06 Ram 1500 HEMI 4x4 w/MDS

Ok, so I know most of you out there HATE the MDS system either because of the sound it makes with an aftermarket exhaust or because you bought a truck to be a truck and not because of gas mileage. Well the exhaust sound doesn't bother me but maybe it's because I didn't get too loud of a muffler. As far as "it's a truck and shouldn't get good mpg" I can understand that but let's face it...at $3.20 a gallon and going higher I'm looking for a few more pennies in my pocket. With that being said, around town I don't care if MDS is on, however on the highway at 70+ mph my Ram NEVER goes into MDS mode. Could be something technical that says it over 70 or over a certain rpm don't activate MDS. It could also be that because of the Ram's weight or wind resistence at that speed it doesn't fall within parameters I don't know. I'm wondering is there any possible way to set up a switch on my dash that will FORCE the engine to go into MDS mode regardless of the "perfect situation for it to kick on" ?

 

Personally, I love the MDS. I haven't been able to tell when exactly it kicks in, but checking the gas mileage display, you can somewhat tell. I also have found that while cruising at 70 mph on the freeway, MDS seems that it is not working. I also wish Dodge would've put a switch in the cab to run on 4 only, and also a specific gauge or light that lights up-telling you when you are on 4 or 8 cyl.

 

my moms 07 ram has MDS and you cant really tell when it engages. you would think they would atleast put a light on the dash saying its in MDS mode.

 

Coming home from Lancaster today on the turnpike doing 80, mine will go into MDS.You deff almost have to be coasting down hill or on flat ground tho, cause as soon as you touch the gas anymore then 1/8...it goes back onto normal mode. Its the wind resistance i guess....i mean....look at the front of the truck. can you say barn door???

 

Mine never goes into MDS over 65. I can hear when it does because of my exhaust...sounds like a jake brake on an 18 wheeler. I'd love for there to be a light on the gauge cluster. On my wife's 07 R/T Charger you can hold 2 buttons on the steering wheel and go into a diag mode on the dash and it will say performance when it's in MDS (I think that's what 'performance' stands for) but she has the NAV unit and an upgraded dash display. You saying you'd like a switch is exactly why I started this thread...now if only someone out there could tell us that they know how to add a switch to turn it on that would be GREAT!

 

A light would be perfect.....65? It should go into MDS at 65 period.

My dads 08 r/t Charger saysFuel Saver Mode on the dash when its in MDS...quite nice.

 

I usually don't drive 80 but at 75 my MDS engages all the time...but it's also a 2wd RCSB. For you guys with the quad cab 4x4's the mph will be lower...it takes more engine load to sustain a certain speed.

 

maybe the lift hurts the MDS so thats why its not engaging.

 

having more airspace below the truck causes more wind resistance

the edge programmer tell you when MDS is active and on the economy program MDS kicks in more often.

 

just put the lift on last weekend so thats not it. 35" tires would probably play a role in it but before the tire i had the stock tires on 20" rims. The tires hurt my mpg for sure...thought maybe with the switch i can MAKE my gas mileage go back up a little.