MDS Not Impressed!

[Herb Jenssen]

I took a 700 mi trip and at 80mph I was getting 20 mpg.
Not bad for a V8 but it sucks for a 4 cylinder!

Also, have any of you felt it kicking on and off?

They say you can't feel it so I must have a problem because we could feel it a lot.

It sure is nice to drive, I must admit.

We seen about 4 300C's but didn't see any Magnum RT's
Later
Herb

[FreeLantz]

20 mpg at 80 mph in a HEMI-powered car is nothing to complain about IMO....

[00DakotaSport]

its because of the weight of the car, thats all, hard to keep a 4000+lb car moving at 80mph on 4cyl, i'd say u dont have a problem!!! Try going about 60mph, im sure you'll easily get 27-30mpg.......

[Cal Jeff]

I took a 700 mi trip and at 80mph I was getting 20 mpg.
Not bad for a V8 but it sucks for a 4 cylinder!

Also, have any of you felt it kicking on and off?

They say you can't feel it so I must have a problem because we could feel it a lot.

It sure is nice to drive, I must admit.

We seen about 4 300C's but didn't see any Magnum RT's
Later
Herb


:dunno: Herb,

Wind resistance increases exponentally at speed. I'd love to see a 4-cylinder push a 4,000+ car at 80MPH. To say nohting about getting 20 MPG doing it. I imagine your mileage would be much better at around 65MPH.

As for the MDS is memory serves me you have never gotten the performance you expected. Maybe you just got a lemon. Aside forn the seat of your pants feedback do you have any dyno or time slip numbers on your RT.

As soon as mine gets here, (I ordered it over three months ago and no build is even scheduled). I heading straight for the performance shop and the drag strip. I want some solid baseline information before I even tinit the windows. :drivingz:

[MAGGY]

Jezz, three months ago and still not car let alone a build date.... I dont know if you posted it already, but could you tell me what you ordered.

so my expectations of Thanksgiving maybe delusions of grander after all...

:dunno: Herb,


As soon as mine gets here, (I ordered it over three months ago and no build is even scheduled). I heading straight for the performance shop and the drag strip. I want some solid baseline information before I even tinit the windows. :drivingz:

[Cal Jeff]

Jezz, three months ago and still not car let alone a build date.... I dont know if you posted it already, but could you tell me what you ordered.

so my expectations of Thanksgiving maybe delusions of grander after all...

:drivingz: I ordered an Inferno Red RT with Dark and Medium gray leather, 6 disc CD sirisus radio, DVD Navigation system sunroof and convience (sp) group.

I am very hopeful that thanksgiving will be a lock. It was supposed to be my Father's Day present. :party:

[chicomike]

I have a Magnum RT and can not get over 20 mpg I went 100 mikes at 65 mph and got 19.3 mpg Maybe the MDS is not working Any answers???

[MagnumFreak]

It is possible that yours is not working. Unfortunately there is no way to tell without hooking up a computer to the car. Next time you are in for service just have them check it out for you. I get around 21.5 to 22 back and forth to work. The 15-20% increase in mileage would put yours near mine (that is what the MDS is supposed to do for mileage).

[orrlfrd]

I have noticed what must be slight "hesitation" when cruising on freeway at minimal throttle (presume on 4cyls), happens when start to give a little more throttle--probably when switching to 8cyls. mileage for me has only been 17-18, even with considerable part of tank on freeway, but at 75-80. Maybe my 20"ers are lowing my mileage? Have asked dealer about mileage, they say there's not much to check out or adjust--do they really know or just lazy?

[MagnumFreak]

They can at least hook up and let you know if the MDS is working properly. Most of the service departments are still trying to figure out how to work on the car. Not much experience but I am sure they have had a bunch of training.

[chrisandclauida]

if anyone wants to know how it should not feel or be drive[if you can find one that is still driveable]a caddy with the v8 6 4 moter. that this was a crapper infact popular hotrodding[i think]just listed the 10 worst moters of all time and the caddy was one of them.

[MagnumFreak]

Old technology in the caddy's. Not saying there won't be problems with MDS but the methods are totally different.

[Tzar007]

I remember having read somewhere that the 4-cylinder mode is not always on, even if you are cruising on the highway at a constant speed. The engineers could not have 4 cylinders OFF for more than 8 minutes at a time if I recall correctly. After that, they have to fire them up again and run on 8 cylinders for a few minutes to maintain proper operating temperature of the 4 shutdown cylinders. Remember that these 4 cylinders msut be activated instantly as soon as you floor down the pedal, so they have to stay in synch with the rest of the engine temperature-wise.

This is why the savings on gas consumption can amount only to a maximum of 20% or around that.

[xxumattuxx]

20 is more than not bad for v8

[Magnum Dave]

Hey Herb,
Hope things are okay after Ivan came through.... I'll be in NOLA next weekend.
As far as my mileage goes; it sounds as though I've had better experience than most. I was getting between 22-23 on the highway; when I replaced the exhaust the mileage went up to generally between 23-34. I've just installed a cold air induction from 360 Intakez (haven't eliminated the air silencer (yet)) so I don't know what I'm up to now.
As far as I can tell, speed matters more than anything else (mountains, etc). I try to keep between 70-80 (don't need any more tickets) and seem to get pretty good results there. I agree that wind resistance is probably the greatest mileage factor (have we looked at the front end lately?).
One time (only once) I got 26.5 between Nashville and Atlanta. I never went over sixty (heavy traffic and construction) and was trying for good mileage. Anyway, for a car it's size I think the Magnum is doing pretty well!
Dave

[evoryderette]

i have a magnum sxt, when i bought it it had 22's with low profile tires on it, it rode like a damn truck.. plus i was concerened with the tires rubbing on that suspension bolt on the front, so i had them switch them over to the 20's, the ride is 100% better, but the damn tires are rubbing the damn bolt..

they want to shave down the bolt 1/16" give me an alignment, and 2 new front tires...

im not convenced that this will take care of the problem,. any suggestions??

evoryderette

[orrlfrd]

Have 20" Motiv Magnitude wheels on my RT (check them out on Motive website). Running Pirelli PZero Rosso 275/40X20s and have 1/2"clearance between tire and "knuckle". Perhaps you are running too large tires (not wheels), which gives overall larger diameter than you should be using to keep from rubbing on knuckle. Wouldn't want to grind off metal to make clearance for tires--should probably downsize the tire--wheel size should not be the issue.
Hope this makes sense and helps. :IDEA:

[evoryderette]

Thanks for the reply, man what a hassle this is turning out to be. They (the dealer) is recommending that I get 245/45/20.

I currently have 255/45/20. I did some research, at a local tire store ( because I am a woman, and we dont have alot of experience with tires) and they are recommending that I get 245/40/20 or 255/35/20.

I dont want a low profile tire, I want a nice ride.


what is your recommendation?

A very uneducated tire person.

But if you want to talk about HP Printers we can do that!!

[orrlfrd]

Hey, my son in law works for HP, and his associate works in the printer dept in San Diego!

Calculating tire diameters (overall size) shows the following. The stock tire is 225/60/18=28.6"diameter. Your present tire 255/45/20=29"diameter, which puts that tire really close to the knuckle area. My 275/40/20s are 28.8"diameter, very close to stock. The dealers recommendation of 245/40/20 is only 27.7"diameter, smaller than stock size, which could give you better acceleration, but make your speedo read slow and also perhaps reduce gas mileage.

My tires (Pirellis) currently have a pretty nice ride, not to harsh and not too soft. I do like a sporty ride, however. And the dealers recommendations will be on the small side which means sidewall height is less than my tires, which should result in harsher ride. Tire brands can also make a difference in ride, steering response, noise, tram tracking on the freeway (slight wobble over grooves where you feel car pulling on direction or the other), etc.

Also should have hub centric rings installed, which will keep your wheels centered on the hub at all times, and do away with slight shudders of steering wheel when hitting small bumps. These spacers have to be the correct size for your wheel and hup clearance--any good aftermarket wheel shop should know about this.

Hope this helps. Bottom line--All I know is that my wheel size, and tire size work on the car fine

Good luck :SPIN:

[BiIIy_B0b]

i'd cream my pants if i ever hit 20 mpg cruising on the highway.....hemi with no mds here

closest i got was 17.8 mpg cruising at 65 mph somewhere in BFE oklahoma

[evoryderette]

IM GETTING ABOUT SICK OF THIS....

:VHOT:

I HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE GONNA DO ABOUT THIS PUTTING THE 255/45/20 IS GONNA BLOW MY GAS MILEAGE OUT THE WINDOW. AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THEY (DEALER) JUST WANT TO CHANGE THE FRONT TIRES AND LEAVE THE BACK AS THEY ARE. IM JUST ABOUT READY TO SAY F IT, AND JUST TAKE THE CAR TO SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH TIRES, AND EAT THE COST.

THESE DAMN DEALERS JUST SELL THE CARS, AND CANT HELP YOU WITH TECHNICAL ISSUES.

YEA I WORK OUT OF BOISE, ID IS WHERE MY SITE IS.. BUT I AM A TOTAL MOBILE PERSON, DO LOTS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL, AND THE CAR SPENDS LOTS OF TIME AT THE AIRPORT..

HAVE YOU FOUND A CAR COVER THAT WORKS FOR THE CAR AS WELL, WANT TO FIND A GOOD ONE THAT DOESNT BLOW OFF ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, SO WHEN I GET BACK TO THE CAR AT THE AIRPORT I DONT HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT LOOKING FOR MY COVER... ESPECIALLY SHE IS BLACK AND GET VERY VERY DUSTY..
THANKS FOR ALL YOU INPUT, ILL KEEP YA POSTED..

:rck:

[BlanchMan]

Wow, why the shouting ???

[evoryderette]

Sorry for the caps lock, but heck I just paid lots of $$$$ for this car, paid cash.. And Im a little steamed!! :VHOT:

But it looks like they are going to replace all tires, and he (dealer) says that it is not going to lose the look that I like, but still get the right tires for the car.

Thanks for your concern, have a nice day!!

evoryderette

[orrlfrd]

Picked up car cover from www.carcoverworld.com recently. Called directly and spoke to sales rep at 1-888-270-0411. The cover I ordered is Weathershield HD-Grey, great material, fairly light, but stronger than regular Weathershield which I have used on several other cars. 5yr warranty!. Took about 2wks to receive.
Rep gave me free shipping, no sales tax, included bag and cover locks (usually additional charges), for a total of approx $380.

Cover is great, custom fit, and be sure to pay the extra for the mirror pockets. When at work I don't use the locks, but at airport I probably would. Almost impervisous? to water, dirt and UV rays.

Check it out. :D

[KB112]

Evoryderrette, did you buy your car at Tracy Dodge in the Valley? I bought my '02 Ram from those guys, just traded it in for an '04 Ram QC with a Hemi. When I bought my truck there they were super cool but that was because my next door neighbor was their finance manager and hooked me up. But I did have some paint issues that needed to be taken care of, took about 4 trips to have them do it right. Hopefully you get everything squared away.

KB

[evoryderette]

Yes I did!!! I bought a 2004 Pacificia from them last November, and just traded it in for the magnum aug 11th, it was a perfect experience, everything was good, great service, and all that good stuff..

Hopefully I will get to the bottom of this issue with them this week.

I just want my car back, :drivingz: and for it to be funtionally and not chew up tires for christ sake..
Have a great day!!

evoryderette