SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE LIFT STATE OF A VALVE ACTUATOR AND FOR ADJUSTING THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE CYLINDERS IN AN ENGINE TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY

A system according to the present disclosure includes a cylinder deactivation module and a valve lift control module. The cylinder deactivation module selectively deactivates a first cylinder of an engine while a second cylinder of the engine is active. When the first cylinder is deactivated, the valve lift control module selectively adjusts a target lift state of a valve actuator of the engine to a first lift state to lift at least one of an intake valve of the second cylinder and an exhaust valve of the second cylinder by a first amount. The valve lift control module selectively adjusts the target lift state of the valve actuator to a second lift state to lift at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve by a second amount. The first and second amounts are greater than zero and the second amount is greater than the first amount.