AFM... to retain or to delete?

[MarvinVR]

Here is all I can find using AIs to decide if I should delete the AFM feature, which is another of GMs crapppy ideas. Was happy to just buy a $49 delete module now have no idea what to do. My research is about 15 pages, Id like to know what you all think. After typing that I found this nd now am even more confused and wish I had bought a differnet vehicle. https://www.onallcylinders.com/2017...ble-active-fuel-management-afm-on-gm-engines/

 

[SpareParts]

Personally, I would never use or let AI be involved in any auto mechanical question. Just too many variables and all it's really doing is recycling info good and bad that is already out there.
You did not buy the wrong vehicle.
Every manufactured vehicle has its own set of problems. If you like the vehicle, just deal with the problems, we all do be it GM, FOMOCO, MOPAR or any other manufacturer.
Seems like all you are doing is talking yourself into regret by dwelling on a so far nonexistent problem. MANY 5.3's have over 200K with AFM working fine. Disabling AFM helps to ward off a potential problem that could or could not happen.
Don't go over 5k miles before changing the oil and filter. Dirty oil and lack of maintenance will surly be the cause of most of the problems you will encounter.

 

[Marky Dissod]

1st thing: Disable and delete are two completely different words.
Disable IMMEDIATELY. Driving in M5 for 6L80 (or M9 for 10L80) will temporarily disable AFM (or DFM). Once you can buy a plug-in, it'll help protect the engine.
Just don't forget to unplug it when you're not using it, it slowly drains batteries as the vehicle 'sleeps'.

Best way to disable is to get ecm AND tcm tuned. This way, your transmission also gains protection from GM OE programming bad habits.
No one ever regrets a thorough and proper tune, they regret hesitating and wasting time getting tuned.

Deleting AFM means physically ridding your engine of any valve deactivation hardware and replacing it with simpler stuff, as cited in the article.
Before deleting it, it must also already be disabled.

 

[89Suburban]

Best way to disable is to get ecm AND tcm tuned. This way, your transmission also gains protection from GM OE programming bad habits.
No one ever regrets a thorough and proper tune, they regret hesitating and wasting time getting tuned.

Absolutely true. I am so glad I finally got mine done.

 

[solli5pack]

Next time skip AI and come here first! If you're keeping the truck long term then physically get the AFM deleted. It's a job that can be DIY'd in your driveway.

 

[Fless]

Lots of good info here if you use the search function.

 

[MarvinVR]

1st thing: Disable and delete are two completely different words.
Disable IMMEDIATELY. Driving in M5 for 6L80 (or M9 for 10L80) will temporarily disable AFM (or DFM). Once you can buy a plug-in, it'll help protect the engine.
Just don't forget to unplug it when you're not using it, it slowly drains batteries as the vehicle 'sleeps'.

Best way to disable is to get ecm AND tcm tuned. This way, your transmission also gains protection from GM OE programming bad habits.
No one ever regrets a thorough and proper tune, they regret hesitating and wasting time getting tuned.

Deleting AFM means physically ridding your engine of any valve deactivation hardware and replacing it with simpler stuff, as cited in the article.
Before deleting it, it must also already be disabled.

thanks. Ive just had a lot of bad luck in life the past few years and thirs trucks for my wife. Heres my life=I had a cavalier--best little car i the world-- 36 mpg. Two months ago my dog pushed the shift in to reverse while I was going down the highwy and blew my trans. That car would have lasted the rest of my life. My wife has been driving an 09 Impala. Fantastic car. 239K and not a thing done but brakes! I have no more car so I inherit the Impala and buy her this tahoe. This was a week ago. Three days ago I started out and its tranny blew. Now I have two lawn ornaments. Really, thats my life. Im not crying, just saying. So when I start reading all the bad stuff about the 5.3 and this feature that I didnt even know existed, I thought Oh crapp it just figures. My wife had wanted an older suburban with a good old uncomplicated 5.7 and I talked her into the tahoe. Cant afford to have that go bad on me. I know many older 5.7s that are near or over 300K with good maint. My first thought when I came here was that I should sell the tahoes and go older burb, as I got it for 11,250 and its values seems a solid 13,500. So im taking the advice frm you all and doing the ecm/tcm but I have a question--do I have to have the tune changed through the port or can I buy a bullydog or ADP tuner chip to just plug into the computer somewhere like I did to an 01 ford diesel? DP tuners pre programmed 4 different options I could switch from the dash

 

[MarvinVR]

thanks. Ive just had a lot of bad luck in life the past few years and thirs trucks for my wife. Heres my life=I had a cavalier--best little car i the world-- 36 mpg. Two months ago my dog pushed the shift in to reverse while I was going down the highwy and blew my trans. That car would have lasted the rest of my life. My wife has been driving an 09 Impala. Fantastic car. 239K and not a thing done but brakes! I have no more car so I inherit the Impala and buy her this tahoe. This was a week ago. Three days ago I started out and its tranny blew. Now I have two lawn ornaments. Really, thats my life. Im not crying, just saying. So when I start reading all the bad stuff about the 5.3 and this feature that I didnt even know existed, I thought Oh crapp it just figures. My wife had wanted an older suburban with a good old uncomplicated 5.7 and I talked her into the tahoe. Cant afford to have that go bad on me. I know many older 5.7s that are near or over 300K with good maint. My first thought when I came here was that I should sell the tahoes and go older burb, as I got it for 11,250 and its values seems a solid 13,500. So im taking the advice frm you all and doing the ecm/tcm but I have a question--do I have to have the tune changed through the port or can I buy a bullydog or ADP tuner chip to just plug into the computer somewhere like I did to an 01 ford diesel? DP tuners pre programmed 4 different options I could switch from the dash

I forgot--doesnt disabling the afm disable the anti lock brakes?

 

[SpareParts]

No.

 

[Fless]

I forgot--doesnt disabling the afm disable the anti lock brakes?

Forum housekeeping: no need to quote something you already said a minute or two prior.

 

[Marky Dissod]

do I have to have the tune changed through the port? or can I buy a bullydog or ADP tuner chip to just plug into the computer somewhere like I did to an 01 ford diesel?
DP tuners pre programmed 4 different options I could switch from the dash

The 'canned tune-uh' or plug-in options you suggested will disable Engine Half@$$, but they will not improve your transmission's longevity / durability.
None of the lesser options will reap all the benefits of a full tune from a laptop.

 

[kbuskill]

Don't get too discouraged about the AFM. My Suburban has 350k miles on the original engine with all the AFM hardware intact, I turned it off with a tune at around 180k miles and she runs like a top. If/when it finally gives up the ghost I will do a proper AFM delete with a bigger/better cam and then enjoy it some more.

Maintenance is key, and turning off the AFM with a proper tune is the next best thing to a full delete.

 

[Scrappycrow]

I forgot--doesnt disabling the afm disable the anti lock brakes?

LOL, that sounds like an AI hallucination. A 2nd "no" on this.

 

[NoNamesLeft]

Similar to you I bought a used 2013 Tahoe knowing nothing about AFM. I thought I made a huge mistake buying the thing when AFM cut the cylinders out and the exhaust note changed dramatically. I assumed it was an intermittent ignition or fuel problem.

Until you decide how to permentally disable it you can block AFM buy shifting into manual mode and setting it to 5th gear. The trans will shift normally, just won't go in to 6th. On the 2013 allowing it to go into 6th in manual mode allowed the AFM to function.

One of the driver information center display settings lets you see when AFM goes into 4 cylinder mode. It will have V8 for normal mode and a V4 when the AFM is active.

I chose the Diablo tuner to block AFM permanently to use all six gears. The tuner just plugs into the OBDII port and wasn't too difficult to disable the AFM, but iirc it was a little confusing how to get to the right section on the programmer.

While I do not know the engines history, the Tahoe currently has over 190,000 miles on it.

I also own a 2011 1500 5.3 with AFM purchased after the Tahoe. It has 120K, the AFM is still active and I know it has never had any engine repairs. The AFM is a lot less noticeable when it engages on this vehicle. Most likely going to leave it alone since this is more of a beater vehicle.

Hope that helps you feel a little less worried about the AFM.