how does dodge have a car that can run on 4 cylinders when it a V-8?

Answer 1

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thats motor is called DOD(actually thats a GM term) or MDS. It is essentially Displacement on Demand. When the car is cruising at highway speeds you are using 4 cylinders. For accelration and passing you d be using 8. For moderate or partial throttle application you d be in between 8 cylinders and 6 cylinders. The computer makes the calculations based on driving patterns. This is what allows the car to get a high mpg rating on the highway(in addition to the multiple overdrive gears on the automatic transmission). Cadillac had this program in the early 80s(developed by Eaton) and it was DOD but they called it the 4-6-8(368cu. in 6.4L V8), but technology wasnt then what it is now, so what happened was the computer couldnt make the calculations fast enough so the system wasnt reliable.

Source(s): General Motors

Answer 2

I had a neisan stanza 4 cylinder car that had 8 plugs but 4 fired all the time only the other 4 kicked in if I needed more power to the engine those were special made plugs other then the plugs

Answer 3

Anyone can make a car that doesn't fire on all cylinders if there's a problem with the engine. Dodges suck but this isn't actually their problem. This is more of a user error if someone ran a car so far into the ground that it's not firing on all cylinders unless it's a '59 model.

Answer 4

When you don't need the full power from the engine, the computer will alternately shut off fuel and spark to different cylinders. When you step on the throttle again, all 8 cylinders get fuel and spark. It's kinda the same way some rev limiters work.

Answer 5

these other guys (answerer's) are ***** idiots. 8 cylinders are used when needed. it will cut power to injectors on 4 cylinders, Evey other cylinder in the firing order when there is little load on the Eng. thus saving on fuel. Cadillac tried this some time ago, but it failed miserably

Answer 6

I'm suprised Dodge has a car that runs.

Answer 7

timeing is off are you put the plug wires on wrong

Answer 8

sheepshanx has the best answer!!! he is correct.

the couple other people are idiots.