MDS?

[Bama1781]

I noticed to day just cruising my 17 ram seemed sluggish in low RPMs and noticed the ECO was coming on more than normal. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[tidefan1967]

Yes that's completely normal. It kind of lugs in MDS and it takes a split second for it to switch back to 8 cylinders. You can use the +/- buttons on the steering wheel to temporarily disable it and to see if that is what you're experiencing. After you put it in gear just push the minus button on the right side of the steering wheel until an 8 appears in the cluster where the gear numbers are.

 

[Bama1781]

ok cool so with it in 8 it will automatically downshift?

 

[Skubasteve!]

ok cool so with it in 8 it will automatically downshift?

Yes, down and up. You'll have to do it again though if you put the vehicle in park.

 

[huntergreen]

What this does is disable the MDS.

 

[Trooper2]

Yes. It disables the MDS which is a waste.

 

[mondo]

Tow/haul disables it too, correct?

 

[Black W900]

Yes. It disables the MDS which is a waste.

A waste of what?
My fuel mileage is the same with it off as with it on.

 

[Black W900]

Tow/haul disables it too, correct?

No.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

A waste of what?
My fuel mileage is the same with it off as with it on.

Exactly.

 

[Hookie]

Can the MDS be turned off with the Diablo T2 Tuner?

 

[mondo]

No.

Hmm, i never see eco come on when im in tow/haul on the highway

 

[RamCares]

I noticed to day just cruising my 17 ram seemed sluggish in low RPMs and noticed the ECO was coming on more than normal. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hello Bama1781,

You got some great advice here. If you decide you'd like to get this looked at by the dealer, let us know. Send us a direct message as we'd be glad to help with that process.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Trooper2]

What I was trying to say is the MDS is supposed to save fuel. However, Me and at least most people here have found it to be so slight it’s not even worth it. At least what I believe is that turning it off around town seems to save gas and I don’t get that droan sound. Now if I’m on the highway I will leave it, but again any savings are very minimal. Also which I think is important is getting your fuel from a name brand station. I try to use Shell or Exxon. Maybe Costco once and awhile. I would say I also put 89 in it at least half the time I fill up. My running average is 17mpg on the lie o meter. Which is ok for me.

 

[WilliamS]

MDS for me is amazing at 60mph range. Florida is relatively flat and yes I can prove it works, anything over about 65 and it becomes a deterrent more than an aide for fuel economy as its constantly switching in and out. As I do half my daily trip at 60 and half at 70 it does help me. On my long hauls at 70+ I turn it off, when it needs to kick out it usually takes a second or two and you can hear it struggle, as well sometimes in city it will get stuck per say a few seconds.


It can help, but for most cases its better to turn it off.

 

[QwikKota]

What I was trying to say is the MDS is supposed to save fuel. However, Me and at least most people here have found it to be so slight it’s not even worth it. At least what I believe is that turning it off around town seems to save gas and I don’t get that droan sound. Now if I’m on the highway I will leave it, but again any savings are very minimal. Also which I think is important is getting your fuel from a name brand station. I try to use Shell or Exxon. Maybe Costco once and awhile. I would say I also put 89 in it at least half the time I fill up. My running average is 17mpg on the lie o meter. Which is ok for me.

I never understood people putting the cheapest gas they can find in a $30k or $40k car. My Dad's Frontier is popping lean codes after he put in some low octane gas from Bucky's. I think it's 88 octane or something odd and literally only 8 cents cheaper. WTF?

 

[Trooper2]

Well here where I am in VA 87 is 2.59 and 89 is 2.89. So it’s $62 for 24gal of 87 and $70 for the 89. It does add up.

 

[jouart]

Tow/haul disables it too, correct?

Only on 2500/3500 not 1500

 

[mondo]

Only on 2500/3500 not 1500

Didnt realize they put a 5.7 in a 2500/3500...

 

[tidefan1967]

I never understood people putting the cheapest gas they can find in a $30k or $40k car. My Dad's Frontier is popping lean codes after he put in some low octane gas from Bucky's. I think it's 88 octane or something odd and literally only 8 cents cheaper. WTF?

A Nissan Frontier shouldn't need anything but 87 octane gas regardless of whether its the 4 banger or the V6. I quit buying 89 when the price shot up a few months ago myself. My truck runs just fine on Top Tier 87. Hell Top Tier 89 is $2.95 and going up.