autoevolution
 

Disabling Your V8 Truck’s AFM or DFM Just Got Easier Thanks to Range Technology

Exactly two years ago on May 18th, Chevrolet published a press release about how the 2019 Silverado "leads the industry with Dynamic Fuel Management." The problem with it, however, is that many (yes, many) customers don’t want their 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8 trucks to save fuel this way.
Range AFM/DFM Disabler 27 photos
Photo: Range Technology
Range AFM/DFM Disabler for General Motors V8 and V6 enginesRange AFM/DFM Disabler for General Motors V8 and V6 enginesRange AFM/DFM Disabler for General Motors V8 and V6 enginesRange AFM/DFM Disabler for General Motors V8 and V6 engines2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3-liter V8 with DFM2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 8L90 transmission2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 10L80 transmission2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado2019 Chevrolet Silverado
DFM is an evolution of the Active Fuel Management technology from 2005. Based on the Dynamic Skip Fire technology from a company called Tula, Dynamic Fuel Management allows the small-block V8 in General Motors trucks to operate in 17 different cylinder patterns. Given than we’re talking about eight cylinders here, running on one cylinder is possible as well.

The most important question is, why are so many customers unhappy with DFM? Well, let’s take a look at the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to find an answer. In the case of the 5.3-liter V8, DFM translates to one mile to the gallon more driving range on the combined cycle versus the previous generation with AFM and the eight-speed automatic tranny.

Similarly disappointing, the 6.2-liter V8 with DFM averages 17 miles to the gallon (13.8 liters per 100 kilometers) with a 10-speed auto versus the previous generation that featured AFM and an eight-speed transmission. Whichever way you look at these numbers, General Motors didn’t make too much of an improvement but the engine’s complexity is higher than before.

Adding insult to injury, the transition from eight to seven, six, five, four, three, two cylinders, or only one isn’t seamless when the engine is cold. The Dynamic Fuel Management system, therefore, could be improved.

In the meantime, customers who don’t want to put up with this yet-to-be-matured technology can simply disable it with the Range Technology Disabler for AFM as well as DFM. Available in three colors (blue, red, and green), the $189 device is fully compatible with V6 AFM powerplants as well.

In addition to keeping your truck in full power 100 percent of the time, the Range AFM/DFM Disabler simply plugs into your OBD-II port and instantly defeats the Active Fuel Management or Dynamic Fuel Management without reprogramming the engine control unit. Better still, it leaves no trace and the truck returns to its original setting by simply unplugging the device.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories