Hi, I'm going to pick up an XF Supercharged in a week or so.

Are there any software options I should be asking the dealer to set up for me? I read the paddle shift thread with interest, but is there anything else?

Thanks!!

Dave

 

There are a number of things that can be changed but likely the dealer won't while the car is under warranty. BTW, paddle shifting is only really beneficial in Sport mode. It is only very occasionally handy in D mode. Tripping the paddles inadvertently is very easy to do. Think carefully before asking for the paddles to be active in D mode.

 

Clarification to jagular's post - in the Supercharged (at least for 2011, and I think for 2012 too), the paddle shifters are default active in D mode, so the question would be whether to request the dealer to deactivate the paddles in D mode. I think this is a determination better made after a period of ownership, rather than at initial delivery.

 

I use the paddle shifters all the time in drive. Its great downshifting and slowing the vehicle down before a light, in traffic, or down a hill so you dont ride the brakes. It doesnt hurt the transmission and saves brake pads. Then when your done down shifting just hold the up shift button until the car reverts to drive again.

 

It is no longer correct to use the transmission to brake the car by downshifting. In fact, it has not been correct since front disc brakes became normal fitment, which for British cars has been 50 years. Transmissions are much more expensive to repair than brakes. While it doesn't "hurt" a transmission it does wear it out every time it shifts.

Brakes are used to control speed transmissions are used for acceleration. Any other driving style is just incorrect, ask any racing driver.

I agree that one ought to drive the car before deciding whether one prefers the paddles to be always active or only in Sport mode. The ZF automatic has to be experienced to be believed. It almost always selects the correct gear, will hold the gear if you lift off abruptly or during cornering and the traction control will hold the selected gear if any wheel slip is detected. It is spookily prescient considering it cannot see the future requirements of the driver. Much better than any double clutch box I've driven.

 

As far as I can tell the Supercharge comes with the "paddle shift in drive" feature enabled.

Coming from a Range Rover (FFRR) I'm probably the only person on this forum that uses the auto-manual to improve fuel economy :-)

Is there anything else I should be asking the dealer to setup for me?