+R Mode vs Individual with "aggressive" options selected?

[spiff72]

I have had my FL5 for almost 3 weeks now and I have to ask if I am imagining things with regard to the drive modes and how they affect performance...

I have been driving about 95% of the time in Individual Mode with the Engine Sound, Suspension, Steering in Comfort, and with Engine in +R and Gauges in +R.

I recently took a spin in +R mode and I swear the car felt noticeably quicker under hard acceleration. Does this make sense? Does +R mode do something that can't be replicated in the Individual Mode?

My main goals are to disable the pumped in sound (so I pick Comfort for the Engine Sound section - which I suspect doesn't disable it completely), and the softer suspension (Comfort) setting because I live in the land of terrible roads (Michigan). However, after that experience with +R mode, I may be tempted to use it more often because it felt genuinely faster.

I am planning to unplug the module for the pumped in audio behind the passenger dash eventually (when the temps warm up a bit more here), but is this truly necessary if you have the Engine Sound in Comfort mode most of the time? Does this truly turn off the pumped in sound?

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[VLJ]

No, setting the Individual mode's Engine Sound menu to Comfort (or being in the main Comfort mode) doesn't turn off the fake noise completely. It merely reduces it, in comparison to the louder options. To shut it off completely you have to do what you mentioned and disconnect it, which requires partially disassembling the dash.

 

[spiff72]

No, setting the Individual mode's Engine Sound menu to Comfort (or being in the main Comfort mode) doesn't turn off the fake noise completely. It merely reduces it, in comparison to the louder options. To shut it off completely you have to do what you mentioned and disconnect it, which requires partially disassembling the dash.

I had read something in a youtube comment (not sure which video) stating that disconnecting that audio module seemed like it was causing some issues with the infotainment screen. Part of me wonders if they just hadn't disabled the built-in Nav in the app manager menu and it was just coincidence.

 

[VLJ]

Can't imagine any reason why unplugging the sound module would have any effect on the performance of the infotainment screen. I know the Topher disconnected his sound module, to no ill effect. He also went into the Vehicle Settings and ditched the native Navigation app, again to no ill effect.

 

[Clark_Kent]

No, setting the Individual mode's Engine Sound menu to Comfort (or being in the main Comfort mode) doesn't turn off the fake noise completely. It merely reduces it, in comparison to the louder options. To shut it off completely you have to do what you mentioned and disconnect it, which requires partially disassembling the dash.

I don't believe that has been confirmed. What I recall is it has been speculated Engine Sound in Comfort either reduces the active sound significantly or completely eliminates it.

 

[Nothing]

I would be for a SW update to disable active sound separately than everything else, or separate from the valve.

It's nearly the only thing keeping me out of +R more often, other than individual I don't have to set every drive.

 

[Johaw]

I had read something in a youtube comment (not sure which video) stating that disconnecting that audio module seemed like it was causing some issues with the infotainment screen. Part of me wonders if they just hadn't disabled the built-in Nav in the app manager menu and it was just coincidence.

Not a type R but an SI, but i have had the sound module unplugged for over 8000 miles and haven't had a single issue

 

[VLJ]

I don't believe that has been confirmed. What I recall is it has been speculated Engine Sound in Comfort either reduces the active sound significantly or completely eliminates it.

I'm 99.9% certain that it's significantly reduced, but always on. For one thing, the Engine Sound menu options are +R, Sport, and Comfort, not +R, Sport, and Off, which is the option provided for every other function that can be fully disabled. Also, all the other Individual mode menu options delineate between +R, Sport, and Comfort, with each having distinct characteristics. If there were only two ASC options, the Engine Sound menu would only list the two options as Sport, and +R. There would be no need to include Comfort as the third option. ASC would default to Off if neither of the ASC options were selected.

Instead, we're given three options, none of which are Off, so whichever one you choose, it's always on.

 

[Icehawk]

Unplugging the module takes 30mins tops, most of it is refitting the glovebox. There is zero affect on anything other than your ears. I am at about 3.5k miles with mine disconnected. Highly recommended.


Joker or other tuners could verify but I'm 99% sure that the +R engine setting and +R mode are the same - I believe the only "real" difference is that +R mode allows you to fully disable the traction systems without a pedal dance, all other modes do.

Likely it is the pumped in sound and the overdamping of suspension that contributes to a feeling of the car being a bit faster.

 

[TypeRD]

I'm 99.9% certain that it's significantly reduced, but always on. For one thing, the Engine Sound menu options are +R, Sport, and Comfort, not +R, Sport, and Off, which is the option provided for every other function that can be fully disabled. Also, all the other Individual mode menu options delineate between +R, Sport, and Comfort, with each having distinct characteristics. If there were only two ASC options, the Engine Sound menu would only list the two options as Sport, and +R. There would be no need to include Comfort as the third option. ASC would default to Off if neither of the ASC options were selected.

Instead, we're given three options, none of which are Off, so whichever one you choose, it's always on.

Well…if the sound is significantly reduced so much to the point you can’t hear it, this is basically the same as “off” right? That’s the thing no one has yet verified, but I entirely understand your logic. It’s a valid point! Boy, it sure would be nice if Honda would, you know, simply explain some of these minor details in the manual.

 

[VLJ]

I need to get past the break-in period so that I can wind this thing out and hear the fake noise. Below 5K, there doesn't seem to be any, in any mode. If it's present below 5K, it's so quiet as to be unnoticeable.

From everything I've watched and read, I'm fairly confident that the fake noise in Comfort mode will be quite minimal even at redline, and perfectly tolerable. It's only in +R mode that it seems to be truly obnoxious. Even there, however, one can simply switch to Individual mode to enjoy all the benefits of +R without the excessive fake noise (minus the ability to switch off VSA and TC without having to do the pedal dance, which can only be accomplished in full +R mode). On the street, I don't see a whole lot of need to shut off VSA and TC, so Individual mode set to +R for engine/steering/suspension with the fake noise set to Comfort should work fine for those who want Extra Caffeinated during their canyon strafing runs.

Then again, I can't see too many people using +R mode for the street, so the fake engine noise may not be much of an issue at all in the real world. I'll need to hear it at high RPM in Sport and Comfort to be certain.

Speaking of things that would be nice of Honda to provide, you know what else would be very welcome?

How about using the three blanked-out spots in the center console and left side of the dash for ASC Off, Rev Match Off, and Traction/VSA Off?

That would be mighty nice, indeed.

 

[Icehawk]

@VLJ well put. I'd also note that the TC systems are pretty darn lenient in this car and, to me, not annoying at all. I can still spin the tires on launch or through a corner, I've only felt power cut twice so far even in the wet. I'm used to slamming that button OFF in my wife's Si because it is so intrusive.

Rev it out in +R, it won't blow up the engine even with 1mi on the odo. You'll hear the loud & fake noise then for sure. It's such a bad sound too.

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