New Ram owner. I crossed over. I may have made the wrong choice

[Kenobi]

I'm 55 - Give me all the fancy new tech to make life easier.
MDS will only engage when no big load is detected.

 

[Blkrvrbart]

The ‘19 Silverado 1500 I had utilized the variable valve terrain and auto shut off at stops. I hated the engine shutting off at stops so usually ran with that option turned off. Then a family member who is an automotive engineer educated me on the benefits of the system and that as long as you maintain it as prescribed it will last at least as long as the earlier powertrains would if not much longer. The F250 6.4 I had before the Chevy had been deleted and tuned to “increase the lifespan of the power train” since 50k (mine since 89k) by the previous owner. I more than properly maintained that truck, and only got 200k out of it before burning a hole in a piston and doing an engine swap by myself. Set the tune to just over stock, lost 3 mpg, lost some pedal response but had plenty. Drove it another 1,300 miles before getting the Chevy, that was the smoothest set of miles I had on that truck. The Chevy was too light duty, kind of like a car with a trunk lid I had to pay more for, so I traded up for the Ram 2500. I’m leaving this one stock and going for the longest mileage record. Living in Illinois (state wide famous for eternal road craters and salt beds for roads 5 months a year), we’ll see how the body holds up.

 

[DodgeDude1999]

If you think you made a mistake on not getting a new GM truck, I suggest you look into all the lifted & transmission issues they’ve been having with the covid trucks.

 

[DeckArtist]

If you are really worried about the longevity, buy a 7 year unlimited mileage warranty from Zeigler for $2900. My thought on MDS is the uneven wear over a long period of time, but it might be a non-issue since I have no data on it. TH mode does not lock out any gear to my knowledge, tach reads the same at 70 mph with or without it on [I checked].

 

[knightjp]

When I found myself in need of a new truck, I went and looked at quite a bit of used 2014 Silverados. All were clean. I knew that since it was going to be my daily driver, I needed the MDS or something similar. My old Ram gave me pretty decent gas mileage for a truck and I was hoping to have the same.
The last I checked, GM has a lot of issues with its cylinder de-activation; even more so than the Rams. MDS was partly developed and borrowed from Mercedes during their ownership of Chrysler, hence why out of all the American engine systems, I consider it the best.

In my comparison of the Silverados, I found visibility to be an issue on the new ones. You sit so low in the cab like you're in a sedan. Doesn't give it a commanding view especially when you venture off road; which is what I was doing. GMs interior trim isn't as good as the Ram; even when I was buying it new back in 2014. Still isn't today. Another thing is that handling of the Ram is better than the Chevys on the road because of the coil rear and sway bars.

I ended up getting another 2014 Ram just like the one I had before and frankly I could be happier. When it came down it, for me, after experiencing the Ram, following the developments of all the trucks closely, I would take a Ram over any of the others, GM, Ford or even Toyota.

You got yourself a good truck. Stop worrying and start enjoying it. If there is something that you don't know or understand, you can ask a question on here and someone will respond; no matter how dumb. I know... I've done it myself a few times.

My recommendation, change all the fluids if you aren't sure of the history, get yourself the service manual and follow it to the letter. Use the right engine oil and when in doubt, just stick with Redline 5W30 (Speaking from experience).

You may not enjoy all the screens and stuff now, but give it time. After a while, you will ask yourself how you ever did without. I felt the same when smartphones came out, until I got one myself.

 

[MichaelMTallman]

I'm 55 - Give me all the fancy new tech to make life easier.
MDS will only engage when no big load is detected.

I'm 56 and am with you (I'm a tech guy anyway) - I just wish I had more gadgets in mine. But, I'm not complaining...much I've been a Dodge person for decades, with only one exception - 1994-1998 when I had a Mazda 626 lease when I moved up to the Boston area. 89 Raider (I know, I know, technically a Montero lol), 98 Durango 5.2 put 156k on it, traded what little that was left of it towards an 04 Durango 5.7 Hemi, ran that ******* into the ground - 2019 w/293k on it (in the background of my avatar), to say I "LOVED" that truck is an understatement. Sadly, I had to replace it and did so with the 19 Ram 1500 Classic, doesn't have 100% of the creature comforts the Durango had (it was a Limited after all), but, one thing I can say, is that it rides great, smooth as silk even at 105 mph and I've put it to good use over the past two years.

So, Mike, work with what you got, these guys will or already have pointed you in the right direction. Peace.

 

[RubberFrog]

Just drive the thing and service it according to the manual. All this angst over nothing.

 

[Dusty]

3.21 gears. My chevey was a long bed with 3;42 and 4 speed. towed no issues. Camper 6000 lbs if fully loaded but you cant fit all that crap in it. its about 4500 max. tounge weight not even 500 lbs

had to put that curt hitch on it. I have the factory brake controller coming in to install. was 500 bucks ouch.

I've now owned two Ram 1500s with the 3.92 axle, and the current one with 3.23s. I tow a 16ft. trailer and a compact tractor with a front loader and mower. The weight comes in at just slightly below the 7000 lb. towing capacity of my '19 with 3.23 gears.

This may surprise you as it did me, but with the very low first and second gears of the 8HP75 eight-speed, I have found it tows extremely well, even on the hills. The difference appears to be that with 3.92s I would often be in one higher gear than the 3.23s. The fuel consumption is almost the same, but I get less gear hunting with the 3.23s.

If you stay inside the maximum tow rating, I think you'll be fine.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 061203 miles.

 

[Baysider]

Long experience with 5.7L Hemis and MDS. Regular maintenance and no problems. Never a regret over the 5.7L.

 

[Jim113]

Hey all. I have owned nothing but silverados all my like. 69 c10 88 silv, 96 s10, 06 silv. the 06 being a north veihicle was rusting. Bolts under gone. shockmounts replaced, manifold leak, 140k miles only, but I figure time to unload. With the price of trucks I went to ram and found a 2020 with 20k mikes for 30k out the door..

well I didnt do much homework on it. Just that any silverado was way out of my price range...and thats in the used market. with that said no need for 4x4 anymore as I live in SC now.

now remember im 55 years old. Drove 3 and 4 speeds all my life. so upgrading to this fancy 8 speed, and 8 inch screen car play crap, heated seats and wheel is just crap I dont need. I just wanted a rust free dependable truck. Heck my last truck had roll up windows and I was ok with that.

so after reading countless threads here I may have mad a mistake. What I did not know about the new flavors of trucks is the MDS crap.

so after reading ,and I will do this systematically , heres what I propose to do but not 100% sure. I bought the extended warranty to 100k miles or 2027 whichever comes first.


OIL I will be using Penzoil. already made up my mind there
filter will be mopar. Made up my mind there.
MDS on or off, IDK yet




1. oil most likely what I will do from my readings is 5 20 winter and 5 30 summer. I tow a camper

2. Dilemma is MDS on or off
a. use 8th gear? turn off when I can.
b Tuner diablo? off permenant?
c. Just drive it normal and not worry about it?

I see 0 gas savings from having it on. If its 1 MPG more its unlikely


what I read and that vid thats going around I feel the MDS keeps it all oiled properly and turning off may be detramental. Why if you turn it off going to 5 30 oil would be best.

Im a plumber 38 years. Anything mechanical that moves or operates , like selonoids, rods with a pin to activate, etc will wear out faster. so should be off all the time. But in that instance we now have an oilling issue..

So maybe I should of went chevy as I did not read up on these 5.7 hemis.


Im not interested in performance mod. Il a stock truck guy. No exhaust for me, and if tuner it will be on economy if not stock setting.

feedback?

Sorry to ramble...

Mike

I was a Chevy guy for years ... between 1998 to 2013 I have had 7 GM vehicles, 4 of them trucks, 3 SUV's ... Since 2013, I have owned 3 RAM Longhorns and have had no major issues with any of them ... Just a couple of minor warranty repairs, defective battery and a transmission valve body replacement ...
I also am a stock guy and anything I add is cosmetic such as mud guards and tonneau cover ...
The 5.7 HEMI were in all the trucks and I use the 5W20 Mobil 1 full synthetic extended performance oil and matching filter ... No issues ... I have also used Castrol extended performance synthetic on occasion, again, with no issues ...
I haul a boat and use the tow/haul mode when doing so and have had no problems ...
Will I ever go back to GM ?? At this point, I would have to say NO ... I believe I made the right choice switching over, so Stellantis would have to take a downturn on their RAM truck division to get me to consider going back to GM ...
Good luck with whatever decision you make ...

 

[Dusty]

Use a good quality synthetic motor oil of the correct viscosity and the risk factor should be pretty low. I won't get into a motor oil discussion because for some it's like blind-faith religion.

Over the years and through experience I've adopted the philosophy of using factory components, and use Mopar filters as well. I change oil when the PCM displays the 500 mile warning, usually, but I have changed oil ahead of time on one occasion. I've yet to have a motor issue on any of the Chrysler engines I've owned, and they've all gone 100,000 miles plus.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 061203 miles.

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

If you change your oil religiously at 5000 miles with a good synthetic oil, (I use 5W20 PUP) You've done all you can do. Others go way past that (glad you can save a dollar) but to me why take any risk. I use mine the way I want, I run it like I stole it, (if it won't take it, I'll break it). If you maintain it there's nothing you can do to prevent the cam and lifter issue if it's going to happen. I get so tired of seeing how people claim other brands don't have issues, if they was so great you wouldn't have bought this brand and then complain about them. Stop worrying about it and enjoy it, the odds are slim, way more trucks don't have an issue than do. Nobody writes anything when they don't have a complaint! Mopar or no car!

 

[cash4acres]

I get 26-33 mpgs on my 2015 ram Cummins 4door 4x4 6speed. I deleted it and almost 10,500lbs.
I use rotella or any c4 quality oil, mineral, mixed or synthetic. I get new Firestone Transforce HT tires 275-70-18 $40-50 each new take offs or spares. 35-55k miles each.
My cost per mile is about 20-29 cents/mile. My ton mile/gallon rating is 5t x 25++= 125t/mile. 18wheelers are about 150t/mile, rail is 500t/mile & Prius is 1.5t x 50mpg= 75t/mile. My Ram 6speed has paid for it self in the 1st 300k. I'm almost at 475k. Love it when it's FRUGAL to the Maximum.

29mpgTampa2Orlando
29mpgOrlando2Tampa
25mpgPensacola2Orlando
42mpg Pensacola Island
26mpg Houston 2Florida
29mpgHouston2Mississippi
30mpgHouston2Louisiana
28mpgCorpusChr2Houston
28mpgSanAntonio2CorpusC
30mpgDallas2Houston
28mpgsAmarillo2Dallas
26mpgsNv2Tx
30mpgBullHeadCty2LasVgs
26mpgBillings2LasVegas
25mpgSpokane2Billings
27mpgCheynne2RockSprings
27mpgKansasCty2TulsaOk
26mpgMinneapolis2KansCty
29mpgKansasCty2MinStPaul
25mpgAmarillo2KansasCity
26mpgsKingmanAz2Amarillo
28mpgDenver2LasVegas
32mpgsLasVegCo2CoSpring
29mpgPortland2vegss2Bull head city2Flagstaff2Denver
33mpgsFlagstaff2NewMex
27mpgSeattle2Spokane
29mpgsSalem2Portland
28mpgsSalem2Portland
28mpgsSeattle2portland
30mpg Portland 2Eugene
27mpgPortland2Seattle
26mpgPortland2Newport
29mpgIdaho2Portland
27mpgsSeattle2Spokane
28mpgsBeach2Portland
28mpgPortland2Tacoma
29mpgTacoma2Beach
28mpgPortland2Tacoma
27mpgNewMexico2TulsaOk
28mpgElPaseo2Phoenix
28mpgTampa2OrlandoFl
29mpgSanAntonio2Houston 20s
26mpgElPaseo2SanAntonio blizzard 20s, 50%4x4

 

[tones2SS]

@lAWROSA
I wish you had my posts about the MDS before you bought the Ram truck.
I use the gear -/+ buttons to disable the MDS every single time I drive the truck.

 

[Ram Night]

I would avoid the pennzoil all together, and go with Valvoline or Mobile 1. And if you don't like the MDS just put the transmission in Manual +8 with the steering wheel controls.
Other than that, you made a good upgrade.

 

[ramsare4real]

c. Just drive it normal and not worry about it?

Yes.

 

[dls56]

Good luck! You're going to love your new to you truck. I never worry about the MDS and can't see how it couldn't be saving me fuel. I do a lot of highway driving and like seeing the eco light on, lol. CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY is good advise for any vehicle. DUH! Welcome to the Ram family brother!

 

[KC5TGQ]

The new Silverrodo's all have MDS too. I am in the minority on this board because I like it. It saves gas. I know the early GM MDS systems caused premature engine failure, don't know about Ram. I just think it has been resolved for the most part. Enjoy your new truck and don't sweat the stuff people gripe about. The engineers are paid to worry about it.

 

[tones2SS]

The new Silverrodo's all have MDS too.

Yup.
All big 3 have it now unfortunately. Too bad. Ford was my last hope, but they put the cylinder deactivation on their 2021 5.0 engine trucks.

 

[lAWROSA]

I would avoid the pennzoil all together, and go with Valvoline or Mobile 1. And if you don't like the MDS just put the transmission in Manual +8 with the steering wheel controls.
Other than that, you made a good upgrade.

Why what’s up with the Pennzoil. I think it’s better than mobile one so I liked it made with natural gas