Bought a 2021 Pacifica PHEV today

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

the 2021 takes a few hints of the 2000 model

Interesting. I never considered this nostalgia factor, even though I'm sure the late-'90s and early-2000s Chrysler minivans are among the models that made me look at minivans as a nice vehicle.

[redpoint5]

My company vehicle when I started was a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. I got it with something like 80k miles on it, but the transmission already didn't feel smooth. I'd be afraid of it going before 150k miles, and I've never lost a transmission on anything before (bought my truck with a worn tranny).

[Hersbird]

Not to make excuses for Chrysler, but no minivan transmission was worse than the Honda Odyssey. Once they made the Honda a real minivan with sliding doors, then stuck a V6 in it, it made the Chrysler transmission seem like a dream.

We once thought we were having a failed transmission on my dad's 150k mile 90's Caravan but come to find out the independent transmission shop had flushed it with general spec GM fluid from the time period about 6 months prior. It even said that fluid was acceptable on the dipstick. I guess acceptable for an emergency because once we switched it back to whatever AT3 Chrysler specific fluid was right, there was never a problem again past 200,000 miles when it was sold. I can't imagine how many transmissions were rebuilt those years when really all they needed was a fluid change back to the correct fluid. Similar story on that 2000 we had, started not shifting correctly, but a Jeep dealer of all places was able to just fix a under $200 speed sensor and we never had an issue again. I always wondered if a less honest shop would have just thrown a $1400 transmission at it becuase of the poor reputation they had.

[Xist]

Does it have the radio shifter?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I can't imagine how many transmissions were rebuilt those years when really all they needed was a fluid change back to the correct fluid.

Besides some brand-specific fluids, other aspect which needs to be considered is the usage of oils and fluids of a lower spec. That's still quite an usual problem in Brazil. Many people often blame CNG or ethanol for engine damage, and they do it while using tap water on the cooling system and any random lower-grade engine oil.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Xist

Does it have the radio shifter?

Yeah, my daughter reached over to turn up the radio yesterday and about put it in low. Thankfully she didn't, and that really only changes the regenerative braking power anyway.

We have a 2015 Ram with the dial shifter at work and I about put it through a gate when I jumped out to open the gate without selecting park. The first thing I tried with this new van was how it behaved in a similar circumstance and it automatically shifted to park and set the parking brake when you open the drivers door.

I guess no slow speed opening the door to dump your coffee or whatever but you probably also have to have the seatbelt off as well.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Not to make excuses for Chrysler, but no minivan transmission was worse than the Honda Odyssey. Once they made the Honda a real minivan with sliding doors, then stuck a V6 in it, it made the Chrysler transmission seem like a dream.

We once thought we were having a failed transmission on my dad's 150k mile 90's Caravan but come to find out the independent transmission shop had flushed it with general spec GM fluid from the time period about 6 months prior. It even said that fluid was acceptable on the dipstick. I guess acceptable for an emergency because once we switched it back to whatever AT3 Chrysler specific fluid was right, there was never a problem again past 200,000 miles when it was sold. I can't imagine how many transmissions were rebuilt those years when really all they needed was a fluid change back to the correct fluid. Similar story on that 2000 we had, started not shifting correctly, but a Jeep dealer of all places was able to just fix a under $200 speed sensor and we never had an issue again. I always wondered if a less honest shop would have just thrown a $1400 transmission at it becuase of the poor reputation they had.

I also am not defending Chrysler, they generally have nice vehicles but fall short in some fashion...

HOWEVER, their reputation for bad transmissions in the 90s is not entirely their fault. Chrysler designed a different spec ATF, higher temperatures iirc, but most shops were completely clueless about it. Toss in the fact that their transmissions also greatly benefit from an aftermarket fluid cooler that is not standard equipment...

Chrysler engines and transmissions are very optimized, that is, most amount of power possible while remaining reliable. Unfortunately, that means for the transmission there is little headroom to allow harsh environments. In the vans, they're pushing 300hp into a 5000lb vehicle through a trans the size of a beach ball/basketball...

Notice how police spec vehicles have larger coolers, oil pans, brakes, fans, etc.?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I guess no slow speed opening the door to dump your coffee or whatever but you probably also have to have the seatbelt off as well.

How is one to ghost ride with those nanny features?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WXoQPQDdxo

[Ecky]

Does it have an option to limit peak charge? You can prolong the life of lithium batteries by charging them more slowly and by avoiding cycling them completely full and empty (when not necessary).

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Does it have an option to limit peak charge? You can prolong the life of lithium batteries by charging them more slowly and by avoiding cycling them completely full and empty (when not necessary).

It has pretty much no control over anything. I think they wanted to make it seamless compared to a normal minivan. You can set a charging schedule, so theoretically you could have it just come on for a few hours knowing it wouldn't be enough to full charge. There is also no way to keep it from going to 0% before starting the motor.

I don't know the specifics but I have a feeling 100% is not 100% and 0% is not 0%. More like 0-100% of the prudent capacity that doesn't cause premature battery problems. As the gas motor can always kick in you don't need to bleed the battery dry, or charge it to actual 100% to gain a little more range.

I really wish you could force a gas mode so that say in a long trip you could save the EV mode for stop and go driving in the city at your destination. Instead you "waste" the EV driving steady 70 mph on the freeway say 300 miles across Washington and then it has to constantly start/stop when you hit rush hour on the 405 at your destination in Seattle.

I just found this bit on a Pacifica forum that applies at least to a 2018 model "According to the SAE PID for Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life, the battery pack is at 90.2% SOC when it shows “100%” on the instrument panel, and 25.9% SOC when the battery hits “0%”."