VCMTUNER II FAQ
Orders are generally shipped within 24-48 hours during business days. We do not ship products over the weekend. For most of the week, products are shipped the same day if ordered before 1:00 PM PST, with the exception of Mondays.
You will receive an email notification with a tracking number as soon as the mailing label is printed. Please check your spam folder, as Gmail and other providers occasionally filter these notifications.
At this time, all orders must go through the website. This ensures that your order is placed with the correct mailing address and contact information. In 2022, we had a phone number listed, but the volume of calls dramatically reduced our production capacity, so we transitioned strictly to email communication.
For wholesale orders (e.g., resellers, automotive shops ordering 5 or more units), we can generate custom order invoices with bulk discounts. If you are experiencing technical issues, we may reach out by phone after initially conversing via email.
We offer two different connector styles for the VCMTUNER II: the 2005-2006 style and the 2007+ style. As a general rule, if your vehicle is newer than 2007, you will need the 2007+ connector.
To find the exact unit you need for your specific make, model, and year, please use our Find Your Tuner Tool & Vehicle Fitment Chart.
You have 10 business days from the time you receive the item to email us at info@vcmtuner.com and initiate a return. Beyond this window, we can no longer sell the unit as "new" and it must be sold on a secondary marketplace.
The original methods to disable VCM involved swapping out static resistors. The VCMTUNER improved upon this by offering a manually adjusted dial, allowing you to change the resistance with a screwdriver without swapping parts.
The VCMTUNER II is a highly advanced, automotive-grade microcontroller. It automatically adjusts resistance dynamically to keep VCM disabled in all climates and conditions. Crucially, it includes "overtemp protection," meaning it restores the true operating temperature to your vehicle's computer if the actual engine coolant temperature (ECT) exceeds 212°F. The VCMTUNER II is a completely "set it and forget it" device—no user intervention is required after installation.
Generally, disabling VCM will reduce oil consumption by 50% to 90%. If you are experiencing repeated spark plug fouling, we highly suggest replacing the plugs shortly before installing our unit.
Disabling the VCM system stops uncombusted fuel from partially fouled plugs and oil from mixing in the deactivated cylinders (usually cylinders 1-4 on VCM-2 engines and 1-3 on VCM-1 engines). When VCM is active, engine vacuum sucks oil into the deactivated cylinders. This oil mixes with uncombusted fuel, causing a loss of cylinder lubrication and potentially causing premature failure of catalytic converters and coil packs. By disabling VCM, you stop this destructive cycle.
After consulting with engine rebuilders and Honda mechanics, our theory is that pressurized fuel injectors leak a small amount of uncombusted fuel into the cylinder during VCM shutdown (when there is no spark). This low-viscosity fuel mixes with oil on the cylinder walls. When six-cylinder operation is restored, this mixture combusts, effectively "washing out" the oil and dramatically increasing oil consumption, leading to fouled plugs and lower compression.
Honda's TSB attributes the issue to piston rings slipping out of alignment, which may be a factor, but a top-end engine rebuild often results in the exact same plug fouling problem 50,000 miles later. Keeping all six cylinders active is one of the only true solutions to avoid these systemic issues. Well-maintained 3.5L V6 engines built before VCM was introduced frequently reached 400,000 miles with very few problems.
Yes. Both the VCMTUNER and VCMTUNER II are CARB exempt (E.O. D-809 and D-809-1) and have been tested by an accredited emission lab at the SEMA garage. They meet emission standards for all 3.5L V6 Honda engines equipped with VCM from model years 2005-2017.
Our products are currently the only devices on the market that disable VCM while remaining CARB and EPA street legal in all 50 US States and Canada. Testing proved that our ECT-connected devices do not alter emission limits based on CARB guidelines.
Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealership or manufacturer must prove that an aftermarket part specifically caused a failure in order to deny warranty coverage. To date, no Honda dealership has successfully denied a warranty claim to an owner utilizing our products.
While Honda has reduced the switching time of the VCM system in newer models to help engines reach the EPA-mandated 150,000-mile emissions warranty threshold, we still receive reports of vehicles less than 3 years old burning over a quart of oil and fouling plugs around 80,000 miles. Honda continues to utilize VCM to meet EPA fleet MPG standards and receive CAFE credits.
We estimate that customers have driven over 1 billion combined miles using our products over the last 5+ years, with a failure rate of less than 0.1%.
The VCMTUNER II has undergone rigorous ISO automotive ESD immunity testing (ISO 7637-2, ISO 7637-3) and easily survives the harsh under-hood environment. It is engineered to withstand repeated strikes of +/-700v, significantly exceeding standard automotive requirements for both 12v power lines and 5v sensor signal lines.
On many pre-2018 models, the "ECO" light will pop up 5-10 seconds before VCM activation. On most post-2017 models, you will need an OBD2 reader (like a Veepeak dongle paired with the free Torque Lite app) to verify that the reported ECT1 temperature reads between 161-165°F while the vehicle is running, fully warmed up, and in motion. Any ECT1 reading above 166°F means VCM is enabled.
We strongly suggest watching our YouTube installation videos prior to installing. If you experience starting issues, please contact support with photos of your installation so we can assist you.
No. The ECO button on your dashboard has nothing to do with the VCM cylinder deactivation system. The ECO button simply reduces throttle response to save fuel, leans out the air-to-fuel mixture, and reduces accessory draw (like the A/C compressor). It will not prevent engine damage caused by VCM.
Honda cannot legally disable the VCM system on their vehicles. They claim EPA CAFE credits based on the fleet MPG ratings achieved by utilizing VCM technology, which is why they do not provide customers with an option or button to turn it off.
No. Once the vehicle's engine reaches 158°F, it enters "closed loop" mode. In closed loop mode, the ECU utilizes the O2 sensors and air intake sensors to regulate the air-to-fuel ratio, not the ECT1 sensor. The VCMTUNER II safely reports a 161-165°F override temperature, which keeps VCM disabled without affecting your fuel mixture.
Yes. Both the ECT1 and unmodified ECT2 sensors trigger the fans. The fans will cycle when the temperature reaches 194°F and will run on high speed above 205°F.
Additionally, if your vehicle idles while stopped for more than 2 minutes and the actual ECT1 temperature exceeds 194°F, the VCMTUNER II's auto-diagnostic mode will restore the true ECT1 temperature to the ECU. It maintains this true reading until the vehicle goes into motion, at which point it re-engages the 161-165°F override to keep VCM disabled.
The green wire can be used to manually turn VCM on or off from inside the cabin by wiring a toggle switch under the dash. When the green wire is grounded, the VCM system is enabled (stock). When disconnected, VCM is disabled by the tuner. The green wire is also used to activate advanced feature codes in the user manual.
The blue wire (found on pre-2022 units) was intended for a future coolant level sensor accessory. It was removed in Rev 2.0 due to ESD concerns and post-COVID supply chain shortages. Removing the blue wire does not affect any VCM disabling functionality.
Yes, these products have been issued a patent by the USPTO and are the personal intellectual property of the inventor of the VCMTUNER and VCMTUNER II.
Eastman Research LLC (2017-2023), operating as Eastman Research, Inc., an S-Corporation in the State of California since June 1st, 2023.