4 Wheel Drive question on a 2005 EX

[CrossStealth]

Just bought a 2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD. I notice it has Variable Torque Management 4WD (VTM-4) Which seems to only work under 18mph. Is there any other 4wd at higher speeds? If I am driving 30 or 35 on a winding snowy mountain trail when i go snowboarding will I get any 4WD help?

Thanks for the info

[carguy07]

As far as I know it will work as needed at any speed, just able to lock the differential under 18 MPH (you would rarely ever do this).

Ridgeline Owners Club | Variable Torque Management VTM-4 Explanation

Honda/Acura VTM-4

[CrossStealth]

The whole system seems to confuse me. So while I am in R, D1 or D2 I should press VTM-4. Then this will give me 4WD, then at 6mph what happens exactly? Also at 18mph what happens? Also going beyond the 18mph mark what will happen? Can I drive 60mph if I wanted to and still have 4wd?(Iwont lol) Also can it says I cant use it on dry pavement. Why is this?

Thanks for the info. I have never had a 4wd or awd vehicle before and want to know what benefits it has and how not to damage the vehicle.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by CrossStealth

The whole system seems to confuse me. So while I am in R, D1 or D2 I should press VTM-4. Then this will give me 4WD, then at 6mph what happens exactly? Also at 18mph what happens? Also going beyond the 18mph mark what will happen? Can I drive 60mph if I wanted to and still have 4wd?(Iwont lol) Also can it says I cant use it on dry pavement. Why is this?

Thanks for the info. I have never had a 4wd or awd vehicle before and want to know what benefits it has and how not to damage the vehicle.

Let the VTM-4 System think for itself.

The VTM-4 System automatically sends power rearward whenever you accelerate or if it detects wheelslip.

You can also send power rearward while in R, D1 or D2 and under 18mph on slick surfaces by pressing the VTM-4 Lock button.
You should really only need to do this if you become stuck or have difficulty trying to ascend a steep, slippery incline.

[carguy07]

Exactly what he said, it's automatic. Let it do it's thing and don't think about it. You have the ability to force it into AWD and lock the differential if you are stuck or on a steep hill and want extra traction. I would say that it is very rare that anyone should be pushing the lock button. I know people that ignore the warning on the visor and the owner's manual and hit the button all the time in the snow. They swear they can feel it working and they need it. All they are doing is locking the rear end and feeling it fight to keep from destroying itself while the tires chirp around corners. Think spool on a race car and you are on the right track.

[1YESfan]

I'm not an expert but here goes. Your Pilot is to some degree all-wheel drive. It is primarily front-wheel drive and with the all wheel-drive, sensors detect slippage and deliver power to other wheel or wheels ( rear-wheels) when necessary and the computers can adjust for speed going into and driving through turns as well ( as does the stability control)- anytime you lose some traction. Happens in a blink of an eye.

There is no true 4x4 low gearing on the Pilot but in my limited experience in two feet of fresh snow with mine, the vehicle should be more than capable. There are some other posts that talk about when to disengage the stability control when in stuck situations but I don't think I have done that but then again maybe I have. You are correct about the vtm ( 4x4) engagement button. Vehicle must be stopped, dropped into either of the two lower gears and will disengage around 17-18 mph. Anything faster your all-wheel drive should take care of most road conditions with-in reason.

I can't go into live axles and the like ( since know relatively little of the subject) and all of the different type of 4x4x systems but I believe the majority of 4x4x systems do not operate at high speed nor should they. Vehicles engaged in four-wheel drive require some slippage of the wheels to operate correctly without causing expensive damage. I wouldn't engage the system myself unless I'm going uphill in a good amount of snow or have gotten stuck or traction is severly limited.

Sure beats having to get out of the vehicle to manually lock the hubs. ;-) Enjoy your Pilot!

[jl_ss]

As noted, the system will work automatically. The rear clutches automatically engage when you accelerate from a stop and when slippage is detected. The VTM-4 button forces the clutches to engage should you be stuck (you may also need to disable VSA to get unstuck depending on the situation). We have 140K on our 2005 and there has NEVER been a need to lock VTM-4 by pressing the VTM-4 Button. I don't even know if the button works or not...................

[krazykarguy]

If you want a demonstration of how the "automatic" system works, try accelerating hard from a dead stop on a dirt road. The front tires will begin to spin, then the rear tires get grip and you accelerate smoothly without any tire spin.

The VTM-4 lock is purely a rear differential lock - both rear wheels will rotate at the same speed when it is activated. If you are turning the car hard while the lock is engaged, you will feel the outer tire "binding" as it tries to keep up with the inner tire speed (but it can't because the diff is locked).

Only use the VTM-4 lock if the car is stuck and you're spinning one rear tire trying to get out. Locking the rear differential allows both rear wheels to get the same amount of torque, thus doubling your traction (theoretically).

[mudbog]

Some educational material on VTM-4:
Honda/Acura VTM-4

[samc]

The system will activate itself at higher speeds if you are slipping. Although I personally have never seen it come on.

And as said if you're stuck snow or what not you can shift into reverse, and I believe the 1 or 2 to get yourself out. You shift into 1, 2, R (I believe that's all) and hit the vtm button, it will light up and it will help you get out. After you're out you should press that button again or shift into regular drive (D) to disengage it.

[jezzy]

I'm a former subaru "nut" and had to get a larger vehicle for my growing family, and it isn't a Subaru thats for sure, but I'm very satisfied with the "4x4" system on the Pilot. Yes, when it slips, the rear end will kick in, you'll know it but it does work well. It's not "seamless" like a Subaru but gets the job done.

I've use the VTM-4 lock on a few occasions (for fun), plowing out of my snow packed driveway.. lotsa fun!