ECO Mode Drone/Vibration
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Professional
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 162
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From: Cleveland area
ECO Mode Drone/Vibration
Now that I have resolved my wheel/tire and alignment issues with my D, I want to focus on another drivability annoyance.
I notice in ECO mode at various speeds a drone or vibration that occurs as the MPG "bar" drops from 25 to 20. This condition occurs most often at highways speeds, especially coming down a hill, then starting to proceed up a hill. The sensation is most pronounced just before the D shifts out of ECO mode. I can both hear and feel the D almost "strain" and then almost down shift as it comes out of ECO mode. From some of what I have read, this is common and is related to how the MDS is designed to work. When I raised this concern to the dealer, the service advisor told me this is normal. He suggest if I can't live with it to drive in tow/haul mode which essentially disables the MDS.
Prior to purchasing my D, I drove a 2006 Trailbazer with a 5.3L V8 with MDS. I found that GM's MDS worked much better behind the scenes. I could only slightly feel any shifts in/out of MDS and it was a much better driving experience.
While this may be "normal" operation, it can be quite annoying because I can hear the drone even over the radio. Then you become focused on it, especially on longer trips.
Anyone out there experiencing a similar issue? Are there any service bulletins or TSBs to make some adjustments to reduce the drone / vibration?
I notice in ECO mode at various speeds a drone or vibration that occurs as the MPG "bar" drops from 25 to 20. This condition occurs most often at highways speeds, especially coming down a hill, then starting to proceed up a hill. The sensation is most pronounced just before the D shifts out of ECO mode. I can both hear and feel the D almost "strain" and then almost down shift as it comes out of ECO mode. From some of what I have read, this is common and is related to how the MDS is designed to work. When I raised this concern to the dealer, the service advisor told me this is normal. He suggest if I can't live with it to drive in tow/haul mode which essentially disables the MDS.
Prior to purchasing my D, I drove a 2006 Trailbazer with a 5.3L V8 with MDS. I found that GM's MDS worked much better behind the scenes. I could only slightly feel any shifts in/out of MDS and it was a much better driving experience.
While this may be "normal" operation, it can be quite annoying because I can hear the drone even over the radio. Then you become focused on it, especially on longer trips.
Anyone out there experiencing a similar issue? Are there any service bulletins or TSBs to make some adjustments to reduce the drone / vibration?
Professional
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
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This certainly wasn't "normal" in the Citadel I test drove, nor in the R/T I purchased. I hear no droning and can't even tell when the MDS turns on or off. My wife has more sensitive hearing and she hears nothing. My driving is almost exclusively on flat or small hills, so that may effect my experience, but the MDS is seamless to me. Run it in 6 rather than D and the MDS is disabled.
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Captain
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: NJ
This certainly wasn't "normal" in the Citadel I test drove, nor in the R/T I purchased. I hear no droning and can't even tell when the MDS turns on or off. My wife has more sensitive hearing and she hears nothing. My driving is almost exclusively on flat or small hills, so that may effect my experience, but the MDS is seamless to me. Run it in 6 rather than D and the MDS is disabled.
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From:
If you search on here there is a letter put out by Ma Mopar about this very issue. It gives the speeds at which it occurs and says that it is being researched for a fix. It reccomends to run high grade fuel to reduce the issue. I have found that the fuel grade does not really matter.
Edit: found it for ya
STAR Case
Case Number: S1118000038
Release Date: 5/11/2011
Symptom/Vehicle Issue:
Surge Or FishBite (Tug-Pull Sensation) Sometimes Felt On Smooth Roads Between 40-80 MPH Accelerating
Discussion:
Some customers may voice a concern that there is a Surge or Tugging (tug) or even a Fishbitelike condition that they are experiencing. These customers typically complain under specific conditions (Transmission in 4th or 5th gear with the torque converter locked, vehicle accelerating with the throttle position 30% or greater, and vehicle speed between 40 and 80 MPH.
New PCM Software is in development as is tentatively timed to be available by December 2012.
Recommend that these Customers use 89 Octane as their fuel. This condition is significantly reduced with 89 octane fuel.
Edit: found it for ya
STAR Case
Case Number: S1118000038
Release Date: 5/11/2011
Symptom/Vehicle Issue:
Surge Or FishBite (Tug-Pull Sensation) Sometimes Felt On Smooth Roads Between 40-80 MPH Accelerating
Discussion:
Some customers may voice a concern that there is a Surge or Tugging (tug) or even a Fishbitelike condition that they are experiencing. These customers typically complain under specific conditions (Transmission in 4th or 5th gear with the torque converter locked, vehicle accelerating with the throttle position 30% or greater, and vehicle speed between 40 and 80 MPH.
New PCM Software is in development as is tentatively timed to be available by December 2012.
Recommend that these Customers use 89 Octane as their fuel. This condition is significantly reduced with 89 octane fuel.
Last edited by shelbymopar89; Jan 26, 2013 at 05:53 PM.
Professional
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Long Valley, NJ
Once I get the Diablo tune, I'm turning the MDS off, turning the skip-shift off, and dialing in my shift points. My Flowmaster cat back makes the MDS drone unbearable. I am now manually shifting almost 100% of the time.