Does ECO Mode = MDS is on???

[firetruck11]

Hi guys-

So as most of you know by now, I have a 2011 Dodge Ram Crew Cab 1500 w/ Hemi and I recently did the 91 Perf Tune on my truck. The ONLY thing I modified was that I turned the MDS to OFF. After going thru the on/off cycle, it said the 91 tune was successfully installed.

When I just test drove my truck, the ECO notification was still coming on.....does this mean that the MDS is still functioning, or will ECO mode still come on with MDS off? Please help guys..I'm worried that the tuner didn't work properly.

Thanks-
Jerry

[DartByU]

It should be off, my Challenger still reports it's running in ECO mode but it's not, it easy to tell if your sensitive to the engine sounds, when MDS activates there is a slight change to the engine sound that I can't detect anymore, and it's more responsive to slight throttle inputs.

[Hemi1014]

If you want to be sure your mds is working just log the 8 injector pulse functions and see if 4 of them go to "0" while highway cruising. I do this with my predator. I'm assuming the trinity has this feature also.

[txsport]

Eco mode equals throttle less than 20%. It has no relation to MDS directly.
Hope that helps.

[joemosfet]

Eco mode equals throttle less than 20%. It has no relation to MDS directly.
Hope that helps.

Agreed. Often, MDS will be on while the ECO light is on (not always!), but in reality, they are not related.

[dtru1222]

Per the owners manual and ramtrucks . com. If it is in 4 cyl mode, the ECO light will come on. This does not mean that the engine must be in 4 cyl mode for it to come on. BUT! I have never had the light on and it NOT be in 4 cyl mode.

I was also told by the Dealer that there is no way to turn it off. If you put it in manual mode or 5, (6 if you have 2012) then the ECO will never come on and it does not switch to 4 cyl.

[txsport]

I have had the MDS active and no ECO light. The ECO light is NOT indicative of whether or not the MDS is active. The 2 are not directly related IE if ECO is on MDS may or may not be on. ECO is driven by throttle position only. Any time you get below 20% the ECO light comes on whether or not MDS is on/off.

[dtru1222]

How did you come to the conclusion that it was running in 4 cyl mode when the eco was off? Does the programmer tell you?

I have owned a 09 and now a 12. I have had a 14 inch muffler on each, I can tell when it is running on 4 cyl because the exhaust note is noticeably different (sounds horrible and has no power). Out of the last 3 years I have driven a 4th Gen, not once has the ECO light been on and it not change to 4 cyl mode. Now there is some lag sometimes when slipping in and out of ECO where it wont switch to 4 cyl, but thats only because it couldnt switch fast enough.

Seems to me that your trying to say that ANY time you are less than %20 throttle then the ECO light will be on. This is not true with either of my trucks, so I dont know if thats what you meant.

Either way this is a much debated topic. I just try to go with what info Ram gives us via the manual and their website, and my experience driving these trucks for the past few years.

[txsport]

I too can tell when the MDS is active or not active by the exhaust. I have given it enough gas that the ECO light was not lit and it was still operating in 4 cyl mode and inversely. This happens quite often at a lower speeds under highway speeds.

It is true, Map the Throttle position and watch the ECO light on your dash. At 20% it turns off regardless of MDS operation and then turns back on under 20% regardless of MDS operation. Also listen to the engine for the 4 cyl operation mode weather it lags or not.

Both of my Rams operate this way. 2010 and 2011 Hemi.

It is easier for RAM to put out that MDS is on with the ECO light than it is to explain engine loading and throttle position.

[dtru1222]

Dont know what you mean by "map your throttle".

I messed around with it a little yesterday and noticed mine hardly goes into 4 cyl and ECO hardly stays on regardless of throttle position. I cant keep it in 4 cyl or ECO with anything over (i guesstimate) %10 throttle.

But once again like I said, not once was it in 4 cyl mode without the ECO light on.

[txsport]

You can use the trinity to watch throttle plate. While in monitor mode it will give you % open.

You can open a new record data session and add new. From the new session you can add gauges. Add the one for the throttle. There are a couple to choose from.

[dtru1222]

Well I have a 2012 now so im going to have to wait a while till I can do that

[havoc51]

I don't know about other models, but on the Challengers (at least 11+ for sure), you can turn the ECO indicator off in the EVIC under the Personal Settings submenu.