Went on my first long trip in my truck this past weekend. Third gen, 58000 miles with dual exhaust. MDS Drone around town is most frustrating and I plan on doing something about that soon, but noticing it brought up this question.
Its easily noticed when my truck kicks in and out of MDS. Well on this trip, with the cruise set at either 70 or 75, it felt and sounded like the mds was consistently kicking in and out. Flat ground, cruise set, no strong wind or anything, it kept going in and out. RPMs were steady at about 2000 at 75 and was weird because when the MDS was on, the rpms jumped to about 2200. Plus I only got about 15 mpg going to the destination. Does this sound right? Is the cruising rpm right? Just worried me that it never sounded like it was consistently in MDS with the drone or spitting out that throaty exhaust sound.
that's the experience I had when I had MDS enabled. it was constantly going in and out no matter what cruise speed I used. I cant imagine how that's 1) good for the engine/system 2) how that's helping my fuel economy.
This was before level/tires too. stock set up with just exhaust
it's a damn hoax i swear and I am SO GLAD i disabled it.
I just got done venting about the MDS on another post here today, hahaha.
I agree with Gonefishin, the MDS seems like a hugely elaborate hoax that does absolutely NOTHING. Before I found out how to disable it, I was getting rougly 15 City and 20 highway (5.7 Hemi crew cab).. after disabling it - and I'll take this to my grave - my mileage has gone up to about 16.5 City and 23.5 Highway. Hell, sometimes If I drive like a granny I can get it 25-26 Highway. Not only do I not have to deal with the awkward delay and surge it does when switching back to 8 cylinders, it also doesn't make my exhaust sound like a 4 cylinder rice burner with a 1-inch tailpipe. IMO, it would seem that keeping it in 8 cylinders all of the time would be more efficient for the vehicle than having it switch back and forth like it can't make up it's damn mind... but hey, I'm no truck engineer... Disable it and you will love life.
I will second everything you said. Been using the autostick for a couple of days and my average mpg has gone up 1 mpg so far. Definitely love how it drives, rides, and sounds now... 10 times better :smileup:.
My question I have with using the autostick if I have it in 5th and come to a stop do I need to downshift and then shift back up to 5th or can I leave it in 5th?
Can confirm. I use the autostick (4th gen) when I put it in drive (leave it on 6) and the MDS will be disabled. It sucks at first because you have to do it every time you put it in drive, but it's TOTALLY worth it - at least until I get a programmer to disable it permanently.
My question I have with using the autostick if I have it in 5th and come to a stop do I need to downshift and then shift back up to 5th or can I leave it in 5th?
:smiley_thumbs_up: Thanks. Good to know, I will start doing this than. I was going back down to 1st and shifting back to 5th. I wasn't sure if it would mess anything up.
99% of the time Im city drivin and I just hit tow/haul as soon as I get in the truck. this turns off mds. problem is it also turns off 6th gear. for 99% of my driving this works perfect and I'm getting 15mpg city. I like the tow haul setting in the city because the truck changes its shift patterns and shifts better and also down shifts when I get off of it... saves on the brakes....
I have the same issues with MDS, I have an 08. On flat highway I can feel the MDS kicking in and out all the time, very annoying. My RPMs also jump up and down about 200 RPMs. Any way to disable MDS without the aid of a tuner?
cvieke, i would think a better option would be to disable with a tuner, even if you don't install a tune. i don't using tow hall as a good long term solution.