Bought a Range AFM disabler

[Hoginedgewood]

I’d have to double check what version. But just got back from pulling a trailer from Cincinnati to and through the smoky mountains, good investment. No codes.

[Slabsides45]

So am I understanding correctly that this device plugs in and keeps the 5.3 in 8 cylinder mode full time?

 

If so, what kind of mpg are you getting without the benefit of the "sometimes" 4 cylinder mode?

[14GMCZ71]

Too soon to tell on fuel mileage but so far seems the same.  Yes - device plugs right into the OBD2 port under the dash.

[jgraves13]

So am I understanding correctly that this device plugs in and keeps the 5.3 in 8 cylinder mode full time?
 
If so, what kind of mpg are you getting without the benefit of the "sometimes" 4 cylinder mode?

Will depend on your driving habits. If a lot of highway driving at 65, probably drop. Someone who drives around town and start stop probably wouldn't notice a difference because the AFM wouldn't kick in much


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[TedH]

I bought the Range AFM disabler after I swapped in a Flowmaster Force II dual system.  Without the in-pipe flap, the 4-cyl drone is awful.  I tried the Range several times.  Each time, I removed it after it threw codes or the truck refused to start.  The last time, I was lucky to clear codes when I removed it after the truck would not start (it would start immediately once I removed it).  

 

I think the Range AFM disabler has flaws that are not worth the aggravation.  For now, if I want it in 8cyl, I use M5 transmission setting.  I still have the OEM single exhaust and bought the good Borla muffler.  So, I may reinstall the stock system (has the flap/valve after the stock muffler) with the better Borla muffler and let the system flip between 4 and 8 (no more drone).  

[Skeeter McSkeet]

You all may look into the hyper tech tuners. You can disable AFM for a certain speed. So have it come on at highway speeds, have it disabled at lower speeds.

I went with a diablo and just turned it completely off. Haven’t noticed but maybe a .2 - .3 hit on mpg over the last 2.5 to 3 years. I’m doing a lot more highway driving now than I did and I may pick one up. Afm on hilly country roads is abysmal from my experience with it, highway speeds it wasn’t bad at all.


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[Crobinson16]

1 hour ago, TedH said:

I bought the Range AFM disabler after I swapped in a Flowmaster Force II dual system.  Without the in-pipe flap, the 4-cyl drone is awful.  I tried the Range several times.  Each time, I removed it after it threw codes or the truck refused to start.  The last time, I was lucky to clear codes when I removed it after the truck would not start (it would start immediately once I removed it).  

 

I think the Range AFM disabler has flaws that are not worth the aggravation.  For now, if I want it in 8cyl, I use M5 transmission setting.  I still have the OEM single exhaust and bought the good Borla muffler.  So, I may reinstall the stock system (has the flap/valve after the stock muffler) with the better Borla muffler and let the system flip between 4 and 8 (no more drone).  

What was the software version of your range unit, the newest version available currently is 8.6 is it supposed to solve those issues and the battery draw when sitting. 

[MaverickZ71]

Range began their operation with a module that kept the GMT900 (07-13 1500s) trucks in V4 mode a lot more than the factory GM programming did.  Then several of us asked them to make a Range V8 module that would turn off the AFM 4-cylinder function, in order to help alleviate our excessive oil consumption.  It worked.  They have worked out the bugs for their V8 module on the new trucks--no more codes are being thrown, nor do they run your battery down anymore on the 14-now 1500s.  Most of us could tell little to no difference in fuel mileage with the AFM turned off; some reported better driveability (smoother shifts, no clunk when in and out of AFM, etc.), and aftermarket exhaust systems sound a lot better with no AFM.  

 

I used my Range V8 module until the contacts got messed up from taking it out/putting it back in during dealer visits.  Then I noticed the little blue lights were not all on anymore, and the DIC showed the truck was in V4 mode once in a while.  So I got a Hypertech 2.0 Energy Programmer and tuned out AFM.  The Hypertech also allows you to do other tuning and read and clear diagnostic trouble codes.  

Edited May 10, 2018 by MaverickZ71

[Jaychevy81]

I understand that it's a little cheaper, but why not just spend a little more money (  
For instance, you can get a hypertech for ~$300. You will get this function without the need to keep something plugged in, plus you get to program everything else...
 
I'm just curious what the decision point was for purchasing these..
 

I ordered the Hypertech tuner question is I was reading the manual online and it says v4 off between the 15 and 35 are the 4 options. But reading diff posts some say they have it turn on after 65mph? Is there a diff option am I missing something just wondering.


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[KARNUT]

I used hypertec on my 14 GMC. As I posted a few times over the years I didn’t see a measurable difference in fuel mileage at highway speeds in the south (70 plus MPH) with V4 off. There’s been lots of posting that tunes voids the warranty, no one has come forward with that happening yet with gas tuning. The range is supposed to be warranty friendly.


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[repairman54]

I've put 40k miles on my Range in my '11 5.3 Tahoe now and zero issues. MPG is down 1 mpg highway. I'm at 77k miles now when it needs a qt. of oil it's at 10% on the OLM which is about 8500 miles.

OnStar picks up a aftermarket device being plugged in but so what as I'm out of warranty.

It works as advertised and I'm satisfied.

 

[Skeeter McSkeet]

I ordered the Hypertech tuner question is I was reading the manual online and it says v4 off between the 15 and 35 are the 4 options. But reading diff posts some say they have it turn on after 65mph? Is there a diff option am I missing something just wondering.


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Pulled this from a YouTube vid for a max energy 2.0 on a 2014 Silverado. I’ve heard plenty report turning it off at highway speeds as well. The online manual is probably somewhat generic.


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[Jaychevy81]

Pulled this from a YouTube vid for a max energy 2.0 on a 2014 Silverado. I’ve heard plenty report turning it off at highway speeds as well. The online manual is probably somewhat generic.


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Thanks for that I tried looking at diff videos and what not. I figured the manual is generic or dated lol thanks again.


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[Jaychevy81]

Another quick question anyone ever had any issues with turning V4 off or put it to only turn on on highway speeds. Not sure what way to go.

[Skeeter McSkeet]

Another quick question anyone ever had any issues with turning V4 off or put it to only turn on on highway speeds. Not sure what way to go.

No afm for about 3.5 years for me, no issues


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