Hidden features?

[R.L.K.]

Someone is going to have to help me figure out MDS. I understand what it is and what it does but how exactly are you guys aware its activating?

I understand the drop in RPM is the indication, however in my case I know that its just the torque converter locking up, not MDS. I have driven in regular D and also tried manual shifting into 8 and not one thing different. If i give it enough throttle it just down shifts and the RPMs obviously jump up.
I'm just wondering if maybe alot of people are getting these two mixed up or maybe its me getting it mixed up?

I'm thinking those who are adamant about knowing when MDS is activated or not must have a tuner ?

 

[zflat]

I'm thinking those who are adamant about knowing when MDS is activated or not must have a tuner ?

My understanding is that the "eco" light means MDS is active. If your "eco" light isn't turning on it's probably because you don't have it selected to in the settings on your dash/radio.

 

[R.L.K.]

My understanding is that the "eco" light means MDS is active. If your "eco" light isn't turning on it's probably because you don't have it selected to in the settings on your dash/radio.

I've thought that in the past , but I've learned that's not completely true , fact is when the ECO is illuminated this just means you are driving economically for the conditions at hand , and the tricky part is the that the conditions that are requierd to turn on the ECO light are also required for the MDS to be active and 4ea cylinders to be turned off ; however, the ECO light alone being displayed does not necessarily mean MDS is active with cylinders being shut down .
With this said I belive when the MDS is in fact active , the ECO light will be displayed .

There are many post on this by folks much more familiar with the system than myself.
Hope this helps !

 

[roastpuff]

You can hear it in the tone of the exhaust. Especially noticeable with aftermarket, but you can hear it with the stock exhaust too.

 

[Andy578]

ECO light is more of an indication of how much throttle you're using and does not indicate MDS. if you watch the fuel economy screen you'll see how much the bar actually moves when MDS kicks in but the ECO light will kick in far sooner then MDS

 

[AirborneSilva]

When I'm running around city driving I can not only hear when it goes into MDS I can also feel it, hwy driving it's not as noticeable plus I usually have the stereo kicking

 

[Pull Ya]

If you have an after market muffler on your truck, one indication that your MDS has activated is your exhaust will start to sound like ****(similar to farting underwater). As has been said--MDS and the ECO light are two separate functions.
Jay

 

[THETANK]

^^^I always amuse myself when farting in the tub, assuming it does not smell to badly.

 

[RR7_905RAM]

<Slowly backs out of thread.

 

[ExpressRules]

<Slowly backs out of thread.

I'm taking no chances, running away from thread, I've heard THETANK has high velocity.

 

[TestPilot57]

Works on my 2014 Bighorn

This is nice if you want to keep the engine running on hot/cold days, for a brief dash into a convenience mart, etc.

Stop and put the transmission in park.
Leave the engine running.
Open the drivers door, all the doors unlock.
Close the drivers door.
Press the door lock button on the drivers door and all the doors lock.
Open the drivers door, and only the drivers door unlocks.
Remove the (mechanical) key from the keyfob, while the engine continues to run.
Exit the truck, close the door and lock it with the key.

Wow! Glad that works for you.

On my 2015 with keyless entry, I just get out with it running (fob on my person), close the door and press the lock button on the outside door handle.

 

[TestPilot57]

-- They used to have the fuel range on the same screen as the digital speedometer in the lower corner, now it is on a different screen (the fuel screen).

Check out the Display menu. On my 2015 Sport you can specify what shows up on the 4 corners of all screens.

-- Not have the back light (on top of cab) come on with fog lights.

I would be talking to the dealer. That can't be right.

And I want memory seats - My wife is a foot shorter than me!

I agree it's bizarre that an upper level trim with power seats doesn't have memory. Every car I've had for the last 20 years has had memory seats. It never occurred to me that "power seats" would NOT have memory. I was very disappointed.

 

[TestPilot57]

^^ I believe on the 15+'s they removed this [MDS deactivation] on the 1500's. I was told this by numerous sources. However I have never checked my self. Can anyone confirm or deny this on a 1500?

My 2015 disables MDS whenever in "manual" mode, i.e. any gear limiting selection from 1-8.

Best way to deactivate it is with a Tuner...

 

[TestPilot57]

Someone is going to have to help me figure out MDS. I understand what it is and what it does but how exactly are you guys aware its activating?

I understand the drop in RPM is the indication...

RPM does not change, it's just that half the cylinders are shut off.

If i give it enough throttle it just down shifts...

If you had an aftermarket exhaust you would hear AND feel the difference when MDS shuts off and you start running on all 8 again. With a stock exhaust you may not notice it, but the combination of the sound along with it accentuates it.

I have it semi-permanently turned off in my tuner because it's so annoying.

 

[Ram Man]

Discovered something that has not been mentioned.

When using the speed limit warning feature on the 8.4 with nav, the speed you are going is determined by the GPS and NOT the speedometer. I couldnt believe this. Here's what exactly I mean... I have larger tires and haven't recalibrated yet so I am off by 3-4mph on the highway. Speed limit warning is set for 10mph over aka 80 on the highway. However right when I hit 77mph the warning goes off to let me know I am 10 mph over the speed limit. (In town it is always spot on or at worse 1mph off when telling me I am speeding)

Thought this was kind of neat for those running larger tires that can use this feature to judge how fast you are really going

 

[R.L.K.]

Ha , nice find Sir !

 

[Rampant]

That just shows when youre driving economically, unfortunately it has little or nothing to do with the mds being active or not.

Sent from my SGH-I317M using Tapatalk 2

Maybe it is different on yours. But on the '16 2500, the ECO light is undoubtedly connected to the MDS. Maybe they updated it.

 

[TonyMM]

Maybe it is different on yours. But on the '16 2500, the ECO light is undoubtedly connected to the MDS. Maybe they updated it.

Not on the ´16 1500: ECO is not connected to MDS only. I have disabled the MDS with the trinity tuner and the ECO light is sometimes on the EVIC. Usually when I am driving it like a baby [emoji12]

 

[Rampant]

Not on the ´16 1500: ECO is not connected to MDS only. I have disabled the MDS with the trinity tuner and the ECO light is sometimes on the EVIC. Usually when I am driving it like a baby [emoji12]

I don't have a tuner, but if I manually shift to any gear or use tow/haul mode, I've never had the ECO light/MDS come on. Maybe it's 6.4 and/or HD centric? It is very easily recognizable when it is activated and as for mine at least, the two are synonymous.

 

[TonyMM]

I don't have a tuner, but if I manually shift to any gear or use tow/haul mode, I've never had the ECO light/MDS come on. Maybe it's 6.4 and/or HD centric? It is very easily recognizable when it is activated and as for mine at least, the two are synonymous.

Yes maybe on the 2500 and/or on the 6.4
Not on the 1500 5.7.