2018 Power Wagon MDS operation

[Hydraplane]

This is my second "drivability issue" post with my 2018 PW, 8K miles, all stock except for replacing the factory muffler with pipe. The truck acts the same with muffler installed. The following occurs with the truck empty, two occupants, not towing, cruise on. At low speeds, 25-50 the MDS kicks in and stays until acceleration is needed, in fact it will stay engaged under light acceleration depending on speed. Around 55 it will engage for 1/8-1/4 mile or so and without any throttle movement will disengage. In a bit, it will repeat this cycle. The faster you go the less it engages. I live in NW FL where most of my driving is on flat level roads. Just curious if this "excessive sensitivity" is across the board and considered "normal" in this truck. BTW thanks to all again figuring out my "Front End Noise"! STU

 

[wgreggking]

Every time I drive it, put it in 6th from drive or tow haul. Mds is useless on these 2500's.

 

[bigdodge]

It's normal. Probably way more annoying since u took the muffler off.

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[22hemi13]

That’s normal ole mds. Same for any 2500 and 1500 with it. It engages much less on 2500 platforms. It’s annoying easiest to drop into 6th or tow/haul mode to disable. Or buy a tuner.

 

[ALRedneck]

My 2018 PW does the same thing down here in flat south Alabama. I got accustomed to it and enjoy the 16 MPG that I’m getting with the MDS. However, mine is still all stock so the factory exhaust doesn’t amplify the deactivation.

 

[chadder1313]

Yessir sounds normal. I absolutely hate the MDS in my 18 PW.


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[Hydraplane]

OK... Just checking... My 2014 HDR 1500 4X4 with 8 speed, 3.92 and stock height 20's actually worked well. I had "muffler delete" on it too and usually in town I reverted to manual mode to avoid the V-4 growl... Thanks for all your input. I will post another annoyance later for ya'll to snicker at, STU

 

[madweazl]

I've actually been getting the MDS to operate on the highway more lately; this started after I put the new wheels on the truck so I'm not sure if that reduced just enough rotating mass (not sure if my wheels are lighter or not but I imagine so) or if the truck has adjusted to my more conservative highway driving. MDS was almost non-existent on the highway previously but I can get in and stay in it for quite a while now (harder because it's hilly over here). It de-activates immediately when needed though (our 1500 is really lazy in this regard and downshifts or de-activates MDS much slower).

 

[Flea]

I know on the new 1500’s and 2400’s with the dial shifter, you can disable the mds with the gear limiter controls. Just select all the way to 8 and it is off through all gears. Unfortunately, you have to redo this each time you go into or out of park.

 

[olyelr]

I know on the new 1500’s and 2400’s with the dial shifter, you can disable the mds with the gear limiter controls. Just select all the way to 8 and it is off through all gears. Unfortunately, you have to redo this each time you go into or out of park.

You can do that with the older trucks as well. My ‘16 with the shift lever does this.

 

[2003F350]

Mine would rarely kick in when it was new.

Now that I've got almost 40k on it, it kicks in quite a bit more, just enough to get me to an average of 15 mpg. Without it I imagine I'd be closer to 13.

 

[tpk0999]

My mds kicks in once the truck is fully warmed up. That takes a while when its below 32. Thst to me is annoying. I dont mind the drone, reminds me of a prop plane.

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