If you’ve spent a considerable number of years behind the steering wheel of a Honda Pilot, you have likely come across a plethora of warning lights. Usually, they are warnings for periodic maintenance and oil changes. However, they can also mean something is wrong with your Honda Pilot. One such warning light is the VTM-4. We’ll see in this article what the VTM-4 is all about in detail.
VTM-4 is Honda’s Variable Torque Management 4-wheel-drive system. The VTM-4 system controls the level of torque to the rear wheel of your car in situations where additional traction is needed to get your car out of the terrain.
It is a lightweight All-Wheel-Drive system that uses a single-speed torque transfer unit directly connected to the transaxle and two electromagnetic clutch packs attached to both sides of the rear differential.
To summarize, the VTM-4 mechanism kicks in whenever your Honda Pilot is stuck or in danger of getting stuck.
How Does the VTM-4 System Work?
In its automatic mode, the VTM-4 works in two different ways.
On normal terrain, the system disengages the rear clutch packs so that the full engine power is left to run the front wheels alone while the rear wheels spin freely, making the vehicle more fuel-efficient.
However, if the VTM-4 system notices that some wheels are turning faster than others or there is a situation of wheel slippage, it works differently. The rear clutch packs will lock and send power to the rear wheels to attain maximum traction.
The system also activates when the vehicle is stuck or experiences slippage in rocky, snowy, sandy, or muddy terrains. In addition, the rear clutch packs are also made active to help maximize traction while navigating tricky off-road terrains.
When a driver activates the VTM lock on their own, the system does not wait until the event of slippage, and the clutch packs are engaged right from the beginning. This is recommended while going deep off-road. However, this method is not used while driving through smooth surfaces, as it would damage the axle.
What Is Honda i-VTM4?
Honda’s state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive system, dubbed “intelligent variable torque management” (i-VTM4), employs torque vectoring on the rear wheels. This system first appeared on the 2015 Honda Pilot third-generation and is now standard on the Passport and Ridgeline.
The iVTM-4 system combines two other existing Honda technologies: the VTM-4 and the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS).
While the VTM-4 handles power distribution between the front and rear axles automatically, the ATTS manages power distribution between each wheel on an axle. When combined, power distribution from the VTM-4 and the ATTS provides the basis for torque vectoring.
Can I Turn off the VTM-4 System in My Car?
No. The VTM-4 is always on, and it is not possible to turn off this feature. Nevertheless, the driver can engage or disengage the VTM-4 lock to negotiate different terrains.
How to Engage the VTM-4 Lock
Follow these steps to engage the VTM lock:
- Bring the vehicle to a halt with the engine running.
- Move the gear selector to the first, second, or reverse gear.
- Press the VTM-4 lock button. The lock is active once the indicator light turns on.
How to Disengage the VTM Lock
- Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
- Shift the gear selector lever to Drive (D).
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
However, keep in mind that the lock disengages itself when it detects that the car is speeding beyond 18mph (30 km/h) and automatically engages when it slows below 18mph. Nevertheless, the lock button will continue to glow during this time.
Once the lock is disengaged, the car goes back to its normal automatic VTM settings.
What Does the VTM-4 Light Mean?
A glowing VTM-4 light essentially means that the torque management system of the car is now active to help the car traverse the difficult terrain it has come across. Therefore, there is no need to panic about it.
However, if the VTM light continues to glow despite the car being in a normal road/track condition, it indicates that the VTM-4 lock is engaged. If so, you could seriously damage the rear differential while taking turns. There will also be vibrations and strange noises in the vehicle as a result.
The VTM light can also turn on due to under-inflated tires, faulty knock sensors, or rear differential damage. It can also light up due to emission errors. In this case, replacement of the EGR valve is usually sought.
Damage to the knock sensors near the intake manifold area usually occurs due to animals nesting there. Therefore, remember to keep an eye on that area.
How to Fix the VTM-4 Light
As already mentioned, the VTM system on the Honda Pilot is completely automatic and does not require any driver input. However, at events when the light turns on unexpectedly, like when you’re driving on a highway, follow these steps to turn it off.
- Pull over the car.
- Shift the car to park mode (P).
- Turn off the Engine.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Turn on the engine.
- Shift the gear selector to drive mode (D).
You can also try pressing and holding the VTM-4 button on the dashboard if the car is in running mode.
The light must have gone off by now. If not, it’s better that you take your car to the mechanic to get it resolved.
Can You Drive With VTM-4 On?
We do not recommend driving with VTM-4 on, especially on dry, paved roads. The VTM-4 lock should only be engaged while traveling over particularly difficult roads or terrain.
What Is VTM-4 Fluid?
The rear differential, which is part of the Variable Torque Management® 4WD System (VTM-4®), automatically modifies the amount of torque transmitted to each rear wheel based on demand. This rear differential fluid lubricates and cools the clutch packs inside the differential.
Why Is My Check Engine Light On Honda Pilot?
Several common causes exist, one of which is a loose gas cap. Other typical causes of a Check Engine Light include a fuel injection system malfunction, a bad head gasket, a dirty mass airflow sensor, a faulty oxygen sensor, a malfunctioning emissions control device, or defective spark plugs.
How Fast Can You Drive in VTM-4 Lock?
When the vehicle speed surpasses 18 mph, the VTM-4 Lock will briefly disengage. It will re-engage when the speed drops below 18 mph.
Where Is the VTM-4 Relay?
Many Honda Pilot owners have reported an issue where their car’s VTM-4 and VSA lights keep coming on. While there could be several reasons that could trigger this issue, we have narrowed down the possibilities to some of the most obvious issues. As such, you’ll definitely need to know where the VTM-4 relay is because it could probably be a faulty VTM-4 relay that is causing the issue.
You can confirm this by checking the wiring at the VTM-4 relay. If you are unsure about where the relay is, it is located under the dashboard. Look above the fuse box on the driver’s side, and you should see it. If the VTM-4 relay is in working condition, pins 1, the white/red wire, and 4, the yellow wire, should have power with the key on. Pin 3 orange/green should have 12 V that will not light a bulb. Pin 2 red/blue should be 0 V unless pin 3 is grounded. If pin 3 is grounded, then pin 2 should have enough power to light a bulb.
If not, the VTM-4 relay is likely not in working condition. You’ll need to replace it if it is not working or has failed.
Find the Best Insurance for Your Honda Pilot via Way.com
Although the VTM-4 is a great feature that helps you get out of tricky situations at times when your car is stuck, getting insurance helps you get out of expensive bills if your car’s VTM mechanism fails to work. Find the best quotes for your Honda Pilot via Way.com to avoid getting stuck with huge bills.
Silas Smith has been writing for over 7 years about the automotive and parking industry. He has done everything from covering parking for events to sharing his knowledge about the best parking in cities across the U.S. He loves long drives and sports. The guy is also secretly a gamer and streams it when he isn’t too shy.
