Why the F is MDS not an option for drivers!?
Champion
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I need a vent session. After a 500 mile trip up north Thursday and Friday, I am happy to report I really love my truck..EXCEPT the nonsense MDS... Around town I can get away with taking it out of over drive to cancel out the MDS, but even that can be annoying because it consumes a lot more gas than needed, by revving the motor out. However on the highway, its obviously not good to leave it out of overdrive nor should I need to take it out. I was absolutely furious how the truck kept telling me when it wanted to go in and out of 8 cylinder mode. Every time I would get up to maintaining a speed at 80mph, the truck decided to give me a 2.85liter engine...if i wanted a car I would have bought one, if i wanted good gas mileage i would have bought a bike..Even my dad, who followd behind me, could hear how the engine kept kicking in and out of 8 cylinder mode with the new exhaust. He said it drove him crazy just listening to the motor switching in and out. I think its b.s I have to spend $400 on a chip just so I can have the v8 that i already speant $33,000 for. How bout you guys, anyone else fed up? I also hate how it loses power...and it vibrates the truck. GRRR! On top of all of this, the truck still gets horrific gas mileage with this proclaimed fuel saving mode..I would get way better gas mileage if I could just have all my 8 cylinders, and drive diligently oppose to the truck sucking down more fuel trying to move a 5000lb truck with a neon engine. So pissed.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla Alaska
Isnt it possible to go into the command center and turn off the light? I also thought you could disable it with the command center as well. But I cant remember, I know i can turn it off with the Bully Dog.
Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, OH suburbs
Know why it isn't an option? CAFE standards set by big brother. Honestly I'm happy to have it and can barely tell when it activates. If anything I wish they had made a way for the customer to make it more aggressive or kick into 4 cylinder mode more frequently. I like spending less on gas while having all 8 cylinders at my disposal the second I put my foot down.
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Stephenville, Tx
I don't have the light either. I honestly cannot tell when mine is in 4 cyl or 8 cyl. In fact, I did not know it even changed until I read it in the manual. After watching the similar light on my Dad's GM Avalanche go ON and OFF all the time, I am glad mine does not have the light. It would absolutely drive me crazy.
But honestly, they did give you the option to turn MDS off. Shift it into to TOW mode or shift it into "5" with the "-" button on the gear shift. Personally, I am glad I have the MDS. 18 - 19 mpg with a 5.7 liter V8 HEMI is kinda nice.
But honestly, they did give you the option to turn MDS off. Shift it into to TOW mode or shift it into "5" with the "-" button on the gear shift. Personally, I am glad I have the MDS. 18 - 19 mpg with a 5.7 liter V8 HEMI is kinda nice.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
To be honest I rarely notice mine, and think it's probably a gimmick of sorts. My '08 Titan got better gas mileage and ran just as well or better.
I do like the dodge better day to day, but the Titan was a harder working truck.
I do like the dodge better day to day, but the Titan was a harder working truck.
Professional
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I honestly don't care about the Ram's working ability. People tell me their old Fords have better towing capacity than my new 09 Ram QC, and I say that's great.
I tow on a blue moon, and when I do it's a motorcycle or two on a small trailer. 1500lbs max. So as far as I'm concerned I care about ride quality and comfort. Obviously power is there with a Hemi. MPG is better than our 02 Ram QC with the 4.7.
If I wanted a work truck I would have bought a 2500 with a cummins.
I tow on a blue moon, and when I do it's a motorcycle or two on a small trailer. 1500lbs max. So as far as I'm concerned I care about ride quality and comfort. Obviously power is there with a Hemi. MPG is better than our 02 Ram QC with the 4.7.
If I wanted a work truck I would have bought a 2500 with a cummins.
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Stephenville, Tx
I honestly don't care about the Ram's working ability. People tell me their old Fords have better towing capacity than my new 09 Ram QC, and I say that's great.
I tow on a blue moon, and when I do it's a motorcycle or two on a small trailer. 1500lbs max. So as far as I'm concerned I care about ride quality and comfort. Obviously power is there with a Hemi. MPG is better than our 02 Ram QC with the 4.7.
If I wanted a work truck I would have bought a 2500 with a cummins.
I tow on a blue moon, and when I do it's a motorcycle or two on a small trailer. 1500lbs max. So as far as I'm concerned I care about ride quality and comfort. Obviously power is there with a Hemi. MPG is better than our 02 Ram QC with the 4.7.
If I wanted a work truck I would have bought a 2500 with a cummins.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
The comment about CAFE standards is probably the driving force for MDS, which is also why it's not switchable. Chevy has a feature on the 6 speed manual in the Corvette that "automatically" shifts from 1nd to 4th gear (yes, the lever actually moves by itself) all in the interest of meeting specific CAFE demands. It's called CAGS and it helps avoid the gas guzzler penalty of $1000 per vehicle. Thankfully, it's easily defeatable.
Personally, I think the poster has a perceived problem because he knows the feature is there so he looks for it's engagement and disengagement. I have driven my truck 5000 miles and for the life of me I cannot tell when MDS is on or off. I DO know that on a trip from Indiana to South Carolina I got 25 mpg traveling on the Interstate with the cruise set on 65 mph. Try doing that in a Chevy or Ford.
As for the statement about not buying a 390 hp truck for the great gas mileage: Isn't it nice to have a truck so powerful for the big jobs, yet return excellent economy when traveling? Kinda like having your cake and eating it too.
All this is IMHO.
Personally, I think the poster has a perceived problem because he knows the feature is there so he looks for it's engagement and disengagement. I have driven my truck 5000 miles and for the life of me I cannot tell when MDS is on or off. I DO know that on a trip from Indiana to South Carolina I got 25 mpg traveling on the Interstate with the cruise set on 65 mph. Try doing that in a Chevy or Ford.
As for the statement about not buying a 390 hp truck for the great gas mileage: Isn't it nice to have a truck so powerful for the big jobs, yet return excellent economy when traveling? Kinda like having your cake and eating it too.
All this is IMHO.
Last edited by dz302469; Feb 14, 2010 at 10:06 AM.