mosesbotbol
Veteran Member
close
- Join DateMay 2008
- LocationBoston, USA
- Posts:6,286
-
Likes:1,452
-
Liked:1,208 Times in 937 Posts
Gearing seems fine to me as is.
Senior Member
Quote:
In auto mode though the XK actually always pulls away in 1st so I wouldn't be surprised if the F-Type does as well. I recorded a video of my 07 XKR to demonstrate it and have also plugged in my SDD and watched the gear changes so I know for certain mine does.
The documentation I can find for the F-Type implies that it only pulls away in 2nd in snow mode.
The documentation for the Dynamic Launch mode on the F-Type says to put it in D or S as part of the process and explains that in Dynamic Launch the engine’s torque is not lowered during the gear change compared to sports mode.
"This delivers maximum through-gear vehicle acceleration, through 1st and 2nd and then through 3rd and 4th gear changes. This allows the car to accelerate more quickly than when in ‘conventional’ Sport Mode."
0.3 seconds quicker apparently but that shows that in D or S it will use 1st gear. Under light acceleration it will change from 1st to 2nd very quickly so may feel like it pulls away in 2nd.
Yes I am sure.Originally Posted by u102768
Are you sure? From experience with the XK, people get confused because in manual mode the car will automatically drop to 2nd when you come to a halt, rather than 1st if you don't touch the paddles. It will then pull away in 2nd so they assume it always does. In auto mode though the XK actually always pulls away in 1st so I wouldn't be surprised if the F-Type does as well. I recorded a video of my 07 XKR to demonstrate it and have also plugged in my SDD and watched the gear changes so I know for certain mine does.
The documentation I can find for the F-Type implies that it only pulls away in 2nd in snow mode.
The documentation for the Dynamic Launch mode on the F-Type says to put it in D or S as part of the process and explains that in Dynamic Launch the engine’s torque is not lowered during the gear change compared to sports mode.
"This delivers maximum through-gear vehicle acceleration, through 1st and 2nd and then through 3rd and 4th gear changes. This allows the car to accelerate more quickly than when in ‘conventional’ Sport Mode."
0.3 seconds quicker apparently but that shows that in D or S it will use 1st gear. Under light acceleration it will change from 1st to 2nd very quickly so may feel like it pulls away in 2nd.
Veteran Member
Ngarara
Veteran Member
close
- Join DateMay 2013
- LocationLondon, UK
- Posts:3,425
-
Likes:883
-
Liked:1,140 Times in 801 Posts
Quote:
I checked mine, and under acceleration in 'D' from rest up to highway speed, it changed gear 5 times. That means it used all 6 gears, so it must have started in 1st.Originally Posted by Nookieman
Yes I am sure.
However, I think the real answer is: it depends. I specifically asked Jaguar:
Quote:
In 'D' mode, does an XK/XKR normally select 2nd gear when accelerating moderately (i.e. not full throttle) from a standstill?
Their response:In 'D' mode, does an XK/XKR normally select 2nd gear when accelerating moderately (i.e. not full throttle) from a standstill?
Quote:
This can happen depending on how enthusiastic the driver is, This is to provide better torque and acceleration.
So, basically, the TCM will decide what gear to start from depending on how hard you stand on the throttle.This can happen depending on how enthusiastic the driver is, This is to provide better torque and acceleration.
Senior Member
Interesting. I have an eight speed in the F-type. I guess I will have to monitor it. To my knowledge, left to its own devices, it always starts in 2nd.
Veteran Member
u102768
Veteran Member
close
- Join DateJan 2010
- LocationNew Zealand
- Posts:2,941
-
Likes:792
-
Liked:1,511 Times in 918 Posts
It is quite hard to count the gear changes so I found that the easiest thing to do was find a long, quiet straight road and video the tachometer under moderate acceleration.
Here is my car, let's see yours
Here is my car, let's see yours

Cambo

close
- Join DateJan 2011
- LocationSydney, Australia
- Posts:8,637
-
Likes:937
-
Liked:4,525 Times in 2,445 Posts
So what happens when the torque converter locks up? I though that felt like a gear change too?
Veteran Member
Ngarara
Veteran Member
close
- Join DateMay 2013
- LocationLondon, UK
- Posts:3,425
-
Likes:883
-
Liked:1,140 Times in 801 Posts
Quote:
The 8-speed will have a different set of TCM logic & maps. Interestingly, I was told by a ZF transmission specialist that the 8-speed doesn't confer any major performance benefit, but it helps fuel economy. That would fit with it starting in 2nd unless you really need some stump-pulling torque.Originally Posted by Nookieman
Interesting. I have an eight speed in the F-type. I guess I will have to monitor it. To my knowledge, left to its own devices, it always starts in 2nd.
Veteran Member
u102768
Veteran Member
close
- Join DateJan 2010
- LocationNew Zealand
- Posts:2,941
-
Likes:792
-
Liked:1,511 Times in 918 Posts
Quote:
I can't remember if it was in my '96 XJ12 or my '98 XJR that I used to be able to detect when the torque converter locked up but as mentioned in my earlier post I have also used SDD with the gear monitor enabled so know for certain than my XKR drops in to 1st when stationary. I tried a few different scenarios and driving styles in both D and S (auto mode) and it always dropped in to 1st once I came to a halt. Originally Posted by Cambo351
So what happens when the torque converter locks up? I though that felt like a gear change too?
It would be interesting if someone did the same in the 5.0L XK's and F-Types then we could confirm for sure.




