AWD Question

A few weeks ago I became the new owner of an '05 AWD Pacifica Touring, with the 3.5L engine. When I'm driving it feels like the AWD is constantly engaged, especially when driving at very low speeds, and pulling into/out of parking spaces. It is very, very noticeable while backing out of my driveway, and the tires tend to "skip" when I turn the steering wheel. I have owned quite a few 4X4 SUV's (Durango, Grand Cherokee's, etc.) so I'm familiar with AWD/4X4 operation, and the feeling of driving a vehicle with 4X4 engaged, but according to the owners manual the AWD only kicks in when the front wheels begin to slip. Does this seem normal for the Pacifica AWD? Also, in the 550 miles I've driven so far, I'm averaging 16 mpg, which seems a little low for a car that is suppose to operate a majority of the time in 2-wheel drive. I drive very conservatively, traveling mostly on rural roads at speeds of 35-45 mph.
 
I've read other threads in this forum referring to computer updates that affect both engine and transmission performance. Is there any way to determine if my new Pacifica needs these updates?
 
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

its AWD all the time  there is no disengagement of the system The jeeps and durangos might have has select trax where u can have 4x4 some of the time. Yeah u will also have lower MPG because of that. If u give me the last 8 of the vin i will look and see if there is an engine update that will change the performance of your computer and tranny computer.

Chrysler Tech,
 
Thanks for the response to my questions. You're correct about jeeps and the durango having a 4X4 system that can be engaged/disengaged with the flip of the transfer case shifter.
 
As to the vin for my Pacifica, it's 5R526957.
 
Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.  

u might have updates  but none of them are for performance. There are 3 1 for missfire  1 for idle roughness at 2500 and 1 for low speed parking low idle undershoot.

i have a 04 awd cant even tell when awd is working my mpg is 19 city and 22 highway

it works all the time  there is no turning it off it is just like a full time all wheel drive jeep

Getting 19 mpg city isn't too hard to take, especially for an AWD. Before I bought my Pacifica, I did some research on mpg averages, and they seemed to run in the 18-22 mpg range for city driving (the EPA estimate is 17 mpg), so the 16 mpg I'm currently getting seems low. My 1999 Durango (with a V8) gave me 16 mpg when driven in 2WD, and it was much larger and heavier than the Pacifica. If I could manage 18 or 19 mpg with the Pacifica, I'd be a happy camper! Last week I installed a K & N air filter, but it's too soon to tell if it will help my gas mileage, but there is a noticeable improvement with acceleration and low-end performance. 

i installed a k & n in mine a it gave me about 1 mpg more

The research I found indicated that the Pacifica is basically FWD and the rear wheels only engage when the front wheels loose traction.

I have an 04...

Dear Chrysler Tech,
I have an 06 and have yet to get 16 MPG...I have yet to get better than 13MPG.
I've had it back to the Chysler Dealer and they said they find nothing wrong.
Can you PLEASE check mine?
My VIN ends in: R612887.
The gas mileage is killing me.
Thank you.

do u ahve all wheel drive??  the vin is missing one number b4 the R   if u have aAWD  then u will get lower MPG  plus  do u drive with it in defrost  or with the AC on???   that makes a difference  plus how u drive does the same.

Sorry about that...the last numbers are 76R612887.
It is definitely AWD.
It has been very cold here near Pittsburgh this winter.  But we don't let it warm up too much and we do drive with the defrost on at times, but not continuously. 
Even on the road, we didn't get better that 15MPG. 
The local Chysler dealer was nice enough to put in a new air filter, but it did nothing to improve the mileage.
We tried using 89 Octane, but it made no difference, too.
We'll try anything...
Thank you.
 
 

oh  i forgot to ask one question how are u getting the MPG ???  are u doing the math or are u using the trip computer in the car?
if u are using the one in the car  that is an avg for the whole time u have had that thing running and never reset the trip computer. Look in the owners manual and reset the trip time to 0 then get a reading. If u are doing the math yourself then I would haft to say its your driving habbits and area u drive in.
I see u have had the recall done where the PCM it now at the latest software so thats where it needs to be. Other than that there are no other improvements that can be done  plus u know u have the 3.5L engine  the 3.8 gets a bit better.

I reset the computer all of the time.
Thank you for your assistance.