Due to job assignment, had my 04 Jag transported to RI from Southern Ca (Ca. based Jag & US point of entry). First teen-digit days - front air suspension /vehicl low warning alert. Compressor could not pressurize front struts - Hissing sounds observed. after few minutes seals would take. Front air struts replaced after several days of this, seal apparently worn & cold weather just made worse. Mech. indicated cold weather contracted seals. (upper) ..More an observation and sharing. Visually low looking front end as I approached Jag (fender line plane below top of front tire)

2nd issue-on-going . No garage here in my RI location, so had to leave Jag covered (under premium coverking cover) in extreme cold two weeks approx - in temp range zero to mid teens approx one week (almost like a cold soak) . Jag started on return OK - after warm up, and drive out, noticed for two days heavy exhaust smoke when I would throttle up -seems to have cleared up, but back again after couple extreme cold days - Is this unusual for cold weather storage. Engine Oil is recommended Jag synthetic oil. It is not water vapor- although that seems excessive also. Any inputs or experience like that ?

3rd cold weather observation - Nav screen goes crazy like Outer Limits screen for first ten to fifteen minutes before stabilizing. Only occurs after start up when outside temp is below 28 degrees F. Again any inputs on this ?

I can hear this cat chattering & saying get me back to So. Cal!

 

Sorry, I'm English. Where is 'RI' ?

 

RI is Rhode Island - state in the Northeast of US

 

My XJR's RPMs pulse when driving in freezing weather. If I'm driving/cruising not using much accelerator when the engine hasn't fully warmed up, the engine RPMs pulse up and down between 250-400rpm. I don't get the issue if I accelerate hard or when the engine warms up. I don't recall this happening the last two winters. Anybody seen this before?

 

When cold my 04 XJ8 will have varying RPM when driving at a steady 45mph. Only happens during the first 5 - 10 miles of driving after that all is fine. If I accelerate its fine. Shifting is normal. I thought it could be slightly low transmission fluid but have not checked it.

 

I think this problem is known as "hunting". I happens during warmup of the gearbox at a certain speed range. On cold days it takes longer to get through the "hunting" zone.
There is no fix for this, unless you exchange the gearbox to a later model.

 

I have learned my 08 loves the warm weather. It is never happy in the extreme cold until it fully warms up. Not sure why but these are warm blooded cars lol. The cold upsets them

 

My 2004 XJ8 (X350) absolutely hates the cold. It is currently single digits and when you start her she clatters and shakes and does not idle smooth at all. Must feather the gas for about 30 seconds. The brakes are also very hard to press when it gets below 30 F. You have to be very careful and not tailgate anyone and give yourself extra room to stop until she's good and warmed up. The trunk/boot button freezes solid and will not open and sometimes the rear doors do this also. The most annoying thing she does is this surge/pulse when you stop at a light which makes the car move slightly forward and backward so it makes you look impatient. I've been told this is the electronic transmission turning off/on bands to warm the temperature (Huh? Really?). She will also occasionally throw misfire codes on all cylinders (usually 3-4 times during the 4 months of winter). With that said, I have concluded that the Jag just isn't well equipped to handle weather extremes outside it's standard operating range but I've not been stranded yet. Whenever I get a code during the winter, I review them and then just reset them. When spring rolls around, she is usually running fine again.