Range Technology Range V8 first impressions...

[njrado4x4]

So I was just browsing around the site the other day and come across Range Technology. I never heard of them before but I figured I'd give the Range V8 a shot since I absolutely hate AFM in my 2011 Silverado. I decided to take the truck for a quick drive (20/25 minutes, highway and side roads) as soon as I plugged it in. Holy Sh!t am I glad I took a chance. I feel like I have a brand new truck. No more obnoxious "gurgling" in V4 mode, no more awkward shifts, no more lack of power, the truck just feels "right". I love it so far and I wish I had it from day 1. Now this is only the first day, and I cant really give an accurate review on the product but based on first impressions, I had to give the Range V8 some love.

[Sir Dan]

Glad to see more people will be able to experience the way these trucks are supposed to drive with this new plug and play device!

[GuyGene]

GM should just buy this and install in every truck from factory! That way they could meet the ridiculous EPA mess for mpg, but we would have the built in option of having all 8 pumping!

[Daryl LBZ]

GM should just buy this and install in every truck from factory! That way they could meet the ridiculous EPA mess for mpg, but we would have the built in option of having all 8 pumping!

 

 

They should just offer a way to turn it on or off in the DIC, but nope we must not upset the EPA

[MaverickZ71]

Been driving with mine for 5 days now. Seems to keep the AFM turned OFF as advertised. Have not been able to measure miles per gallon to track any possible decrease yet. I do plan on putting tape over the LED light on it because on a dark night the blue light in the driver's footwell is a little bright. And be aware that although this module is advertised as "GM will never know it was installed", the Project Sierra vehicle on this forum has shown that if you get the monthly e-mails from On-Star showing your vehicle status, it will show error messages in your diagnostics, so The General's system will have SOME record that something was changed. Maybe you just remove the module for 2 or 3 days when the e-mail is due so the wireless diagnostic check doesn't record any difference? I do hope and pray that having AFM shut off will stop the oil usage problem; had to add yet another 3/4 quart last week. I guess time will tell . . .

[MikeNH]

I doubt the OnStar links up to the service at the dealership. I had to specifically ask for the transmission dipstick recall to be done that OS emailed me about.

[BigBlueLB756]

Just pull your module out a day or two before the date you usually get your OS monthly report. When you get the next report, which should be "clean", put the Range module back in the OBDII terminal and drive again.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

My truck has been tuned since about 3 months after I got it. I get my OS report every month with nothing unusual stated or found wrong. If that worried wrap it in tinfoil and make a nice hat to go with it.

[Mossyoakglock]

njrado,

 

Now that you have had this for a little while, any noticable decrease/increase in fuel milage with the module? Are you just going by the DIC when figuring fuel mileage?

 

It's probably too early to tell but has your oil consumption decrease or stopped since using it? If it did and there is no noticable decrease in fuel mileage, I might have to pick one fo these up.

 

Thanks.

[MaverickZ71]

Just pull your module out a day or two before the date you usually get your OS monthly report. When you get the next report, which should be "clean", put the Range module back in the OBDII terminal and drive again.

 

That's what I did, and it worked. Range V8 module was pulled for 2 days. Got On-Star monthly diagnostic report with no errors shown. Range V8 reinstalled to shut off AFM to hopefully stop using oil.

[MaverickZ71]

My truck has been tuned since about 3 months after I got it. I get my OS report every month with nothing unusual stated or found wrong. If that worried wrap it in tinfoil and make a nice hat to go with it.

 

No tinfoil hat here. But that doesn't mean I'm not stocking up on ammo for the coming war . Would've liked to have had a tune since new, but could not afford to lose the factory warranties, which I have had to use!

[j13smiley]

for those talking about oil consumption... read the big threads that already exist on the subject.

 

basically once you start having oil consumption - you're stuck with it until you start having the engine work done, and even then there are conflicting reports. tuning out afm will not stop oil consumption once it's started.

[neilbedwell]

I have to respectfully disagree with j13smiley about the oil consumption. See the other thread on disabling AFM without a tune for my comments, but to summarize: My truck was burning at least 1/2 quart every 3K miles (it would go from well above the hash marks on the dipstick to the bottom of the dipstick). After my last oil change I made a conscious effort to run my truck in M5 as much as possible (my truck has the 6 speed transmission and if you select Manual 5th gear it won't allow the engine to go into V4 mode). After a little over 2K miles, the level on the dipstick has not changed. Disabling AFM has worked for me and I just ordered one of the Range units to install in my truck to permanently disable AFM. My truck currently has around 15K on the clock. I bought it about a year ago with 6K on the clock and I really believe that the previous owner traded it because of the oil burning issue. I can see traces of the red dye around the top of the disptick tube. So, at least at some point they've checked it for leaks.

[Bwallin]

Hello Im new to all this but i have a 2007 Sierra and just had to have the motor replaced 2 weeks ago. Had problems with oil consumption at 86,000 and at 100,000 GM replaced motor. Just bought the Range on Monday should be here tomorrow. Got a 400 mile drive this weekend so i will beable to see if there is any difference in Gas milage.

[Cowpie]

I installed the Range module at 240 miles on my 2013 5.3L. I installed a PCV oil catch can at around 1100 miles, along with dumping the factory fill engine oil and changing to Schaeffer 5w30 synthetic. With around 5100 miles on the oil since the change, the level has reached the first notch below the full mark with 35% oil life remaining on the OLM. I can deal with results like that.