Honda Ridgeline VTM-4 Lock EXPLAINED (Not A REAL LOCKER) | Gone MUDDING

What to expect from the VTM-4 LOCK and how does it actually work. As the titles says it is NOT A REAL LOCKER. With the Honda Ridgeline I take a closer look into the actual mechanical side of things and try to explain what is really going on. Is it good working mechanical system ? - Absolutely. All the magic happens in the rear differential with a set of internal wet clutches delivering power to the "half" axles from the engine. the VTM-4 LOCK tends to act a lot like an aggressive limited slip differential, which will help you get out of a sticking situation, TO A POINT however. Hope you guys learned a thing or two and I'll leave a bunch of links below if you guys want to take a closer look yourselves! As always I hope you liked the video.

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[dgriffin]

Thanks. Much better explanation then in the Honda Ridgeline manual. BTW, anyone who states that the RL "is not a true pickup" hasn't owned or driven one. It is also, regarding efficient use of space, the best in the market.

[markjames]

I just got a 2013. So far this system is working well — I can get in and out of my driveway without any attempt to clear the berm left by plows, which was fairly icy. Have had to hit that switch, and it definitely helps. I don’t plan on off-roading, I just want to not get stuck in a New England winter. So far, so good.

[akaCamo]

Excellent explanation and good slow motion footage showing what is actually happening. Thanks for creating this video.

[Dabwizard]

Despite its weird looks it’s been the best vehicle I have ever owned. Love my ridge line to death. She gets me through all the snow/ice storms no problem. Appreciate this video. You explained everything so well in a way that it makes perfect sense to me, a person who is very uneducated and very very confused when it comes to any functions under the hood or body of a vehicle. VTM 4 has been one of my biggest puzzlers owning the ridge line and you saved my ass!! Can’t wait to take my girl off roading. You gave me the confidence. Thank you 🛻

[coastdweller]

Coming from a background of owning 4wd jeeps, chevy and ford pickups and a solid axle toyota, I hate to admit.how much I love my ridgeline. I purchased mine after I lost my last jeep to accident and it has been so impressive offroad. Definitely deserves more credit than it receives.

[IVANHOECHAPUT]

I love my Ridgeline. Bought it used with 88, 000 miles 2 weeks ago. It's a 2008. It's like new! Took it off-roading twice and it performed fantastic! On pavement, it drives like a smooth car.

Great video!

[davidgomez]

I liked it for the trunk space and the way the tailgate opened both ways...

[gregorymckoy]

I have a 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD that I have launched my 17' cc boat on a dirt landing along the Northeast Cape Fear River. The river connects to the swamp and wraps around my property. I thought I had seriously screwed up when I went to pull the trailer out in the pouring rain and got too close to the soupy swamp mud. It was as slick as glass but, the VTM-4 straightened it right up and pulled it right up the hill. I only have all season tires so, I was really impressed with it's capability. I must say my heart sunk when I dropped into the swamp mud. I thought I was going to have to get the tractor for sure. I wouldn't recommend trying that on a regular basis but, I have to give credit to Honda on this one. I would have never believed it if I had not done it myself. The Ridgeline and Pilot are very capable 4WD's at least in temporary situations.

[jimsomerville]

Nice video. I thought those lock buttons on AWD systems meant "locking" a center differential similar to a transfer case, so power is always sent to both the front and rear axles, not necessarily locking the 2 wheels on an axle.

[johngaffney]

Great video! The Ridgeline has a full box frame rail structure. The body is welded to that structure rather than bolted on. So it's sort-of a hybrid of body on frame and uni-body. Not enough people talk about this.

[chefgiovanni]

Great job explaining and showing. Honda Ridgeline, esp. 1st gen. is so under rated.
Our 2008 Honda Ridgeline runs like new, 1 timing belt, tires, brakes, batteries and oil changes.

[gwcrispi]

I have a 2006 bought in July 2005. I used the VTM-4 FOR THE FIRST TIME when we had a foot of snow this year.

[billszymborski]

Great video! We have had our "06" RTL navi, since "05" and love it! I thought it was a "locker" but now I get it. I am not too aggressive off road but have used the VTM-4 a few times with good results, never got stuck. My wife learned to drive in snow 8" deep and never had an issue for 50 miles.

[Philip_Chong]

I have the same year model as your truck. I used my truck on a project in the winter on a farm with lots of snow. The rear wheels do spin when resistance where felt when I drove across the snowfield. I got stuck a few times on thick snow with all four wheels spinning with engaging the VTM. As for driving on mud, it depends on types of tires you have on. If you have A/T tires but your soil is high plastic like in some areas, chances are you will get stuck no matter what. High plastic clays will stick on your tires good. Overall this Ridgeline is an all rounder truck for typical use.

[joesepspindel]

I just bought a 2013 Honda Ridgeline. I have always liked them. The vehicle is exactly what I need. I used to own a 1989 Ford Bronco XLT (fix or repair daily is a real thing). I live in taxachusetts and I do not go off road. I need a vehicle that can take on the sh*ty roads and get me out of my driveway threw 3 feet of snow to get to work early before the plows finish with all the secondary roads that I take so I can avoid all the fast masshole drivers in trucks that drive them like they stole them. Thanks for the good explanation of how the VTM-4 lock actually works.

[romanglick]

Shoot yea man I just got me a Japanese El Camino today!! 2013! So frikkin stoked! Cool video thank you!

[dennisst.pierre]

Had lots of 4 by 4, s since the 1970, s have owned my 2008 Ridge since 2016 ….. by far the best vehicle I have ever owned

[mikelewis]

Thanks for the video. I bought 2015 Pilot with this mostly to get my boat in and out the lake but also for winter. Great explanation and video!!!

[lazerbeam]

My understanding is that Honda calls it "torque vectoring", and the most unique thing about it is that it can (as you aptly explained), direct different amount of torque between the four wheels asymmetrically. I have a 2017 Ridgeline & Pilot both with the AWD system. They do not have the VTM-4 button on them. They have what Honda calls the Intelligent Traction Selector button selector which allows the driver to select normal, mud, snow or sand conditions. The wheel speed and torque vectoring is done automatically. And yes I did say wheel speed. It will control (limit) how much spin it will allow at each wheel when slippage is detected. Wild....

[EngineAdventures]

Nice review, I've tested both the new and old VTM4 and I-VTM4 systems and the new one is much better. I did test the Ridgeline with the 9 speed though which has a much better crawl ratio. The old one couldn't climb my test hill, the 2020 can.