AFM Disabling module question

[SilverBack4Jack]

Just had our motor in our 09 Yukon redone. They say new pistons, ring, valve seals and of course gaskets for oil consumption. Luckily we had 1 month left on our 5yr power train warranty. I'm trying to see if anyone has tried one of these AFM disablers.

http://www.rangetechnology.com/pages/v8

It sounds nice but is it worth $200. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Goodinblack]

BB will tune it out in person

 

[07Burb]

Bb tune will also tune it out via AutoCal

 

[SilverBack4Jack]

The only thing that concerns me about a black bear tune is it could void our extended warranty where this is plug and play and leaves no footprint. Am I wrong about black bear tune tune?

 

[07Burb]

You can always return it back to stock tune within minutes when it comes time to get warranty work done

 

[992dr]

How can you return the BB tune back to factory specs?

I had looked into the Range device. Its an inexpensive option. I had chatted with them. They were pretty nice, they had offered me a money back guarantee if I was not satisfied to.

 

[07Burb]

With the BB Tune AutoCal (hand held device that plugs into your vehicle) you can load tunes on to the vehicle very easily whether it's your stock tune, performance tune, MPG tune or whatever....

 

[992dr]

That is pretty cool. I had no idea.
Thanks for sharing

 

[Vgreid]

I recently picked up the Range Delete module, just before going on a 4,500 mile road trip, and it is great. It is just a plug and forget about it module, goes into the ODB connector. No more 4cyl mode, and if I pull it out, I get 4cyl mode back.

I bought it to help with oil consumption (I will do a brief write up here shortly), and I also found a couple of other benefits, such as:
- throttle response is great now, no more of that weak feeling as the engine struggles to hold speed in 4cyl mode.
- not much, if any difference in fuel economy. Just prior to this I did a 3,000 mile round trip from MI to FL, and got 18.5 mpg avg for the commute there and back parts of the trip (not including running around within the cities,etc.). With the range delete on the 4500 mil e trip (MI to Newfoundland), which included towing a motorcycle on a trailer and lots of big hills out east, got 17.5 mpg for the commute there and back.
- biggest surprise is that I now have engine braking, which I love in the hills. For the FL trip, I didnt have the range delete, and it was just v4 engine braking, there were times I thought I was going to cook the brakes coming down from some of the mountain passes. For the NL trip, with the range delete, great engine braking coming down the mountains. I mean a world of difference.

I know the range delete is not a BB tune, so it doesnt help with more power, etc... but I wasn't looking for that. It does exactly what it advertises, and if that is what you are looking for, I highly recommend.

 

[Goodinblack]

How much is the range

 

[Vgreid]

The Range Delete is $199, think I found it online somewhere for $189. I thought it was a very inexpensive way to stop the v4 mode.

 

[Clean07Burb]

I've been very interested in purchasing one of these since I first bought my truck. I'd love to go the BB route, but I don't have the extra cash for an Autocal plus the different tunes I'd like. I may end up purchasing one of these in the very near future. I had a fellow member offer to sell me his recently for a good bit less than the cost of a new unit, so its very tempting. I'm tired of using oil and I know if I disabled the damn AFM the oil consumption would dramatically decrease, if not cease to exist.

 

[VtecGSR95]

Are folks who change oil at 3K still having the AFM consumption issues....after dealers installing the shield in the engine? I have heard some say its the folks driving till the oil life monitor tells them to change the oil are having more issues than anyone?

 

[Clean07Burb]

Are folks who change oil at 3K still having the AFM consumption issues....after dealers installing the shield in the engine? I have heard some say its the folks driving till the oil life monitor tells them to change the oil are having more issues than anyone?

Yes, we're still having problems. My truck consumes considerable amounts of oil well before the 3k mile marker.

 

[07Burb]

Before I had AFM disabled on mine (via BB Tune) I had the oil consumption issue and I'm religious about oil changes at 3k miles which is usually right at 50% life on my vehicle. With AFM I'd lose about a quart or maybe more of oil between oil changes. Definitely more than what I'd consider "acceptable". Since having AFM taken off I have NO oil consumption anymore. It's crazy that a technology of that nature can cause that kind of problem.

 

[Vgreid]

Are folks who change oil at 3K still having the AFM consumption issues....after dealers installing the shield in the engine? I have heard some say its the folks driving till the oil life monitor tells them to change the oil are having more issues than anyone?

Yes, I have changed the oil regularly every 3k miles, with the only exception being the last oil change where we did a 4500 mile road trip (I have another post about making progress with oil consumption). The consumption started around the 50k mark. So, this is not an issue associated with neglected maintenance.

I am trying out several ideas to help the problem and early indications are positive. Obviously, ymmv.

 

[Clean07Burb]

Before I had AFM disabled on mine (via BB Tune) I had the oil consumption issue and I'm religious about oil changes at 3k miles which is usually right at 50% life on my vehicle. With AFM I'd lose about a quart or maybe more of oil between oil changes. Definitely more than what I'd consider "acceptable". Since having AFM taken off I have NO oil consumption anymore. It's crazy that a technology of that nature can cause that kind of problem.

07Burb's posts about oil consumption being TOTALLY ELIMINATED after disabling the AFM is the #1 reason why I'm so adament about disabling mine. I'm not convinced there are ANY advantages to GM's DoD/AFM system, at least on our trucks. I've seen zero upsides to it, and I've seen numerous downsides to it. In fact, most people who have disabled their AFM have been absolutely satisfied with the results, seen little to no decrease in fuel mileage, a dramatic decrease to total elimination of oil consumption, along with a few other big plusses. I'm deactivating mine ASAP via a Range Technologies AFM disabler.

 

[Goodinblack]

Have 2 nnbs

Suburban....... cannot feel AFM

Yukon XL......... so bad oy ruins the driving experience almost.

GM AFM is a horrible and useless feature that messes stuff up. Designed to keep the liberal bozos happy

 

[Clean07Burb]

Have 2 nnbs

Suburban....... cannot feel AFM

Yukon XL......... so bad oy ruins the driving experience almost.

GM AFM is a horrible and useless feature that messes stuff up. Designed to keep the liberal bozos happy

Agreed on the last statement, bro! Liberal assholes...

And I can only feel the AFM system if I really pay close attention to it engage/disengage. I can also tell a noticeable difference in exhaust note while in four cylinder mode versus eight cylinder mode. I think after I disable it here in the VERY near future, I'll be able to tell even more differences while driving. According to Vgreid's posts, after disabling the AFM, he's noticed more overall power, better engine braking, and not surprisingly, much better throttle response. It it goes without saying he has also noticed oil consumption almost dissapear. Are you planning on disabling the AFM on one or both of your trucks either via a Range unit or BB tune, goodinblack? If you're still on the fence about it, I'll be doing this to my '07 Burb in the very near future and would be more than happy to provide you with a full conclusion on any results achieved afterwards, my friend. Going from the trusted results of a few of our fellow members here, I expect great results.

 

[07Burb]

My mpg was virtually identical from when I had AFM to now having tuned out