Range Technology Fuel Economy Modules

[TxTruckMan]

I went over to Range Technology's website to see what all the fuss was about and I noticed that besides the AFM delete module, they also have a pair of V4 economy modules (Plus and Max). These modules increase the percentage of time that your vehicle stays in V4 mode to get you better fuel economy. They claim that the factory AFM tuning results in V4 30-35% of the time. Their Plus module keeps V4 60-70% of the time, and the Max module keeps V4 mode for 90% of the time.

 

Has anybody tried these modules? I'm not really interested, but I thought that others might be. I'm curious as to how these trucks would drive with V4 active up to 90% of the time. I wouldn't recommend it while towing obviously, but I'm wondering how well they work and what the long-term impacts are to the engine. There's got to be a good reason why GM didn't tune AFM to work more than it does. I wonder what Range knows that GM doesn't? (I'm being sarcastic there. Obviously Range doesn't have to worry about our warranty claims and GM does.)

[fondupot]

How god awful would this truck feel driving in V4 for 90% of the time. I cant even imagine.

[Zane]

We reviewed one of these on our 2011 here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/149558-promising-better-fuel-economy-for-afm-engines-the-range/

[lrymal]

Has anybody tried these modules?

Actually, I did.... But after a couple of days pulled it. I live in an area with rolling hills and honestly, the truck's computer that controls this stuff, and the module are just "too busy." They seem to duke it out a bit when going up the hilly highways. If I lived in an area with highways with tamer hills, or flat, I think the Range product would excel in its purpose.

 

By "too busy" and "duking it out," I mean there is a lot of 4 cylinder/8 cylinder action. A tamer hill, and some active hypermiling, results in a positive experience. But honestly, my hills are too steep, or really, at an incline that causes the busy stuff. If the hilly road is real steep, then the trucks goes into V-8 mode. If at a slight incline in V-4 mode. But, there is that certain incline angle and speed that causes the busyness.

[FastMan]

I am using the AFM Plus and it is exceptional. I'm saving gas which the wife likes.

[FastMan]

I checked with the people at Range and the device will never compromise your warranty. If you unplug it before you take it to the dealership, they will never know you ever used it.

[oldbiker]

I was just on Range Technology's website. Doesn't the link about BE AWARE , Model Advisory 2014/2015. scare any of you from buying this product. Looks like there are alot of clitches they haven't ironed out yet.

[sirbOOm]

I always think, while it is in V4 mode and then switches to V8, that I don't REALLY need all 8 cylinders right now, just trying to increase speed a bit and in no particular rush to do so and don't need to be shoved into the back of my seat to do it - just drop a gear and take your time bud . I drive for the most part like a grandpa to save gas so I might look into this - I do a lot of highway driving after all. I wouldn't want to do much city driving with just the V4 unless it was really jam packed and I would never get much above 20 mph. I like how V4 actually is useful in my 2014. My 2011 had V4 and it only really turned on if the road was dead flat with no wind and going downhill. I had it deactivated for about 6 months and did notice a bit more fuel consumption but it was nice to not feel the switch, which in the 2011 wasn't as fast and smooth as my 2014.

[sugarjohnson]

Just installed my Range. Immediate stabilitrak light error. Module does work and Range says the codes will go away plus they will refalsh the module when they have the code resolved.