What does a variable cylinder engine mean?

[DelBrandon]

Variable Cylinder Engine, abbreviated as VCM (Variable-Cylinder-Management), is a variable cylinder management technology developed by Honda. It can deactivate specific cylinders, allowing a 3.5L-V6 engine to switch between 3, 4, and 6 cylinders, thereby varying the engine displacement between 1.75L and 3.5L, significantly improving fuel efficiency. Variable cylinder technology is generally suitable for multi-cylinder, large-displacement models such as V6, V8, and V12 engines. Below is more information about variable cylinder engines: 1. The VCM system can precisely determine the engine's working displacement, ensuring it matches driving requirements at all times. Since the system automatically closes the intake and exhaust valves of non-operating cylinders, it avoids pumping losses associated with intake and exhaust, further enhancing fuel economy. 2. The system also checks whether the engine oil pressure is suitable for VCM mode switching and whether the catalytic converter temperature remains within the appropriate range. To ensure smooth transitions when cylinders are activated or deactivated, the system adjusts ignition timing, the opening of the drive-by-wire throttle, and correspondingly engages or disengages the torque converter lock.