Guys,

As I'm new to my XFR I wanted to verify how the voice command system is supposed to work. As I understand it I should be able to press the button on the steering wheel and I should see a visual prompt on the center gauge/screen and be audibly prompted by the system asking me to say a command. I then can control Nav, phone, etc. As I bought my car private party I didn't get to try that out until the drive home and I get nothing. When you press the button the stereo does mute for a moment but there is no prompt and no change on the center screen.

It's at the dealer now for this (and a leaking coolant line) but they don't seem to understand how the feature even works (which is a bit concerning). They don't have any other XFRs on the lot so they are looking to see if one of the XF Supercharge cars has that feature. I figured checking with other owners would help me verify what is supposed to happen so we can figure out what's wrong.

Again this is a 2011 XFR and as I understand the only feature it doesn't have is the radar cruise control. They did at least give me a base XF as a loaner but it doesn't have Nav nor does it seem to have any sort of voice control, that said I obviously didn't pair my phone with it but could just to check.

Thanks for any input you guys have.

-Ross

 

Do a search and you will find that Jaguar de-activated it in certain model year cars (I think only 2011) due to the complexity of the system and negative owner feedback effecting their (Jaguar) owner satisfaction. It's in the forums somewhere. If you INSIST with the dealer they can turn it back on. They may have to call Jaguar to get the procedure if unfamiliar, or so I am told. I also bought a used 2011 from the dealer and later learned it was turned off. I have not had the opportunity to return it for activation, but I will...

 

On my 2011 XFR i had the dealer check to see if they could turn it on and they said my car did not come with voice activation even though it has the button on the wheel.

 

Interesting - hmm, well not sure what to do now. So for those that don't have the function does it act like mine does - meaning it just does nothing? Given they have had a few screw ups fixing my car I think I'll push them to enable this for me as a apology for all the crap they've put me through. Am I right it's as simple as flipping a switch, meaning it's a no-cost upgrade for them?

I will search for it - my apologies that I didn't as it felt very unique to my car - clearly that's the newb in my ownership.

-Ross

 

Ross -

I have a 2011 XFR as well - and the voice control works fine. I have not had any issues with it so far.

The warranty for the 2011 is five years, and depending on your mileage (<50K), I believe it should be covered if it needs to be repaired.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input - while my car has 48k I also have a Jag premium extended warranty to 100k so it's not about the warranty it's about the feature being enabled. I think now the reality is it probably never was enabled as the original owner was a 75 year old gentlemen who I doubt ever used it. So I'm gonna call Jag Monday morning and tell them that it just needs to be enabled and for all the crap they've put me through they need to do that ASAP. In short I had a minor fender bender (hit a curb at about 15mph) and they've now had the car 5 WEEKS. Got it back earlier in the week and they screwed up the install of the coolant lines so a pulley rubbed through them raining coolant in my garage. They are being nice but still 5 weeks is getting crazy.

-Ross

 

The 2010's and 2011's originally came with Voice Control, but not a very good system. Due to numerous complaints and bad reviews (I understand the last straw was when Jaguar got murdered in the J.D. Power surveys on this issue) Jaguar USA decided they couldn't wait for the upgraded design coming on the 2012's and ordered voice control deactivation on all unsold cars, including those already on the lots. This happened about a third of the way through the 2011 model year, so 2011 cars sold before that point had voice control, those after that point did not, although the steering wheel button did still mute the sound system.

Dealers were initially instructed to tell buyers that the deactivation could not be reversed, but Jaguar USA eventually softened their stand somewhat. While still strongly discouraged, enough whining on the buyer's part will eventually succeed. It is much more than merely flipping a switch however, the dealer must obtain a one time code from Jaguar USA (who will refuse at first) and then reflash the ECU. The dealer is supposed to charge for one hour labor and obtain a signed statement that the owner will not complain about the function or seek to reverse the process.

I have had the voice command reactivated on mine. I have to admit the feature was nowhere near as useful as I thought it would be, and now I almost never use it. Now if only I could get shift paddle functionality in D (also deactivated in naturally aspirated 2011's with 5.0L) reactivated I would have a feature I really want. So far at least they have said this is impossible.

 

They lied to you! Have them call Jaguar

 

Well gave the story to my dealer and while they believed me and tried they apparently couldn't get their scan tool to read the car properly and get it activated. Promised they would figure it out and when they do they'd give me a loaner car for the day while they program it. Given it's a Jag, Aston, Maserati, Lambo dealer I'm hoping for a Vantage loaner. Or Quatroportte. Or Huracan. Come on Huracan!!

Thanks for the input guys, pretty shocking I had to tell such a high end dealership about their own cars. D'oh.

 

My XFR has it and it works ok, but I really have not used it much. I do like her voice though..lol

 

Can you guys confirm for me that you can use voice control to add destinations to the Nav system while driving? That's the primary thing I want as I hate having to pull off to enter something in the system. While I do wish you could defeat that I do understand the safety aspect of it and as such I use the voice system in my Pathfinder often for this very purpose. If my inexpensive Nissan has this feature my uber-car Jag should for sure!

-Ross