Topic: Chrysler Adding MDS to Trucks

[Jeffy]

Chrysler Adding MDS to Trucks
June 13, 2005
Dodge announced it will offer a multi-displacement system (MDS) in its pickup trucks for the 2006 model year. MDS technology offers a mileage improvement of 20 percent to vehicles, according to Chrysler. The fuel-saving system has been offered in the Hemi-powered 2005 Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum R/T and Hemi-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler predicts that MDS will save 63 million gallons of gas in the 2006 and 2007 model years, due to the improved fuel economy of vehicles so equipped. Chrysler also estimated that CO2 emissions on those vehicles will be reduced by 590,000 tons.

[KS98TJ]

Hey, every little bit helps!  :D

[Jeffy]

The Cadillac Northstar has been doing it for years.  GM's Truck V8's are all doing it since last year.  I think it's a good idea.  Why run on all 8 cylinders when you could get by with 4 or 6.  Then fire the other cylinders up when you need them.

[Bounty Hunter]

The Chevy Trailblazer has it in the v8 model, I think they call it DOD (Displacement on Demand) or on demand displacement or something like that.  The v8 gets better mileage than the 4.2L I6, it's the way of the future.  Makes sense since the computer technology can handle it.

[KS98TJ]

I drove a GMC Hybrid pickup at GM's Auto Show In Motion this year.  I was impressed at how smoothly the operation of the hybrid systems worked.  Yes, it's a partial hybrid, but good for a couple of m.p.g. nonetheless.  Time will only tell how well the system holds up down the road.

[Bounty Hunter]

We're trading in our TrailBlazer for a TrailBlazer EXT on Monday, it's got the variable displacement v8 so we'll see how it does.  More HP and better mileage than our I6, can't beat that.  Now if I can get the wife to keep her foot out of it.

[Jeffy]

I think the hybrid on a truck is a good idea.  The truck uses the same V8 but withsome added torque from the electric motor.  I'm just guessing, but if they are able to shut off the gas engine at stops and start it back up on the fly with no hesitation, now that would be cool.  Sitting in traffic engine shuts off.  I wish my Jeep would do that now.  I waste a lot of gas just sitting around in traffic.

Match that up with a variable displacement engine and it would give you a nice boost in mileage.  MPG doesn't account for sitting in traffic so it won't help EPA MPG any.