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How does Acura VCM work?

Acura's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system is an innovative engine technology that helps improve fuel efficiency by automatically deactivating some of the engine's cylinders when they are not needed. This allows the engine to operate more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.


What is Acura VCM?


Acura VCM is an engine management system that can selectively deactivate up to half of an engine's cylinders under light load conditions, such as cruising on the highway. By shutting off the fuel supply and closing the valves on these cylinders, the engine can operate more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.


How Does Acura VCM Work?


The Acura VCM system continuously monitors driving conditions and engine load to determine the optimal number of active cylinders. When the engine is operating under light load, the VCM system will automatically deactivate some of the cylinders, allowing the remaining active cylinders to operate at a higher, more efficient level.



  • Cylinder Deactivation: The VCM system can deactivate up to half of the engine's cylinders, typically the outer cylinders, by cutting off the fuel supply and closing the intake and exhaust valves on those cylinders.

  • Seamless Transition: The transition between the different cylinder modes is designed to be seamless, with no noticeable changes in engine performance or drivability.

  • Fuel Efficiency Gains: By reducing the number of active cylinders, the Acura VCM system can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10% in certain driving conditions.


The VCM system is constantly monitoring various engine and vehicle parameters, such as throttle position, engine load, and vehicle speed, to determine the optimal cylinder configuration for the current driving conditions.


Benefits of Acura VCM


The primary benefit of Acura's VCM system is improved fuel efficiency, which helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions. By deactivating unnecessary cylinders, the engine can operate more efficiently, resulting in better gas mileage, especially during highway driving and other light-load conditions.



  • Fuel Efficiency: Acura VCM can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10% in certain driving conditions.

  • Emissions Reduction: By reducing fuel consumption, the VCM system also helps lower vehicle emissions, making Acura vehicles more environmentally friendly.

  • Seamless Performance: The transition between different cylinder modes is designed to be seamless, with no noticeable changes in engine performance or drivability.


Acura's VCM technology is a key feature that helps the automaker's vehicles achieve excellent fuel economy without sacrificing performance or driving dynamics.

How does VCM works?


Variable Cylinder Management is an innovative engine technology that optimizes fuel efficiency without compromising performance. VCM operates on a simple yet ingenious principle: it reduces the number of active cylinders when full power isn't needed, such as during highway cruising or light acceleration.



What does a cylinder deactivation solenoid do?


Cylinder deactivation systems selectively disable some of the cylinders in an internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions when the full power of the engine is not required.



Can Honda cylinder deactivation be turned off?


I know you can buy a switch that by-passes it and essentially turns it off the cylinder deactivation system but it's not problem-proof and can cause error codes to pop-up. I haven't seen anyone mention that the S-VCM system can cause error codes to pop up, and that device has been around the block for a while.



What is the VCM system on the Acura?


VCM® improves highway fuel efficiency by automatically changing the V-6 engine to run on six or three cylinders, depending on driving conditions. When high output is required, the engine runs on full V-6 power, but at steady cruising the engine switches to three cylinders.



Is cylinder deactivation bad for your engine?


Is Cylinder Deactivation Bad? Engines can benefit greatly from cylinder deactivation. When paired with early or late intake valve closing technology, cylinder deactivation can help reduce fuel consumption by approximately five to 25% while maintaining high operating temperatures at low load conditions.



Does sport mode deactivate VCM?


It does not directly disable the VCM however due to the fact sport mode tends to keep you in higher rpms it's less likely to activate and probably won't stay activated long.



Does VCM save gas?


Variable Cylinder Management
This saves fuel and lowers emissions.



What is the process of VCM?


There are two methods to produce VCM: direct chlorination and oxychlorination. Direct chlorination sees ethylene and chlorine react within a catalyst-containing reactor to form EDC. EDC is then thermally cracked to yield VCM at a few hundred degrees Celsius.



Can Honda VCM be turned off?


CURRENTLY SUPPORTED MODELS. Position 40,50,60 (Disable VCM) is tunable between different climates. Users who have had to replace CTS sensors will now have a very precise way of disabling VCM as well as calibrating the dash temperature gauge. For cold climates like Alaska, a setting of 35-40 will work in most cases.



How does Honda's cylinder deactivation work?


When maximum power isn't needed, the VCM system can deactivate one bank of cylinders—depending upon the torque requirements to maintain cruising speed—by shutting off the appropriate fuel injectors and stopping valve operation with the VTEC® system.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.