I know that the trip meters can switch back and forth from miles to km, but I would like to get the main odometer to read km instead of miles, not easily done apparently on my 2001 XK8.
Is there a way the dealer can do this through the car's computer, like turning on the DRL? Or is there a hack for this without replacing the whole unit?

 

You're out of luck on changing the seasonal odometer on the XK8. That's factory programmed to the market spec when the cluster is built. IP part number suffix denotes this programming [i.e. LJD4300GC/104], where /104 is the market spec. You can change the A/C temp, trip odo and IP language, but not the seasonal odometer, go figure.

Cheers,

 

The only way I think you can accomplish this is reloading / replace the original file dump for another vehicle file dump that match market needs like an european or south american markets. They use KM instead miles. It's a very simple procedure (*) and always can be reverted. (*) if you have the right tools, programmer and the knowledge..) The info you want to change is located inside the MCU MOTOROLA maskset 0E57S (9S12DG128 or 68HC11KA4)

Axel