Much has been written here as to how sport mode works( raises shift points , etc) but I can't find any discussion or recommendations as to how one actually drives in sports mode ? When to use it? techniques ?

Once the sport mode is selected ( button out) does one leave the shifter in the "D" position or move it over the J gate to the "2" position" ?

Lets say that one is at a standstill and wants really go like hell "through the gears". What is the sequence?..When is the shifter moved from 2 to 3 to 4 ?

Should "Trac" Be turned off? Yes ? No ?

Any suggestions / instructions appreciated .... Thanks

 

Sport mode raises the shift point in D to about 3000, unless you floor it when it will shift near redline. But if you use the j gate you must decide when to shift It will still take off in first but will not upshift beyond the gear you have selected.

If you shut off traction control you are liable to spin tires but it will not help acceleration.

Flooring it in D will probably be as good as it gets, but you don't have a dragster.

Lastly, be aware that the A drum is the weak point in the transmission and stressing it by calling for max from standstill may hasten it's failure. And never rev in neutral and shift into gear.

 

Just realized you didn't identify the year/model. My comments relate to a XJ8 4.0 liter.

 

Thanks RJ237

I should have mentioned that my Jaguar is a 2003 XJR (x308) which as I understand has the Merc tranny...

 

If I recall, and I may be mistaken so forgive me if I am, the XJR mercedes box starts off in 2nd gear in normal mode and 1st when sport is engaged. But I may be mistaken as I'm far more familiar with the XJ8's with the ZF box.

Anyway, if you've engaged sport and wish to use the J gate, then treat it as a semi automatic gearbox. For example if you're whizzing along the road and approach a bend, you could knock it into "3" and the box would change into 3rd but not up-shift until you move it to "4" or "D" which is actually "5".
If you selected "3" from a standstill then the car would go through "1", "2" and into "3" but wouldn't go to "4" until you move the gear stick, however it is free to shift back down to "2".

I use the J Gate a lot when pressing on, it's a very nice arrangement once you've mastered it. I much prefer it over having paddles or buttons on the steering wheel.

 

You're right Stu, it starts in second unless you use sport mode.

 

And that gearbox has 2 speeds for reverse.

bob

 

To all you guys that replied. I now have a much clearer understanding as to how "S"" is actually used .
I must say though, that I find this car to be shockingly quick and fast for a 2 ton car of its size even when its in just "normal mode". Passengers I've had are astonished ( a little horrified) when I have( on rare occasions) called the supercharger on the highway. wow !

Anyway , its clear that this beastie can summon a police siren quite easily with or without S mode. To be honest , my wife finds the car to be a little bit "scary". I can't say that I blame her. it is ! I never unleash even the slightest hint of terror this car can create with her in it. The nasty snarling "growler" emblem on the front of the nose speaks volumes about the Jekyll and Hyde personality of this "Thug in a sharp suit" as she sometimes calls it

last question... Why would anyone want/ need a 2 speed reverse ? ( 2003 XJR Merc tranny) I have all I can do to drive a car straight just going forward. Thanks again guys .

 

Ask Mercedes Benz engineers.

bob

 

On the 2000 xjr is the sport mode the same as the one talked about.

 

ALL 4.0 XJR from VIN XJ Series (From (V)812317 to (V)F59525) use the W5A580 (722.6) gearbox.

bob

 

To make a quicker getaway from baddies driving towards you down an alleyway in a Camero.

But from what I recall from reading about the Mercedes gearbox a few years ago, the reason for the 2 reverse gears was a Winter and Summer mode, different ratios for different weather. How the gearbox tells the difference I'm unsure, I imagine it gets information from the external temperature sensor.

It's a good gearbox though, and it weighs a lot less than the ZF5HP24 unit fitted to the XJ8.

 

Apart from abusive techniques employed with both gerabox types, you really are not going to gain any more traction or quicker sprint times
than otherwise leaving in 'D' and select sport mode.
This provides the quickest times....the gearbox can think quicker than your reflexes ;o))
My own driving technique is to use 'sport' mode only below 80kph (50mph) as it allows better response from the engine/gearbox
I rarely if ever turn off 'Trac' unless I wish to be a complete 'drongo' and leave rubber everywhere....you're driving a bit of class...so, act like it ;o))

 

comment makes sense....although I would NEVER drive my near mint XJR in snow/winter. Interestingly , my winter car is another over engineered German transmission marvel...a VW Passat 4W drive GLX Wagon that also has a similar concept "J Gate set up for semi automatic driving. I love the thing . It can't be beaten for winter in New England IMO while my "baby" sleeps in a warm garage Nov -April.
I experimented with sport mode last night and confirmed that all the comments on this thread are correct. Taking off in D with S mode on is totally different from with it off. I could see where it woud be quite useful if you wanted to blow away some kiddie in his hot Mustang at a stop light. Not me though. I drive like the old fart that I am and "baby" my Jag. Here's a couple of pics of what my wife named "Black Jack"

 

My car ALWAYS has S activated. It neither increases wear on the clutches in the tranny nor does it put more strain on the drive train.

The pedal has a better connection to the engine. Every movement of the pedal will result in some kind of action from the tranny. Either dropping a gear, dropping two gears or even just allowing for more slippage and knocks the torque convertor out of lock up (kind of a half-kickdown).

The only thing which ups is the fuel consumption

I've noticed, compared to normal mode (which, btw., is the winter mode on BMWs with the same tranny!), that you will get a normal shift at around 3000 rpm (+/- 200) and that the shifts will be a little "stiffer"...

 

Funny, this conversation just came up in the Rennlist forums last week and my response is exactly the same over here...........There's an option to turn off Sport mode? But why?

If you have a performance exhaust on your X308 (Like Daim and myself) most likely your on our page. In the XJR I find it to be a disservice to myself to not have it in sport and hear the 1-2-3 shift, not that loooooong boring 2 then 3 shift.

 

Hmm, I think it maybe time to activate "sport mode" lol.

 

Count yourselves lucky... down here premium petrol is over $7/gallon.
It's pretty effective at making you avoid the Sport button

 

Absolutely. If you bought your car for comfort, sure, D has smoother changes. But these cars sound so nice with a tweaked exhaust. So sport it must stay!

 

Oh, that's cheap!

€1.66/liter here for premium stuff. I tank for €0.52/l... (LPG)