Engine Brake Feature
The engine braking feature is a useful add-on for customers that tow often or folks that drive down mountain grades. The feature is active when the following conditions are met: in gears 1-8, engine rpm above 2500 rpm, and foot off the accel pedal. While the engine braking is active the turbo vanes are closed more to create higher back pressure in the exhaust manifold. This makes it harder to push exhaust out and that force acts on the pistons to help slow the vehicle down. This helps to reduce the need for vehicle brakes and reduces wear on the brake hardware.
The feature not active in normal driving conditions.
Regen Message Feature
The regen message feature will notify of an active regen event in the cluster with ‘regen active, continue driving’, then it will change to at % countdown from 80-10 as the regen progresses. It will also notify ‘regen complete’ when the cycle has finished.
This is a very useful feature for vehicles doing a lot of short trips to drive a bit longer when the regen needs to happen to prevent DPF plugging issues in the field. It is also a cool message to see and better understand what the vehicle is doing.
Trans Race Mode
Race mode instructions
All Ram 1500
- Engine and transmission warmed up (engine > 80°C, trans > 60°C)
- Vehicle at stand-still, steering wheel straight
- Normal “D” mode, tow/haul off
- Engage manual mode (press minus button once)
- Press brake pedal as hard as possible
- Accelerate engine to more than 1900rpm
- Release brake pedal and apply accelerator to WOT as fast as possible
At the conclusion of step 7, RACE mode is engaged and so shifts are with faster times than normal and *no torque management*.
RACE mode will exit when any of the below are fulfilled:
- Accelerator is released less than 92%, OR
- Current engaged gear reaches 6th or higher, OR
- A drive mode change occurs (i.e. exit manual shift mode, turn on tow/haul), OR
- Steering wheel is turned
After a successful RACE mode engagement, the function is blocked for 45 seconds. This allows all the shift elements to cool down from the prior use.
Trans Tune Specifics
Eliminates 2-1 downshift hesitation at low speed tip-in maneuvers (i.e. rolling stop sign re-acceleration)
• Upshifts earlier in all conditions for improved fuel economy.
• Downshift criteria revamped to best utilize engine torque curve and stay in each gear longer.
• Hill mode optimization to prevent gear hunting
• Refinement on shift scheduling in altitude to provide better engine responsiveness
• Revamped warm-up mode scheduling to provide faster engine warmup (i.e. 1-2 gears lower compared to normal shift maps)
• Increased minimum engine speed after upshift during DPF regeneration for better regen efficiency (this feature will only appear with the GDE Hot Tune installed in ECM).
• Eliminated shift schedule offset based on steering wheel angle to give better continuity of powertrain presence.
• All new tow/haul mode scheduling for maintaining best engine speed range during trailering.
• More use of converter lockup and reduced slip rates to reduce tranny fluid heat load and improve fuel economy.
• More linear response in shifting in medium/high load.
• The shift speeds are quicker and torque response optimized.
• Positive torque requests enabled during downshifts at lower engine speeds for smoother and quicker shifts.
• Highway passing downshifts are sharper and torque is immediate.
• Holds gear better while towing and less hunting on grades.
• Ram vehicles now feature our GearCommand™ feature letting the (+) and (-) buttons on steering wheel to command up- and down-shifts when pressed instead of setting max allowed gear.
• Enables 2nd gear launch from a stop using wheel buttons (Ram)
88 C Thermostat
The tune combo has provisions to allow our 88 C thermostat to be added separately. This thermostat starts opening at 88 C (190 F) and fully open at 98 C (208 F). This will drop warm operating temps for coolant and engine oil about 10 C (18 F). This is also beneficial for towing long grades as full cooling is reached at lower temps, so it takes longer to reach overheat protection in extreme environments (100 F towing large loads up a 6% grade) like Davis Dam in Arizona.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Chad Hoersten (verified owner) –
Thanks GDE! The install didn’t result in a single busted knuckle nor dirt under the finger nails. It is a relatively new release, but after installing I am pretty sure this tune was set up by people that have been in the drivers seat. It seems apparent GDE tested it on the road prior to my purchase.
Feb 2017 – May 2019 — I liked my EcoDiesel and didn’t regret switching to RAM simply for the engine.
May 2019 – July 2020 — Frustrated warranty work required all recalls to be performed prior to completing warranty work. At least the settlement resulted in a payment. I seriously considered going back to a gasoline Chevy. The throttle lag was ridiculous, towing was a struggle, turning left into 4 lane traffic in a 25 mph zone was dangerous, and the transmission noticeably searched for gears more than it used to.
July 2020 — Everything they claim seems to be true so far. I opted for the Engine Brake & Regen Message Features and the Engine Brake is definitely active. I installed it today and I am pleased. So far, it seems like it was money well spent. I look forward to towing with it again (hopefully I can update my review in the future). It is too soon for a fair/accurate review of MPGs, but I watched the numbers on my dash (traditionally these have been within error of volumetric calculations at fill up) and they were headed in the same direction claimed.
Justin Brooks (verified owner) –
Thank you so much I love my truck again after the v08 fca update i was really thinking about trading trucks the update was so bad. This tune gave my truck a whole new attitude and I recommend anyone with an EcoDiesel to get this tune it really wakes the truck up. Again thank u so much
Bill’s Laramie Ecodiesel (verified owner) –
I purchased the Hot Tune and Trans Tune and ordered with the Exhaust Brake option and the Regen Messaging option. I followed the instructions and the install went smoothly, I just took my time and made sure to complete each step. The drivability of the Ram ecodiesel is much improved over the stock programming. The lag to accelerate is gone, the transmission shifts quicker and I have noticed a 2 to 4 degree reduction in transmission temps. I am averaging 27.2 MPG hand calculated overall on my fuel mileage and 27.6 MPG for the 12 fuel runs since the GDE install, this is about 60% city 40% highway over 15 fuel runs total. I installed the GDE Hot tune and Transmission tune two weeks after I purchased the Ram 1500 Classic Laramie ecodiesel so I currently have 12 fuel runs on the truck since the GDE tune install. I had 3 fuel runs with the stock programming before I installed the GDE tunes.
During this time I have had a total of 3 active Regens in 3,900 miles on the truck. I can recommend this EPA approved Green Diesel Engineering product with confidence that is does work as advertised.
This is a product that is worth the price.
James Heath (verified owner) –
The GDE Hot Tune Engine / Transmission combo tune that I received has significantly improved the performance and fuel efficiency on my 2016 Ram 1500. The throttle lag is completely gone and torque is much improved. I no longer feel like I am going to get hit from behind when I pull out into traffic. Thanks for the tune and great support when I have communicated with you whether it be on Facebook or via email.
Stephen Sawyer (verified owner) –
I can verify everything in the above reviews to be true. I too was in the market to sell the Ecodiesel after the emissions update resulted in dangerous throttle lag and constant searching for gears on the roads of western MT. This can be incredibly dangerous on curvy slick highways. After the GDE tune and putting roughly 5k miles on it… I’m keeping the truck. Trailer towing is greatly improved with the increased torque, improved transmission shift points, and engine braking for descents. At 80mph the truck now stays in 8th gear until the mtn passes, while seeing roughly 23mpg. This is an increase of 3-4 mpg over factory. I’d recommend this tune for the safety aspect alone.
Wes Campbell (verified owner) –
I couldn’t be happier with the tune. I have a 2016 Ram. I installed the tune about 5k miles ago. I tow a 6,000 lbs camper frequently. Throttle response is great! When towing, the engine brake does an amazing job and kicks in at just the right time. The tune does everything it claims to do. I recommend it for anyone considering it! You will not be disappointed.
Paul Gault (verified owner) –
I have a 2016 Laramie. I was extremely disappointed with the trucks performance after buying it. I was very hesitant about all the claims of the hot tune, from green diesel, but decided to try it, due to my disappointment. I was considering traiding the truck in for a 2500 with the cummins diesel. But decided to try the green diesel hot tune. I have to say, in the first test drive with the new tune, I can tell a dramatic difference with my truck’s performance. I am already extremely happy, after one test drive, with the tune. I will be keeping my new gorgeous truck now for quite sometime. As my son put it, don’t think about spending $1200, think about saving $60,000. Cause now I don’t want to trade in my truck. Thank you Green Diesel Engineering.
Gee Emm 2021 (verified owner) –
I too would have got rid of my truck , 2018 Ram Ecodiesel, if it weren’t for GDE .. the last software update I got from Chrysler was awful and I just couldn’t believe how poor it drove… after the GDE tune? overall better driving experience local and highway, better fuel economy( especially noticed with stop and go traffic ) now I like my truck… no, love my truck!…I mean how crazy is it to regret buying a vehicle every time you step on the gas pedal going uphill or trying to pass someone on the highway? The cure is expensive but worth it … thanks GDE
Bruce Phipps (verified owner) –
2017 RAM 1500 Laramie 4×4 EcoDiesel: I’ve had the GDE tune for about 13 months and 26,000 miles. For the past 30 days I switched back to the original tune due to some service I was having done. The overall drivability of the vehicle with the tune is so much better. The electronic delay in the accelerator is greatly diminished, the overall acceleration from 0 mph is slightly improved, and the mid-range acceleration is greatly improved. I am also achieving approx 2.5 miles per gallon improvement in fuel efficiency. I’m very happy with the tune, and missed it during the last 30 days when I was without it. I recently re-installed it and it brought back all the goodness. I drive fairly normally, perhaps a little heavy in acceleration, but not by much, and I generally use cruise control whenever it’s reasonable to do so, whether on surface streets at 30 MPH or Highway at up to 80 MPH. (I typically set it at about 5 miles over the speed limit when I’m on the highway and I have a lot of areas that are posted 75 MPH). In my opinion, this tune is well worth the cost. Thanks, GDE!
Chris Bell (verified owner) –
After purchasing a used EcoDiesel, I read about the GDE Hot Tune, but at the time it was unavailable. When the next gen of the GDE tune was released, I watched and read and saw positive results reported. So I pulled the trigger. The process was easy with A+ directions that were specific and accurate. The hardest part of the installation for this Mac guy was acclimating to a PC again. The installation went exactly as described with zero trouble codes. The truck now drives very similar to my 07 Super Cab Hemi. The acceleration/turbo lag is gone – ¡zero! – and the transmission shifts much crisper and more aggressively. The HP and Torque numbers seem if anything under reported by my seat of the pants dyno test. And my MPG is noticeably better on the truck calculated read (hand calculation forthcoming). The customer service was excellent as I needed Dodge to flash the PCM and check the transmission software before I did the tune and a phone call and a couple of emails with GDE furnished me answers and strategies. I got all work done by Dodge/Ram at zero cost. It is rare I can report 100% satisfaction with a product, the process, and customer service. But I can now. Hats off to you GDE. And Thank You for a like-new truck.
James Turman (verified owner) –
Wow!!! What a great improvement to my Ram. The throttle response is amazing. I never wanted my wife to drive it because of the lag. Now I’m afraid she might roast the tires off the back. Crisp shifts and a major improvement in power and fuel milage. After cruising to reset the regen message, I drove through town to I-95 and the improvement in fuel milage was staggering. I went from a best of 25 and now I’m getting 30mpg at 80 mph. Great product!!!
melliot01@icloud.com (verified owner) –
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. Purchased in 2017 with 44K miles on it. Got this tune when I had 111K miles on it, and waited to submit this review until after our annual 2,000 mile trip towing a 6,500 (dry) travel trailer. Now have 122K miles on truck.
All I can say is AWESOME. Wished I would have gotten the tune sooner.
Lag off idle is gone.
gas mileage is up 3MPG
more power to get up and go when needed
more torque, showed thru when pulling the trailer. Averaged 5 MPH faster, and better mileage.
No need to buy a 3/4 ton truck now!!! Love my Ecodiesel with the GDE tune.
Stephen Marone (verified owner) –
2016 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel has been reborn! I have been running the tune since April and couldn’t be happier especially now with the fuel prices so high (I was paying $6.50/gal for a while there)! Power is much more linear with no hesitation. Shifts are strong and quick, making the truck much more driveable around town. Mileage has improved 3 – 4 mpg, can’t wait to see what I get when on a long distance drive in Sept. Well worth price of admission!
Mike Sole (verified owner) –
Purchased tune Aug22 with 88Km on my 2015 (bought new). Year end calculations show hand measured 11.8% improvement from 1st half of the year on fuel economy over 6200km since tune, now average 12.6L/100km, at approx. 80/20 city/hwy. (Closest have ever been to advertised economy numbers)
Throttle lag is gone, my truck is safe again. Improved “seat of the pants” torque and shifting. Definitely feel the improvement when towing 6K travel trailer. Engine braking can occasionally feel in normal driving, more noticeable towing the trailer. Huge improvement on high pressure pump noise when towing. Better cruise control hold.
Only regret is not buying it right after the FCA emissions “improvement”. Just 2 words. GET IT. You’ll get your old truck back, better than it was.
Frustrating being in Canada and not eligible for any of the US emissions fraud payment and extended warranty. If you’re in US, still have your truck and haven’t bought the hot tune with your rebate, you’re nuts!