Is this excessive wear for 75k miles? Honda ridgeline 2019 6speed awd

[parshisa]

Not sure what VCM has to do with transmission…

A more frequent change is generally prudent, at least to try to get more new fluid in there.

I don’t do ours every oci, but I change out 3qts every few oci.

torque converter programmed for excessive slip to aid with vibration from VCM engaging/disengaging dampening. fluid degrades very quick

 

[JHZR2]

torque converter programmed for excessive slip to aid with vibration from VCM engaging/disengaging dampening. fluid degrades very quick

I can’t say I notice any difference in lockup or not with vcm disabled or enabled. I know you can feel the engage/disengage of vcm.

 

[parshisa]

I can’t say I notice any difference in lockup or not with vcm disabled or enabled. I know you can feel the engage/disengage of vcm.

because of the active engine mounts and TC slip. comfort of seamless VCM operations comes at the cost of mounts wearing out and premature torque converter failures. this is a known fact, and Honda is well aware of it. there's a TSB and warranty extension on the torque converters

 

[JHZR2]

because of the active engine mounts and TC slip. comfort of seamless VCM operations comes at the cost of mounts wearing out and premature torque converter failures. this is a known fact, and Honda is well aware of it. there's a TSB and warranty extension on the torque converters

Perhaps. And I know full well about mounts, which also fail with vcm disabled.

Point is, you can tell by rpm and behavior when the at is locking up versus letting the tc slip. Particularly on the highway which is a major point where vcm gets used because the steady cruise power requirements are fairly minimal. And I’ve noted no practical difference when I’ve disabled vcm and run it (usually on long trips for a few hundred miles for mpg boost and to keep the system operational).

 

[parshisa]

Perhaps. And I know full well about mounts, which also fail with vcm disabled.

Point is, you can tell by rpm and behavior when the at is locking up versus letting the tc slip. Particularly on the highway which is a major point where vcm gets used because the steady cruise power requirements are fairly minimal. And I’ve noted no practical difference when I’ve disabled vcm and run it (usually on long trips for a few hundred miles for mpg boost and to keep the system operational).

This wasn’t my experience. Driving with VCM disabled feels very different, primarily when it comes to coasting or slowing down to a full stop - feels almost like in my manual civic when I coast in neutral. With VCM enabled I can feel the car dragging when slowing down.

And my point is that regular fluid changes in 6AT transmissions are crucial for a smooth tranny operation and longevity. It’s super easy even for a novice DIYer and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Anecdotal evidence: my buddy bought a ridgeline and I was warning him about the transmission fluid changes, he thought im crazy, TC failed at 90k miles and luckily was eligible for a free replacement under the TSB.

Hope this explanation makes sense. Not trying to convince anyone or prove wrong, just sharing my experience of owning a Pilot with 6AT for past 9 yrs

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Perhaps. And I know full well about mounts, which also fail with vcm disabled.

Point is, you can tell by rpm and behavior when the at is locking up versus letting the tc slip. Particularly on the highway which is a major point where vcm gets used because the steady cruise power requirements are fairly minimal. And I’ve noted no practical difference when I’ve disabled vcm and run it (usually on long trips for a few hundred miles for mpg boost and to keep the system operational).

Did you install a VCM disabling device like S-VCM or VCM Tuner II that you unhook during that time? Just asking as some are under impression that the ECO or ECON button affects that. It does not. Only way I know is separate device that tells ECU that ECT1 is not above 165F, older ones used resistors to do that.

 

[JimPghPA]

Before 30k miles if it's a cvt, around 40 K miles if it's an automatic. But the south hills around Pittsburgh have a heck of a lot of hills. Vehicles driven in all flatland areas might get away with more miles between changes, especially if most of the miles are highway.

And don't forget transfer case and rear-end fluid changes if it has those.

 

[JHZR2]

Did you install a VCM disabling device like S-VCM or VCM Tuner II that you unhook during that time? Just asking as some are under impression that the ECO or ECON button affects that. It does not. Only way I know is separate device that tells ECU that ECT1 is not above 165F, older ones used resistors to do that.

Absolutely. I run a vcmuzzler. It is set up to prevent any vcm from occurring. I set it back to original occasionally on a trip just to let the system operate, once in a long while.

Of course the TC lockup is not just dependent upon vcmuzzler. Or the use of vcm. It will lock/unlock as necessary with regular use.

 

[Accent Abuser]

Dad asked for me to do a transmission fluid change on his 2019 6speed awd ridgeline. He isn't sure if it was every changed beforehand. He bought it at 40k. Fluid its self didn't look bad, just a bit low. But noticed a lot of shavings on the drain magnet. Is this normal wear or no? Sorry not experienced tech. Just a duds that does simple PMs at home.
View attachment 283407View attachment 283406

Looks completely normal to me.

 

[meep]

I’ve seen plenty with more. This looks great.