Bowtechbob
Member
This is a long one so if you don't want to read it all, at least scroll down and read about the MDS....that is my main concern. Took the RAM on its first long trip (900 miles round trip). Generally speaking I'm very pleased with the truck. Cargo capacity in the back is great. Was able to fit large dog crate and still had plenty of room for even my wife's stuff with out sacrificing any room in the driver's and passengers seats. Granted this was a short trip so not much luggage. This is an 8 hour drive for us one way. One thing my wife and I noticed was how great we felt after the drive in comparison to past trips in other vehicles. The truck is very comfortable to me. Not like in a "plush" kinda way, but more in an ergonomic way. I guess the truck just fits me and my wife. On to the more detailed report.
Mpg (computer) = 21.6 Average MPG non e-torque I'm generally a 8 mph over the limit kinda guy so top end cursing was 78 mph. Actually seemed to get better mpg in the hills of East TN than it did on the flat ground of OH. I'm guessing it's because the MDS was kicking more going down hills, and I wasn't pushing it going up the hills. Over all it ended up about the same both on the trip up and back. I was pleased with this gas mileage. It is a truck after all.
AC= I can't say that I think there's anything wrong with it, but it sure seems like i have to run it pretty hard. My truck is white thank God, and it was in the 80's most of the trip. I did run it in recirc almost the entire time and did notice the "door" opening every so often letting in some fresh air. I'm not sure if this is a malfunction, but honestly a little dose of outside air was kinda nice. It didn't seem to affect the performance or skew the temperature.
MDS (Eco Mode) = a problem. I really haven't paid this much attention since I got the truck in April. I could tell when it was going in and out of "4 banger mode" and it didn't bother me. I did go into settings and turn on the light so I can tell when it's in that mode. It seems to be indicating properly. BUT the major issue I'm having and hope yall can comment on is: When the truck is coasting (sometimes of course, and it seemed like down a grade) in Eco Mode, I get a pretty knarley low frequency "HUM" that increases in intensity until I would day it's more of a vibration. Then it goes away very quickly even if the truck is still in Eco Mode. If it stays in Eco mode it will repeat the above until the other cylinders light back up. WTF? I had this issue once or twice when I first got the truck but then never noticed it again UNTIL I had it serviced right before the trip. This is when they performed the recall associated with Air Bags or something. I forget exactly which one it was. Yall have any ideas on this? It'll go to the dealer eventually for this, but I'm just wondering if any others have experienced this. I assume it has something to do with those "vibration dampeners" that get in the way of the electronic running boards i read about in another thread.
Oh and I had the oil done at just over 2k. I was having lifter knock (or whatever) on cold starts. The oil change took care of that. I read somewhere here that the oil filter was to blame, and I now believe that to be true.
Sorry for the book but thought this info would be helpful for some.
Mpg (computer) = 21.6 Average MPG non e-torque I'm generally a 8 mph over the limit kinda guy so top end cursing was 78 mph. Actually seemed to get better mpg in the hills of East TN than it did on the flat ground of OH. I'm guessing it's because the MDS was kicking more going down hills, and I wasn't pushing it going up the hills. Over all it ended up about the same both on the trip up and back. I was pleased with this gas mileage. It is a truck after all.
AC= I can't say that I think there's anything wrong with it, but it sure seems like i have to run it pretty hard. My truck is white thank God, and it was in the 80's most of the trip. I did run it in recirc almost the entire time and did notice the "door" opening every so often letting in some fresh air. I'm not sure if this is a malfunction, but honestly a little dose of outside air was kinda nice. It didn't seem to affect the performance or skew the temperature.
MDS (Eco Mode) = a problem. I really haven't paid this much attention since I got the truck in April. I could tell when it was going in and out of "4 banger mode" and it didn't bother me. I did go into settings and turn on the light so I can tell when it's in that mode. It seems to be indicating properly. BUT the major issue I'm having and hope yall can comment on is: When the truck is coasting (sometimes of course, and it seemed like down a grade) in Eco Mode, I get a pretty knarley low frequency "HUM" that increases in intensity until I would day it's more of a vibration. Then it goes away very quickly even if the truck is still in Eco Mode. If it stays in Eco mode it will repeat the above until the other cylinders light back up. WTF? I had this issue once or twice when I first got the truck but then never noticed it again UNTIL I had it serviced right before the trip. This is when they performed the recall associated with Air Bags or something. I forget exactly which one it was. Yall have any ideas on this? It'll go to the dealer eventually for this, but I'm just wondering if any others have experienced this. I assume it has something to do with those "vibration dampeners" that get in the way of the electronic running boards i read about in another thread.
Oh and I had the oil done at just over 2k. I was having lifter knock (or whatever) on cold starts. The oil change took care of that. I read somewhere here that the oil filter was to blame, and I now believe that to be true.
Sorry for the book but thought this info would be helpful for some.
