Promising better fuel economy for AFM engines, the Range

[Range Technology]

I'm interested in the V4 Plus, however I want to also keep my scangauge, is there any way to run both of these at the same time?

 

Unfortunately, they'll interfere with one another since anything plugged into the OBDII port is assigned the same address.

 

 

Also, will having this plugged in affect the onstar monthly e-mail reporting like my scangauge does?

 

That's more a question of timing ... OnStar likes to turn things on in the middle of the night to gather the diagnostic data, and that may wake up the module. However, (unlike the ScanGauge) we will shut off within a couple seconds if there's no RPM. That should reduce the likelyhood of any bad juju with Onstar, but no guarantee because the way Onstar blows through (which we can't control).

 

I never saw any interference in 18 months with the Tahoe (2011 4WD 5.3) ... always got the reports and was able to use the remote start App on the iPhone with no problems too. YMMV ...

[cfeiring]

Hey any chance that you could add something for the GM diesel engines to improve fuel economy over the factory tunes?

Not looking for a higher hp or torque numbers. Just want better fuel economy like the gas engine that does not leave a traceable footprint.

If such a plug in and play device was made i am sure the market would support such an item.

May not be possible due to the complex programming involved; the basic idea is possible using the basic Range module.

Since if I need max power / torque I just unplug and drive and if I want to save fuel I plug the item back in.

Hey any chance that you could add something for the GM diesel engines to improve fuel economy over the factory tunes?

Not looking for a higher hp or torque numbers. Just want better fuel economy like the gas engine that does not leave a traceable footprint.

If such a plug in and play device was made i am sure the market would support such an item.

May not be possible due to the complex programming involved; the basic idea is possible using the basic Range module.

Since if I need max power / torque I just unplug and drive and if I want to save fuel I plug the item back in.

[Range Technology]

Cool idea, but unfortunately with the DMax they have things really locked down (and everything leaves a footprint almost! )

 

We know how to do "tunes" and such, but that opens the whole "can of worms" involving changing code in the ECU, which as you know now leaves CVN and CALID number trails. The newest and grooviest LMM integrate all the controls into the ECU much nicer than the older LBY and LBZ stuff, but it also makes it harder to "get in between" the actuators (like injectors) and the ECU.

[moab11]

Unfortunately, they'll interfere with one another since anything plugged into the OBDII port is assigned the same address.

 

 

 

That's more a question of timing ... OnStar likes to turn things on in the middle of the night to gather the diagnostic data, and that may wake up the module. However, (unlike the ScanGauge) we will shut off within a couple seconds if there's no RPM. That should reduce the likelyhood of any bad juju with Onstar, but no guarantee because the way Onstar blows through (which we can't control).

 

I never saw any interference in 18 months with the Tahoe (2011 4WD 5.3) ... always got the reports and was able to use the remote start App on the iPhone with no problems too. YMMV ...

I kind of figured as much, thanks though Ken!

[travis73]

Hi Ken any chance you could make the opposite of the Ranger that would allow my truck to run on all 8cyl all the time,I am a meter reader and having the truck constantly going into 4cyl mode while idling around is extra annoying to me,would love to have the ability to plug something in to eliminate 4cyl mode when I don't want it then simply unplug when I am cruising on the freeway.

[travis73]

Sorry about that ^^^^ darn computer

[Range Technology]

Hi Ken any chance you could make the opposite of the Ranger that would allow my truck to run on all 8cyl all the time,I am a meter reader and having the truck constantly going into 4cyl mode while idling around is extra annoying to me,would love to have the ability to plug something in to eliminate 4cyl mode when I don't want it then simply unplug when I am cruising on the freeway.

 

Yup, (yup, yup, yup, yup ... )

 

We just got that one all tested and it works great. Adam is working on getting the website all set up so you can order what fits your needs. You can send an email to [email protected] when you place the order on the site and I'll be sure to pull the right module and verify the programming.

 

It's important to let me know as soon as you order so you don't get the wrong calibration (V4 Plus, V4 Max, or V8 Max, see below).

 

 

We offer:

 

 

V4 PLUS

V4 Plus concentrates the algorithm calibration for people who only spend a portion of their time in urban/suburban driving. The calibration is "less aggressive" in the higher speeds (above 40 MPH).

• Vehicle with 4 speed auto transmission and smaller displacement (5.3 liter)
• Pickups with higher rear end gearing (i.e. 3.08s)
• People who live in "rolling terrain" with high winds and/or high speeds
• People who use the cruise control and travel mainly at higher speeds (> 50 MPH)

V4 MAX

This is the maximum effort V4 mode. It will squeeze as much economy as possible out of the vehicle and will be aggressive about trying to optimize the V4 characteristics. This is dyno proven to be the overall most effective gas saver. Because it is always trying to save fuel, there may be driving regimes where the driveability at high speeds with cruise control or heavily loaded/high geared vehicles may find it shifting between V4/V8 more than you like. If your driving is mainly flat and level at lower speeds and/or urban/suburban driving, this is the module for you

• 6 speed auto transmission with larger displacement motors (6.0 VortecMAXX or 6.2)
• Mid range rear end gears (3.42s or 3.73s)
• People who spend most of their driving cycle in <50 MPH suburban and urban driving
• People who rarely use the cruise control and if they do, it's mainly on very flat level ground

V8 MAX

This is the maximum effort V8 mode module. It puts the vehicle in V8 all the time and provides the smoothest and most responsive driving experience.

• All engine and all transmissions
• All gear ratios
• People who want the smoothest driving vehicle regardless of gas mileage
• People who haul heavy loads a lot, pull trailers, boats, or live in steep terrain
• People who drive in situations with lots of on and off the throttle at slow/rolling speeds (no V4/V8 "bump" transition)

[travis73]

 

Yup, (yup, yup, yup, yup ... )

 

We just got that one all tested and it works great. Adam is working on getting the website all set up so you can order what fits your needs. You can send an email to [email protected] when you place the order on the site and I'll be sure to pull the right module and verify the programming.

 

It's important to let me know as soon as you order so you don't get the wrong calibration (V4 Plus, V4 Max, or V8 Max, see below).

 

 

We offer:

 

 

V4 PLUS

V4 Plus concentrates the algorithm calibration for people who only spend a portion of their time in urban/suburban driving. The calibration is "less aggressive" in the higher speeds (above 40 MPH).

• Vehicle with 4 speed auto transmission and smaller displacement (5.3 liter)
• Pickups with higher rear end gearing (i.e. 3.08s)
• People who live in "rolling terrain" with high winds and/or high speeds
• People who use the cruise control and travel mainly at higher speeds (> 50 MPH)

V4 MAX

This is the maximum effort V4 mode. It will squeeze as much economy as possible out of the vehicle and will be aggressive about trying to optimize the V4 characteristics. This is dyno proven to be the overall most effective gas saver. Because it is always trying to save fuel, there may be driving regimes where the driveability at high speeds with cruise control or heavily loaded/high geared vehicles may find it shifting between V4/V8 more than you like. If your driving is mainly flat and level at lower speeds and/or urban/suburban driving, this is the module for you

• 6 speed auto transmission with larger displacement motors (6.0 VortecMAXX or 6.2)
• Mid range rear end gears (3.42s or 3.73s)
• People who spend most of their driving cycle in <50 MPH suburban and urban driving
• People who rarely use the cruise control and if they do, it's mainly on very flat level ground

V8 MAX

This is the maximum effort V8 mode module. It puts the vehicle in V8 all the time and provides the smoothest and most responsive driving experience.

• All engine and all transmissions
• All gear ratios
• People who want the smoothest driving vehicle regardless of gas mileage
• People who haul heavy loads a lot, pull trailers, boats, or live in steep terrain
• People who drive in situations with lots of on and off the throttle at slow/rolling speeds (no V4/V8 "bump" transition)

Awesome I want one ,thanks for your quick response.

[hzhardy]

Is there a plan for one that has all three with a selector switch?

[montyss]

Is there a plan for one that has all three with a selector switch?

That would be the best ! or at least the V8 and one of the V4 types with a switch

[snow man]

I was on the range website, all ready to purchase a range module, when I saw this space for a promotion code. I thought 'perhaps Ken can set us up with a discount code'. So what do you think, could we get a GM trucks group discount for range units?

[Morgan1986]

In the real world, getting it done right is more important than getting it done quickly.

In the real world when you say your writing it up today and tommrow and show no results you get fired. There is time limits to things and to be honest you guys move slower than a snail. If it takes you this long to get somthing done right than maybe you are not the one who should be writing these articals . Its been like 96 hours since your real world comment . If you worked for the goverment I would understand since they take forever to get things done to.

[Range Technology]

I was on the range website, all ready to purchase a range module, when I saw this space for a promotion code. I thought 'perhaps Ken can set us up with a discount code'. So what do you think, could we get a GM trucks group discount for range units?

That's gotta be Adam's call ... He handles all the sales stuff.

[Zane]

 

 

In the real world when you say your writing it up today and tommrow and show no results you get fired. There is time limits to things and to be honest you guys move slower than a snail. If it takes you this long to get somthing done right than maybe you are not the one who should be writing these articals . Its been like 96 hours since your real world comment . If you worked for the goverment I would understand since they take forever to get things done to.

 

 

 

Give me a break, please. I refuse to go back and edit my posts, so of course you'll still see my intention to publish our findings many posts back. We ran into a problem and we're trying to figure out what happened before we recklessly publish a review of a product that someone has invested a lot of time and money into. I care about what I say.

 

The issue was this: The end result of our 30-mile back to back loop was a 1/2 MPG improvement. That's lower than what we feel the product is capable of. We are trying to evaluate how we can do the test again to establish if the product is under-performing or we're not testing it properly.

 

We live in New Hampshire and our roads are pretty hilly. AFM kicks in going downhill anyways, so testing the Range on hilly roads might not give the entire story of the product. If it works really well on flatter, higher speed, urban roads... we want to test that too. We also want to test over a longer distance. We also want to talk to Adam @ Range but have not been able to connect yet.

 

Right now, we've been waiting for good weather to be able to test on a new route and over a longer distance. I'll do a better job to keep everyone updated on our results here as we work on them but I cannot promise any results by a certain date.

[MNDakota]

You're evaluating this product based on a 30 mile loop?

 

A device claiming to increase fuel mileage by marginally increasing the time that the vehicle stays in V4 mode will most likely show few to no results in 30 miles. What variability in terrain do you have in your 'test course' ? This should not be a short back to back comparison, but instead a long term test. Run the unit for the month of June and without for July, then compare results. June and July fuel blends and ambient condition would be about the same, as long as you are observant of your driving habits you can try to zero yourself out of the equation.

 

I for one, would like to see The Range post actual MPG increases per tested vehicle stats and terrain. The responses posted prior of % increases are not terribly helpful. ie if you're only getting 10MPG to start with, a 10% increase is only 1MPG.