Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) System
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2017 Honda Odyssey, 2016 Honda Odyssey, 2015 Honda Odyssey, 2014 Honda Odyssey, and 2013 Honda Odyssey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The VCM system activates the cylinders based on the driving condition. The system has three modes: 6 cylinder (all cylinder activation), 4 cylinder (pauses the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders), and 3 cylinder (pauses the rear bank of cylinders). On paused cylinders, the intake and exhaust valves are kept closed. Since the valves are closed, the frictional losses from the valve spring compression and pumping are reduced because no air is compressed in the cylinder. This reduces engine drag.