My New 2019

[JR]

I see how my 5.7 Durango can’t engine brake itself down a moderate grade, I couldn’t imagine it trying to hold back ANY trailer. I’ve seen the tach at close to 4000 and I was still going too fast.
Tom, what’s the latest on the ‘19?

Does your Durango have a tow/haul button? The 2014 Ram 1500 I drive at work acts differently in this mode, like it holds a lower gear longer with the convertor at least partially locked. It's nothing comparable to an engine brake and probably wouldn't do anything with a load hooked to it but it does at least hold it's own on a grade.

 

[Wayne M.]

Does your Durango have a tow/haul button? The 2014 Ram 1500 I drive at work acts differently in this mode, like it holds a lower gear longer with the convertor at least partially locked. It's nothing comparable to an engine brake and probably wouldn't do anything with a load hooked to it but it does at least hold it's own on a grade.

It has an ECO button. It alters the shift pattern slightly, but mainly it kills the cylinder deactivation when it’s off. Around town I keep it off as I just can’t stand it, but on highway it’s pretty good. I’ve never tested it for engine braking though.

 

[sag2]

If you go down a long steep grade with a Hemi in the lower gears especially, you will notice you have engine braking, then it feels like the throttle opens, then back to engine braking. I can't recall the exact reason the engineers gave, but it had something to do with keeping engine and exhaust heat up for emissions. The throttle isn't opening, they are adding fuel and it is really annoying.
A few years back I met with a Powerwagon customer that took me down a steep hill in 4 lo and you had to keep hitting the brakes to keep the speed down. He wasn't too happy to find out it was normal.

 

[Ozymandias]

If you go down a long steep grade with a Hemi in the lower gears especially, you will notice you have engine braking, then it feels like the throttle opens, then back to engine braking. I can't recall the exact reason the engineers gave, but it had something to do with keeping engine and exhaust heat up for emissions. The throttle isn't opening, they are adding fuel and it is really annoying.
A few years back I met with a Powerwagon customer that took me down a steep hill in 4 lo and you had to keep hitting the brakes to keep the speed down. He wasn't too happy to find out it was normal.

That's what my Durango does! And it is really annoying driving in the mountains with it, even in Low Range it does this stupid thing, so almost no Engine Braking in every possible Gear.

 

[Ozymandias]

Now I'm the one that asks this question - is there a Tuner Device out there to get rid of that stupidity?

 

[Ozymandias]

It has an ECO button. It alters the shift pattern slightly, but mainly it kills the cylinder deactivation when it’s off. Around town I keep it off as I just can’t stand it, but on highway it’s pretty good. I’ve never tested it for engine braking though.

It's interesting that you recognize the MDS, i can barely feel it on my 2012 so I've it ON all the time.

 

[TFucili]

It's interesting that you recognize the MDS, i can barely feel it on my 2012 so I've it ON all the time.

You should drive a 2500/3500 with 6.4. It is extremely annoying. So much so that in 2019 they added active modules to counter it. Totally idiotic feature on a 7K+ lbs truck.

 

[Ozymandias]

You should drive a 2500/3500 with 6.4. It is extremely annoying. So much so that in 2019 they added active modules to counter it. Totally idiotic feature on a 7K+ lbs truck.

Maybe it has something to do with emissions that it doesn't work as seamless as before.. don't know..

 

[Tuesdak]

Thanks for the info. Mine went into regen again with the gauge on zero, so clearly there are other parameters in play.


I have not updated in a while. I took it in a week or so ago for three items. I had already obtained a case number from FCA.
1. The 12" display continues to do weird things, change radio sources, lock up, get stuck on the rear or front camera, even if I have not selected them. They said there is nothing that can be done until FCA comes up with a reflash/update.

2. My rear air ride shows a ride height difference left to right. I measured it in my garage, and on the apron outside. They said the truck is straight and my garage is crooked. I figure a scale is about as flat a slab as I will find, so when I take the truck to get it weighed I will measure again.

3. Last is the 2-1 Slip/Slam downshift, or shift flare, or whatever terminology du jour. They steadfastly refused to do a ride-along so I could demonstrate it. "Don't have time for that". My house is 5-7 minutes away. They ran some diagnostics, then "test drive vehicle-could not duplicate customer complaint". FCA did not contact me until I already had the truck back, unfortunately. They seemed puzzled that the dealer would not do a ride-along, and said they would call back. When they called back the dealer weaseled out by saying the update for the U-Connect would fix this. This is clearly not so, and does not correspond with their own work order. My goal was to have them gather data to upload to the mother ship, so the issue could eventually be addressed. Right now it's a chicken/egg scenario, where the dealer can't fix it with out a reflash, but the reflash will never come unless the issue is addressed.

I am well aware that this is not an Escalade. I have driven trucks since I was waaaaaay too young to have a license. I actually appreciate firm, solid shifts, and in general, the upshifts are pretty good, but this 2-1 deal is ridiculous. There is not one person who has ridden with me that felt the slam and either outright said, "What the *&#$ was that", or gave a glance that said the same. At this point, I am pretty disappointed.

IMO the "Where is first gear" is a carryover from 2018. Mine can't find first gear when presented with a grade. Can't decide if it wants to lug it up in second or neutral drop into first after letting the engine rev up. I have been driving around it by limiting throttle input when I know it needs to grab 1st. When I first got the truck it wouldn't even grab first on a grade at a complete stop. It's like it's missing a MPH number in a table at low or zero throttle to drop the trans back into first gear. Maybe it's trying to avoid the deep 1st gear ratio and resulting harsh 2-1 shift with no throttle.

Have you turned "Hill Brake Assist" off? IMO this helped mine actually grab 1st gear or it finally learned how to do so.

Pic of my steep driveway where "it can't find first".

 

[TFucili]

IMO the "Where is first gear" is a carryover from 2018. Mine can't find first gear when presented with a grade. Can't decide if it wants to lug it up in second or neutral drop into first after letting the engine rev up. I have been driving around it by limiting throttle input when I know it needs to grab 1st. When I first got the truck it wouldn't even grab first on a grade at a complete stop. It's like it's missing a MPH number in a table at low or zero throttle to drop the trans back into first gear. Maybe it's trying to avoid the deep 1st gear ratio and resulting harsh 2-1 shift with no throttle.

Have you turned "Hill Brake Assist" off? IMO this helped mine actually grab 1st gear or it finally learned how to do so.

Pic of my steep driveway where "it can't find first".

View attachment 116025

Yes, "hill assist" is off. Your description is on the mark. As is typical with electronically controlled stuff, I do try to drive around it, but it's behavior is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, sometimes I will ease up and it will hunt in its "false neutral" for so long the truck will be at a dead stop, and then it is even more harsh. Yesterday, it slipped long enough before engaging that I could feel it shuddering before it gave it the 'ol hammer shift. It's pretty pathetic with all this BS technology to deal with this crap in 2019. Whoever is responsible for this programming should go back to flipping burgers at McDonalds.

 

[AH64ID]

IMO the "Where is first gear" is a carryover from 2018.

Certainly not something I have experienced with my '18.

My hill start assist is on, and has been since day 1.

It will lug in 2nd, but downshifts to 1 with the ERS or fuel pedal are smooth and as expected.

 

[Wiredawg]

IMO the "Where is first gear" is a carryover from 2018. Mine can't find first gear when presented with a grade. Can't decide if it wants to lug it up in second or neutral drop into first after letting the engine rev up. I have been driving around it by limiting throttle input when I know it needs to grab 1st. When I first got the truck it wouldn't even grab first on a grade at a complete stop. It's like it's missing a MPH number in a table at low or zero throttle to drop the trans back into first gear. Maybe it's trying to avoid the deep 1st gear ratio and resulting harsh 2-1 shift with no throttle. And, I keep my hill assist one ALWAYS.

In my setup, 1st gear is quick upshift, it's very low, just getting her going, like grandma in the standards.

Have you turned "Hill Brake Assist" off? IMO this helped mine actually grab 1st gear or it finally learned how to do so.

Pic of my steep driveway where "it can't find first".

View attachment 116025

It's hard to figure out if your experience difference from mine is Aisin programming, different pinions (mine has 4.88s), or what. Something I've been noticing with mine, TC locks in 1 and 2, so the action of harsh shifting could be related to unlocking-locking-unlocking in short sequence. I see this on my Edge CST2 Monitor, that show both gear AND TC lock. Mine did this once while turning up a hill with my 5er, pressing accelerator, quickly letting off (slam) 2 to 1, then quickly pressing again (slam) 1 to 2. Sounded and felt like something would break. Now, with my monitor, I'm more aware of whats happening.

So this seems to be the case of the benefit of TC locking in lower gears, good for not slipping/generating heat, and TC NOT locking in lower gears. In my case, I finesse the go pedal to not exacerbate the issue, although mine isn't in my driveway everyday.

I think you'll eventually figure it out, understanding whats happening and that TC locking lower gears is a GOOD think for what most of us use these trucks for.

Hope this helps you evaluation and solution.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

It's hard to figure out if your experience difference from mine is Aisin programming, different pinions (mine has 4.88s), or what. Something I've been noticing with mine, TC locks in 1 and 2, so the action of harsh shifting could be related to unlocking-locking-unlocking in short sequence. I see this on my Edge CST2 Monitor, that show both gear AND TC lock. Mine did this once while turning up a hill with my 5er, pressing accelerator, quickly letting off (slam) 2 to 1, then quickly pressing again (slam) 1 to 2. Sounded and felt like something would break. Now, with my monitor, I'm more aware of whats happening.

So this seems to be the case of the benefit of TC locking in lower gears, good for not slipping/generating heat, and TC NOT locking in lower gears. In my case, I finesse the go pedal to not exacerbate the issue, although mine isn't in my driveway everyday.

I think you'll eventually figure it out, understanding whats happening and that TC locking lower gears is a GOOD think for what most of us use these trucks for.

Hope this helps you evaluation and solution.

Cheers, Ron

That's the first I've heard of a AS69RC locking the TC in 1st gear.

 

[Wiredawg]

That's the first I've heard of a AS69RC locking the TC in 1st gear.

I'm pretty sure I saw it display TC Lock for 1st on the monitor today when on my way to turn in. I'm absolutely certain 2nd is. I'll verify 1st when I pick it up, because on mine, its only in first very briefly.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

I'm pretty sure I saw it display TC Lock for 1st on the monitor today when on my way to turn in. I'm absolutely certain 2nd is. I'll verify 1st when I pick it up, because on mine, its only in first very briefly.

Cheers, Ron

I know it will in 2-6, just haven't seen or heard of it in 1st.

I'll bet it's a brief gear! It's brief in my truck with taller tires and 3.42's. I have to lock it in 1st if I want to use 1st on hills below 15 and above 5 mph, or slower.

 

[Wiredawg]

I know it will in 2-6, just haven't seen or heard of it in 1st.

I'll bet it's a brief gear! It's brief in my truck with taller tires and 3.42's. I have to lock it in 1st if I want to use 1st on hills below 15 and above 5 mph, or slower.

I did some data logging with my Edge CTST2 and shows flooring from a stop, upshift from 1st to 2nd at 7.66 MPH and deceleration downshift from 2 to 1 at 2.80MPH. There are three columns related to transmission: Gear; Gear & TCL; and TC Lock. Gear displayed all 0s; Gear & TCL displayed gear numbers and some entries 106; and TCL displayed all 0s.

I contacted Edge help desk, but they said they didn't have info explaining column entries and interpretation. Another point, this data logging was me documenting accelerator delay under varying conditions, from full, hold accelerator to the floor until reaching 65 MPH speed limit, to rolling into it hard, without flooring it.

I need to do data logging again, with normal acceleration to see what happens.

I may try again to ping Edge, as data logging is one of the selling points, so should have some documentation to explain data captured and data not captured.

Anyhoo, I'll post back when I get the truck and verify what I think i saw. It IS a little tough watching gauges while in traffic.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

It's interesting that you recognize the MDS, i can barely feel it on my 2012 so I've it ON all the time.

Oh sure. You can hear the exhaust tone change and even the power difference. On the highway, I monitor it through the short avg fuel economy. That number increases when it settles down on flat highway steady cruise.

 

[Ozymandias]

On the highway, I monitor it through the short avg fuel economy. That number increases when it settles down on flat highway steady cruise.

On mine that's the only indicator that it runs on 4, the sudden drop in consumption.
Maybe your RT has a different exhaust system then my Citadel, that could be a reason for this.

 

[TFucili]

Picked up a new behavior the last couple days, an intermittent, slight stumble just off idle. It's slight, but you can definitely feel it just as you crack the foot feed.

 

[dieselshadow]

Did you get your airbag fixed?