18-037-04

[kernen]

Visited w/ my Dodge dealer regarding flash for fuel economy and white smoke. They said they have not done one and cannot predict results. They also said there is no going back if we don't like results. Poor fuel economy intown 13. 5 MPG, 16-17 on hwy empty, very little white smoke at startup

sometimes, any input would be appreciated



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2004. 5 Crew 2500 SB SLT Black, LINE-X over rail, RK Aluminum Toolbox, had toolbox Line-X ed, MOPAR CHROME OVAL Side Tubes, MOPAR Mud flaps, MOPAR SIRUIS unit RB1 NAV radio, Infinity, Kilby guard, Polished Locking Aluminum fuel filler door, Driver & Passenger RASTAR Heated seats w/cloth option, PUTCO replacement hexagon punched STAINLESS Grill, 4X4 3:73 auto, manual 4 wheel shifter, 7,000 mile odometer. carry 1500/2000 lbs in truck a all times

 

[Alan Reagan]

It worked well on mine. No white smoke and mileage improved about 1. 5 mpg. Plus the truck seems a lot stronger and smoother during acceleration.

Finally, it took out some of the "pinging" sound. I'd do it again. If you do, don't forget to have them enable the Manual High Idle that uses the cruise control. That will be lost when they reflash but it is a simple yes/no on the scan tool.

 

[DDiMarco]

Kernen, ditto with my 04. 5. My mileage is the same as yours, mabey even a little less, some white smoke when very cold (0-15) for about 1-2 mins. I've read pros and cons in various threads, so I'm staying put for now. Some guys say the ping goes away, some say the smoke goes away, some claim miniscule increase in MPG, others say 2+. Go figure. My truck runs great; if I get the TSB done and it's worse, I'll regret it. My biggest prob is no faith in the local dealer.

 

[tschwab]

I had it done, MPG is up about 1 MPG, less pinging, white smoke gone. Biggest difference I can tell is how it shifts better/smoother. I have also been told this brings you upto the same programming as the 610. I wanted the latest and greatest. I WOULD have it done if I had to do it over again.

 

[rattlnrench]

Mileage up about 1 MPG - Hand calculated. Overhead shows about 1 MPG more than I'm actually getting. Only had white smoke 1 time before flash & none since. Getting about 15 to 16 MPG now with all around driving.



04. 5 QC LWB, 4wd, Auto.

 

[klenger]

Mine went up 1-2 MPG after the reflash. My empty milage since the reflash has been right around 20 MPG.



Get it done.



Also, fill in the truck info in you signature so that we know more about you(r truck).

 

[DJennings]

mileage went up

overhead is more accurate

CTD is pinging less

More responsive at lower rpm's

Generally quieter and smoother



I say any increase in mileage is a plus, and I have yet to hear anybody say it actually got worse. With all the other benefits, I think it is a must

 

[moel]

I have yet to hear anybody say it actually got worse

mine mpg's are worse

 

[DJennings]

Sorry to hear your mileage got worse. I can't imagine why the TSB would cause mpg's to go down? I am new to CTD, but it seemed everyone here was happy with the increase they got (Obviously we would like it to be even more). I also talked with several local guys and they said it would help. What about the other improvements we saw, more responsive, less noise, smoother, less white smoke on starts? Did you notice any change/improvement there?

 

[mbadger]

I got mine done. I had it checked again last week as I was getting some white smoke again. They said there isn't any new updates so the first one did take. It was suggested here that it might be moisture in the exhaust I was seeing. Doesn't happen all the time so must be. I would deffinatley have it done somewhere.



Mike

 

[caseyd]

I had mine done about 4000 miles ago.

MPG improved about 1-1. 5. (Hand Calc)

Quieter.

Shifts better.

Overhead is closer to Hand Calc. But still off a little.

Overall, Very pleased with the flash!

 

[Alan Reagan]

Mine shifts a lot smoother, too. I had seen the "pinion factor" mentioned in another post about this TSB. I had the Service Manager put "Enable Pinion Factor" on the work order. I haven't talked to the mechanic to see exactly what it does but I think I see what the difference is. Before the TSB, mine would lock the TC at 50. No matter what acceleration, the TC would lock up (or at least attempt to). Now, it factors in acceleration and under light/moderate acceleration it waits until 60 which puts me at about 1600 RPMs.

 

[moel]

more responsive, less noise, smoother, less white smoke on starts? Did you notice any change/improvement there?

yes, no, yes, no: also, after i took back to have them "look it over" i have lost the smoother shifting pattern, i don't know if this is related to the "pinion engagement" as stated on another thread - i do not know what that means but, if there is some instructions i can pass on to the tech i sure would appreciate it

 

[DJennings]

From what I have read, the pinion factor is changed when you change tire sizes. You measure the tire circumference and the tech inputs it as revolutions per mile. Pinion factor is changed to keep the odometer/speedometer accurate. They did tell me that there are no preset numbers to input for tires larger then 265/70-17, so make sure they measure your tire. You might have them do this anyway. It could be set wrong from factory and that would change the odometer mileage, especially if it is set for a smaller tire making your mpg's appear lower than actual.



I am not aware that it is supposed to change the shifting characteristics of the transmission, but I can say that my CTD transmission actied the same as Alans after the pinion factor was changed. Before it would lock the TC right at 50mph, now it is locked at 53mph with very light right foot and 60mph otherwise.



Someone with more knowledge of the pinion factor change and TC lockup/mileage... please pipe in here.

 

[Caveman]

I had the revs per mile changed when I put on the 315/70 - 17 BFGs. For anyone interested it was 601 revs per mile at 45mph for these tires.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Well, that explanation about pinion factor makes sense. Whatever they changed, has certainly made a HUGE difference in the transmission and the TC lockup. The explanation that the PF has to do with changing tire size is logical and I can't argue with it. I wonder what the default value for the PF is and if it might change based on a reflash, somehow. I wonder if it should be checked.



Remember, my transmission was missing a couple of pieces from the factory. The thrust washer was one of them. That was replaced. That corrected the harsh downshift problem, but the TC was still locking up at 50. The only other thing on the work order was the PF. As I said, I haven't talked to him to see what else he did, but when I got it back this time, the shifting is very smooth and the TC locks up based on load/acceleration rather than a set speed. I'll let you know.