Pilot's VTM-4R system - Honda Pilot

whatugot · 02-20-2007, 01:38 PM

Hi All,

I have a question regarding my 05' Pilot EX-L VTM system, there were snow and ice last week remaining on the street where I parked. I tried to move out when my Pilot started spinning to get out, thought the Pilot is four wheel drive, the backwheel were spinning like crazy! I notice the front wheel were not moving at all during the process, is there something wrong with my vehicle or something else I am missing?

Let me know your thoughts if any

Thanks

andyschneider · 02-20-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
Hi All,

I have a question regarding my 05' Pilot EX-L VTM system, there were snow and ice last week remaining on the street where I parked. I tried to move out when my Pilot started spinning to get out, thought the Pilot is four wheel drive, the backwheel were spinning like crazy! I notice the front wheel were not moving at all during the process, is there something wrong with my vehicle or something else I am missing?

Let me know your thoughts if any

Thanks

So I'd imagine the major problem is that the OEM Goodyear Integrity tires on your Pilot are probably most of the problem with loss of traction, but what you were seeing is typical of the VTM behavior. By default the Pilot is a front-wheel drive vehicle. Like on most FWD vehicles, one wheel will spin and the other won't if you get in a slippery situation. The difference is that on the Pilot the VTM system will detect one of the front wheels slipping and put a portion of the power to the back wheels - not all, but some. What you were likely seeing was the rear wheels getting partial power, and probably (still) one of the front wheels still spinning as well. Sounds to me like it was working as it should have, but I think the biggest issue may be tires.

andy

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 01:49 PM

If the rear were spinning, then at least one front wheel MUST also be spinning.

GreenMachine · 02-20-2007, 02:42 PM

Did you lock VTM-4, and if so, did that have any effect?

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreenMachine
Did you lock VTM-4, and if so, did that have any effect?

If both rear wheels are spinning then they are already being "locked" by the system.

GreenMachine · 02-20-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay

If both rear wheels are spinning then they are already being "locked" by the system.

Couldn't hurt to try since that's what the manual says to do if you are stuck.

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreenMachine

Couldn't hurt to try since that's what the manual says to do if you are stuck.

Yep, couldn't hurt, but most likely won't help either.

Once you don't have enough traction to get moving, there is little locking anything will help.

whatugot · 02-20-2007, 04:50 PM

Thanks for all your responds and help.

andyschneider: I am running OEM stock tires
on my Pilot. FWD? Only the back wheel were spinning in this insistance, for 4WD, I thought the front wheels will move too, correct me if I am wrong?

GreenMachine: I didnt' try the VTM-4 lock feature, I read thought the manual, will give it a try if I get into that situation.

Any one try the VTM-4 Lock feature before?

One other note: As I was losing traction and spinning the symbol "!" were displayed. Is this normal?

Any feedback will be helpful.

Thanks

andyschneider GreenMachine

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
FWD?

The Pilot is basically FWD with the rear driven off the front through the VTM-4 system.

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
FWD? Only the back wheel were spinning in this instance, for 4WD, I thought the front wheels will move too, correct me if I am wrong?

As I said before; IF the rear wheels are turning, then at least one of the front wheels MUST be turning.
Something would be seriously broken and the car would be undrivable if this were not true.

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
Any one try the VTM-4 Lock feature before?

Yes, but find it of little use. The VTM-4 system does an excellent job all by itself.

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
One other note: As I was losing traction and spinning the symbol "!" were displayed. Is this normal?

Hard to say? If that is the Traction control or Vehicle Stability Control indicator, it would be telling you that the system is detecting slippery conditions. (Kind of a No-sh!t, moment)

whatugot · 02-20-2007, 05:17 PM

Thanks for your feedback, my traction condition was on leftover ice freeze up from snow, I thought there were something wrong with my car at first.
When is the VTM system activate automatically fulltime or parttime when needed. Is there a indicator or signal when it is activate.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay

The Pilot is basically FWD with the rear driven off the front through the VTM-4 system.

As I said before; IF the rear wheels are turning, then at least one of the front wheels MUST be turning.
Something would be seriously broken and the car would be undrivable if this were not true.

Yes, but find it of little use. The VTM-4 system does an excellent job all by itself.

Hard to say? If that is the Traction control or Vehicle Stability Control indicator, it would be telling you that the system is detecting slippery conditions. (Kind of a No-sh!t, moment)

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot
Thanks for your feedback, my traction condition was on leftover ice freeze up from snow, I thought there were something wrong with my car at first.
When is the VTM system activate automatically fulltime or parttime when needed. Is there a indicator or signal when it is activate.

Thanks

There is no indication.

The system is neither a full-time or part-time system as those terms are typically used.

Best would say it is; "FWD with automatically activated part-time 4WD".

whatugot · 02-20-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay

There is no indication.

The system is neither a full-time or part-time system as those terms are typically used.

Best would say it is; "FWD with automatically activated part-time 4WD".

Got it! Thanks

Are the Goodyear Integerity OEM tires good enough for snowy and icy traction conditions or not? Any tire suggestions.....

Just curious: what are the life span (miles) on the stock OEM tires anyway.

Thanks.....

rocky · 02-20-2007, 05:39 PM

The GY's are best on dry roads and weak on snow as evidenced a year ago when my truck was still fairly new.

This winter haven't seen much snow at all. Was planning on replacing the tires before winter but never got around to it.

The GYs have 30 k on them now after 20 months. I expect to replace them before the 07/08 winter with Michelin cross terrain or LTX tires.

whatugot · 02-20-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocky
The GY's are best on dry roads and weak on snow as evidenced a year ago when my truck was still fairly new.

This winter haven't seen much snow at all. Was planning on replacing the tires before winter but never got around to it.

The GYs have 30 k on them now after 20 months. I expect to replace them before the 07/08 winter with Michelin cross terrain or LTX tires.

Thanks Rocky for you respond!

N_Jay · 02-20-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whatugot

Got it! Thanks

Are the Goodyear Integerity OEM tires good enough for snowy and icy traction conditions or not? Any tire suggestions.....

Just curious: what are the life span (miles) on the stock OEM tires anyway.

Thanks.....

I got 65,000 miles on mine till a sidewall cut forced replacement.
I was looking at getting about 75,000 before the cut.

They are not great tires, but they are good enough.

02-20-2007, 01:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
whatugot Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Pilot's VTM-4R system Hi All, I have a question regarding my 05' Pilot EX-L VTM system, there were snow and ice last week remaining on the street where I parked. I tried to move out when my Pilot started spinning to get out, thought the Pilot is four wheel drive, the backwheel were spinning like crazy! I notice the front wheel were not moving at all during the process, is there something wrong with my vehicle or something else I am missing? Let me know your thoughts if any Thanks

02-20-2007, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,440 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If the rear were spinning, then at least one front wheel MUST also be spinning. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

02-20-2007, 02:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
GreenMachine Super Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 1,488 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Did you lock VTM-4, and if so, did that have any effect? __________________ 2001 CR-V EX Automatic - Clover Green Pearl - Westin Safari Bar; OEM skidplate, fog lights, roof rack, cargo mat, & passenger arm rest; Benevento Bug shield;225/70/15 Geolandar HT's 2006 Pilot EX 4WD - Steel Blue - OEM Auto Day/Night mirror, retractable cargo cover, backup sensors, mud guards, and cargo tray. Full set of Pilotpads from Wong. 2010 Camaro 1SS RS, LS3, 6sp Manual, Sunroof, B.A. Audio

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02-20-2007, 04:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
whatugot Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for all your responds and help. andyschneider: I am running OEM stock tires on my Pilot. FWD? Only the back wheel were spinning in this insistance, for 4WD, I thought the front wheels will move too, correct me if I am wrong? GreenMachine: I didnt' try the VTM-4 lock feature, I read thought the manual, will give it a try if I get into that situation. Any one try the VTM-4 Lock feature before? One other note: As I was losing traction and spinning the symbol "!" were displayed. Is this normal? Any feedback will be helpful. Thanks andyschneider GreenMachine

02-20-2007, 05:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,720 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The GY's are best on dry roads and weak on snow as evidenced a year ago when my truck was still fairly new. This winter haven't seen much snow at all. Was planning on replacing the tires before winter but never got around to it. The GYs have 30 k on them now after 20 months. I expect to replace them before the 07/08 winter with Michelin cross terrain or LTX tires.

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