Mileage Increase with Eco Off

[QwikKota]

I have been noticing a full MPG better mileage recently when manually changing the gear setting to 8th and leaving it in that. I initially started doing this as I was sick of the lugging and sluggishness off the line. I don't have to give as much throttle now around town and am getting 15mpg. Before it was around 14mpg and I have not changed my driving style. Admittedly, I drive more aggressively than most hence the low mileage. I have not messed with it on the highway yet but typically that is where the Eco mode (4 cylinder) would help with mileage. Aside from having to do this everytime I get in the truck, it feels like a more powerful setup. Not sure if this is the case with 3.92 equipped trucks. Eco mode from a stop might be better in that instance.

 

[Jstmahoney]

I’ve also noticed an increase in MPG s with eco. I have 3.92


2017 RAM 1500 Laramie 4X4 Crew
from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[huntergreen]

I have been noticing a full MPG better mileage recently when manually changing the gear setting to 8th and leaving it in that. I initially started doing this as I was sick of the lugging and sluggishness off the line. I don't have to give as much throttle now around town and am getting 15mpg. Before it was around 14mpg and I have not changed my driving style. Admittedly, I drive more aggressively than most hence the low mileage. I have not messed with it on the highway yet but typically that is where the Eco mode (4 cylinder) would help with mileage. Aside from having to do this everytime I get in the truck, it feels like a more powerful setup. Not sure if this is the case with 3.92 equipped trucks. Eco mode from a stop might be better in that instance.

I have the 3:92 with 8 speed, and in my 11 sport ihad the 3.55 gearing with 5 speed trans and I have never had lugging or sluggishness off the line.

 

[huntergreen]

I have been noticing a full MPG better mileage recently when manually changing the gear setting to 8th and leaving it in that. I initially started doing this as I was sick of the lugging and sluggishness off the line. I don't have to give as much throttle now around town and am getting 15mpg. Before it was around 14mpg and I have not changed my driving style. Admittedly, I drive more aggressively than most hence the low mileage. I have not messed with it on the highway yet but typically that is where the Eco mode (4 cylinder) would help with mileage. Aside from having to do this everytime I get in the truck, it feels like a more powerful setup. Not sure if this is the case with 3.92 equipped trucks. Eco mode from a stop might be better in that instance.

I have the 3:92 with 8 speed, and in my 11 sport ihad the 3.55 gearing with 5 speed trans and I have never had lugging or sluggishness off the line.

 

[RysRam]

I have been noticing a full MPG better mileage recently when manually changing the gear setting to 8th and leaving it in that. I initially started doing this as I was sick of the lugging and sluggishness off the line. I don't have to give as much throttle now around town and am getting 15mpg. Before it was around 14mpg and I have not changed my driving style. Admittedly, I drive more aggressively than most hence the low mileage. I have not messed with it on the highway yet but typically that is where the Eco mode (4 cylinder) would help with mileage. Aside from having to do this everytime I get in the truck, it feels like a more powerful setup. Not sure if this is the case with 3.92 equipped trucks. Eco mode from a stop might be better in that instance.

Is this the same QwikKota from the Dakota R/T boards back in the day?

 

[Wahrsuul]

I haven't noticed an lugging/sluggishness off the line either.

 

[stimpy433]

I have been noticing a full MPG better mileage recently when manually changing the gear setting to 8th and leaving it in that. I initially started doing this as I was sick of the lugging and sluggishness off the line. I don't have to give as much throttle now around town and am getting 15mpg. Before it was around 14mpg and I have not changed my driving style. Admittedly, I drive more aggressively than most hence the low mileage. I have not messed with it on the highway yet but typically that is where the Eco mode (4 cylinder) would help with mileage. Aside from having to do this everytime I get in the truck, it feels like a more powerful setup. Not sure if this is the case with 3.92 equipped trucks. Eco mode from a stop might be better in that instance.

That's not ECO mode you are disabling, it's the MDS!!!

 

[mohemipar]

Correct there is no "Eco" mode on these trucks. The green Eco light will show when the truck thinks you are driving in a way that is saving fuel. So typically the light will show when MDS is active of course.

It isn't too surprising to see slight MPG gains or at least just stay the same with MDS off in mostly city or even mixed back road driving because of all the stop and go. Save MDS for the highway and long trips.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Correct there is no "Eco" mode on these trucks. The green Eco light will show when the truck thinks you are driving in a way that is saving fuel. So typically the light will show when MDS is active of course.

It isn't too surprising to see slight MPG gains or at least just stay the same with MDS off in mostly city or even mixed back road driving because of all the stop and go. Save MDS for the highway and long trips.

MDS stays on on very flat ground and whilst going downhill. If you even breathe on the long dkinny pedal, it turns off. I've found it to be a useless PITA where I drive. That goes for my '17 2500 CCLB 6.4 with 4.10s and my '09 1500 QCLB 5.7. with 3.92s. Never saw any mpg change in either.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Full Disclosure: I drive 'em like they belong to somebody I dislike a bunch, but change is change, or not.

 

[mohemipar]

MDS stays on on very flat ground and whilst going downhill. If you even breathe on the long dkinny pedal, it turns off. I've found it to be a useless PITA where I drive. That goes for my '17 2500 CCLB 6.4 with 4.10s and my '09 1500 QCLB 5.7. with 3.92s. Never saw any mpg change in either.

It is very sensitive on the 6.4 HD's. I think even a stiff breeze makes it turn off, ( not joking ). I do still just leave it on when I'm on the highway though. Because 90% of the time I just use cruise control and I don't feel the truck lug at all, so whatever.

 

[QwikKota]

Is this the same QwikKota from the Dakota R/T boards back in the day?

Maybe...what do you remember? HAH

 

[RysRam]

Maybe...what do you remember? HAH

Lol I just remember the 4.7, the 6 speed and CCWs. Hope you still have it, it was cool truck.

 

[QwikKota]

Lol I just remember the 4.7, the 6 speed and CCWs. Hope you still have it, it was cool truck.

You bet. But the slave cylinder failed and I have the tranny out right now. Was a real ***** to remove. The wheels are actually 3 piece Fikse's off of a Viper. I had to repair one that had a crack and some stripped threads, was not fun. I've got a Turbonetics 72-1 and a mig welder that will eventually make some magic.

 

[H8Train]

I've been using the ESR to shut off MDS for the last year. My truck is a 14 Hemi with 6sp. I have not noticed a increase or decrease with my mpg. I bought a truck not a prius. With the carven it sounds like **** when MDS activates anyways.

 

[RLJ10X]

There aren’t many guys who turn that wretched MDS back on.

 

[Wahrsuul]

I've been turning off MDS using the shifter for the last few days. The "Fuel Saver" indicator doesn't come on anymore. Nor does it come on when I'm in T/H mode. I've heard both - that it does and does not idicate MDS mode, but at least on mine, I'm thinking it does.

On the other hand, I've been testing the claims of better MPG when not using MDS. So I'll run a few tanks while manually turning MDS off and see what happens.

 

[Ramm5.7]

On my 17 1500 with the 5.7 I was cruising and engaged tow/haul a few time with eco light engaged, no change. Eco stayed on at all times engaging t/h. Only way to disable was manually selecting gears!

 

[QwikKota]

When I tow I leave the shifter in 6th and engage tow/haul. I have not towed anything at a high speed and prefer to keep the towing of heavy items out of overdrive. I've only towed a 6500 lb travel trailer around TX Hill Country though, not highway. Truck did great but I don't think that's much of a load.

I only run 87 octane if that matters but was consistently getting 14mpg. With Eco off it's been 15mpg. City driving and I let the truck idle when I drop the kids off or go into a store real fast.

The MDS on/off is noticeable in the newer trucks but not as loud and irritating as the older trucks, pre-2013 I believe.

 

[RLJ10X]

It's a little too early to make a definitive statement, but I don't yet see any difference.

The truck is much nicer to drive, tho.