Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders operable by a valve actuation mechanism that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves during nominal engine operations. In response to engine operations indicating a cylinder deactivation condition, one or more the cylinders is selected for deactivation and operated by combusting an amount of fuel that is effective to limit air flow through the deactivated cylinder(s) so that the air flow and combusted fuel amount are less than during nominal cylinder operations.