What is Variable Cylinder Management All About?

Posted on January 20, 2017

One of the most challenging parts of vehicle development is making them more efficient. There’s only so much you can do to reduce fuel consumption without siphoning away the power necessary for a great car. So, Acura has integrated Variable Cylinder Management, or VCM, into many of its vehicles. What does that mean to you?

What is Variable Cylinder Management?

In Acura models with a V-6 engine, the power generated by your engine helps you accelerate swiftly and smoothly. But when you’re driving at a constant speed or slowing down, your engine doesn’t have to burn all that fuel for nothing. Variable Cylinder Management shuts down cylinders, saving you fuel costs and preventing unnecessary pollution. Depending on the circumstances, your engine could shut down two or three cylinders. It all happens faster than a blink of an eye and you probably won’t even detect a difference. Yet when the power is required – if you need to accelerate again, for example – the cylinders reactivate just as quickly. There’s no delay and no adverse effects.

I Feel a Vibration – Is It the VCM?

Possibly. When cylinders are shut down, the engine isn’t running balanced any longer. That can cause the engine to shake, although Acura has taken steps to eliminate the feeling. Liquid-filled and electronically-controlled engine mounts absorb the extra engine vibration to make your ride as smooth as possible. You might still get a slight vibration when VCM is activated, and that’s normal. It will be between 30 and 70 miles per hour, and while you’re either driving a constant speed or slowing down. When you press the accelerator, the vibration will disappear.   If your Check Engine light is on or you feel a vibration in conditions other than these, it’s best to play it safe. Get your Acura checked out by the Acura service professionals at Frank Leta Acura of Springfield so you can drive confidently wherever you go.