System Description

System Description





This vehicle is equipped with a rear differential system called the Variable Torque Management 4WD (VTM-4) system. The VTM-4 control unit controls the currents flowing through electromagnetic coils to engage and disengage the right and left clutches in the rear differential assembly. The operation of the VTM-4 system consists of the following functions; Vehicle Acceleration Torque Control (VATC), Limited Slip Differential (LSD), and Lock Control. They combine to distribute driving torque between the front and rear wheels when the vehicle is being accelerated or when wheels are slipping. The system locks up the rear differential clutches when the transmission is in R, 1 and 2 positions. By design, the torque is reduced gradually at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h) to minimize the load on the 4WD system.
The VTM-4 control unit has fail-safe function, a self-diagnosis function, and a provision to communicate with the Honda PGM tester.





- VATC Control
The torque to be delivered to the rear wheels is calculated based on the acceleration of the vehicle obtained from PCM.





- LSD Control
The torque to be delivered to the rear wheels is calculated based on the differences in speed and acceleration between the front and rear wheels.





- LOCK Control
Rear differential clutch lock control is done by pushing the VTM-4 lock switch manually when the shift lever is in R, 1 or 2 position.