ERS and ECO Mode

[JohnCh]

I noticed today that selecting the gear- button once seems to still allow 8th gear, but disables the ECO mode, or at least seems to, the ECO light goes away and stays off. Can anyone confirm using the Gear +/- buttons lets you keep all 8 cylinders working?

 

[stimpy433]

It disables the MDS not the ECO, the light comes on only when you drive conservatively. The MDS is the cylinder deactivation... the two are not connected. Yes using the +/- gear selector does keep the MDS from activating.

 

[NoveskeFan]

My understanding is yes, setting the gear selector to "8" disables the MDS. I set it to eliminate the drone with my Carven exhaust. It really seems like a useless feature as I haven't noticed any difference in mpg's.

 

[JohnCh]

Yes it does on mine but on “6” because I have a 2012. Also tow/haul mode button deactivates MDS.

Thanks. I have a 2017 8 speed and ECO seems to stay on with two/haul on. I’ve only checked that without a trailer hooked up though.

 

[Firebird]

You are correct, engaging the gear selector mode turns off MDS

 

[JohnCh]

It disables the MDS not the ECO, the light comes on only when you drive conservatively. The MDS is the cylinder deactivation... the two are not connected. Yes using the +/- gear selector does keep the MDS from activating.

Okay, I’m making bad assumptions I guess. I just assumed ECO meant I was on 4 cylinders.

 

[huntergreen]

Okay, I’m making bad assumptions I guess. I just assumed ECO meant I was on 4 cylinders.

.

I keep hearing the 2 are separate and not dependent.

 

[JohnCh]

.

I keep hearing the 2 are separate and not dependent.

After some research, I agree.


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[Daniel Ortiz]

After some research, I agree.


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I keep hearing "ECO Light On" does not equal "MDS On," but has anyone found a single case where the ECO light was on and MDS was not on? Furthermore, how would anyone even be able to tell if that was the case? And if the answer to both questions is no, "ECO light On" may as well equal "MDS on." Right? Are we all just repeating RAM 1500 dogma with the above claim? Or does somebody actually have evidence? I'm curious to know.

 

[BadHemi2014]

MDS is deactivated in my tune, but the ECO light will still come on.

 

[Daniel Ortiz]

MDS is deactivated in my tune, but the ECO light will still come on.

Ah, well fair enough, if the two are separated by a tune. But absent a tune, if the truck is operating as designed from the factory, I think they pretty much mean the same thing.

 

[caulk04]

I keep hearing "ECO Light On" does not equal "MDS On," but has anyone found a single case where the ECO light was on and MDS was not on? Furthermore, how would anyone even be able to tell if that was the case? And if the answer to both questions is no, "ECO light On" may as well equal "MDS on." Right? Are we all just repeating RAM 1500 dogma with the above claim? Or does somebody actually have evidence? I'm curious to know.

The ECO light (which can be disabled on mine through the 8.4 radio) is simply a coaching tool. MDS is an actual thing that happens.

MDS will only occur while the ECO coach qualifiers have been met, but MDS does not automatically come on with the ECO light. Clear as mud? Just like they want it...

Back to the OP's question, which has already been answered, MDS does not activate when in driver selected gear mode.