Q&A Episode 88 (vcm disabling | Toyota technology | rotor machining)

[@socal_gambler]

2020 Pilot here, installed VCM and a auto start/stop disabler @ 20k miles. Improved my gas milage almost 1 mpg, currently at 70k. I track my data using Drivvo.

[@BCautosutions]

@@socal_gambler go figure 😅. Nothing like real world data, love it. Thanks for sharing

[@Underdog1776]

Thanks man ! It’s an intermittent noise. Ive used the stethoscope ears and all and still can’t locate it. Definitely drivers side. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Deeply appreciated !

[@Ok_Mountain_8698]

I would love to see Honda include an oil temperature display option in the infotainment so I can be sure my oil gets up to temp often enough

[@BCautosutions]

@@Ok_Mountain_8698 even if it’s not there all the time the ability to see it when wanted would be nice. Agreed

[@jobe20001]

Our 25 Odyssey doesn't even have a temperature gauge

[@Ok_Mountain_8698]

@@BCautosutions Yep, and when I plugged in my OBD2 scanner I expected to at least see the values on there. Nope! The sensor just isn't in the car, so I guess even the ECU doesn't know the oil temp.

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

@@Ok_Mountain_8698 they used to have it..i noticed it was missing also..instead its more about phone calls...i likr the compass..the puter thing gets to be overbearing..

[@BCautosutions]

@ I really dislike that

[@Boogypicker]

Id say camera height is perfect. Looks like someone who is the same height as me is talking to me👍

[@BCautosutions]

@@Boogypicker thank you! I’m always open to input 👍🏻👍🏻

[@RichDGordon]

I just bought a new Pilot last month and have found a wealth of information from your videos. I wanted to ask what do you think about disabling the Auto Start Stop on the new Pilots? I searched around and found a connector that goes in line with the switch. To me that seems like a pretty good location as it’s not having to go interfere with additional wiring or components. Would it void the warranty? Does it need to be removed when you get your car serviced?

[@BCautosutions]

@@RichDGordon it does not need to be removed during service

[@eliseojrmallari6599]

Hi. Thank you for this video. I always watch your latest episode. My question is, since you did not disable VCM on your Pilot, you did not have any issues? At what mileage your Pilot is now? I own a 2022 Ridgeline here. Thank you

[@BCautosutions]

@@eliseojrmallari6599 thank you and appreciate the support. I’m at 90k. Only issue I’ve had is intermittent fakra symptoms and battery dying unexpectedly. I use top tier 93 octane always and oil changes around 3-3,500k. All fluids every 30k, approaching on second see of tires and pads soon. Timing belt and plugs will be done in the fall/winter right around 100-105k

[@mikerees9158]

Re: cold weather rev’ing -> what about hybrids? Should I be starting my car with the heat on to force the engine to turn over? Otherwise it stays on electric and than revs up as I accelerate onto my local road.

[@BCautosutions]

@@mikerees9158 yes that’s a valid point. I would even tho it’ll be colder for you in the cabin.

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

How long does the newer crv batterys allow radio on accesory versus an agm battery and do they charge back and recover as well as a deep cycle agm battery? so far i am impressed with the ability of them..

[@BCautosutions]

@@Tracy-wr7mj I don’t have an exact number or figure for you

[@HiFiInsider]

hyundai also has gdi + mpi engines.

[@BCautosutions]

@@HiFiInsider honda needs to hop on that

[@HiFiInsider]

@@BCautosutions I suspect it is due to extra cost for the injectors. Plus, if the engine doesn't last as long due to carbon build up, Honda sells more new cars. lol....

[@BCautosutions]

@@HiFiInsider lol valid points

[@HiFiInsider]

@ I heard that Honda been penny pinching to the point where they under fill the oil by 1/2 quart so when techs perform the PDI they have to use dealer's oil to fill the correct level. I guess 1/2 quart x millions of cars they build does add up in costs. lol...

[@BCautosutions]

@ idk about the oil thing. I’m gonna have to verify myself now lmao. If it’s true, I’m making a video 😅

[@woolfreyp]

My 24 mdx has low speed vibration around 30kmh that is felt through front floor and pedals. Feels like grinding and is worse on certain roads. Dealer first blamed tires then blamed vcm. Only has 6000km. It occurs on the new winter tires as well so that’s not it, and it occurs when in sport mode and accelerating - so not vcm right?

[@BCautosutions]

@@woolfreyp correct during acceleration it’s not vcm. Moderate to heavy acceleration?

[@c.d.5138]

In a hybrid powertrain, How And When does the 12 volt battery charge……..does it charge when the engine is not inoperation?

[@legendaryslayer1234]

What are your overall thoughts for Nissan and Honda merging together?

[@BCautosutions]

@@legendaryslayer1234 there has some updated info since I made the video, as we get closer to the merger and there are more details I’ll make an updated video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIW2Z2yun7ikm5Isi=x_E61UGboZF9IvAx

[@loucabano6017]

Do you recommend oil catch can on Earth Dreams engine?

[@BCautosutions]

@@loucabano6017 I don’t necessarily think it’s needed and can promote a boost leak on the turbo engines but I’m not totally against it either.

[@badboy2day2011]

My new CR-V 2025 hybrid has the coolant reservoir filled above the max line should i leave it alone or remove the excess.

[@BCautosutions]

@@badboy2day2011 how much past it? Few mms? Also which res? The engine or hybrid one?

[@Blank00]

Do Honda’s hybrids have a blue cold light for both the cheaper semi-digital instrument cluster and the higher end all-digital cluster? My 15 Civic has a blue light instead of a temp gauge

[@BCautosutions]

@@Blank00 the new ones have a gauge. Can’t recall the older ones right now but I believe they do (accords and Crvs atleast)

[@bryanroberts2310]

Do you do any side work for us to get our cars worked on by you?

[@BCautosutions]

@@bryanroberts2310 yes I do, shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@lionheart1916]

Hi.. my civic 1 5 turbo has always from cold start revved to 2000 immediately then drop to 1500 within a second or two then stays at 1500 for say 30 seconds then drops to 1000 for another 30 seconds or so. question is this normal, its always beem like that.. thanks

[@BCautosutions]

@@lionheart1916 yes

[@dustingaldeano]

Did you disable vcm on your type s? I hate driving in sport plus just to get power when I need it.

[@BCautosutions]

@@dustingaldeano I have not. I feel like it’s pretty seamless transition. A certain flash will have it disabled in all modes I believe.

[@teslamr7333]

I’m curious when the dealer does a transmission fluid change on a car that holds 6 quarts, do they change 3 quarts drive it around and then put another 3 inside?

[@BCautosutions]

@@teslamr7333 yes we drain and grill, drive it, drain and fill again. Not a perfect way but it’s the safest.

[@Hdrunner647]

What is your recommended oil brand for my '21 accord 2.0t? I'm going to transition from Pennzoil 0w20 full synthetic to a 5w30 full synthetic.

[@BCautosutions]

@@Hdrunner647 5w30

[@Hdrunner647]

@@BCautosutions any particular brand? Was thinking of trying Kirkland from Costco.

[@freddylozano-o2k]

Hi, I am considering buying a used RDX A Spec. What year do you recommend that has less issues

[@BCautosutions]

@@freddylozano-o2k current gen I would get a 22-23 and get Acuras extended warranty. I plan on making a common issue video soon.

[@freddylozano-o2k]

@@BCautosutions Thank you. What is your opinion on leasing a car?

[@BCautosutions]

@ great if you like something new every x years. Horrible investment imo. I wouldn’t buy a car that was previously leased, 9 out of 10 times they were neglected.

[@nunosilva4261]

I have a 2016 CRV. I’ve noticed that the engine sometimes idles rough. I’ve enquired about this at the dealership and they have told me this is normal for this vehicle. They even took me to another CRV that also idled rough. Can you explain why this is? I’m thinking it has something to do with lower idle and fuel economy but not sure. Thanks

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

@@nunosilva4261 does it only happen at lights or when you are stopped by brake pedal? try flipping your headlights on which kicks up the idle..mine did that.

[@BCautosutions]

@@nunosilva4261 there’s a service bulletin for this I believe definitely on the 2015s I’ll have to check the details of the years.

[@nunosilva4261]

@@BCautosutions thank you. Please let me know. Is it covered under warranty like a recall?

[@BCautosutions]

@@nunosilva4261 will do. Shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@JoosshhST]

I have a 2nd generation Honda Fit - The starter grinds on cold starts usually when the weather is a bit colder. Something I should fix ASAP or can I get away with putting it off for a while?

[@BCautosutions]

@@JoosshhST Tough to say it can go any day now or last another few years. Does it grind on crank or after you stop cranking?

[@teslamr7333]

My 09 Fit had that for around 4 years until I eventually sold the car.

[@robertneal6878]

BCautosolutions How does one disable the auto brake mitigation on a 19’ Pilot? It hits the Brakes if a vehicle is going in the opposite direction around a curve. Very annoying and also dangerous. Thanks

[@BCautosutions]

@@robertneal6878 press and hold the button on the dashboard to the left of the traction control light on the left hand of the dashboard.

[@robertneal6878]

@BCautosolutions Thanks for the tip. But I think something is wrong. It was too easy! Yuk, yuk. It now shows on the display that it is disabled. Will give it the ‘road test’ to c what happens.

[@BCautosutions]

@ confirm and report back 👍🏻

[@Tracy-wr7mj]

i just got a 23 crv exl used...seems its difficult to run car eith ac locked up with dog while going into store..10 min or 15 to 20 min segments only...anyway to bypass the shutoff allowing for an hour if need be?

[@BCautosutions]

@@Tracy-wr7mj absolutely! I’ll answer this in next weeks Q&A a lot of people can use tho.

[@jamesbae5163]

I've got a cylinder 4 misfire on my tsx..but it still runs good ir doesn't hesitate or shake. And the engine lights turns itself off on its own. It mainly has the minor misfire when idle Any ideas on the cause?

[@BCautosutions]

@@jamesbae5163 if you hook up a scan tool does it count? Does it happen only when cold or cold and full temp?

[@jamesbae5163]

@BCautosutions it happens mainly when I start the car and sit in it watching TV or listening to music. It shows up on a scan tool as " cylinder 4 misfire" mechanic hooked up fancy scan tool and said the car is operating as normal. He thinks the computer is being sensitive to minor flaws in firing cuz it's 15 years old. But it almost caused me to not pass emissions cuz it kept turning the check engine light:(

[@Blank00]

Aside from Toyota and Hyundai, has anyone else implemented GDI/MPI combo injection?

[@BCautosutions]

@@Blank00 not sure.

[@bxutuber]

Hey BC, I had a question about a 11th gen civic, Is it normal for wipers to move slightly when starting or shutting down vehicle? Happens intermittently. Also in regards to EPS recall, I called local dealer and got a September appointment, is this typical? tIA

[@BCautosutions]

@@bxutuber yes, they go into and out of the park position, totally normal. Your local dealer should have these in stock. We are actively doing these. There’s no reason they can bring you in until September that’s ridiculous.

[@bxutuber]

Thank you sir, might try a different dealer or stop by In person.

[@BCautosutions]

@ lmk what ends up happening

[@bxutuber]

@ thanks will do

[@Underdog1776]

Hey man, thanks for the content. Any chance you could check out my short in ref to a buzzing noise in my wife’s 19 RDX Aspec. Thanks in advance. Can’t figure out what this noise is ? .

[@BCautosutions]

@@Underdog1776 I took a listen going to very hard to pinpoint from here.

[@henrybrandt1057]

Tripod seems to be working well.

[@BCautosutions]

@@henrybrandt1057 ✅

[@davidy2116]

Your head is a little too low in the frame - it looks like a target! This is a professional photographer's/videographer's no-no. Your head should be a little bit higher in the frame, but the TOP of a bald head should be a little lower than the TOP of a head with hair. Love your videos - direct, detailed, and to the point!

[@BCautosutions]

@@davidy2116 thank you, so you think I should inch the camera down an inch or so or possible angle it down a few degrees? Thanks for the tips and kind words.

[@davidy2116]

@@BCautosutions Yes!😀

[@kcm732]

ive been saying it for AGES but any vehicle with direct injection should also have port injection for intake valve cleaning, and better emissions. its SO annoying. 😩

[@BCautosutions]

@@kcm732 💯🎯

[@Underdog1776]

Hey man, thanks for the content. Any chance you could check out my short in ref to a buzzing noise in my wife’s 19 RDX Aspec. Thanks in advance. .

[@BCautosutions]

@@Underdog1776 I took a listen. how long does the buzzing at the end last for or what it the whine/whistle during the video?

[@pepeshopping]

You do not need port injection in order to keep valves clean! The smarter makers have implemented valve overlap, and the smarter techs understand how they use timing to keep the calves clean in purely GDI engines!

[@BCautosutions]

@@pepeshoppingwhich said makers are we talking about since Honda valve overlap strategy didn’t get the memo. Just a not smart tech here trying to understand the difference between theory and real world results….