Range Technology for turning off AFM
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
I pulled the trigger and ordered the Range AFM device today.
My exhaust sounds too good to have it ruined by 4 cylinder mode.
I will just make it a habit to take the device out when coming home at night. I'll put a note on the door from the garage to the house
My exhaust sounds too good to have it ruined by 4 cylinder mode.
I will just make it a habit to take the device out when coming home at night. I'll put a note on the door from the garage to the house
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
2-3-4 days were not a problem leaving it plugged in, I left it at my work for 6 days and the battery just started to crank and died. Parking lot attendant let me use a jumper box and it fired right up. Then a week later I had some out of of town visitors and it sat for 8 days, then the battery was really dead, took my old 16v turbo start race car battery conditioner/charger to bring it back to life. My regular small 10/30 amp electronic charger would try to charge it and just say 'fail' across the screen after a while.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
If you drive home at night you will remember, the blue LEDs light up the footwell pretty bright and you will see it.
2-3-4 days were not a problem leaving it plugged in, I left it at my work for 6 days and the battery just started to crank and died. Parking lot attendant let me use a jumper box and it fired right up. Then a week later I had some out of of town visitors and it sat for 8 days, then the battery was really dead, took my old 16v turbo start race car battery conditioner/charger to bring it back to life. My regular small 10/30 amp electronic charger would try to charge it and just say 'fail' across the screen after a while.
2-3-4 days were not a problem leaving it plugged in, I left it at my work for 6 days and the battery just started to crank and died. Parking lot attendant let me use a jumper box and it fired right up. Then a week later I had some out of of town visitors and it sat for 8 days, then the battery was really dead, took my old 16v turbo start race car battery conditioner/charger to bring it back to life. My regular small 10/30 amp electronic charger would try to charge it and just say 'fail' across the screen after a while.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
Maybe the Range folks will correct whatever is going on with the C7 version of the module that is causing some circuits to remained powered on. I remember looking at the Range module several months ago on their website and there was some language about possible glitches so I assume there have been some rolling updates to this version.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 271
Likes: 5
I like this idea. Some years ago when I was flying light planes, a small airport had a sign on the way out from the flying club to the road that said, "Have You Closed Your Flight Plan".
I'm sure it saved a few pilots from embarrassment.Don't have any of these AFM devices but they are intriguing. Ideally I'd like to see a GM tweak to the system.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,471
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
I know im in the minority here , as many vette guys want to buy things that are perfect and integrated. Nothing wrong with that. But taking it out when its gonna sit for three or more days just does not seem like a big deal , and easy enuf to get in the groove of your "pre and post flight procedure". You reach one foot under the dash to disconnect and reattach.
I also used mine just for long trips so if i was doing day to day in town driving, it was not necessary to use.....
I also used mine just for long trips so if i was doing day to day in town driving, it was not necessary to use.....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
After a week or so the Range WILL kill the battery, not just a little either, but down to 2 volts or so. Happened to me twice, thats with the newest firmware version Range.
The battery wont survive too many of those total drains. Good news is my battery came back both times and it seems to be fine, although long term it may have diminished capacity.
The battery wont survive too many of those total drains. Good news is my battery came back both times and it seems to be fine, although long term it may have diminished capacity.
I understand that letting the car sit for a few days is no issue so I can see why you wouldn't want/need the tender.
In any event I have no issues with AFM on my 2014 A6.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 28
From: Dearborn Heights MI
This is the best time to install a few performance parts like, Livernois Motorsports Exclusive Upgraded Valve Springs package and a Livernois Motorsports Exclusive Cam Phaser Limiter.
This is a perfect point to make a few internal upgrades to avoid doubling down on labor in the future!
Here is a link if you'd like to do some more research:
http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/...INSTALLED.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
That was the point of my suggestion. If you are going to park your car for an "extended" period of time I would think you'd want/need/use a battery tender thus elminating the battery drain issue all together.
I understand that letting the car sit for a few days is no issue so I can see why you wouldn't want/need the tender.
In any event I have no issues with AFM on my 2014 A6.
I understand that letting the car sit for a few days is no issue so I can see why you wouldn't want/need the tender.
In any event I have no issues with AFM on my 2014 A6.
Either way unplugging the range is way easier than hooking up a tender. I drive the car year round so I dont need a tender. If the battery goes dead sitting for a couple weeks I dont need a charger, I need a different car
For me the simple solution was to just sell it off, lost less than a tank of premium trying it out. While the AFM annoys me some its not as annoying as a dead battery.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
Maybe the Range folks will correct whatever is going on with the C7 version of the module that is causing some circuits to remained powered on. I remember looking at the Range module several months ago on their website and there was some language about possible glitches so I assume there have been some rolling updates to this version.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 319
From: N. CA
Did you ask them if any issues with the C7?
Yeah, please post your findings once it is up and running.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 319
From: N. CA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,471
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
it was never a problem for me either...I only found it useful for long trips when I found a slight "tug" from the AFM, so it was not a "daily danger" in not removing it. When I was going to do a long trip I'd install it. then remove it when I got to where I was going. it's a tool like anything else, not a irreversible option like a supercharger...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
Just curious - why not use the paddle shifters and enjoy the nice sweet sound, and avoid afm and rangev8? That is what I started doing, and like many things it becomes second nature, and i sort of like having the control of when it shifts. and the sound of when it shifts, and it eliminates the v4 issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 386
Likes: 5
From: Atlanta GA
Wow. Always driven stick but finally decided on the A8 until reading this thread. Do I have this right? I cannot turn off DoD unless I am in manual mode with the A8, but DoD is only on in "Economy" mode with the M7. If this is true, then I'm back to getting the M7.
Okay. Just read the manual and that's what it says. You know, one of my favorite things about stick is the popping and burbling sounds when the tranny is slowing down the car going into a corner. With the A8, the owners manual says DoD is activated when coasting. So what kind of sound does the A8 make when coasting either when you lift your foot off the accelerator or brake going into a corner? My guess is it is not nearly as satisfying as the M7.
Okay. Just read the manual and that's what it says. You know, one of my favorite things about stick is the popping and burbling sounds when the tranny is slowing down the car going into a corner. With the A8, the owners manual says DoD is activated when coasting. So what kind of sound does the A8 make when coasting either when you lift your foot off the accelerator or brake going into a corner? My guess is it is not nearly as satisfying as the M7.
Last edited by 9ball1104; Nov 1, 2014 at 01:48 AM.