MDS

dklswh · Feb 11, 2023

Quick question, does everybody get a tuner to shut off mds, i have a full 5 year warranty through dodge on my truck, will tuning it void warranty?

tidefan1967 · Feb 11, 2023

Yes it will. You can use the manual mode buttons on the steering wheel to disable it but you will have to do it every time you restart the truck.

Zoe Saldana · Feb 11, 2023

dklswh said:
Quick question, does everybody get a tuner to shut off mds, i have a full 5 year warranty through dodge on my truck, will tuning it void warranty?

Use Tow/haul - no MDS

Glen Harrison · Feb 11, 2023

Tow/ Haul does not turn off the MDS after 2019 , Manual select on the steering wheel until you get 8th gear and drive on .

brian42 · Feb 14, 2023

I don't know if/when that programming change happened but Tow/Haul definitely shuts off MDS in my 2019 5th gen.

RC Turner · Feb 14, 2023

Why are you shutting it off ? Mine is so transparent that if it were not for the indicator on the dash I would not know it ws active.

brian42 · Feb 14, 2023

My shift strategy is unpleasant in "normal" mode. The kickdown lags speed considerably for my tastes and stays in a high gear all the way down to a stop. It won't drop out of 3rd until I'm completely stopped. If I try to get back on the accelerator to any degree the truck limps along at low RPM for a few seconds then *BAM* it kicks down and the truck accelerates.

I've had it to the dealership numerous times and every time they tell me "that's just the way these trucks are". I used to never use Tow/Haul but it takes about 1/2 of the annoyance out of it, especially in traffic when I go to accelerate and there's 2-3 seconds of lag between the pedal and the truck moving.

I've had the latest software installed and disconnect the battery every now and then to reset the transmission learning but it always comes back.

I'm not interested in a pedal controller so this is my only alternative other than just live with it.

I still put it in normal mode when cruising along but if there's any stop-and-go or commuter traffic I go to Tow/Haul so the truck is more responsive.

Zoe Saldana · Feb 14, 2023

brian42 said:
My shift strategy is unpleasant in "normal" mode. The kickdown lags speed considerably for my tastes and stays in a high gear all the way down to a stop. It won't drop out of 3rd until I'm completely stopped. If I try to get back on the accelerator to any degree the truck limps along at low RPM for a few seconds then *BAM* it kicks down and the truck accelerates.

I've had it to the dealership numerous times and every time they tell me "that's just the way these trucks are". I used to never use Tow/Haul but it takes about 1/2 of the annoyance out of it, especially in traffic when I go to accelerate and there's 2-3 seconds of lag between the pedal and the truck moving.

I've had the latest software installed and disconnect the battery every now and then to reset the transmission learning but it always comes back.

I'm not interested in a pedal controller so this is my only alternative other than just live with it.

I still put it in normal mode when cruising along but if there's any stop-and-go or commuter traffic I go to Tow/Haul so the truck is more responsive.

Some people blame hydraulic lifter problems on MDS.

ramffml · Feb 14, 2023

Glen Harrison said:
Tow/ Haul does not turn off the MDS after 2019

It certainly does in my truck.

DILLIGAF · Feb 14, 2023

RC Turner said:
Why are you shutting it off ? Mine is so transparent that if it were not for the indicator on the dash I would not know it ws active.

The ECO light has nothing to do with MDS.

G-Ride990 · Feb 15, 2023

I am surprised my gear +/- button is not worn out. Every time I jump in my truck, I select drive and click the gear selector until 8 shows on the cluster. When I forget to do it, only takes a few seconds to remember.

MDS sucks!

Tow/haul does not turn off MDS. I can push the tow/haul button while driving and still hear MDS kicking on. I have tried it many times. At least in my 2016 it doesn't turn off.

ramffml · Feb 15, 2023

DILLIGAF said:
The ECO light has nothing to do with MDS.

It's not clear to me which truck some of the guys are running in this thread, could be newish classic or could be new 5th gens. But we've been through this a million times on this forum. For the 5th gen:

- ECO light = MDS active
- T/H disables MDS

4th gens work differently.

ColesRAM · Feb 15, 2023

My 5th Gen ECO light comes on at ~20mph. I question that the MDS has kicked in.

Jpage978 · Feb 15, 2023

My truck sounds different when it's on, I use manual shift technique, can it be disabled with alfaobd? Pretty sure ECO means it's on

ColesRAM · Feb 15, 2023

From VehicleWisdom :

“It’s important to note that ECO Mode and MDS are different.

You can be in ECO Mode without switching to MDS Mode, but MDS only activates when you’re in ECO Mode.

However, most of the time, if you’re in ECO Mode, MDS is also engaged.”

What Does ECO Mode Mean In A Dodge Ram 1500? | Vehicle Wisdom

Most modern vehicles have features that reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impacts of driving. Often this setting is labeled as ECO or ecological mode. Although trucks are known for...

vehiclewisdom.com

nlambert182 · Feb 15, 2023

You can turn off the ECO indicator in the EVIC display on my 2018. I have mine turned off. It's called "fuel saver display". MDS will still activate whether the light is on or not. On my 2018, MDS will still activate in tow/haul mode. The only way I can disable MDS is to manually put it in 8th gear.

I too am looking for options to tune it out. Whether or not it helps avoid the potential lifter issue doesn't matter to me.

brian42 · Feb 15, 2023

On the 5th gen the ECO light is directly related to MDS. That's the only thing that triggers that light on the DT.

I'm not sure if it's the same on the 4th gen trucks.

buckeyexx · Feb 15, 2023

G-Ride990 said:
I am surprised my gear +/- button is not worn out. Every time I jump in my truck, I select drive and click the gear selector until 8 shows on the cluster. When I forget to do it, only takes a few seconds to remember.

MDS sucks!

Tow/haul does not turn off MDS. I can push the tow/haul button while driving and still hear MDS kicking on. I have tried it many times. At least in my 2016 it doesn't turn off.

I’m not saying or wrong about your truck but I would have to guess something is not right if it is kicking in. I’m on my third ram with mds and I can tell you that it definitely does not activate when tow haul is in use. I could not imagine it shutting down to 4 cylinders while I am towing or hauling a heavy load. The thing about tow haul is that it locks out 6th gear or the final overdrive gear so the rpm’s alone should be high enough for it not to engage. Again I’m not saying you’re wrong about your truck but something is not right. I’m driving a 2016 now and it shuts off mds.

ColesRAM · Feb 15, 2023

brian42 said:
On the 5th gen the ECO light is directly related to MDS. That's the only thing that triggers that light on the DT.

I'm not sure if it's the same on the 4th gen trucks.

According to the article I posted (#15) that’s not necessarily true.

ramffml · Feb 15, 2023

ColesRAM said:
From VehicleWisdom :

“It’s important to note that ECO Mode and MDS are different.

You can be in ECO Mode without switching to MDS Mode, but MDS only activates when you’re in ECO Mode.

However, most of the time, if you’re in ECO Mode, MDS is also engaged.”

What Does ECO Mode Mean In A Dodge Ram 1500? | Vehicle Wisdom

Most modern vehicles have features that reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impacts of driving. Often this setting is labeled as ECO or ecological mode. Although trucks are known for...

vehiclewisdom.com

Do you own a 5th gen? Because I do and I've tested it extensively; hold your speed at 35 mph, wait 2 seconds, MDS kicks in with a jerk and an exhaust note and MDS light comes on.

Flick T/H on: the truck jerks a bit, exhaust changes, and MDS light goes off.

Repeat T/H toggle 10 times in 2 minutes and note how all 3 changes always occur.

Then drive around for 5 months by always using your gear limiter in 8th gear, note how MDS light NEVER comes on. Not once.

So frankly that article is wrong. It happens.

MDS

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