Economy "meter" on my MDI. I think I can see the mileage jump up when VCM kicks in, but I'm not noticing any corresponding physical or audible sensation at that time.

 

this always bugs me, is that 1 or 2 mile per gallon saving really worth the trouble? as far as i know, the rattle/vibration issue for VCM dates back to the '04 Pilot and '08 Accord V6. it's especially stupid to use that "technology" on a $50k premium SUV. my wife's '09 TL luckily does not have VCM and she's still getting 23-25 mpg mix driving per tank. i really hope the new TLX leave that off as well.

 

I never experienced any vibration at all City or highway. Mine has 2100 miles.

 

The TLX will have the VCM. I have it in the my RDX and its very smooth and subtle. I much prefer it to the start/stop technology in BMW (even though that can be turned off).

 

^^^^^

I wish that the MDX VCM feature can be turned off as well.

When the MDX is running on 3 cylinders on the highway, I always need to paddle-shift down a gear or two (much faster and smoother transmission downshift than stomping the gas pedal to the floor), in order to get some decent acceleration power for passing use.

 

this is exactly what i've been talking about. are all the inconveniences come with the VCM really worth for that 1 or 2 mpg gain? i don't think people who can afford a MDX care about that much difference in fuel economy anyway.

 

^^^^^

It's all about Honda trying to market itself as a leader in green technology more than anything else.

 

leader? hardly, Toyota is the clear cut leader now in hybrid technology. rather chasing Toyota while compromising the rest of Honda/Acura lineup with half-hearted "green" technology, i'd much rather have Honda/Acura do what they do best which is developing building fun to drive car with basic yet potent powertrains that lasts a long time.

 

^^^^^

I said "It's all about Honda TRYING to market itself as a leader in green technology more than anything else. "

 

In 2 years with VCM in the RDX, RLX and MDX now, I have never once had a customer actually even mention VCM or a vibration. Real world experience.

Yet, I do have many clients considering the RDX/MDX reading too many reviews online claiming a VCM problem and/or "when will it be fixed?" only to not have a proper answer, as it is not a problem. There may be a handful of vehicles where people notice it more, but it is not by any means a widespread or even remotely common issue to even worry about.

Test drive the vehicles, even test drive a few, and see for yourself.

 

^^^ I think the confusion is because most people knows that the MDX and the Pilot shares the same power plant and somehow this is a real issue on the Pilot. When we had our Pilot the VCM was so annoying that I couldn't wait to trade her out. Perhaps, the VCM system was not a good match for the 5 speed transmission on the Pilot as that's the only real difference that I can tell from both power plants.

 

The Pilot, the last Accord, and previous Odyssey were all less refined, rougher and noisier vehicles in the first place. The Honda way of tuning. Add in more road noise, usually the older 5-speed transmission, and less insulation and it's only natural that VCM would show up more pronounced that it should have.

With the Acura models, including the RDX I constantly get questions about, no one in 2 years has ever even noticed or mentioned. It's a naturally sportier firmer feeling car than some other Acura models, but refined enough VCM is not a noteworthy aspect despite reviews you may read.

Honda is a different animal, with more noise and less refinement overall.

 

I test drove the 328 with start/stop. Wow that was really annoying. Maybe you would get used to it after awhile, like someone who lives next to the train tracks, but it was very very noticeable. Of course it gets great gas mileage.


To be able to put a sticker on the window of a full size SUV with a FE number 1-2 MPG higher? Yes. Yes people who buy the MDX do care about that.

But I'm surprised that they did not disable VCM when the IDS is in 'Sport' mode.

 

Good to hear VCM is not intrusive.