I recently bought a really nice 2002 XKR 4.2. It has a regular cruise control which works fine.
I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade it to an adaptive cruise control.
If anyone could let me know.

Paul

 

Check jagrepair.com There is a book that describes these year-to-year upgrades in some detail. I browsed through it once, and, from memory, it involved a lot more parts than I initially thought. Remember, this thing can activate the brakes, I believe. Separately, folks that have this option sometimes run into corrosion of the "radar" module (it is located in the front bumper, open to all kinds of road spray/salt), and seem to have a really hard time locating spare parts, even used. From memory, it also needs calibration for position/tilt if ever replaced. For me, this option would be a bridge too far, a nightmare in the making, but I readily admit that I am not a cruise control person and I live in a country that seem to have lifted excessive speeding enforcement a while ago.

Separately, there is also the Automatic Speed Limiter option that is possibly a lot less involved, but I know nothing about it. Keep in mind that some of these features can involve software in the ECU, besides the mechanical components, and I am unsure an existing ECU can easily be "upgraded" to support the new feature. I would assume so (it is the point of implementing features in software), but it is hard to be sure without trying.

As usual with these things, you might be better off finding a car with that feature already installed is you are set on getting it.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

When I first got my car I actually though the same way you do. It would be nice to upgrade from normal cruise to adaptive. Then I read feedback from those that had it. Stories of cars going around bends and a car overtaking. The adaptive picking it up and slamming on the brakes. That sort of thing. A lot of people also said it was not worth the hassle.

Perhaps things have improved over the years. If they have I like to reconsider my options.

Keep us updated wont you?

 

Just found this for you to read https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...59/#post159186

 

My 2004 XK8 has it. I understand that the parts are rare and very expensive when they break.

I would leave well enough alone.

While it is cool to say that my old car has it, I don't think it would be worth the effort/expense even if could be added to older models.

 

ADAPTIVE SPEED CONTROL (ASC) described in some detail here: 2003 MODEL YEAR XK SERVICE TRAINING TECHNICAL GUIDE

 

I have ASC and while it will decelerate or accelerate the car to maintain a set distance never has it "slammed on the brakes".

I have seen numerous car advertising recently with this "braking feature" which I view as possibly extremely dangerous in certain situations where emergency braking was initiated when not needed and you get a rear end collision as a result.

 

I have experienced the sudden braking while at highway speeds. I would not consider it dangerous.

It happens when some ******* decides to move in front of me while at the same time travelling significantly slower than me. The car reacts aggressively and brakes a lot in its attempt to regain the lost gap it was told to maintain, but not so much as to toss you forward in your seat. It is...exhilarating.

I now know to tap the brakes and disengage as soon as I detect another driver doing something stupid like that in front of me.