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What Is Cylinder Deactivation Technology
by Cobus F. Potgieter / 4.5 (135) How a cylinder deactivation system works and why it affects fuel consumption. Read in this article: What is Cylinder Deactivation Understanding Internal Combustion So How Does Cylinder Deactivation Work Advantages of Cylinder Deactivation Technology Which Manufacturers Use Cylinder Deactivation Technology Cylinder Deactivation Problems Conclusion FAQs What is Cylinder Deactivation
Cylinder deactivation technology is also called cylinder-on-demand (CoD), and is a clever use of technology that stops some of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine (ICE) from taking in fuel and air while it's running. In order to understand what cylinder deactivation is, a brief breakdown of how an ICE works is required. For an in-depth explanation, read our post on how combustion engines work here. Mazda Understanding Internal Combustion
The basic idea is that this engine burns gasoline and converts it into energy to power the wheels. It does this by sucking a mixture of fuel and air into cylinders in the engine where a moving piston then compresses the mixture in each cylinder. Once compressed, a spark from the spark plug ignites the mix which causes the piston to be pushed back down again. Exhaust gasses are pushed out through the valves while the up-and-down motion of the pistons is converted to rotary motion by the crankshaft. So How Does Cylinder Deactivation Work
Now that you understand the basics of internal combustion, cylinder deactivation technology may make more sense - during cruising, you don't necessarily need all the power the engine can provide, and you can save fuel by deactivating some of the cylinders. But how does such a cylinder deactivation system work? When the computer brain in your vehicle detects that you aren't in need of all the power the engine can provide, a cylinder deactivation solenoid valve kicks in to prevent fuel and air from entering the cylinder. This means that the combustion process in some of those cylinders can't occur, and less fuel is used overall. Engines that have this capability are sometimes referred to as a variable displacement engine, as the engine cylinder deactivation (CDA) system allows the engine displacement to change temporarily. For example, if half of a 4.0-liter V8's cylinders are temporarily turned off, the engine basically functions like a 2.0-liter V4 for the duration of the deactivation. A large engine running on all cylinders in low-power conditions like cruising at highway speed is inefficient. Turning it into a small engine temporarily can boost fuel economy by as much as 25 percent under certain driving conditions. Mazda Advantages of Cylinder Deactivation Technology
The benefits of a system such as this include:An improvement in fuel efficiencyReduced emissionsA reduction in pumping lossesOptimized airflow in the engine at low loadIn diesels, more efficient exhaust after-treatment due to higher exhaust temperatures Which Manufacturers Use Cylinder Deactivation Technology
Between the 80s and early 2000s, several manufacturers toyed with the concept. Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors all trialed the technology in the early aughts. Nowadays, several automakers use variable displacement technology. Some of the most notable ones are:Volkswagen Group: Volkswagen's Active Cylinder Technology was the first application of cylinder deactivation on a four-cylinder engine, starting with the 1.4-liter TSI engine. Today, the VW Group uses the technology on other engines as well, such as the group's 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine.General Motors: Starting in 2005, GM applied its version, Active Fuel Management, to its Generation IV small-block V8 engine. The 2018 redesign of this system called Dynamic Fuel Management brought with it the ability to any number of cylinders in any combination.Stellantis: Originally developed by Mercedes during the Daimler-Chrysler years, the Multi-Displacement System was first used on Mercedes' V12 engines and on Chrysler's Hemi V8 from 2004. The Hemi V8 still uses the system today.Mazda: Mazda started widespread use of its own version in 2017 with the Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV - one of the most popular and best small SUV models on sale in the US.Honda: Honda started using its proprietary Variable Cylinder Management system in 2003 on the J family of V6 engines; it can switch the V6 between six-, four-, and three-cylinder operation.Ford: Ford started using cylinder deactivation in 2016 and the application of the technology on its small Ecoboost engine was the first application ever on a three-cylinder engine. Ford Ford Cylinder Deactivation Problems
Today's cylinder deactivation systems are largely reliable, but they do introduce another layer of complexity that could go wrong. The systems are also limited in terms of what combinations of cylinders can be shut off without upsetting the engine's balance or causing undesirable noise output or vibrations. Engine mountings, flywheels, and vibration dampers can address some of these. The VW Group incorporates noise-canceling technology in the audio system to cancel the sound of its 4.0-liter V8 engine when it is in four-cylinder mode in some of its cars using the engine, such as the Audi A8. Conclusion
Cylinder deactivation technology has been used with great success to improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of internal combustion engines, but development on this front is likely to stall as manufacturers divert development resources for their newest cars to EVs. Still, it has assisted us in reaching a level of engine efficiency that those brave '80s Cadillac engineers that tried and failed would hardly have thought possible today. FAQs
Does cylinder deactivation technology spoil the engine s sound
One of the most obvious cylinder deactivation problems, especially in V8 vehicles, is that it can change the V8 engine sound when in four-cylinder mode. The signature V8 sound is a selling point on such a vehicle and for this reason, Jeep has actually developed a dual exhaust system that operates another set of exhaust pipes in four-cylinder mode to retain the Hemi V8's sound. For a better understanding of all the different V engine configurations, read this article. Can you turn off cylinder deactivation
The system is controlled by the vehicle's engine control unit that determines the fuel distribution and mixture strength - and only activated when various parameters are met. It is switched on and off seamlessly, mostly without the driving being unaware unless looking at the indication on the dashboard. It cannot be manually switched off by the driver. Can a cylinder deactivation system cause excessive oil consumption
Some engines can suck in oil from the crankshaft housing through the cylinder deactivation system's pressure-relief valve. Check the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system for oil deposits - evidence your engine might have this problem. Fouled spark plugs that cause poor running and make the engine difficult to start could also be symptoms. Ask your dealership whether there have been any service bulletins or redesigned parts to address the problem. Can a cylinder deactivation system cause poor running or misfiring
Because these systems are hydraulically powered by pressurized engine oil, poor maintenance that causes dirty or contaminated oil can affect the operation and free movement of such systems' solenoids and locking pins, causing poor running. Here is a handy maintenance schedule to help you keep track. Was this article helpful?Please rate itThis article is rated 4.5 by 135 readers Tags: #Audi News #Mazda News #Car Technology Cobus F. Potgieter Senior Editor After completing his studies in Public Relations Management, Cobus' career took him into writing and editing in many fields. But cars were always his obsession, especially the '80s and '90s bangers he loves so much, reciting their specifications, and always telling you what can go wrong with them if you're interested in buying a used one. Which is exactly what he now does at CarBuzz. He'll rattle on about transmission families and unreliable engines ad nauseam. He buys cars simply because he finds them mechanically quirky and interesting, which might explain why he owned a Smart, several ancient luxury sedans, and now runs a small hatchback that "corners on rails" or whatever he muttered under his breath when nobody was listening. He likes blocking the exit and regaling captive colleagues with such information - completely unsolicited. Contact Cobus @jfpotgieter Tailgate Wars: A Guide To The Modern Truck Tailgate Understanding How Your Exhaust System Works Related Cars
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