Have yet to find a thread quite like this, so thought I'd start one. What surprise features have you found in your Pacifica? For example, in ours we discovered we can control the volume of the navigation guidance voice with the radio volume control (on front of dash or behind right side of steering wheel) when the voice is speaking.
What hidden features have you discovered in your Pacifica?
1 reading
PacificaMinivanFan
61 - 80 of 208 Posts
Joined
·
16 Posts
I don't know if this is a Hidden feature but, I discovered a couple days ago that setting the parking brake, (while the van is on), turns off the DRL.
Why?
George
Why?
George
You have to kick straight at where the sensor is located (and stop just before hitting the car...obviously
). Not wave in front of it. the position of sensor varies depending on whether you have trailer package installed or not. For the side door, aim for the middle of door on underside.
Joined
·
141 Posts
So you can have heat or air conditioning while at the drive-in theater :grin2:
On most modern cars, A/C compressor is engaged when the defrost mode is selected regardless of whether or not the A/C is manually turned on by the user. However, the A/C compressor is usually disabled when cool ambient air temp is detected. I'm unsure of the exact temp for the Pacifica, but on most vehicles the threshold is about 40°F.
As far as your sound system goes, remember that when manufacturers say "speakers" they are counting each individual driver (woofer & tweeter) as a separate speaker. For example, a single coaxial speaker (which consists of a woofer and tweeter mounted to the same pole/axis) would be two separate speakers by the manufacturer's count. You have speakers in the top of the instrument panel, both front doors, both sliding doors, the liftgate, and each rear quarter panel.
Most newer vehicles disable DRL when the park brake is engaged. I'm unsure of the reasoning behind this. There may be a legal requirement, but I think it is because it is assumed that when the park brake is engaged, the vehicle is not moving and DRL are not needed.
Joined
·
16 Posts
Thanks for the reply. The problem I'm having is that the A/C compressor, (most of the time), is Not turning on with the defroster. During hot, humid or rainy weather here in the south, the windshield tends to fog up and the defroster makes it worse leading to an un-driveable van, (Until I use a towel on the windshield).
I have an appointment Mon. morning at the dealer for the two recalls and a check engine light that's on so, I'll be mentioning All the little problems I'm having. Like, an on going problem with the A/C turning on when the button hasn't been touched, and water stains on the headliner. :surprise:
George
Don't know if this will apply to your van, but check out this bulletin:
https://www.pacificaforums.com/foru...r-pacifica-minivan-issues-problems/16626-air-conditioner-issues.html#post215402
Intermittent A/C compresssor operation.
My 2017 was in the shop for nearly 3 weeks before they tracked down the problem to the compressor.
You may want to go over to an auto parts chain that offers free ODB downloads to see what, if any, codes are in the system now, especially since the MIL is on. The codes do age out. BTW, my issue did not throw a code -- I did get a download before bringing it in and while it was not running, but it was clean. (It started working just as I got to the dealer's corner., but eventually misbehaved for them......)
My favorite hidden feature is the flat tire warning.
If you are driving on the highway and a tire goes flat, the van starts to shake, makes a funny noise, and the steering wheel wobbles. Excellent way to tell the driver to pull over before the rim is ruined.
If you are driving on the highway and a tire goes flat, the van starts to shake, makes a funny noise, and the steering wheel wobbles. Excellent way to tell the driver to pull over before the rim is ruined.
Joined
·
2,266 Posts
That's FCA at the forefront of safety engineering again! :grin2:
The Limited model even has the "What's that funny smell?" feature!
Park Electronic
I have discovered that if you have the vehicle running and you hit 'start / stop' while gear engaged (R/D) it will automatically set the gear to 'P'.
I think this is cool. Which now I just don't even bother switching to Park just turn vehicle off. I have mine set to engage parking brake automatically.
Both now set when engine is shut off.
Pretty sure this is not in the manual.
I have discovered that if you have the vehicle running and you hit 'start / stop' while gear engaged (R/D) it will automatically set the gear to 'P'.
I think this is cool. Which now I just don't even bother switching to Park just turn vehicle off. I have mine set to engage parking brake automatically.
Both now set when engine is shut off.
Pretty sure this is not in the manual.
My 2017 gas Pacifica just chimes and says the van is not in park. I think think pressing again will shut off, but never tried.
Do you mean the selector knob rotates itself to the Park position? Not sure if I like that if, for example, I wanted to keep it in neutral -- or if the van was moving.
Yes, but it doesn't rotate it just blinks then 'P' is selected indicating it is in Park. I did verify it is in park. If I restart I have to move out of park, plus I can hear a noise like it is engaging the park
Joined
·
275 Posts
Not sure if mentioned but this struck me as smart.
With our sunroof, say it's vented and you want it open. You just have to hit the open button. It will close then slide open with one button push.
Opposite if it's open and you want it vented. Can just push the vent button and it will close then pop up with 1 button push.
Every other car I've had you've needed to close the roof first, then engage the other mode.
With our sunroof, say it's vented and you want it open. You just have to hit the open button. It will close then slide open with one button push.
Opposite if it's open and you want it vented. Can just push the vent button and it will close then pop up with 1 button push.
Every other car I've had you've needed to close the roof first, then engage the other mode.
I had hoped that this is how things would work but with my 2018 Limited I am unable to reproduce this behavior.
When in Drive or Reverse hitting the start/stop button (however many times) only produces a chime and a message about needing to be in park. If ESS has already kicked in then the engine starts when I shift to park and stops when I hit the stop button.
I do have the auto paring break which is great but being able to skip the shift to park would be great!
Joined
·
725 Posts
Periodically cycle the E parking brake through service mode (from the Uconnect menu) - this helps maintain (or restore) a firm brake pedal, and brake proportioning F/R.
https://www.pacificaforums.com/foru...inivan-issues-problems/40457-e-parking-brake-adjustment-service.html#post530725
https://www.pacificaforums.com/foru...inivan-issues-problems/40457-e-parking-brake-adjustment-service.html#post530725
Well its not illogical.. Left door , xxx , right door. Both front of vehicle. Tailgate doesn't fit.. it's at the REAR of the vehicle.
ITs 6 of one half dozen of the other, we will never resolve this argument, but to ME its logical sense.. to have door, lockout in the middle with other door.. so you lock out the doors and don't confuse that ALL doors are on lockout because who sits near tailgate?
Well not far afield but every car (At least Hyundai and VW and a couple of Honda models) also do this.
I think because Daytime RUNNING Lights.. they turn off if parked.. doesn't seem odd. Maybe there is a setting to keep the DRL on regardless.
Well have to admit.. I THOUGHT I was in D but in reality N. I had in N because I was waiting in carpool.. and I had my parking brake on so I didn't have to hold my foot on brake.. then I forgot and killed the engine because it was taking longer than usual..
Noticed that P was set after I noticed light 'N' started to blink.. so yeah being in 'D' and not have to set to P would be awesome, alas I guess I had it wrong.
Are you referring to the light next to the "P" on the transmission selector knob and/or the instrument panel indication or the illuminated red light on the "P"arking brake button?
61 - 80 of 208 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
