[denvrfan]

I've always been a big fan of Honda's V6. However, as I contemplate the purchase of a new Accord, I'm hearing some negative owners comments about the cylinder deactivation system. I've seen quite a few 2008 V6 owners on this site. I would love to hear your impression on how this system engages on the highway. Is it a problem or just something that you need to get used to? I read a comment on another site about how you should buy an extended warranty on V6's due to this system. C'mon 2008 V6 owners- I want to hear from you.

 

[jblaust]

V6 6spd doesnt have the cylinder deactivation that is only in automatic V6. I do have this feature on my 07 honda pilot. No issues. The engine shuts down to 3 cylinders to save gas when you are at a cruising steady speed. As soon as you step on the gas it switches back unnoticeably in the pilot. I have owned 2 3.5 liter V6 pilots with this feature with no problems. My V6 6 spd manual Accord doesnt have this feature though.

 

[Bouncnb]

Every now and then I feel it switch a bit. The VCM doesn't kick in until the engine reaches steady operating temp. When I do feel it, it is mainly at lower speeds. When I am cruising @ 45 mph or above.......I don't notice it.

 

[krazyfiend]

Every now and then I feel it switch a bit. The VCM doesn't kick in until the engine reaches steady operating temp. When I do feel it, it is mainly at lower speeds. When I am cruising @ 45 mph or above.......I don't notice it.

agreed ... it's pretty intuitive. I definitely enjoy the seeing the increase in mileage while on the highway cruising at 75-80 with VCM kicked in.

There are times when I get the 6spd envy, mainly here on DA ... but for a dd and my needs the 5AT V6 is serving it's purpose well.

 

[Marc04LX]

I've yet to drive a V6 Accord, but my 2.4L is comparable to some V6s I've owned.

I imagine driving a V6 6spd would be similiar to driving a 5.0L 5spd Mustang.

 

[VTECaddict]

reliability shouldnt be an issue. its just a modified form of VTEC which has been in use in the 80's with NO failures.

the active engine mounts and active noise canceling are the only things that might have long term reliability issues, but those are just "comfort" things that smooth out vibrations and wont leave you stranded.

 

[vlodnak69]

Every now and then I feel it switch a bit. The VCM doesn't kick in until the engine reaches steady operating temp. When I do feel it, it is mainly at lower speeds. When I am cruising @ 45 mph or above.......I don't notice it.

++

What he said.

 

[frainc]

Every now and then I feel it switch a bit. The VCM doesn't kick in until the engine reaches steady operating temp. When I do feel it, it is mainly at lower speeds. When I am cruising @ 45 mph or above.......I don't notice it.

Agree again, no big deal, I'm really enjoying the V6 over my 2006's I4. Real nice power when you use it.

 

[redziggy]

I don't notice it switching any more really. At first I could pick up on it since I was looking for it, but after driving for a while it just blends in. I'm not even sure I'd describe it as something you can feel changing, it might just be that you can hear the difference in the engine briefly when it switches.

I don't think the reliability will be a problem. They've used the VCM for a few years from what I understand. And from what I hear it's not a bunch of additional hardware that can end up going wrong, it's just a different kind of VTEC (as someone already said). When picking between an Altima with a CVT and an Accord with VCM is had a lot more confidence that the VCM would hold up long term rather than the CVT.

 

[BenzAccord]

This technology has been around for a while. Even 1981 Cadillac's had an engine with cylinder deactivation (it could run on 8, 6, or 4 cylinders) in the DeVille/Fleetwood. I don't think Honda would do it if they weren't confident in it.

With that said, I own a 2007 4 cyl (wanted a 6, but couldn't justify the extra cost) and I'm much more satisfied than I expected to be, but I won't deny that on occasion, I do wish I had the 6.

 

[denvrfan]

Appreciate the feedback!

It's great to hear from the actual users. Thank you for taking the time to respond. This will likely sway me to the V6 since I haven't owned a 4 cylinder vehicle in 15 years. The 4 cylinder would be attractive if there was a bigger pickup in gas mileage.

 

[Furnace]

It's great to hear from the actual users. Thank you for taking the time to respond. This will likely sway me to the V6 since I haven't owned a 4 cylinder vehicle in 15 years. The 4 cylinder would be attractive if there was a bigger pickup in gas mileage.

That's exactly why I picked up a V6 instead of the 190hp I4. There was barely a decrease in fuel economy and the added benefit of A LOT more horsepower.

VCM is great so far. I don't feel a thing unless I'm looking for it. I only wish they allowed us to see if it was in 3-cylinder mode or 4.

 

[rfs830]

I must say I love my v6. Last accord as a 4cy 5 speed. I do miss the manual but I love the power. Im getting used to the computer throttle. If you are thinking of a v6 i say go for that. I drive over 100 miles to work round trip and Im getting just about the same gas mileage as my 4cy did.

 

[ERICH80]

Personally, I think the Accord is too big a car for the 4 cylinder. My Eclipse was the same way. The 4 cyl in that car was merely adequate but on the other hand it was only 162 hp. When I bought my Accord I knew I had to have a 6 cyl.

 

[disphoboi]

I went with the v6 since it's not that much different in gas mileage, plus with the VCM works great on long road trips. Average city and highway driving I been getting 22.5 mpg, but it's been very cold here also. It's nice to have 268hp underneath your hood and the engine sounds awesome, deep tone.

I say go for the V6, you will enjoy the power.

 

[denvrfan]

More VCM dialogue

It's amazing how different the sentiment is over on this site regarding VCM compared to the Edmunds Car Space forum. There are owners over there that are on the verge of being "militant" about their dislike for the system. They're talking recall, TSB's, Lemon laws, etc. I'm a week from taking delivery on a V6 with VCM. This has me concerned. Feedback?

 

[Tom R]

It's amazing how different the sentiment is over on this site regarding VCM compared to the Edmunds Car Space forum. There are owners over there that are on the verge of being "militant" about their dislike for the system. They're talking recall, TSB's, Lemon laws, etc. I'm a week from taking delivery on a V6 with VCM. This has me concerned. Feedback?

Yea...one reason I bought the 4cyl manual was the comments on the VCM on a couple of other sites. Some say they are constantly aware of the "shifting" from 6 to 4 to 3 cyls. I am a bit fussy about that type of thing and did not want to buy the new 6 cyl with that potential issue.

To be fair...I also wanted a manual transmission and you cannot get one on the 6 cyl sedan...and I wanted to get close to 30 MPG.

BTW...my previous car was a high pressure 246HP Volovo turbo...and I find the 190HP Accord 4 cyl to have PLENTY of touque and power...no buyer's remorse from me!

Tom R

 

[pazbien]

It's amazing how different the sentiment is over on this site regarding VCM compared to the Edmunds Car Space forum. There are owners over there that are on the verge of being "militant" about their dislike for the system. They're talking recall, TSB's, Lemon laws, etc. I'm a week from taking delivery on a V6 with VCM. This has me concerned. Feedback?

If you ever believe what Car space forum or any forum where every car company is represented, be ready for false information. For some reason owners of other midsize car brands always think that talking like an owner of a car they have never driven and lieing about problems, will influence the person to buy the same car they bought. I had a friend that use to say he owned a Nissan when in reality he owned a toyota. All he use to do was go on car space and write about CVT problems he never had b/cause he didn't own the car. Same thing is going on wit the VCM problems.

I have one of the first VCM equipped cars and have had zero problems. Same thing with the auto transmission of all my past honda cars, they have always been reliable. Trust me, you will be happy with your purchase, if you are not keep us posted.


VCM has been here since 2003 and deactivating cylinders has been around since the 80s. Honda knows the technology they put out is reliable. That's why it hasn't made 6sp Auto yet, b/cause they are being tested. Unlike Toyota who rushed out the transmission HOnda is making sure another transmission problem doesn't arrise due to they rushing technology.

 

[denvrfan]

If you ever believe what Car space forum or any forum where every car company is represented, be ready for false information. For some reason owners of other midsize car brands always think that talking like an owner of a car they have never driven and lieing about problems, will influence the person to buy the same car they bought. I had a friend that use to say he owned a Nissan when in reality he owned a toyota. All he use to do was go on car space and write about CVT problems he never had b/cause he didn't own the car. Same thing is going on wit the VCM problems.

I have one of the first VCM equipped cars and have had zero problems. Same thing with the auto transmission of all my past honda cars, they have always been reliable. Trust me, you will be happy with your purchase, if you are not keep us posted.


VCM has been here since 2003 and deactivating cylinders has been around since the 80s. Honda knows the technology they put out is reliable. That's why it hasn't made 6sp Auto yet, b/cause they are being tested. Unlike Toyota who rushed out the transmission HOnda is making sure another transmission problem doesn't arrise due to they rushing technology.

Thank you for your perspective. It's true that no one has any idea who is posting what on the Internet (and why). All of the major car magazines and the leading consumer magazine have reviewed 6 cylinder Accords with auto transmission and nobody has said a peep about VCM. Good luck with your "hopeful" purchase. I believe my purchase matches your hopes (EXL V6 with nav- alabaster silver and gray interior for me).

 

[Trip]

What many people don’t realize is that Honda’s VCM isn’t really new technology for Honda. Not only has it been in the Odyssey for a few years but VCM relies heavily on Honda’s VTEC technology which debuted in the US in 1992. To my knowledge, VTEC has been pretty much bullet proof for the 16 years Honda has been using it. Rather than flipping over to a high performance cam, VCM (ala VTEC) selectively shuts fuel delivery off to the appropriate cylinders. If anything, the only down side is that it seems Honda has tuned the torque curve such that some people have said there’s a plateau in the power delivery – nothing that flooring the gas pedal won’t fix when needed. Other than that, there isn’t a whole lot to be concerned about.

Even if the V6 6sp did not have a unique engine, I would have not hesitated to get it because of VCM.