Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) System
The VCM system activates the cylinders based on the driving condition. The system has three modes: 6 cylinder (all cylinder operation), 4 cylinder (pauses the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders), and 3 cylinder (pauses the rear bank of cylinders). On paused cylinders, the intake and exhaust valves are kept closed. Since the valves are closed, the frictional losses from the valve spring compression and pumping are reduced because no air is compressed in the cylinder. This reduces engine drag.