My 2005 XKR sometimes hesitates downshifting from second to first at a rolling stop. It can't decide at 2-3mph whether it wants to be in first or second. So it hangs in "neutal/limbo for a fraction of a second.

Is this common with the ZF transmission? My car has 115k miles. My local import garage suggested that a fluid change with genuine Jaguar fluid sometimes helps.

Any comments?

 

Typical ZF gearbox problem and symptoms.

Well there’s always someone who had this problem before. Cheapest attempt to fix now is the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) change, so your garage’s Recommendation is the first thing to try especially if you don’t know if the ATF has never been changed. Don’t believe the sealed for life baloney!

Lots of experiences on this forum. If you don’t act quickly you’ll have the bone jerking “Lurch” to look forward to as the gearbox struggles from standing start.

 

Go to Jaguar S-Type Ownership Experience - The ZF LURCH Fault and read all about it. This has been a long-time issue in many ZF 6HP26 transmissions regardless of which make or model of the vehicle it happens to be installed in. As mentioned above, an ATF drain-and-fill is certainly in order if the vehicle is still running on its factory fill. Quite a few of us have successfully converted to Mercon SP ATF. It meets the required Shell M1375.4 specs and is available at any Ford dealership parts department for considerably less money than the factory ZF Lifeguard 6 ATF....

After you do an ATF drain-and-fill or two, report back here with your results. There are other procedures which can sometimes improve or cure the rough-shift characteristics these ZF transmissions can develop as age and mileage both take their toll. But an ATF refresh should be your first action....

 

I had just minor symptoms on my '03. I did the filter and fluid using Mercon SP, found a case price on Amazon, and it is butter smooth. The 2-1 shift issue is gone and all other operations are better than before. My fluid at 81k wasn't disgusting but a slightly transparent gray. However, the new juice makes all the difference. Lifetime fluid my fanny! So here's another vote for changing it before you try anything else. TM