Chevy’s Cylinder Deactivation Technology
Chevrolet first introduced its Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder deactivation system in 2005. This technology was initially equipped on all Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups outfitted with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline engine. In January 2018, General Motors announced an improved version of AFM called Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) to be initially released in Chevy Silverado trucks. DFM is a natural progression of the technology, shutting off any number of cylinders in a variety of combinations to maximize fuel economy and avoid switching between banks of cylinders.
In addition, General Motors’ 5.3L active fuel management was used in the majority of trucks and SUVs from 2007-2014. This was one of GM’s first designs utilizing cylinder deactivation and active fuel management. Furthermore, GM trucks still have cylinder deactivation, and they changed the name from AFM to DFM. DFM can adjust to any combination of firing of cylinders based on engine load.
In summary, Chevy started using cylinder deactivation technology in 2005 with the introduction of Active Fuel Management, and it has since evolved into the Dynamic Fuel Management system for maximizing fuel economy and performance.
Contents
- When did Chevrolet start AFM?
- When did Chevy introduce cylinder deactivation?
- Why is cylinder deactivation bad for an engine?
- What year 5.3 has cylinder deactivation?
- Is Chevy discontinuing the 5.3 engine?
- What is the problem with cylinder deactivation?
- What year did GM start using DOD?
- What year did Chevy change the 5.3 engine?
- What GM vehicles have cylinder deactivation?
- Does AFM cause engine damage?
When did Chevrolet start AFM?
On April 8, 2003, General Motors announced this technology (now called Active Fuel Management) to be commercially available on 2005 GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT using optional Vortec 5300 V8 engine.
When did Chevy introduce cylinder deactivation?
“Chevrolet first introduced its Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation system in 2005, and Dynamic Fuel Management is a natural progression of the technology,” said Jordan Lee, chief engineer for GM’s small-block engines.
Why is cylinder deactivation bad for an engine?
If the engine is equipped with a cylinder deactivation system, we face a new potential failure mode. Increasing the valvespring pressure or just increasing the amount of lifter movement at speed may be enough to overwhelm the oil pressure keeping the lifter in full operation.
What year 5.3 has cylinder deactivation?
General Motors ever popular 5.3L active fuel management was used in majority of trucks and SUV’s from 2007-2014. This was one of GM’s first designs utilizing cylinder deactivation and active fuel management.
Is Chevy discontinuing the 5.3 engine?
According to a recent GM presentation during the 2021 Work Truck Show, the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 gasoline engine and naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline engine will be dropped from the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 lineup for the 2022 model year.
What is the problem with cylinder deactivation?
If the engine is equipped with a cylinder deactivation system, we face a new potential failure mode. Increasing the valvespring pressure or just increasing the amount of lifter movement at speed may be enough to overwhelm the oil pressure keeping the lifter in full operation.
What year did GM start using DOD?
2005
In response to increasingly restrictive fuel economy standards, General Motors introduced Displacement on Demand (marketed as Active Fuel Management) in Gen IV small-block LS engines in 2005, and by 2007 most GM cars and trucks were equipped with DOD.
What year did Chevy change the 5.3 engine?
Generation Five (2013-Present) Despite the fourth-generation Vortec 5300’s continued production, GM released the fifth-generation small-block V8 in 2013. Though the 5.3-liter displacement remains the same, this generation is the biggest shift for the beloved 5.3. This change includes a new name, the Ecotec3 5.3.
What GM vehicles have cylinder deactivation?
Current Vehicle Applications
- Cadillac Escalade with 6.2L V-8 L86.
- Cadillac CT6: Cadillac CT6 with 3.6L V-6 LGX. Cadillac CT6 with 3.0L Twin Turbo V-6 LGW. Cadillac CT6 with 4.2L Twin-Turbo V-8 LTA.
- Cadillac CTS with 3.6L V-6 LGX.
- Cadillac ATS with 3.6L V-6 LGX.
- Cadillac XT5 with 3.6L V-6 LGX.
Does AFM cause engine damage?
However, the design is not without its flaws. The system designed to shut off half the cylinders using special lifters, also causes irreparable damage to the camshaft and lifter due to very common failures.
