So I know the later years ahd adaptive suspension, but I believe the 09 doesn't. The manual just says it activates a more "dynamic driving experience" whatever that means.
So what does it actually do???

 

It sharpens the throttle response and gearbox kickdown (so it kicks down a little easier and earlier). Not by huge amounts but enough to notice the difference.

 

Good to know. I've been driving around with it on all the time and thought I ought to figure it out. Thanks!

 

Doesn't it also turn off DSC etc.? I thought I read in the manual that you should not drive in that mode on wet/slippery road surfaces....

 

Nup, DSC stays on, I have experimented a fair bit with Dynamic/Sport/DSC combos on both my old XFS and current XFR (both 2010 models).
I usually drive with Dynamic mode (the chequered flag) turned on, but if it's wet and slippery I turn it off. The enhanced throttle response and kickdown can result in a "moment" in the wet before the DSC catches it.

 

There are a few stages to the DSC: On, partially off, and off. In my 09 SC the when you press the checkered flag button it will partially turn off the DSC at the same time (same as tapping the DSC button). This isn't the case for all models/versions of the XF. I don't know if the XFR does this. To turn the DSC off you need to hold the DSC button for 10 seconds.

 

On mine when I hold down the checkered flag, I get a DSC Off message. I have to specifically turn DSC ON at this point. This is on an 09 XF SC.

 

Yeah, that's to be expected. For the first drive of the day, I usually get in and activate the checkered flag, then turn DSC back on. The good thing is that it stays in flag mode for the rest of the day without doing anything to dsc.

 

"What does the checkered flag do on an 09???"

I was told by my Jag salesman that WAS CALLED "DRIVE LIKE YOU STOLE IT MODE"