Howdy,

I have a 2002 XJ8 and I was wondering exactly what the sport mode button does... does it stiffen the shocks, does it change the shift points or anything else??

 

On an XJ or XK the 'S' sport switch does one and only one thing . . . it causes the Transmission Control Module to change to the 'sports' memory program. That program moves the shift points up about 350 rpm's. The result is that you move up the HP/Torque curve a little but it feels like a lot.

The issue with leaving the transmission in 'S' all the time is that at the 45 to below 60 mph level the transmission is not going to shift into 5th. The result is a 1-2 mpg reduction in fuel economy.

I drive in 'S' most of the time but try to remember to shift up if road and traffic conditions would benefit from the 5th gear.

Enjoy the car!

 

If you have the Mercedes gearbox on the 'R' cars, you have 2 selectable reverse ratios.

bob gauff

 

Do NOT push the S button. It stands for 'Self-destruct'. The car will self-destruct into an unrecognizable pile of rubble 10 seconds after pushing the button. It is in your best interest to not be inside the vehicle when this happens.

 

I must have a different button...because when I push the "S" button I hear theme music and my car suddenly has a cape, oh, and lots of hot scantily clad women appear in the car...

 

I don't use it. I had a noitceable drop in fuel economy when I used it, so the button remains unpressed.

 

S button also uses first gear..

 

Hahaha... all the XJR guys whinging about first gear. Well, on my normally aspirated car, I'm smug, I mean, happy, to report that 1st is easily accessible.

Just kidding around

And by the way, from what I remember, the Sport mode memorises your acceleration habits, and uses an intelligent pattern based on that. Which is excellent.

@SteveM and Newby... lol!!! I believe suicide is in order, however, from the hideously cheesy nature of those posts .

I thought "S" stood for "Snail" mode. It's accompanied by a special dash light, reading "GEARBOX FAULT"

 

I thought the sport mode was ON when the button is unpressed...

 

For faster reverse launches?

 

AFAIK this happens in both modes. At least with the mercedes box.

 

In a previous car years back as a teenager I had (just once) tried a Dukes of Hazzard style floor-it-in-reverse, cut-wheel-hard, continue now traveling forward. Would be loads of fun to try it in my 17-foot-long VDP! (but love the Jag too much to do that, maybe in another lifetime anyway)

 

That would be fun for about 3 seconds, but a resulting total repair bill with a comma sounds like 'high roller' expensive 3 second fun.

 

This made me think, (which is strange), but my 02 T Bird has a memory for the way I drive also. I don't know what tranny Ford put in the Bird but a number of things are similar with my Jag.

 

I think you mean a Rockford files type J-turn? I have done this in my XJ8 and the car managed it well. I was in our depot which is a gravel type surface which wasn't too bad for playing round on.

If your car has CATs adaptive suspension, the S button also changes how it responds, i.e. a little sportier ride.

 

I think all is does is change the trans shift points and keeps you out of overdrive. Which of course burns more gas.

 

Changes shift points, holds gears longer.

I noticed on my car that the active steering was quicker to become heavier weighted. But it could've been a placebo effect.

I miss carving corners in my Sport

 

Chinny,

What kind of car are you driving these days?

 

I need to get my car in to the shop, because obviously something is wrong. None of that happens when I press the S button.

 

Simply changes shift points allowing for higher RPM. As far as not going into OD...cruising down the highway at 72 it stays at the same RPM in either mode. The difference is in "S" [sport mode] is when you depress the pedal to the floor.