Well, I don't mean that entirely, however, I do think it was poorly thought out. I think it was a mistake on dodge's behalf to not let the driver choose when to have MDS on. I really enjoy MDS when I'm on backroads or on the highway, but in the city it's such a PITA. It makes driving my truck in the city very unpleasant the way it has to keep kicking in and out of mds mode. I think it's a great feature to have, but it should be optional when YOU want it. Sucks that Diablo hasn't upgraded their tune, I'd like to disable it. In the meantime, tow/haul mode will suffice.

 

Without the fuel saver indicator I would not know when mine was active or not. It is seamless going from 8/4/8. Don't even notice the change in exhaust sound.

 

I believe if you lock it in 5th gear mds will not come on and if you are in the city 5th shouldn't be a problem, I never know when mine is on except when the exhaust sound is a little different or look down at instrument panel.

 

X2. I have no idea when mine goes in and out of MDS. You could just put your trans in 5th with the autostick and drive, it will prevent it from going into mds mode

 

MDS on my truck is not tied to the fuel saver-eco light at all. I have had MDS disabled for 2 years now and fuel saver light still comes on as prior. You guys that cannot tell, do you have the 3.92 gears? I cannot see how you cannot notice, performance is such a drop when engaged and the thing just lugs along. And I agree with the OP, Dodge needed to make it an EVIC option and even let us set the engagement speed, I would certainly use it for road trips but on these back rural roads it engages on and off too much, can't be good for it, and feels like driving a manual 5 speed in 5th gear at 25 mph.

 

Will disagree with the light statement. According to mopar at least in the 09, it is.

 

What I can't understand is why MDS does not engage during idle. Why do I need 8 cylinders burning fuel while I'm stuck in traffic?
kddsRam, you likely disabled MDS with a tune. It may be defeating the MDS, but not the display for it.
Even with 3.92's I can feel and hear when it's activated at times.

Mike

 

X4. Can't tell other than watching eco light. And yes 3:92 gears.

 

I'm surpised some guys don't even recognize the switch from 8 to 4 cylinders? I have 3.92 gears and the "eco" light that indicates when it is kicking in and out. Like I said, I enjoy the MDS option when I'm driving on the highway or when I'm cruising down backroads because the truck can stay at a consistent speed. It's when I'm driving through the city that I think it's ignorant because I have to keep pushing the throttle in to get it to kick out of MDS when I'm trying to gain speed. I also agree about the ideling; I think it should run on 4 cylinders during idle. Still think it should be the driver's option though. Kind of sucks that I'm going to have to disable the entire feature because it won't let me choose when and when I don't want MDS activated..oh well.

 

The eco light comes on when you are driving in an "economical manner," - not just when it switches over to 4 cylinders. You can have the eco light on when you are driving on 8 cylinders.