What year did Chevy start using AFM?

Chevrolet began using Active Fuel Management (AFM) with the 2007 model year, building on an earlier Displacement on Demand (DoD) system first introduced in the mid-2000s. This article explains when AFM started, how it evolved, and what it means for owners today.

What AFM is and why it matters

Active Fuel Management is a cylinder-deactivation technology that allows a V8 engine to run on fewer cylinders under light-load conditions, improving fuel economy without sacrificing performance when more power is needed. In GM vehicles, AFM is designed to switch between 8, 6, or 4 cylinders depending on driving conditions, power requests, and engine load.

Timeline of AFM deployment

AFM has its roots in GM’s earlier DoD (Displacement on Demand) technology. The DoD concept was introduced to enable cylinder deactivation, then rebranded and expanded as AFM a couple of years later. The most commonly cited milestones are:

• 2005 model year: GM introduced Displacement on Demand (DoD) on certain V8 engines in trucks and SUVs, laying the groundwork for cylinder-deactivation technology.


• 2007 model year: GM officially branded the technology as Active Fuel Management (AFM) and rolled it out more broadly across eligible engines and platforms.


• Late 2010s: GM began expanding the system with refinements and broader engine coverage, while later years also introduced more advanced variants of cylinder deactivation under new branding (as technology continued to evolve).

In later years, GM also moved toward more advanced fuel-management systems that refined AFM’s approach. While AFM branding remained familiar to many owners, GM progressively integrated newer fuel-management strategies in some newer engines, with Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) and related refinements appearing in the late 2010s and beyond.

Which engines and vehicles commonly used AFM

AFM was most commonly associated with GM’s big-software, small-block V8 family used in pickups, SUVs, and vans. The technology was adopted on several of Chevrolet’s popular trucks and SUVs, especially during the mid-2000s through the 2010s, as part of a broader effort to improve highway fuel economy without compromising everyday performance.

• 5.3L V8 engines in Silverado/Sierra pickups and some full-size SUVs.


• Other V8 variants in GM’s lineup as AFM/DoD was rolled out, including additional displacement options in trucks and SUVs over time.

Note: As GM progressed into the late 2010s and beyond, Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) began to replace or augment AFM in newer powertrains, offering more flexible cylinder-deactivation strategies. This evolution means some older AFM-equipped engines may now be marketed or serviced under the broader DFM umbrella in modern configurations.

What owners should know about AFM today

For many drivers, AFM represented a straightforward way to gain better highway mileage when cruising on open roads. However, AFM-enabled systems can introduce certain maintenance considerations, such as the potential for lifter noise or misfire codes if the engine isn’t running optimally. Some owners choose to disable AFM/DoD with dealer software or aftermarket tuning for peace of mind or to avoid long-term wear on cylinder-deactivation components. Always consult your vehicle’s warranty and a qualified technician before making changes.

Common questions about AFM

What year did Chevy start using AFM? The most widely cited starting point is the 2007 model year, with the DoD technology appearing earlier and AFM branding expanding in 2007. Since then, GM’s approach has evolved, with later years introducing refinements under Dynamic Fuel Management and other updates that reflect ongoing improvements in fuel-management strategies.

Was AFM used on all GM models? No. AFM was selectively implemented on certain V8 engines in trucks and SUVs. Availability depended on the engine family, model year, and market.

Can AFM be turned off? In many cases, yes. Some owners choose to have AFM disabled by a dealer or via tuning. This can be done for peace of mind or to address specific maintenance considerations, but it may affect warranty coverage and fuel economy in certain conditions. Always check warranty terms and local regulations before making changes.

Summary

Chevrolet began using AFM with the 2007 model year, building on an earlier DoD approach from the mid-2000s. AFM aimed to improve highway efficiency by deactivating cylinders under light load, and it was deployed across multiple V8 engines in trucks and SUVs. In the late 2010s, GM shifted toward more advanced fuel-management systems, such as Dynamic Fuel Management, while AFM remained a notable part of the brand’s engineering history. For current owners, understanding AFM/DFM can help in maintenance planning and decision-making about whether to disable the system under certain circumstances.

Which GM engines have an AFM?

GM used the Active Fuel Management technology on a range of engines including with the GM Small Block Gen IV engine family, first-generation GM EcoTec3 engine family, second-generation GM High-Feature V6 DOHC engine family, and first-generation High-Feature V8 DOHC engine family.

What year did 5.3 have cylinder deactivation?

The 5.3L engine with cylinder deactivation, known as Active Fuel Management (AFM), was introduced in 2005 for some SUVs, and in 2007 for most full-size trucks and SUVs. The technology continued through 2013, after which it evolved into Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) for some models in 2014. DFM can shut down more cylinders, and newer versions from 2019 can disable cylinders individually. 

• 2005: First introduced on certain SUVs, like the GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV, and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, using the optional 5.3L engine. 
• 2007: Became standard on the new GMT900 platform for full-size trucks and SUVs with the 5.3L engine. 
• 2014: The new EcoTec3 5.3L engine began featuring a new version of the system. 
• 2019: Introduced Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) on some 5.3L and 6.2L engines, which is a more advanced system capable of deactivating cylinders individually. 

Important note: Due to the global semiconductor shortage, some 2021 models were built without the fuel management modules, meaning they did not have cylinder deactivation.

What year did Chevy have Active Fuel Management?

General Motors' Active Fuel Management (AFM) system was introduced in 2005 and has been used in many V8 and V6 engines since then, becoming more common from the 2007 model year onward. AFM was widely used in 5.3L engines from 2007-2013 and in many vehicles from 2014-2019. Starting in 2019, GM introduced a successor called Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), which was used in many trucks after that year. 
This video explains the difference between AFM and DFM: 59s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Apr 21, 2024

• Early models: The first vehicles with AFM were available in 2005. 
• 2007–2013: The 5.3L engine featured AFM during these years, but issues like oil consumption were common in earlier models. 
• 2014–2019: AFM was common in many GM V8 and V6 engines during this period. 
• 2019 onwards: GM introduced Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) in 2019, which is an upgrade to AFM and can shut down more cylinders. 
• Recent models: Some 2021 and 2022 models were built without the AFM/DFM modules due to chip shortages. In the 2022 Silverado lineup, DFM was featured in some V8 engines, while the 2.7L turbo-four and the Duramax diesel did not have it. 

Why does AFM cause lifter failure?

AFM (Active Fuel Management) causes lifter failure due to the stress of constantly deactivating cylinders, which is compounded by issues like low oil pressure, oil contamination, and a defect in the lifter's internal locking pin mechanism. These factors can cause the lifters to fail to properly engage or disengage, leading to a collapse that damages the lifter, camshaft, and potentially the entire engine. 
This video explains the operation of AFM/DOD lifters and their failure modes: 59sDanny Johnson’s GarageYouTube · Oct 13, 2023
How AFM causes lifter failure

• Constant stress: AFM cycles cylinders on and off, putting constant wear on the special collapsible lifters. This is made worse in stop-and-go city driving where the system engages more frequently. 
• Oil pressure and flow: AFM lifters rely on correct oil pressure to function. Low oil pressure or a clogged oil manifold can starve the lifters, leading to overheating and wear. 
• Internal component failure: The internal locking pin, which locks the lifter in either its activated or deactivated state, is a common point of failure. This can be due to wear or manufacturing defects in certain batches. 
• Mistimed activation: The system can fail to switch properly, causing the lifter to try and activate while it's in the de-activated position. This can damage the lifter roller and camshaft lobe. 
• Contamination and sludge: Engine sludge, oil contamination, or a clogged Valve Lifter Oil Manifold (VLOM) filter can prevent the lifters from operating correctly. 
• Consequences of failure: Once a lifter fails and collapses, it can cause a misfire and damage the camshaft. Metal debris from the failed lifter can then spread throughout the engine, leading to more component failures. 

This video shows a comparison of a good and a failed AFM lifter: 55sWrenching With KennyYouTube · Dec 23, 2023