Jaguar XJ (2008 year). Manual - part 39

157

Transmission

R

Transmission

GEARSHIFT INTERLOCK

A brake pedal/gearshift interlock system 
is incorporated in the automatic gear 
selector mechanism.

To move the gear selector from Park:

1. Turn the ignition key to position II or 

start the engine.

2. Press the brake pedal.

Note: Under the following conditions, the 
brake pedal must be released and 
re-applied before moving the gear 
selector from Park:
• The gear selector was moved into 

Park while the brake pedal was 
depressed or;

• The brake pedal was depressed while 

the ignition was switched ON.

In either case the letter P for PARK on the 
gearshift will flash to indicate that the 
interlock is still active.

GEAR SELECTOR LEVER

The J-gate gear selector lever is designed 
to accommodate two different driving 
techniques as follows:
• Automatic selection – the right-hand 

side of the selector gate.

• Manual selection – the left-hand side 

of the selector gate to individually 
select 5th, 4th, 3rd, or 2nd gear.

Gear selector positions

!

WARNING:

The EPB or brake pedal must be 
applied before selecting forward or 
reverse drive from a stationary 
position.

P = Park – Use when parking. In this 
position the transmission is locked. Do 
not select if the vehicle is moving.

N = Neutral - Disconnects the driveline 
from the engine. Use the EPB when 
stopping temporarily.

Note: 

•

After selecting forward or reverse 
drive ranges from Neutral or Park, wait 
briefly for the transmission to engage 
before accelerating.

•

When in Neutral or Park the engine 
can only be accelerated to 4500 
rev/min.

R = Reverse – Do not select if the vehicle 
is moving forward. 

The reversing lamps come ON 
automatically when reverse gear is 
selected and the ignition switch is in 
position II.

D = Drive – All six gears are changed 
automatically as required by the throttle 
position and road speed.

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Transmission

158

L

2, 3, 4, 5 = If selected, the transmission 
operates automatically in second, third, 
fourth or fifth gear but will not engage 
gears higher than the one selected.

When the vehicle is stationary the 
automatic gear selector may be left in D, 
2, 3, 4, or 5, unless the vehicle is to be 
parked. When stopping for traffic lights, 
junctions etc., either select P or apply the 
EPB and select N.

Drive to fifth

When driving in gear position D with sixth 
gear engaged, the gear selector can be 
shifted sideways across the gate to 5.

Provided that the vehicle’s speed is not 
too great, the transmission will shift down 
to fifth. Sixth gear will be inhibited until the 
gear selector is moved back to D.

Hill climbing and engine braking

When driving on roads with long downhill 
gradients, selecting 3 or 2 (depending on 
road/traffic conditions) will give engine 
braking.

When the gear selector is moved from D, 
5, 4, or 3 down to 2, downshift to second 
gear will only take place at appropriate 
road speeds.

Reverse inhibit

Reverse is inhibited when the vehicle is 
moving forward at speeds above 8 km/h 
(5 mph).

Note: Reverse inhibit will not function in 
limp home mode.

Kickdown

Kickdown is operated when the pedal is 
pressed fully down, beyond the normal 
operating range and against a spring 
pressure, to provide maximum engine 
performance. 

Kickdown is used in circumstances where 
rapid acceleration is required, such as 
when overtaking.

Kickdown causes the transmission to 
change down to the lowest gear possible 
to achieve maximum acceleration.

The gear engaged depends on the road 
speed at the time of kickdown.

As well as shifting down, the gearshift 
points are extended to give greater 
performance. This mode is in effect for as 
long as the pedal is pressed fully down.

Limp home mode

In the unlikely event of an electrical or 
mechanical failure, transmission 
operation will be impaired. The vehicle 
gear selector ranges P, R, N, D can still be 
used to enable the vehicle to be driven to 
a safe area.

The driver should be aware that the 
vehicle’s performance will be reduced 
and must take this into account when 
driving. In this event consult a Jaguar 
Dealer immediately.

159

Transmission

R

SPORT MODE

The switch marked S on the J-gate 
surround enables the driver to select 
either normal N or sport S modes.

When sport mode is selected the 
automatic transmission will operate 
normally, but the gearshift points are 
extended to make full use of the engine’s 
power reserves.

To select Sport, press the switch. A red 
indicator within the switch is illuminated 
to indicate that sport mode has been 
selected.

To cancel Sport, press the switch again.

Note: Both sides of the J- gate can be 
used, irrespective of transmission mode. 
For example, with S selected, the 
transmission can be operated in full 
automatic mode or by manual selection.

In addition to the switched transmission 
modes (N and S) the transmission control 
module will select shift patterns to suit 
specific conditions.

Cruise Control

When cruise control is operating at set 
speed the transmission selects a shift 
pattern to suit cruise control operation.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

When DSC is switched ON and the 
system is activated, the transmission 
selects a shift pattern to suit traction 
control conditions.

Gradients

When the vehicle is being driven on roads 
with uphill gradients, the transmission 
adapts the shift pattern to make better 
use of engine power and aid engine 
cooling.

Note: Under the conditions previously 
described, the relevant transmission 
mode will override the N or S modes 
selected by the driver. When such 
conditions no longer exist, the 
transmission will revert to the shift pattern 
previously selected by the driver, i.e. N or 
S.

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Cruise (Speed) Control

160

L

Cruise (Speed) Control

INTRODUCTION

The cruise (speed) control system, when 
fitted, can be used by the driver to 
maintain a selected vehicle speed above 
28 km/h (17.5 mph) without the driver 
having to use the accelerator.

Switches on the steering wheel allow the 
driver manual control of the system. 
Brake operation also influences the cruise 
control system.

1. RESUME - to resume the set speed 

retained in memory.

2. SET - to set the speed or 

increase/decrease the set speed 
when the speed has been set.

3. CANCEL - cancels cruise control but 

retains the set speed in memory.

OPERATION

Setting the vehicle speed

!

WARNING:

Only use cruise control when 
conditions are favourable, for example, 
straight, dry, open roads with light 
traffic.

When you are travelling at the speed you 
require, which must be above 28 km/h 
(17.5 mph), press the SET button.

Cruise control will engage and maintain 
the set speed and you can remove your 
foot from the accelerator pedal.

Note: Cruise control will automatically 
disengage when the brake pedal is 
pressed or when the vehicle speed falls 
below 26 km/h (16 mph).

Changing the set speed

There are three ways to change the set 
speed:

1. Accelerate or decelerate to the 

desired speed then press the SET (+) 
button.

2. Increase or decrease the speed by 

pressing and holding either SET (+) or 
(–) until the desired speed is obtained, 
then release the switch.

3. Increase or decrease the speed in 

steps of 2 km/h (1 mph) by briefly 
pressing either the SET (+) or (–) until 
the desired speed is obtained.

Resuming the set speed

If the vehicle is accelerated above the set 
speed, then the set speed will be resumed 
when the accelerator pedal is released.

If CANCEL is pressed, or the brake pedal 
is pressed, the cruise control will 
disengage but the set speed memory will 
be retained. Press RESUME and the 
vehicle will return to the set speed.

Note: Cruise control will not resume at 
speeds below 28 km/h (17.5 mph).

RESUME will not operate if the ignition 
has been turned off.

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