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The Effect of Cylinder Deactivation on Engine Efficiency and Emissions


Authors : Pushan Reddy Vutukur

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/349jp3vb

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct194

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Cylinder deactivation (CDA) works by shutting off fuel, spark, and valves in an engine’s cylinders while it is under low load, which lets the other cylinders run more efficiently. This paper will go through the aspects of technology from the 1981 Cadillac V8-6-4, through General Motors’ modern Active Fuel Management and Dynamic Fuel Management systems, to the controlled Dynamic Skip Fire developed by Tula Technology. Pulling information from SAE test data and other research, this paper discusses cylinder deactivation’s fuel-efficiency benefit and how it affects emissions. It then reviews the durability concerns that followed after widespread adoption of the system and finishes by looking at how the shift led to improvements in technology and in performance.

References :

  1. “1981 Cadillac V8-6-4: The Real Reason Cadillac Dropped Its ‘Modulated Displacement’ Engine after Only a Year.” Curbside Classic, 24 May 2026,
  2. Autospeed. (n.d.). Cylinder deactivation reborn. https://autospeed.com.au
  3. Clemson University Vehicular Electronics Laboratory (CVEL). (n.d.). Cylinder deactivation systems. https://cecas.clemson.edu/cvel/auto/systems/cylinder-deactivation.html
  4. Cummins Inc. (2025, June 6). Improving fuel economy with Cylinder Deactivation Technology (CDA). https://www.cummins.com
  5. FleetOwner. (2021). Cylinder deactivation will help reduce both NOx and CO2 emissions. https://www.fleetowner.com
  6. GM Authority. (2021-2024). Reporting on General Motors valve-lifter oil-consumption litigation (Active Fuel Management / Dynamic Fuel Management), including Harrison et al. v. General Motors LLC, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. https://gmauthority.com
  7. Jalopnik. (2025). What is Active Fuel Management (AFM) and why can it cause lifter noise? https://jalopnik.com
  8. McGhee, M., Wang, Z., Bech, A., Shayler, P. J., & Witt, D. (2018). The effects of cylinder deactivation on the thermal behaviour and fuel economy of a three-cylinder direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 233(11), 2838-2849.
  9. Ramesh, A. K., Gosala, D. B., Allen, C., & Joshi, M., et al. (2018). Cylinder deactivation for increased engine efficiency and aftertreatment thermal management in diesel engines (SAE Technical Paper 2018-01-0384). SAE International.
  10. SAE International. (2015). Engine operational benefits with cylinder deactivation in Malaysian urban driving conditions (SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-0983).
  11. Severson, A. (2025, October 19; updated 2026, May 23). 1981 Cadillac V8-6-4: The real reason Cadillac dropped its "modulated displacement" engine after only a year. Curbside Classic. https://www.curbsideclassic.com
  12. Tires and Parts. (n.d.). Tula eliminates cylinders to improve fuel economy. https://tiresandparts.net
  13. Truck News. (2021, August 24). Cylinder deactivation promises fuel efficiency and lower emissions. https://www.trucknews.com
  14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cited in Severson (2025), Curbside Classic: cylinder deactivation adoption reached approximately 56% of U.S.-market GM vehicles in 2023.
  15. WardsAuto. (2015). 2-cyl. limbo: How low can you go? https://www.wardsauto.com
  16. Wilcutts, M., Switkes, J., Shost, M., & Tripathi, A. (2013). Design and benefits of dynamic skip fire strategies for cylinder deactivated engines. SAE International Journal of Engines, 6(1), 278-288.

Cylinder deactivation (CDA) works by shutting off fuel, spark, and valves in an engine’s cylinders while it is under low load, which lets the other cylinders run more efficiently. This paper will go through the aspects of technology from the 1981 Cadillac V8-6-4, through General Motors’ modern Active Fuel Management and Dynamic Fuel Management systems, to the controlled Dynamic Skip Fire developed by Tula Technology. Pulling information from SAE test data and other research, this paper discusses cylinder deactivation’s fuel-efficiency benefit and how it affects emissions. It then reviews the durability concerns that followed after widespread adoption of the system and finishes by looking at how the shift led to improvements in technology and in performance.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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