Can I change cycle time to lessen cycles?

dncps

I have an older gas furnace with a new digital non-programmable Honeywell Thermostat. The thermostat comes default set at 4 (Four 15 minute per hour cycles). The problem is that I would like to adjust the furnace so that it turns-on less frequently than it currently does. The manual states for gas furnaces that 4 is the proper setting. Can I set it for "3" (20 minute cycles) so that the furnace does not turn-on as frequently? Could this cause furnace problems?

It's not clear to me the relationship between the cycle times selected and the set point chosen. Does the cycle time setting limit the # of times that the thermostat will turn on the heater within a 60 min period? Is this independent of set point? BTW this thermostat does not have a clock. It's very basic but does have the option to change cycle times.

Thank you