• Just interested, but whenever I put my XF 2.2 into sport and select paddle mode, if I come to a stop the car automatically downshifts to 2nd gear, not 1st. Seems fine to drive to me but a bit odd it doesnt drop down into 1st. Is this the case for everyone? Is 1st only selected dependent on a steep gradient maybe? Am I missing something?
  

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Lots of debate on the Jaginfo forum over whether the XF 2.2 defaults to 2nd or 1st gear when stopped and then on take off.
Some say/observe 2nd gear, others say/observe 1st gear, but in my experience (3.0D S and 5.0 XFR) it defaults to 2nd gear and only drops to 1st gear on take off if you give it plenty of right hoof, so in effect it kicks down from 2nd to 1st. Alternatively you can use the left paddle to knock it down to 1st gear.

 

The best way to find out for sure is to use the monitoring tool in SDD to display what gear your car is in. I did it on my 07 XKR and it drops in to 1st every time when I come to a halt when the car is in auto mode.

 

That is what I see as well (XF RS)

 

my car (XFR) never goes into first unless i manually do it

 

Are you just saying that because it is what you see when you use the flappy paddles so assume it does the same in D or have you analysed the gearbox?

Many people were certain that the XKR's always pulled away in second in D until I demonstrated that they didn't using SDD and it has been confirmed that the 5.0 litre XKR's are the same.

The workshop manual for your car also says this which implies that it will start in 1st at some other times:

"For example, on slippery surfaces in Winter mode the transmission
will select 2nd gear for starting from a standstill on a flat surface to minimize wheel slip."

 

when i use the paddles, it always goes to 2nd.

when i drive in D, i cant be certain for sure, but it definitely feels like it starts in 2nd. its a bit slower than when i manually start in first. (also you can tell the tires are about to break lose when in 1st).

however when you slam the gas and hit the kickdown, i assume its gunna go into first

 

It goes into first without hitting the kickdown. I live on a hill and there is a stop sign halfway up. My XFR leaves in 2nd in Drive.

However when leaving the stop sign and I apply the throttle a bit more aggressively (and when I say a bit, I mean it), it will downshift to first at about 3 feet of roll. Up goes the boost and it's a neck jerker. Seems like I don't know how to drive when it happens.

 

Just a thought would it depend on if you have elected D or sport setting? I don't have the XF but I presume the rotary dial has the S setting?

 

thanks for confirming. i know what you mean about the neck jerker, i feel that too sometimes and i dont live on a hill. i didnt realize it was shifting into first.

if thats the case, then why the hell does it even start in 2nd? thats some stupid *** logic

 

I believe it's actually more efficient and smooth to do so in most cases. The motor definitely has enough power/torque to get it done and it eliminates the car shifting into first and the associated wear and jerkiness that accompanies the use of first.

I personally love that it leaves in second. I'm sure many times the car goes straight from 2nd to 4th or 5th from stoplights as I get some space off the line then relax at something near the speed limit (or within 30-40%)