So the wife came home this morning complaining that her new XJ (2012, ~600 miles) is "shifting hard"..

I took it around the block and it does seem that it is shifting 'clunky' - especially when downshifting.

Is this something that might be 'broken', or just an ECU type thing that might adjust itself out? Worth a (long) trip back to the dealer?

 

Very unlikely anything is broken, but might need software update.

 

I knew it.... they had a **perfect** 6-speed transmission and now they follow the trend and go for the 8-speed. I really don't like 8 speed transmissions. They still have to get a lot better. As mentioned before, my LS-460 has the 8-speed and I think it's just wrong. I have driven the BMW 7-speed as well, and it's the same thing. Indecision, early down shifting, late upshifting, it takes the pleasure of driving away. Jaguar should at least keep the 6-speed trans as an option for '13 buyers. And one of the best, if not THE best auto trans I've had the chance to drive was the 5-speed in the S-600 (V-12) - now that is how auto trans should be. Just perfect. I've heard that the auto trans on the Aston DB-9 is also a dream, but haven't had the chance to test it.

Several software updates were done for my 8-speed LS-460 and I still hate the 8 speed. It's nice and smooth if you're just chugging around but when you need it, it lags.

 

Well, took it into the dealer today - and it will be staying the weekend ..

The service manager was very skeptical there was any problem and even stated that since they've started using that transmission back in '09 or so, he has literally only seen real (non computer) issues with TWO ... so we went for a ride...

About 100 yards out of the driveway he says "oh.. that's not right" .. then "hmm.. that's not good" .....

Seems that mostly when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, it shifts then tries to do another shift resulting in a (sometimes) strong 'jerk' forward and back.. reflashing (or whatever) the computer didnt do it so they are doing more on Monday..

..FWIW, this is a 2012 with a 6-speed.. ZF i think.

 

Got the XJ back yesterday with a new "Valve body" for the trans.. Shifting smooth as silk again...

 

Glad your back on the road again.

 

Reading this thread with interest, now that my XJ has begun experiencing erratic trans signs - including the lurch (but mine occurs when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse). I too notice that shifts are not as smooth. However, the most troublesome sign being a knock from the rear when I downshift & accelerate at highway speeds. Its only happened twice - about a month apart...
Time to call the dealer Monday morning.

 

What model year is your car, mate?

 

Mine is a 2012 supercharged w/ Speed and Sport packs

 

Darn, that sucks, sorry mate! I notice mine gets "stuck" in gear for a bit when I go downhill after starting from a dead stop...it does eventually change gears after revving high for a bit, but I usually use the paddles to upshift when that happens. I thought that it was just normal since it only does it when accelerating downhill from a stop/slow speed. Will have to keep an eye out on it now....

 

I wonder if what I've been experiencing is similar?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-clunk-172536/

Mine mostly seems to emit a "clunk" noise whenever you engage or disengage the throttle - also occasionally when it is quickly upshifting after letting off the gas. I've noticed too that when going highway speeds, if you really lay into the gas and get a couple gear downshift it seems to "slam" into the lower gear. Does that sound similar to what an ECU trans update might fix? Or does that seem more mechanical? In the two years I've owned my car, honestly it hasn't gotten any better or worse. I've considered doing a trans flush but the dealer didn't feel it was necessary yet.

 

2012 xj when coming to a stop seems to lurch forward dealer unable to find problem this started after battery replacement.

 

years ago my ex had an XF, and she complained about this too. i could feel it when she drove the car, but i couldnt reproduce it when i drove it, and neither could the dealer. we eventually concluded that the transmission "learned" how she was braking, basically slowing down, lifting off the brakes, and then hitting them again.

now that i have my '12 XJ, it does something similar, but i think its just simply the car downshifting at a stop to 1st gear. That is completely my speculation, but since ive had 2 different Jags from the same era do the same thing, it feels normal at this point. I will say though sometimes its a bit more lurchy than others, and it sometimes surprises me, but it seems normal to me.