I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab with the Hemi. The MDS seems to be coming on too soon, even while pulling a load uphill. I have had it in the shop several times and everything checks out okay. It is also using oil. In the first 1000 miles, I really did not keep up with how much oil it had used since it was in its breakin period. It used 1 gallon, 1 quart in the 6000 miles after the first oil change at 3000. I used full synthetic when I changed it. The dealer has been doing an oil consumption test where I have to take it in every 1000 miles for 3000 miles to get oil usage documented. I just had the last 1000-mile increment and it has used 3-3/4 quarts in 3000 miles. The plugs were pulled on this last trip to see if there was any evidence of oil consumption. Cylinders #1, 4 and 7 had evidence of oil in the cylinders. I was told they thought it was coming from the vehicle lugging around with the MDS coming on too soon.

I just got it back from a trip to service and got a flash code for the MDS (V4) coming on too soon. It has been set to come in at 21 mph now, still seems too early to me, although it does not jerk/buck when it comes off and on as bad as before.

My question is if I have had this much oil consumption so far, what are the chances of this improving or completely stopping? What could this be caused from? The truck has approximately 15,000 miles on it presently. Can anyone offer any help or ideas please?

 

get a tuner and disable MDS.

 

Have the dealer turn off the MDS and see if that fixes your problem. that or try running in tow haul mode, that should keep MDS from kicking in.

nateroach

 

What does MDS have to do with oil consumption?

 

If I get a tuner, then my warranty will be voided. I have asked the dealer about this.

The dealer also suggested using the tow haul to turn it off. If that be the case, then why sell the MDS engine if it is not going to do what it says is to mainly provide better gas mileage.

Regarding MDS and oil consumption, they are telling me it's the lugging around while the V4 is in. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

There may be something I don't know about MDS, but I thought the same thing. I was thinking bad rings or something along those lines and the dealer is using the MDS as an excuse on why they don't need to foot the hefty repair bill to rebuild a brand new motor. I'd take it to another dealership and not say anything and see what they say about it. That brand new motor shouldn't be using almost 4 quarts of oil in 3000 miles.

 

I'd say MDS has nothing to do with ther burning of oil. What actually sounds like the problem is that your rings may not have properly seated and at this point...I doubt they ever will if that's the case.

Burning more than 1qt of oil within each oil change for a vehicle that is within warranty is buring excessive amounts of oil and it sounds like the dealer is trying to do everything BUT replace the engine because we all know that warranty work doesn't pay squat and nobody wants to do warranty work.

I would def use Tow/haul mode for an entire oil change so you can stick the MDS in the dealers face and show them that's not the case.
BTW, most everyone on here has a handheld tuner that disables MDS, can alter transmission shift schedule and so much more. Nobody has been denied a warranty claim. You CANNOT tell the dealer you have a tuner and you MUST return the truck back to it's stock form prior to having ANY service done. There is no way the dealer can tell you have used a handheld programmer on a gas engine unless you tell them or forget to install the stock tune back in. They tell you they can to scare you, but they cannot. The only thing they can see is that the memory had been recently cleared which ANY OBD-II will do.

Good luck

 

not much any one here can say, If the dealership cant fix your problem. Its there problem, and they owe you another engine. since its still new.