Short answer
Most GM V8 trucks and SUVs from 2007 on have cylinder deactivation. The L83, L86, L82 and LV3 have AFM; the L84 and L87 (2019+) have DFM. Heavy-duty trucks have none, and many 2021–2022 trucks were built with it switched off (code YK9). Your engine code tells you which.
Step 1: find your engine code
- Open the glovebox and find the white Service Parts Identification sticker (on some trucks it's on the door or console lid).
- Look for a three-character code starting with L: L83, L84, L86, L87 and so on. That's the engine's RPO code.
- No sticker? The 8th character of the VIN identifies the engine; a free online VIN decoder translates it into the engine name.
Step 2: match the code
| Engine code | Engine | System | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| L83 | 5.3L V8 | AFM | 2014–2019 Silverado/Sierra 1500; 2015–2020 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon |
| L86 | 6.2L V8 | AFM | 2014–2018 Silverado/Sierra; 2015–2020 Escalade, Yukon Denali, some Tahoe/Suburban |
| LV3 | 4.3L V6 | AFM | 2014–2021 Silverado/Sierra 1500 |
| L8B | 5.3L V8 eAssist | AFM | 2016–2018 Silverado/Sierra eAssist |
| L82 | 5.3L V8 | AFM | 2019–2022.0 Silverado/Sierra (6-speed) |
| L84 | 5.3L V8 | DFM | 2019–2026 Silverado/Sierra; 2021+ Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon |
| L87 | 6.2L V8 | DFM | 2019–2026 Silverado/Sierra; 2021+ Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade |
| LY5 · LMG · LC9 · LH6 | 5.3L V8 | AFM | 2007–2013 trucks, 2007–2014 SUVs, Avalanche; LH6 also 2009–2012 Colorado/Canyon |
| L94 | 6.2L V8 | AFM | 2010–2014 Yukon Denali and Escalade |
| LT1 · LT4 | 6.2L V8 | AFM | Corvette C7 2014–2019; Camaro SS/ZL1 2016–2024 |
| L99 | 6.2L V8 | AFM | Camaro SS automatic 2010–2015 |
| L92 · L9H · LY6 · L96 · LY2 | V8 | None | Earlier V8s without cylinder deactivation |
AFM switches the V8 between eight and four cylinders (the V6 drops to four). DFM, on the L84 and L87 only, can run on anywhere from one to eight cylinders. The differences explained.
Step 3: look for YK9 on the same sticker
During the 2021 chip shortage, GM built many Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks with the L82 and L84 without the AFM/DFM function. Those trucks carry the option code YK9 on the sticker. The lifter hardware is still in the engine, but the software doesn't use it. If yours has YK9 and no dealer has turned the feature back on, there is nothing to disable.
Step 4: 2022 truck? Check if it's a refresh
GM sold two 2022 Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks: the carry-over "Limited" / "LTD" and the refresh with a new interior and big screen. The refresh uses newer "Global B" electronics, and classic disablers don't work on it. Look at the 12th character of the VIN: 4 or lower is the Limited, 5 or higher is the refresh. Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade switched a year earlier, for 2021. Refresh and 10-speed details.
By vehicle
Silverado 1500 & Sierra 1500
2007–2013: most 5.3L trucks have AFM, as does the 6.0L hybrid; the 4.8L and 4.3L don't, and the regular 6.0L varies by version. 2014–2018: the 5.3L L83, 6.2L L86 and 4.3L LV3 all have AFM. 2019–2022.0: L82 and LV3 have AFM, L84 and L87 have DFM. 2022.5–2026: L84 and L87 with DFM on Global B. See each generation.
Tahoe, Suburban & Yukon
Every 5.3L from 2007 to 2020 has AFM, as do the 6.2L L94 (2010–2014) and L86 (2015–2020). From 2021 the L84 and L87 bring DFM and Global B. 2015–2020 guide.
Escalade
2015–2020 Escalades all have the 6.2L L86 with AFM; 2021+ have the L87 with DFM. 2015–2020 Escalade guide.
Camaro & Corvette
The Camaro SS automatic (L99, 2010–2015) and the LT1/LT4 cars (Corvette C7 2014–2019, Camaro 2016–2024) have AFM; with a manual gearbox it only runs in ECO mode. The Corvette C8 (LT2) has it too, but plug-in disablers are reported unreliable there.
No AFM or DFM, or none a disabler covers
No cylinder deactivation: Silverado and Sierra 2500/3500 HD, Duramax diesels and the Trailblazer SS. The 2.7L turbo four has its own two-cylinder deactivation, but no V8/V6 disabler supports it. Some Amazon listings also name the Traverse, Acadia or Enclave: we couldn't confirm which of those V6 years have cylinder deactivation, so we don't list them.
Next step
Put your make, model, year and engine into the fit finder: it tells you which disablers are sold for it and how sure we are.
Questions owners ask
Does my 2016 Tahoe have AFM?
Yes, if it has the 5.3L L83 or the 6.2L L86: every 2015–2020 Tahoe V8 has AFM.
Does a 2021 Silverado 5.3 have DFM?
The L84 does, the L82 has AFM. But many 2021–2022 trucks with either engine were built with it switched off (RPO code YK9). Check the glovebox sticker.
Do 2500HD and 3500HD trucks have AFM?
No. Heavy-duty trucks have no cylinder deactivation, so a disabler does nothing on them.
Does the dashboard tell me?
Some trucks show a "V4" or "V8" message in the driver information center, but not all, and DFM shows no such message. The engine code is the reliable check.
Sources
- GM service bulletin 20-NA-038: engines with AFM/DFM hardware (LOMA, OCV)
- GM bulletin 20-NA-038 and GM Authority coverage (2021): trucks built without AFM/DFM, RPO YK9
- Range Technology fitment pages (VIN 12th digit rule for 2022)
- Wikipedia: Active Fuel Management (engine list, background)
- KeepOnEight research notes, checked October 27, 2026