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Request - '17 or '18 EcoDiesel Owners -vs- Initial AEM Performance Feedback

9K views 30 replies 23 participants last post by  mbaessler 
#1 ·
**REQUEST**
For any forum members who currently drive a 2017 or 2018 model year EcoDiesel, I am sure the forum would love to hear your thoughts on some of the AEM feedback others are posting about acceleration performance changes to their MY '14 -'16 EcoDiesels.

I recall at least one forum member having owned both a 2014 & 2017/18 recently posting about making their 2nd ED purchase.

This AEM in theory, should be the same as these factory tuned truck for these model years, no?

TexasRam forum user has been doing a great & informative job providing initial feedback, would love for a recent MY owner to chime in as well ....


... I know I am curious & I'm sure lots of others are too!


Thanks in advance.

Well I’ve put about 700 miles on the AEM now and I am really looking forward to getting the GDE hot tune when it’s available. Contrary to my initial prediction the conservative throttle response I referred to has not gone away. The computers have had what i feel is enough mileage to adapt to my driving style. It feels as if the accelerator pedal is attached to a rubber band sometimes. When I’m accelerating from a stop light sometimes it’s like i’m only suggesting to the truck that it can start moving if it wants to. Sometimes I can push the accelerator 10-40% it will only accelerate at a 10% rate, there’s not a linear response, but if I give it 50% or more (the rubber band is fully stretched now) then suddenly i’m forcing the truck to dramatically launch forward. It’s not nearly as refined as before the AEM in that respect. I’ve also noticed the rubber band effect is more prevalent if the oil, coolant, and Trans temps aren’t up around 200F.

I suspect that FCA is playing it super safe with throttle mapping to reduce soot produced under acceleration and the EGR is more active now contributing the the poorer throttle response. I get it, FCA is playing it safe to please the EPA at all costs. I’m just glad i’m NOT going to be stuck with this version for long.

To be fair I’m kind of ranting because i’m annoyed the way the truck responded a couple times today. It’s not all bad, the transmission shifts smoothly (maybe better now) and the MPG is the same. I’m just anxious to get the GDE Hot Tune, hopefully they’ve got the AEM compatible hot tune figured out in 6 weeks when my settlement check arrives.

Today my dealership ordered a replacement DPF sensor to remedy the P24AE code. Maybe there’s a chance the failing DPF sensor is affecting how the truck drives now with the AEM. The sensor had been failing for months before the AEM update and it didn’t seem to affect anything back then besides illuminating the CEL.
 
#3 ·
Had a 2016, and now a 2018

The 2018, holds gears longer before up shifting and same with down shifting. The regen seems slightly longer in duration as well as increased DEF consumption. Fuel consumption seems slightly more, but only have 5000 km in 2 months so still not broken in yet. EGT seem slightly higher on the highway too.
 
#4 ·
My 2017 actually ran and drove great stock, also got great mpgs. I do love the GDE Hot Tune, think they should name it the "Green Tune" though, because it's very mild. I'm totally happy with the shifting, even while towing, at least a big improvement from my 2005 hemi. On a side note, wonder what percentage of folks with the AEM will get GDE tuned?
 
#5 ·
Since my beginning on this board, about a year ago, I haven't understood the comments about the OEM tune on these trucks. My '18 hasn't shown hardly any of less desirable traits others have mentioned. Now, it could be that my truck "may" weight a few hundred pounds less being a Tradesman, but on the other hand it's a 4x4 crew with a 6.4' bed. About throttle response, if I turn the wheel (say to make a left turn) and press the throttle more than 30% it spins. Straight line from a stop, I say 70% throttle and it lights it up. I don't know about "hesitation" folks have talked about here, no dead spots, no hesitation. And fuel mileage has been stellar... A few things I don't like is at speeds at 60 mph or under, it does hunt between 7-8 gears when I am empty. Towing a 6x12 box motorcycle trailer, if I use the TOW setting it wants to live in 6-7th gear on near flat ground at 65 mph. Without TOW, it says mainly in 7th but will shift to 8th if it;s slightly down hill or absolutely no wind.
 
#6 ·
I purchased my 2018 single cab tradesman in February. I decided not to delete or tune for now for reasons of state inspection and warranty. I purchased the extended warranty.. I added hot shots diesel extreme and use hot shots edt every fill up. I am very happy with the performance of the truck. Has plenty of power and doesn't shift roughly at all. In the city towing all of the time I get 17 mpg. Only downfall is the regens I get one per week but they only take around 15 minutes.
 
#7 ·
grock87 , I guess one would have to drive both a (2017/2018) , and then right away
jump into a newly AEM updated ( 14/15/16 ) to feel the comparaison ....
..
I hope for the owners of 2017/2018 that they have not been driving in the conditions reported by
owners of newly flashed older trucks , one said it is now a PIG .
 
#8 ·
Post AEM upgrade throttle response issue

**REQUEST**
For any forum members who currently drive a 2017 or 2018 model year EcoDiesel, I am sure the forum would love to hear your thoughts on some of the AEM feedback others are posting about acceleration performance changes to their MY '14 -'16 EcoDiesels.
I recall at least one forum member having owned both a 2014 & 2017/18 recently posting about making their 2nd ED purchase.

This AEM in theory, should be the same as these factory tuned truck for these model years, no?

TexasRam forum user has been doing a great & informative job providing initial feedback, would love for a recent MY owner to chime in as well ....


... I know I am curious & I'm sure lots of others are too!


Thanks in advance.
I had the AEM upgrade last Thursday on my 2016 RAM Ecodiesel along with 8 spd transmission shifter recall, upgrade (or something to that effect), all so I could get the $3075 settlement payout. Right away I felt a problem with the throttle response. You could push the pedal 50% to the floor and it barely accelerated above idle speed, Not cool when you're familiar with how it should be accelerating for any given traffic scenario. Once well past the half pedal range it jumps to life, but I don't like making jack rabbit starts as it affects mileage, I'm not 16 anymore and just isn't necessary. I did notice once the truck is warmed up, it seems to go away, but this is still not acceptable. I fully expect to hear a lot more grumblings from ED owners after the AEM upgrade. If this is not something that clears itself up within a weeks time, it's going back to the dealer. FCA is going to have to issue another recall to fix the AEM fix. The last thing I want is for me or anyone else to get rear ended because the damn throttle won't get the truck moving!
 
#10 ·
I haven't driven a pre-17 to have anything to compare to, but based on my experience with my 2018, I am pretty impressed with the quick acceleration this little Eco has. I have driven larger diesel trucks and they seemed pretty slow to react and when I test drove a VW Touareg tdi I was also underwhelmed with the performance so I kind of had a preconceived idea of what the EcoD was going to be like. It's not like that at all in my opinion. It zips along pretty well. There is certainly a tad bit of turbo lag, but I recently plugged a Pedal Commander into it and now I really don't feel any lag to speak of. I have never been in a position that I felt the truck was underpowered or felt unsafe. Whatever the new AEM firmware is doing to the truck doesn't sound right to me.
 
#11 ·
Bough my 17 in Feb of 18 and just passed 20k miles. I can't really offer an opinion on how it performs versus any other ED, before or after AEM, since I've never driven a different one.

FCA did a recall or software mod on the tranny shortly after I bought it and that did change the shift points. Made it hold gear longer and feel a little sluggish. The only issue I have is that when the engine is cold and I back out of the drive, it doesn't want to power up the hill. Seems like it wants to run in about third gear until warmed up. No lugging but no power. Lifetime mpg is around 22 with mostly rural driving. (45 mph back roads)
 
#12 ·
I also bought my '17 Ram ED in February of '18 (Ground hog day). I installed the GDE tune at 1285 miles. In the brief period I drove the truck before the tune, it did seem somewhat gutless, but I didn't let it bother me because I knew from the start I was going with the GDE tune. My truck has not been back to the dealer since, and it must have had the latest EPA approved software, because I've not received any notices to bring the truck in for an ECM flash.
 
#18 ·
BlackEco - Thank you for sharing your comparison across model years.

I think you're the only one whose responded to the spirit of the thread's topic....based on a direct comparison to model years.
 
#15 ·
I wish I had purchased another ECM with the GDE tune - having to refresh my ECM is a pain. I know I can buy another ECM with the AEM settlement money but I've kinda earmarked the funds for other projects around the house. Oh well...


Getting the AEM update this Friday and will head to GDE next week for the reflash.


Bob
 
#17 ·
2017 tradesman commercial truck. ED, crew cab, 6'4" bed, ram boxes, locking diff, skid plates, towing pkg.
Added WeatherTech mats, stone guard, mud flaps, tonneau cover, bed step, cold weather group/remote start.
Changed stock tires to Yokohama Geolander ATs, P265 17s.

I show 29 mpg at 55, 27 at 70 on flat roads no wind.
Combined highway/town I get 22 mpg, occasionally up to 25.
All the power I need, no problems thus far.

I have 9000 miles on it.

Tracy in IL
 
#19 ·
I have a 2018 EcoDiesel, at 1200 mi I put in a GDE tune and yes I did notice a difference with throttle response and mpg, I absolutely love this truck. I live in In the people’s republic of the socialist left coast so I have to be carful or they might pull a FISA on me. Anyway, I’ve been trying to find out if my 2018 EcoDiesel is eligible for AEM class action $$ which I hate to even ask for since the lawyers are the ones who will end up making the big bucks, but for a couple K you can call me a hypocrite and I would take the $ anyway, Also, will my 2018 need any updates.
Thanks
 
#21 ·
Stock 2018 here. I drive 70 miles every day, 80% highway. Hand calculated 25 mpg.

The only time I face acceleration problems is when I'm leaving work. The truck has sat in the sun for 8 hours straight, then started and driven 1/4 mile before I get on the highway. I'm guessing it's due to not being up to operating temperature.
 
#23 ·
I live in Texas and I had a 2015 ecodiesel 4x4 loanstar stock drove it to 72,000 miles and traded it in on a Tacoma TRD 4x4, the Tacoma was just too small and never got better than 21 mpg, traded back into a 2017 ecodiesel 4x4 loanstar drove it 1700 miles stock then went with GDE , my opinion is there was no significant difference in comparing stock to stock. I can only assume that the 2017 being a leftover from the hold may not have had the AEM tune , I bought it as the first owner with 230 miles on it because the dealership let their salemen drive it , at least thats what they told me , I latter found paperwork tucked in the owners manual that showed they sold it to someone who must have reneged on the deal or something . I was unable to tell any difference in the performance of the 2015 and 2017 both of these trucks being literally identical other than color and year . I dont know if this helps at all but I can say that the GDE tune definitely made a difference in the performace and the MPG jumped up significantly .
 
#25 ·
I might have one of the eldest EcoDiesels of MY2018 (on the forum atleast). You can read about my story if you look in the purchasing section under my name.

I have 28,000 miles on my truck in 14 months. I've had zero recalls done so far and 3 oil changes done, I try to do them before 8,000 miles and the oil life meter gets to about 20% at 8k miles anyways and I need def fluid by then so it makes sense.

I'm showing 28.3mpg but it drops down to 26 every other day for Regens. I drive 35 miles each way all highway. I previously drove the same distance 50/50 highway and the truck really really prefers highway.

I also owned one of the first ED WK2 (Grand Cherokees from 2014), and that had every update known to man done it plus we got the $700 rebate because we traded that in from my ED Ram Sport.

So I've had a 1st gen and now the 2nd gen.

The Jeep is the one to look at... my wife drove that 2 miles to school everyday for 2 years straight, every now and then I'd take it to work to do a regeneration. We traded it in with 80,000 miles on it and really the engine wasn't a problem at all and I liked it so much I got it in my 2018 Ram Sport. No other truck manufacturer had something equivalent in the 1500 range. I owned a 2009 silverado with the AFM cylinder deactivation and Hemi Grand Cherokee..... the best I could do with the silverado was 21mpg going down hill with a tail wind. the hemi with cylinder deactivation was a joke, that 2011 hemi got traded in with 11mpg showing on the dash. This ram gets 24mpg in the city.

It's definitely not quick, but it definitely tows a trailer with less effort than my buddy's 6.2 chevy until you get 1/2 way up the hill. the gas engine just sounds like it's going to time bomb while the little diesel just chugs away.

I fully expect my intake to be clogged up when my warranty runs out at 120,000.

All I need is for the truck to live through the warranty so I can get a new one and hope that between now and then, Dodge doesn't go full chevy and make their trucks ugly as sin... thankfully the sierra looks lovely if I decide to go inline diesel
no other truck has air suspension
it's like having my living room on wheels.
 
#29 ·
You shouldn't even notice the regens. They should occur in normal driving unless you're doing a lot of short trips were the engine and exhaust system never get up to full operating temp. I'd take the truck in and have the dealer look at the DPF.
 
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