MDS

[stateofdade]

I have a 2018. I've read quite a few times about MDS, throttle response, fuel economy, engine noise, etc..

Here's my experience with the system.

After almost 4k miles, I see absolutely no fuel mileage advantage. I still get about 15 mpg or less here in the hill country. Might help someone who travels in flat areas in 7th or 8th gear.

Secondly, there is a a noticeable difference in throttle response and engine noise when disabling the system. Also, I can absolutely say that on my truck, the ECO light isn't just for show. It turns on every time that MDS engages.

I'm wondering if there is a difference in the year models. Frankly, it's not a game changing system. If you are worried about affording the fuel for a full size truck with a V8, it's time to look at a different vehicle. These systems are designed to make the fuel economy ratings look better for the manufacturer and nothing else.

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[WilliamS]

MDS is best on a flat road around 60 mph. Hills, overpasses, winding roads where it needs the torque to pull the truck along it is off. That being said I can tell a difference on my daily commute between on and off if I can follow the 60mph rule. once i go over 70mph MDS is useless.

 

[FriedDumpling]

Because of nuisance in shifting in stop-and-go traffic, I typically turn MDS off in traffic.

HATE the way the vehicle shifts going in and out of MDS.

Not a gas economy issue - but would like to turn on and off the MDS and have it “hold” until I choose.


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[Jstmahoney]

I live in the foothills, have about a 10 mile commute to work. 3/4 of it freeway, but still up and down the hills. My average mpg is 14-15. I turn the mds off as soon as I shift to drive. I think it’s worthless. Just a gimmick manufacturers had to come up with to Please the government with their “CAFE standards” . I drove a 1000mile round trip to LA a few weeks ago and had it off the whole time. Averaged 18-19 mpgs. I have the hemi crew 4x4 with 3.92, and the bed was loaded with stuff. And I’m sure If you buy a ford or Chevy with their smaller engines (turbos) and use it like a truck or live in an area like I do, your mpgs are going to be just as bad. And it’s going to be harder on the vehicle because you’re overworking it.


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[78Staff]

I keep mine off as well, using the shifter buttons every time I start up. If I'm on the highway for long stretches I'll let it kick in, but otherwise it's just annoying and I really don't see any gains in town/city driving. I wish there was and effective way to disable other than a $1000 tuner/PCM combo.

 

[ram1500rsm]

MDS is off in my RAM tune, and off in my Silverado tune, it was good for maybe 1mpg in the RAM, about 2 in the Chevy, but that one has the 5.3L, can't stand the exhaust sound with aftermarket mufflers while in v4 mode. I've had mds off literally since day one in anything that i can tune that has such a system, it sucks in the cars, and a lot more in a truck.

 

[pacofortacos]

On the flat at a steady 45-50 mph, mds on my truck is good for about 10 mpg.
In 8th gear at that speed and will get 28-30 mpg when in FL and doing 45-50 mph w/cruise on and mds on. Hard to argue with that in a 5.7 Outdoorsman.

Can barely feel or hear it on my 16, I have no complaints with it.

Granted at 70 mph + it rarely kicks on except for downhill and as such struggle to get 20 mpg. Actually to get 20 mpg @ 70+ has taken several aero mods, totally stock the mpg @ that speed is about 17 mpg.

 

[Darth]

I always turn the MDS off in my Ram. I hate it. I don't care about mpg. I care about having a nice big V8 Hemi, loud and powerful. If I wanted MDS/MPG I would have bought a Prius

 

[tones2SS]

I keep mine off as well, using the shifter buttons every time I start up. If I'm on the highway for long stretches I'll let it kick in, but otherwise it's just annoying and I really don't see any gains in town/city driving. I wish there was and effective way to disable other than a $1000 tuner/PCM combo.

^^My man,..........

 

[Fitz-0518]

2018 2500 6.4 66RFE. Around town and HWY always have MDS OFF by placing gear select in 6th. Towing, we put tow haul on and gear select in 6th. Miliage was not object when buying. Being able to use all 8 cylinders, was. Cannot imagine that MDS is good for engine performance or long term engine life.

 

[tones2SS]

Miliage was not object when buying. Being able to use all 8 cylinders, was.

Exactly!!!
As least make it a smooth and noiseless transmission from the MDS back from/into 8 cylinders.

 

[McBroom]

I keep mine off as well, using the shifter buttons every time I start up. If I'm on the highway for long stretches I'll let it kick in, but otherwise it's just annoying and I really don't see any gains in town/city driving. I wish there was and effective way to disable other than a $1000 tuner/PCM combo.

Which voids any kind of warranty


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[HammerHead]

Forum member H395 monitored the fuel in all 8 cylinders with his tuner and when MDS kicked in, the 4 cylinders that were still active the fuel Doubled. So now you have double the fuel in 4 cylinders and double the combustion causing unesessary engin wear.
Every time I drive my truck I put it in manual mode, I never use MDS.

 

[McBroom]

My truck has been in the shop for a week now and they’ve just figured out it’s the mds module.
I asked them to just turn it off in the pcm and the lead tech said they could but they couldn’t do anything about the CEL that would be permanently on. And couldn’t turn it off.
M ajor
D umb
*****

What a waste of time,money and....


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[gdawg55]

I'm just glad they gave us a way to turn it off with the gear buttons....otherwise I would have gotten rid of my truck by now. It's just a gimmick to appease big brother.