What Chevy trucks have cylinder deactivation?

The short answer: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models equipped with the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 and the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 use GM’s cylinder deactivation system (AFM/DFM) to improve fuel economy, while most other Chevy trucks do not rely on this feature.

Cylinder deactivation, historically marketed as Active Fuel Management (AFM) and now often described as Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), is a feature that allows a gasoline V8 engine to shut down several cylinders when the engine is under light load. This reduces pumping losses and can improve highway fuel economy. In GM’s trucks, the system engages and disengages cylinders seamlessly based on driving conditions and power demands. It’s important to note that this technology is generally offered on specific gasoline V8 powertrains and is not used on diesel engines.

How cylinder deactivation works in GM trucks

GM’s cylinder deactivation system works by deactivating a subset of cylinders when the engine does not need full power—typically during steady cruising or light-load scenarios. The engine management system then reactivates the numbered cylinders as soon as more power is required. The transition is designed to be smooth to the driver, with minimal perceptible changes in acceleration or sound. Over time, GM updated the approach from AFM to Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), which provides more granular cylinder-counting options to optimize efficiency across a wider range of driving conditions.

Chevy trucks that offer cylinder deactivation

The following Chevy trucks have historically offered cylinder deactivation on their gasoline V8 engines. Availability can vary by model year and drivetrain configuration, so owners should verify the exact powertrain in their vehicle documentation.

• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (AFM/DFM)


• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (AFM/DFM)

In practice, these engines can operate as 8-cylinder engines under heavy demand and shift to operating modes with fewer active cylinders during light-load cruising. Diesel-powered Silverado/Sierra variants and most non-V8 gasoline configurations do not employ cylinder deactivation in the same way, and some smaller gas engines do not offer AFM/DFM.

Diesel engines and cylinder deactivation

Duramax diesel engines used in Chevrolet Silverado/Sierra models do not use cylinder deactivation like the gasoline V8s. They rely on other efficiency strategies, such as turbocharging and advanced fuel management, rather than actively switching off cylinders. If you’re shopping for a Silverado with a diesel powertrain and expect cylinder deactivation, you should confirm the exact engine specs for the model year you’re considering.

Notes on model-year coverage

As of the latest model-year updates, GM continued to apply AFM/DFM primarily to the V8 gasoline families in the Silverado 1500 lineup. Availability may differ by trim, options, and region, and some HD (heavy-duty) configurations follow different engineering choices. Always check the original equipment specification for a given truck to confirm whether cylinder deactivation is included in its powertrain.

Summary

GM’s cylinder deactivation feature has been a hallmark of certain Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gasoline V8s, notably the 5.3L and 6.2L EcoTec3 engines, through AFM and the newer Dynamic Fuel Management system. This technology aims to boost highway fuel economy by temporarily shutting down cylinders under light load, with a seamless reactivation when more power is needed. Diesel variants do not use the same cylinder-deactivation approach, and potential buyers should verify exact specifications for the model year they are considering.

Additional context and guidance

If you’re considering a Chevy truck and want to know whether cylinder deactivation will affect your daily driving, consult the official GM specifications for the exact model year, check the owner’s manual for drivetrain details, and discuss with a dealer to confirm which engines support AFM/DFM in the configuration you’re evaluating.

Which GM engines have cylinder deactivation?

In V8 engines, AFM deactivates cylinders 1, 7, 4, and 6. For V6 engines, it turns off cylinders 3 and 6. Meanwhile, in LTA and LT2 engines, cylinder deactivation affects cylinders 2, 3, 5, and 8.

What truck does not have cylinder deactivation?

Trucks without cylinder deactivation are primarily older models or certain specific trims, with a temporary absence in some 2021-2022 General Motors (GM) trucks due to a chip shortage. For modern trucks, you will typically find models with manual transmissions or heavier-duty models (like GM 2500/3500 series) do not have this feature, while newer V8s from Ford and Ram generally do not use cylinder deactivation.
 
Older or specific models

• Pre-2007 GM trucks: Trucks with the 5.3L or 6.2L V8s before 2007 do not have cylinder deactivation. 
• Certain GM trucks (2007-2013): The 5.3L V8 in these years had cylinder deactivation (Active Fuel Management or AFM), but the 6.2L V8 and the 4.8L V8 did not. 
• Heavy-duty trucks: GM 2500 and 3500 series trucks, particularly those with the 6.0L gas engine, have never come with cylinder deactivation. 

Modern trucks

• Certain GM trucks (2021-2022): Due to a chip shortage, some GM 2021 and 2022 models equipped with the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine were built without the cylinder deactivation system (Active Fuel Management). 
• Trucks with manual transmissions: Manual transmissions typically lack cylinder deactivation systems. 
• Ford F-150: Models with the 5.0L V8 engine are generally not equipped with this technology. 
• Ram 1500:
  • Some Ram models with the 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi V8 engines have a similar system (MDS or Multiple Displacement System). 
  • The new generation Ram uses a twin-turbo inline-6, which does not have cylinder deactivation. 
• Ford F-150 with manual transmission: Ford's F-150 does not use cylinder deactivation on any of its models. 

What to do if you want a truck without cylinder deactivation

• Ask a professional: Ask a professional tuner or mechanic to deactivate the system for you. 
• Modify your truck: Use a special tune or tuner to disable the system after you've purchased your truck. 
• Look for a truck with a manual transmission: If you want a truck with a manual transmission, it won't have a cylinder deactivation system. 

What year of Chevy Silverado 1500 to avoid?

Years of Chevy Silverado 1500 to avoid include 2014 and 2017, due to major issues like the 2014's electrical, A/C, and transmission problems, and the 2017's transmission issues. Also, steer clear of the 2007-2011 model years because of engine problems, specifically the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system's tendency to cause oil consumption and lifter failure. The 2019-2021 models should also be approached with caution due to Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system issues and engine bearing recalls.
 
2014

• Electrical and A/C issues: Known for frequent problems with the air conditioning and infotainment systems. 
• Transmission problems: The introduction of the 8-speed gearbox was problematic, with reports of rough shifting and other malfunctions. 
• Numerous recalls: This year had a high number of recalls, including issues with airbags and electrical systems. 

2017

• Transmission problems: This model year is frequently cited as having significant transmission issues, including rough shifts and shuddering, leading to a low reliability score from Consumer Reports. 

2007–2011 

• Engine oil consumption: A prevalent issue with the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which can lead to oil burning and potentially costly engine repairs.
• Lifter and valve train issues: The AFM system is linked to lifter noise and failure. 

2019–2021 

• DFM lifter failures: These model years saw issues with the new Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system, resulting in recalls and potential engine problems. 

Other years with potential issues

• 2001–2005: Some models in this range can have issues with brake lines and transmissions. 
• 2012–2013: Reported issues with engine, transmission, and oil consumption. 

Do all 5.3 have cylinder deactivation?

No, not all 5.3L engines have cylinder deactivation, although most have had it since around 2007. For example, some 2007-2013 models were an exception, and more recently, certain 2021-2022 models were built without it due to chip shortages, a feature often noted on the window sticker as having a credit for the missing system. The engine hardware may still be present, but the active system was temporarily disabled. 
Key points about cylinder deactivation in 5.3L engines

• Early models: The first models to feature cylinder deactivation were in the mid-2000s, and it became more widespread in 2007. However, some 2007 "Classic" models were not equipped with it. 
• Specific model years: Between 2007 and 2013, cylinder deactivation was a standard feature in the 5.3L, but not on other engines like the 6.2L or 4.8L. 
• Recent exceptions: Some 2021-2022 models were produced without the deactivation feature due to the global chip shortage. Owners who have these trucks may have a credit on their window sticker. 
• Newer models: Starting around 2019, GM introduced a more advanced Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system that can deactivate up to seven cylinders dynamically. However, the system can still be affected by engine oil clogs or other issues and some 2021-2022 models were built without it. 
• 2026 model year: The 2026 Chevy Silverado is expected to have a 5.3L V8 engine without cylinder deactivation.