DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID DOSER PROTECTION DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS USING CYLINDER CUTOUT METHODS

A system includes an exhaust aftertreatment system in exhaust gas receiving communication with an engine including a plurality of cylinders where the engine is structured to operate according to low load conditions and where a controller is structured to determine that at least one diesel emissions fluid (DEF) doser is frozen based on at least one of an ambient air temperature and a DEF source temperature. The controller is structured to operate the engine according to a skip-fire mode in response to a DEF flag indicating that the at least one DEF doser is frozen. The skip-fire mode comprises firing a portion of the plurality of cylinders that is less than a total amount of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders. The controller is structured to discontinue the skip-fire mode in response to determining that the at least one DEF doser is likely thawed.