February 4, 2006

Hello Folks, I own a 2005 Cummins Ram, and I love it. So far, it has been great.

My question is a simple one; does anyone know how I could install, activate, or reprogram the overhead console in my 2005 Cummins Dodge Ram, so that it displays the "ECO" mode, in addition to all the other modes that it currently displays?

We also own a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country Mini-Van. Both vehicles have overhead consoles. The difference is that the Town & Country has one additional mode that I would love to have on my truck. Both vehicles have AVG ECO, DTE, ODO, & ET. What I want in my truck is the "ECO" mode, that only the Town & Country has right now. This is the mode that shows instant MPG vs. the average MPG. There are times when I want to let up off the pedal and just cruise efficiently down the road. I would also love to know at exactly what road speed versus engine speed my truck attain it's peak MPG.

I would think that it wouldn't be too difficult to do since just about everything needed is probable already either onboard or Chrysler has already done it and installed it on other models.

The little "ECO" symbol is already used in one of the other modes, and therefore available to be used for my requested purpose. The onboard computer is already calculating a version of MPG, just not the one I want. In addition, Chrysler has already written the computer code for this function, i.e. our Town & Country has this mode.

So the question is, does anyone know how I could install or activate the "ECO" mode on my 2005 Dodge Ram 2500? I would like to hear from anyone that may have some ideas about this topic, and how best to proceed. I am hoping to tap into the vast knowledge base that is out there and get an honest answer to my request.

BTW, the dealer said that it can't be done! When I pointed out that most all the Mini-Vans parked in his sales lot already have this function, he sheepishly turned away. I am hoping that someone out there is like me, in that when I'm told that it can't be done, it just emboldens me to prove them wrong.

You could post your response in the forum or contact me via email at: Drivvven@mchsi.com

Thanks for your time and responses.

JZ

 

iv wondered the same thing. my grandpas dodge dakota has that mode on the overhead and i like it.

 

ignorance here, but what does the ECO do? I see it in my overhead, but it does nothing.

 

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You ask what ECO does; well when it is working properly, it gives you the instant readout of MPG fuel mileage.

Therefore, as an example, lets say that you are driving down a country road at 55 mph and you decide to pass the vehicle in front of you. Just before you start to accelerate in order to pass, you notice that your ECO mileage readout is showing 20 MPG, then you step on the accelerator and rev-up the engine and begin passing, now you look up, as you are passing, and you see that your ECO mileage is 8 MPG. Once you have passed the other vehicle and you return to your new normal cruise mode, at the new speed of 65 mph, you look up and see that your new ECO mileage is now showing 18.5 MPG.

Furthermore; using the above example, if you had set the overhead console to AVG ECO during this passing maneuver, there is a good chance that the MPG number would not have even changed one tenth, because it calculates MPG over the miles traveled since the last time you pushed the rest button.

In summation, ECO is a very short term (meaning only this instant) MPG readout, and AVG ECO is a long term (meaning over a tank or two of fuel burned) MPG readout.

JZ

 

It sounds useless to me. What purpose does that serve, to see what it is when you nail it?

 

Like he said, he can use it to determine what is the most fuel efficient cruising speed for his truck.

I liked the average ECO better than what is on my 06. When I reset the 06, it starts where it was and either moves up or down at that point. The 04.5 zeroed and started from scratch.

I don't know if it can be done or not unfortunately.

 

To help find out what would be your best cruising speed for that day. True wind and relative wind have a huge part of MPG with our aerodynamic bricks.


James

 

This is also nice for towing. I'd like to know my towing MPG without resetting my AVG. All the d-max's have it.

 

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It’s not useless to me!

I simply used the “passing” example to explain the difference between “AVG ECO” and “ECO” modes. The “ECO” mode that I want, can be looked at in yet another way.

Let’s say that I have a choice to cruise at any speed I want down the road, such as my not unheard of normal 3 am work commute that is less than 15 mile, and there is no one behind me aching to pass. Furthermore, I’m not in any big hurry to get to where I’m going (because I leave early enough and I count on light traffic), and the time differential is insignificant to me (3.75 minutes), so I decide to drive at the “Peak MPG” speed. What speed is that, I ask you?

I know that many things go into determining the MPG, such as but not limited too; vehicle speed, engine speed, tire pressure, outside temperature, drive axle oil type & temperature, warm or cold engine coolant temp, prevailing wind direction and speed, traffic lights and stop signs, and a few others that I’m sure I’m missing. Therefore, with an instant readout on the overhead, at least I could see what the best is, given all the variables at that moment in time.

I’ve also noticed that at about 47 MPH my automatic 48RE trans shifts and my engine speed comes down. What I don’t know is whether I’m better off at a slightly higher RPM and lower MPH, such as 40, or am I better off at 48 MPH and lower RPM.

JZ


3.75 minutes = (15 miles / 40 mph) x 60 = 22.5 minutes
(15 miles / 48 mph) x 60 = 18.75 minutes
22.5 – 18.75 = 3.75 minutes



z

 

Drivvven-

If you find an answer out to this, I want to know. I too would like this feature enabled if it can be done. I am always looking for the best speed for the best economy and having to wait to fill the tank and calculate mileage is not what I am after.

I pull a travel trailer 2-3 times a month and would like to know real-time mileage doing this as well.

 

personally I just hit the reset button and watch it. I them take into account what my average was when I hand calculate it when I fill up. But I too would like an instant mpg. It would make it nice to determine the same thing. What my speed should be for max mpg. mine averages about 13mpg now and I can't seem to get it higher. I am also running straight #2 so I shouldn't have issues with the winter blend effect.

 

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As soon as I get a resonable answer that I can live with I will look you up and let you know.

I think what we need here is a guy who knows the electronics of this truck, like the back of his hand.

JZ




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Short short answer...No, you cant have it

Short answer: The instant eco is only available on gas engines, because the calculation is based on Mass Airflow....Remember, a Hemi runs on vacuum, while the Cummins is charged....Since there is no Mass Airflow Sensor on a Cummins, (we have MAP instead) there is no way for the computer to estimate air intake...That is the short of it...


(its a mathematical guess: Mass air flow, total fuel consumption, engine speed, vehicle speed, and other factors, all used to estimate instant eco)

 

In my oppinion. It would be better for me to know the instant mpg than the overall mpg avg. If you think about it. It would be more usefull to know instant mpg so you would know how to drive to get the best mpg. Also, I think dodge did away with the instant avg. mpg feature. Because they would probably get to many complaints about there mpg. The way it is on the 05-06. It is pretty much useless.

 

Well Durnit, Guess that sums it up then, can't be done.