My car recently started displaying "Service Required". it will appear for 3 seconds on start up and disappear. My XJ used to do this all the time at start up, it meant nothing.

my car also just hit 40k, had oil changed at 38k.....so is it a mileage based alert? or something more that needs investigation?

 

Its based on Time and/or mileage. Whoever changed your oil probably forgot to reset it. After a while it will stay on longer. If it was a dealer I would take it back to reset it if convenient. if not here's the procedure - May take a few tries to get it reset.

Resetting service reminder:
1. Press and hold rear fog lamp switch
2. Turn ignition on, do not start engine
3. Release rear fog lamp switch
4. Press and hold trip button (end of left side stalk)
5. Press and hold rear fog lamp switch
6. See "Resetting Service Light" message in message center
7, keep holding till the message says its reset, let go too soon and start again

 

I did this about 10 days ago and it took me over a dozen tries to finally get it. Reading your instructions vs. what I did, I thought steps 4 and 5 were supposed to be applied simultaneously. Is that not the case? Maybe that's why it took me so many tries. Also, I thought each of the steps had to be done within 1 second of one another. Is this true?

 

Yes, steps 4 & 5 are simultaneous.
You have around 2 seconds total to complete steps 1 to 5, that's why it's so hard to get it right. I've done it four or five times now and it still takes me at least six goes to get it right!

 

Yep - 1-2 sec between steps. As far as 4&5 I think I just pressed the trip button then pressed the fog lamp button and held both for a few seconds until the service reset message came on - You'd think I'd remember exactly as I just did this about a week ago.
May give it another try when I get a chance and report back. I does usually take a few tries to get it right.

 

No, it's not one or two seconds between steps, it's 2 seconds in total from steps 1 to 5 inclusive. Bang bang bang bang bang as fast as you can, that's why it's so hard.

 

Does this message and reset procedure also apply to the 2009 XFs? I've been changing my own oil for the 8 years we've owned the car, and never reset anything, and never have seen any messages........

 

Yes, it also applies to the 2009 XF, but it's strange you have never had the message.

 

step 4 and 5 are not simultaneous - you need to hit the trip button just before re-hitting the fog lamps or reset mode will not appear

thanks for all of the help...funny this is not in the manual, eh?