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Sedans Honda Accord Honda Accord VCM
2144 messages, Last post on Nov 11, 2009 at 8:38 PM
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Replying to: jhinsc (Jan 02, 2009 8:58 am) When we stopped at a stop sign, he asked me what was in the trunk that was moving back and forth. The trunk was empty, the movement was caused by the gas sloshing in the tank (the tank was full, the sloshing disappears around 3/4th of a tank). Bottom line: ordered new engine mounts to re-direct the vibration caused when there are less than 6 cylinders firing and a noise cancellation module to mute the sound caused by the non-firing cylinders. The Honda tech line told the mechanic that there is nothing they could do about the gas tank, the baffles apparently do not extend as high as they should in the tank to prevent the gas from sloshing when the tank is near full. We've had the car 13 months, 10,000 miles. Counting down the days to trade it for something else.
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Replying to: elliott2 (Jan 03, 2009 11:37 am) I would be interested to draw a demographic profile of those Accord owners who are having VCM issues on Edmunds. It appears they are almost 100% male, but do we have any VCM owners under the age of 40, for example? Those who have admitted to age have indicated older ages....like 55...60...75. Is there a propensity for older male drivers who are complaining about this phenomenon? Or do we have any 20 or 30 yr olds (or females?) who absolutely loathe VCM? If yes, please come out and identify yourselves! I own a 6speed Accord which has no VCM. However, I've personally test driven 4 different VCM-equipped Accords in the past year, and although I can certainly sense the cylinders cycling on/off in accordance with the ECO light, to me it is not an annoying or seriously violent sensation. But I can also understand how some people may be annoyed by it, and feel that Big Brother is controlling their driving behavior. This Accord must be driven a certain way to minimize vibration and maximize gas mileage. It's just a different kind of car. It's not a defective car, but one boasting a different technology that rewards a certain driving style. If you fight it, I can see how it can annoy a driver to no end. The descriptions from those who dislike VCM are also not consistent for the most part. Some feel there is a grade logic transmission issue, some say it feels like a wheel is out of alignment, some feel the engine mounts are the culprits, and for some the problem miraculously disappeared. Several independent reviews of this car have noted the VCM operation, but nothing like the strong descriptors on this forum. Most of the reviews of this car (like the one on Edmunds' long term test) are positive reviews. The car continues to sell relatively well, in a weak economy. Do an Internet search and Edmunds is the only site that lists negative comments in any real volume. The ones on VTEC.NET were posted by the same individual who used to be on Edmunds, but who disappeared after multiple argumentative posts and warnings. There are 3 consistent variables....(1) these comments are almost exclusively limited to this Edmunds forum, (2) the complaints are not consistent and do not suggest a single source of the problem, and (3) in nearly every case, Honda is stating to the owner that the operation is normal. Honda acknowledges that VCM operation is perceptible, but that this sensation is a normal part of this car. The change to their advertising literature is not relevant, in my humble opinion. No automotive drivetrain is totally seamless. You can feel and hear the engine in EVERY automobile. But for a small minority of Accord owners, it's obvious that VCM clearly elicits violently negative opinions. A very interesting and real phenomenon. |
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Replying to: cstiles (Jan 05, 2009 6:50 pm) You summed things up nicely. |
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Replying to: cstiles (Jan 05, 2009 6:50 pm) What I am most interested in, is whether there are different experiences concerning VCM operation, by drivers of the SAME CAR. Does one find VCM maddening, and another barely notice it? Are there any new entries, in the long term test? I can't seem to find it, and all I get is the introduction. Are the final results a secret?
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Replying to: cstiles (Jan 05, 2009 6:50 pm) As a 53 year old male that wanted something a little larger than previous Accords as well as something a little more stylistic then Honda had designed in the past, I felt this was the Accord I had been waiting for. While it would have been nice if the VCM was imperceptible as Honda had originally claimed, the activity in my car has never been a serious detractor from the overall ownership experience. Considering the current crop of V6 sedans for under $30,000 and after 15 months and 16,000 miles of what some have described as VCM madness, this is still the car I would purchase today.
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Replying to: dpmeersman (Jan 06, 2009 3:10 am) I've owned a bunch of Accords in my lifetime....1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1997 (all sedans), 2003 coupe, and my current 2008 coupe. I agree that this current Accord is very different in the areas of driving dynamics, size, handling, and engine noise. Accords have always had road noise, but this current drivetrain has a coarser and more powerful sound. (Probably because it is a larger and stronger motor, plus maybe the VCM adds a dimension of sound or vibration as well.) This current car also does not have the same high revving characteristic of previous generations. My 2003 and 2008 coupes also feel very different, even though both are 6speeds. To be honest, they don't even feel like they are that much related. Previous Accords felt lighter and more nimble, and this one simply feels big. But on average, that's what American drivers want. There is a reason why we get this version, while the rest of the world gets one more similar to the smaller and more efficient Acura TSX.
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Replying to: cstiles (Jan 05, 2009 6:50 pm) And too I question what VCM has done to Honda performance. 268 HP now revised to 271HP with 0-60 times in the mid 7's according to Edmunds comparison test with the Mazda6 and the Nissan Altima. Beware V6 Honda drivers - V6 Camrys and Mazdas will blow your doors off by a full second or more to 60 and with sub 15 second 1/4 miles versus your 15.5+
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Replying to: cstiles (Jan 06, 2009 9:30 am) Similar problem with inline 4s - get larger than 2.5 liters and they start getting rough, no matter WHO the manufacturer. |
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Replying to: hondalvr1 (Jan 06, 2009 12:01 pm) The V-6's tend to attract older customers and people who think they really need that extra power. Me? I think the 4 bangers are more than up to the task. But, that's me.
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Replying to: isellhondas (Jan 06, 2009 12:12 pm) Be interesting to see the demographics. Having driven as long as I have I personally feel that there is safety value in having extra power - I have expereinced the need for it from time to time in emergencies to get out of the way of someone or something. Many people simply react by braking in all emergency situations, when applying more power would be the better and safer alternative. A 190 HP 4 cylinder with AT in a 3400+ pound car? Uh...no. A 177 HP 4 cylinder? Even worse. Lose 700 pounds and then I would say you are ok. E.G. the Series 1 Acura Legend - 161 HP V6 in a 2800 pound car. In that case there was plenty of power. The 240 HP in a 2700 pound S2000? More than enough. 4 wheel anti lock disc brakes? Great - conversely the engine should have equal "go" power.
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