I just learned that one can operate the convertible top by using the key in door feature. Never knew about this.

 

Here's another one. If you hit the button to open the gas tank lid, then within 5 seconds hit the valet button, this engages the warp drive! Beam me up Scotty!

Doug

 

If that's true and you have tried it, then what universe are you posting from?

 

This one works nicely at rush hour!

 

I just discovered the automatic tilt feature for parking. Put the car in reverse, tap the mirror adjustment toggle toward the down position and the exterior mirror tilts down so that you can see the curb, then automatically returns to the previous position when you shift out of reverse.

 

..and if you tap it twice it will go down twice as far for those really close to curb park jobs.

 

window tilt feature...now that's another new one for me! Very cool..going to try it next time i'm out!

We've already had a pseudo-cool feature thread, and I remember learning that the boot (trunk) floor has two levels...flat (with surrounding panels) or recessed, for larger items.

 

You also need to put the mirror selector switch to the passenger side position before this will work.

Another cool feature is the dual height spare wheel cover. If you have the space saver spare, you can snap the cover into the lower ledge stops front and back. It's amazing how that extra 4 inches expands the luggage capacity!

 

Has anyone figured out a way to have the rear side windows stay up with the top down?

 

You don't have to move the mirror selector switch on my 2000, just put your tranny into reverse and pull the mirror stalk switch back and down goes the mirror.

If you have folding mirrors and you put the selector switch in the middle then pull the mirror stalk switch back your mirrors should fold in.

 

This is great stuff guys - I tried the mirror dip today and it was very helpful in parking without curb scuff. Keep up the info. Thanks, DaleD

 

You guys should read your manuals - it's all in there!

 

I'm pretty sure that "read the manual" does not qualify as a "secret feature."

 

And my manual is written in "English" and not very easy to understand! DaleD

 

I think the English used in the XK8 manual is quite good.
The English have come a long way in learning our language in the past 50 years.
My first two cars were English. I had to contend with:

Trafficators
Wing
Bonnet
Hood
Boot
Draught Excluder
Near side, Off side
Strangler
Accumulator
Dynamo

And I was to clean the air filter every 10,000 miles....in parafin!

And then there was the whitworth wrenches...

But to keep on topic:

I have found that the ACC is useful in heavy rain. Being radar based (75GHz I believe) instead of laser, it can see through the rain and warn you that someone in a gray truck has stopped dead on I35.