This post comes at a time when I'll probably have to put her to bed for the winter soon, but was wondering if anyone has chosen NOT to use their paddle shifters for fear of possibly something going wrong with the engine.
I've thought about driving with them, but each time I do, I decide not to thinking, "wonder if I'm giving the car another reason to have something go wrong." So far in two seasons only had to replace the fuel pump, under warranty and caught before any damage could occur. And probably 3,000 miles or fewer.
I try to live a little, really, but just curious if I'm the only one who thinks like this. And it's a 2014 XKR, if there have been any issues with earlier models.

Thanks for the insights,
GR

 

If you're worried about something breaking from driving hard, why did you buy a 500 hp car? Just drive it. If you're worried about something breaking, buy a Camry. I drive mine to enjoy it. I've replaced the water pump like everyone else and I'm glad to have it out of the way. Life's too short to spend worrying about stuff that may never happen.

 

Amen Sister, Amen! Drive it like you leased it!

 

Lol !!

 

I thought the saying was "Drive it like you stole it!"

 

I thought about the OP's concern about NOT using his paddle shifters for fear of possibly something going wrong. Hmmm...

Nothing is risk-free and things go wrong all the time.

But if we don't use it for the purpose for which it was designed, we wouldn't be here!

 

I have over 150,000 miles on my car, of which I have put over 80,000 miles of that total. I have never driven it even once without using the paddle shifters, NOT ONCE! Everything still works fine. If you enjoy using them, then by all means, use them. I also always have it in sport and dynamic mode, so don't be afraid!

 

I don't think by using the paddles you'll break anything quicker then without using them. For 50+ years all I have had and driven was a 3 peddle car. With them there was no option and you could drive it easy or do an italian tune up on every run but you were forced to either go up or down with the stick. With the R it is a pretty sophisticated auto box with paddles. In fact this is one of the best auto boxes I've ever had. So the paddles to me were just something unique. But I gotta admit it's not the same thing as a 3 peddle car. So in the 4 years I have owned the car I have only used the paddles once in a while and usually to down shift to slow down. Something about them that just makes me lazy and if I need to get going just flooring the go peddle is sufficient enough to launch me into hyper space. So to me they are just there for maybe looks but not for my use. Even the F1 Ferrari double clutch gear box didn't really do anything for me as it had an auto mode that wasn't even as smooth as the R's gearbox. Then again I still can't grasp how the F1 guys drive them even though I see them shifting during their races. Maybe I'm just getting to old. Did I just hear that only 18% of drivers in the US know how to drive a stick.

 

 

Someone may have thought that - people have some very odd ideas! - but just use them or don't, the car doesn't care. Jaguar are not going to have shipped a car with paddles which aren't OK to use.

They're in effect a request to do something. The PCM (with TCM) will decide if it can and if so will do it. They will protect the car if you were to make a silly request (1st at 100mph or whatever).

 

I also saw that being that Audi sales of manual transmissions cars was at 6% they will not offer any stick option in 2019. More and more mfg's are stop offering too. I guess it won't be long before everyone stops.

 

The paddles will hold commands they consider inappropriate.

The one thing I would avoid is sustained high RPM cruising at low speeds for no real reason. (Think 6,000RPM in 1st to just stroll down a street).

I usually at lower speeds will drop one gear from what it defaults to then go to sport mode so it holds that gear.

Secondary reason is primarily one of oil circulation.

Primary reason 4.2XK's also have an exhaust vibration from harmonics made by the size and shape of the manifold in some conditions if I don't.

One thing about oil circulation is there can be smaller circuits with modern thinner oils, but at the ultra low RPM for EPA compliance that modern engines run, these smaller passages can dry out compared to the larger passages if used at sustained ultra low RPM. I don't go mile after mile with my car at its minimum RPM. Just like I don't go mile after mile with my car at maximum RPM either.

There are far more complexities then I outline in this post.

I wouldn't fear the paddles.

And if your car is doing sustained minimum RPM driving, an occasional period at a one gear's higher RPM is not a bad thing to raise oil circulation. I do not know if this is a problem with the 5.0L XK, but it is a problem with some other modern engines I am familiar with.

 

I just wish they were a nice metal finish and not cheap looking plastic.

Rarely used in my 5 weeks of ownership, but perhaps will do so more when better weather arrives in 5 months

 

Of course - but then the car doesn't have all the knowledge the driver has (or may have).

However, the PCM (with TCM) will defend the car against damage

 

I don't worry about breaking the car, but I don't use the paddles until the transmission oil is warmed up. That said, I use them from time to time just to play around (usually with Mustangs) but for the most part I'm just too lazy and default to the auto mode.

 

I use mine often, don't regret it at all. I also don't spend much time above 4k unless I'm hard on it.

 

Thanks all. Yeah, I grew up learning to drive a stick, before I was old enough to have a license. If it wasn't in a parking lot to learn with Dad in the passenger seat at age 15/16, it was sitting on his lap steering and shifting (after he put the clutch in) for 30+ miles at a time at the age of 8 or so. Good times. Now they make you wear a seat belt and all kinds of legal stuff.
My first car was a stick ('92 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS) which I had for 10 years. Not a scratch on her.

However, I have yet to try the paddle shifters or drive in Sport mode. Will tell you this, I am comfortable flooring her on the highway to get in a position I prefer or get ready for an exit. And am left wanting more power, more more more. So next season, for sure. I'll give those 2 suckers a test.
Maybe I'll be asking what kind of tires you all have found best in a future thread. Didn't spin these once but who knows what next year brings.

Thanks!