How to determine if the vcm is disabled on newer honda/acura without an eco light

How to validate VCM is disabled on Newer Vehicles

Applicable to the following vehicles which do not have an eco light correlated with vcm:

Honda Odyssey (2018-present)

Honda Pilot (2016-2022)

Honda Accord (2013-2017)

Honda Passport (2019-2025)

Honda Ridgeline (2017-present)

Acura MDX (2022-current)

Acura TLX (2015-current)

Note: The green bar on the dash of the newer honda models listed above do not correlate with the vcm being disabled; the green bar is shown under low-load conditions. It is possible that the vcm is disabled at the same time with the eco bar however but cannot be used to determine if the vcm is disabled by the VCMTUNER/VCMTUNER II units.

You will need an obd2 reader such as a bluedriver, scangauge, auto engenuity which can read the Engine Coolant Temperature 1 sensor value on the newer models.  Some of the older veepeak adapters can work if you are able to find the proper OID's from online sources.

When the car is fully warmed up and in motion; the ECT1 sensor value should read between 161-165F when the unit is disabling the vcm.   If the vehicle is sitting at idle or is off with the ignition on; the real ECT1 temperature can be reported in that situation as the unit will report the real ECT1 value so the vehicle starts up with the proper value.  Once the real ECT1 signal is above 160F and the car is running and has been in motion the vcm override will be applied so you'll see 161-165F in that condition.  

Unfortunately honda removed the standard ECT1 value from the newer vehicles and only certain readers by default can now read the updated OID's for the honda ECT1 signal.