Thanks for that John. Some fascinating secrets there. I was previously unaware that S mode enabled lock-up in 2nd and 3rd. It’s whetted my appetite for a reasonably decent drive in the XK8 down to Great Malvern and then the Brecon Beacons with the ‘current Mrs. Booth’ tomorrow. Sadly, might mean taking the old girl out in the rain (the car that is, not the memsahib), but as a one off, it’s justified. Thanks to lockdown, this will be the first proper trip since I got her in March. Can’t wait. Incidentally, using my box in ‘manual’ has occasionally thrown up a fault code but I think I know what’s caused the problem. It happens when I change back up through the box, as sometimes 4th doesn’t fully engage before I slip it back across to D. I reckon the cable has stretched / slipped such that the selector tells the box to go from 3rd to 5th without registering having gone through 4th. Hopefully just some adjustment required. The so called ‘specialist’ in Rochdale that was so certain I had the MB box (in my ‘96 XK8) reckoned it was a pump in the box at fault and recommended that I stopped using the J gate to shift!
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Genuine specialists on our quite unusual and now less common cars are few and far between
@MESECKJUNK4 жыл бұрын
Where I Live in Colorado USA the J gate comes in handy for engine braking going down mountains. Proper use can keep the brakes from overheating.
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Top tip Kip👍
@garyvanremortel52184 жыл бұрын
Around town I'm always in J-Gate 3rd gear. It gives me excellent control over the car both in acceleration and in engine braking. Modern vehicles are always going to be a bit hampered by rev hang, but that's an ECU mapping/emissions issue.
@gerardbooth404 жыл бұрын
Gary, I tend to use S around town to avoid the hunting between gears that affects my car at city speeds. It just seems much more sorted that way. The only problem with that at the moment is that I need to replace one of the cats as the ceramic is rattling big style and in S it really makes a racket on the overrun, so Sport mode only exaggerates the issue and ensures that this particular beast makes a noise most unbecoming of a Jag.
@garyvanremortel52184 жыл бұрын
@@gerardbooth40 I am always in Sport Mode, whether I'm flying, driving, riding, kayaking or walking.
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
I had a Cat start to break up on PJ. Sounded like a billiard ball in a galvanised bucket😁
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
🤣
@t.alanblain63134 жыл бұрын
O me miserum. How did I miss the first two episodes? Had to go back and watch them. I have to say that you have, once again, opened my eyes. I didn't realise that the sport button did anything other than raise the change revs. So never use it! Now I know - need to find a winding road. Oh yes, I live in Wales, they are all winding. On a similar topic my wife has a Honda CRV automatic and when on cruise control and going downhill it will change down to limit the overspeed. I want a Jag that does that. Superb info, as always. Thank you John.
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Alan. Ref the Honda. I did not know that ANY car was able to do that Alan😎. So I have learnt something new. Thanks mate.👍 I am a big Honda fan. I love their business ethic and their love of cutting edge technology. One day I would like to add a prelude to the fleet.
@viraf214 жыл бұрын
Thanks again.
@tl74084 жыл бұрын
Best acknowledgments from Spain.. Nice discovering you on KZbin. Pleasure to follow you. Love your chanel !!
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tomas. Very kind of you and thank you for the follow👍
@terryc81644 жыл бұрын
Thanks John, most useful, a lot of stuff there I wasn't aware of, cheers.
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Terry
@gititgotitgood Жыл бұрын
Thanks
@kevinetheridge88184 жыл бұрын
Hi John, Thanks for this interesting series. The J gate on the XK8 was the first ‘auto’ gearbox that I preferred over a manual but never really understood why!
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Cheer Kevin
@liverpoolscottish6430 Жыл бұрын
@@ToTheGarage John, as an XK8 newbie- (recently purchased an immaculate Antigua blue 4.0- believed to be the Earl's Court display car!) I find your videos very interesting and informative. I have a question re the Adamesh exhaust. My car has the Stage 1 system fitted, and I am considering fitting the Stage 2 kit. Did you notice any improvement in power/throttle response on your car when you fitted both stages? I've heard that fitting Stage 2 can release up to 20 Bhp due to the restriction in both banks on the standard system above the rear axle? I would greatly appreciate your advice! Many thanks, Pete :)
@AndyK.14 жыл бұрын
I like some gearboxes where when going down hill with you applying the brakes, they realise you are going down hill and automatically select a low gear for you! Bmw feature I think
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
As I mentioned to Alan Blain, I did not even know that was a thing! Thanks
@harryscott14454 жыл бұрын
Hi John, I've had the sport butt on throw "poor engine performance"......Ill think about the more regular use...stay safe.
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
They are the source of many an issue!
@RobertMagaro3 жыл бұрын
I only drive my car in Sport mode and manual shift it all the time.. I'm looking to do a 6.2L LS3 swap with a 6L80 trans. the LS3 is 23lbs lighter but the transmission is hefty, stock they are 430HP one cam two valve torque MONSTERS... My largest complaint is the 4.0L has no torque down low, under 3000 rpm it's an old dog, I have to downshift to get it going... Not a fan of the cracked plastic valve covers, stinks of burning oil. I tried to plastic weld them it helped for a while but now they are cracked again, I did the Timing chains and metal tensioners from a Ford 3.9L back in 2012 the Transmission was rebuilt by me. I can almost scratch the tires into second gear. I did a couple supporting valve body mods. I love the Styling of the car (Topaz XK8 Coupe) it's been a very reliable car so far. 20,000 miles of smiles. Keep the Video's coming mate.
@ToTheGarage3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Robert. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Cat. and will be interested in your future mods. However, Swapping to an LS in the UK is like saying I will put a Masserati engine in our Cat. The result may be really good but it's now even more expensive to service unless you do everything yourself, Resale value is potentially halved and parts are never going to be common in the UK. Now in the U.S. it possibly makes a lot of sense👍 Stay safe Pal
@Dave-in-France4 жыл бұрын
Hi John, thanks very much for this series of vids on the subject of the 5-speeder in XK8. I have to say that I was surprised and intrigued with some of the comments you made about the operation of the torque converter and the functionality of the 'box in various situations, such as 'S' mode selection - you stated that the TC lock-up function can be initiated 2nd & 3rd in addition to the normal 4th & 5th, plus a number of different interventions by the TCM on the operation of the TC. I was led to believe the only change initiated by selecting 'S' was the 'box change points. The reason for mentioning this is due to the fact that I have an X358 with the HP26 'box and it got me wondering whether the TC changes you listed might apply to my 'box also? Could you give me a source for the info you shared so I can check what happens with my HP26 'box please. Cheers Dave
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Hi David They are very clever boxes. There is loads of info on my website in the docs section. If you send me an email address I will send you a screen shot (cant do that sort of thing on KZbin)of the most basic of those docs so you can have a quick look and see that its not ALL in my imagination😁. But otherwise you are welcome to read all the docs relating to Gearboxes on the web site to do your research. Obviously a lot of this functionality is a program rather than a mechanical device so its entirely possible that the XJ models have exactly the same box with different modes and programs. But I doubt it. I will put a screen shot on the community tab of the KZbin channels homepage just in case you would rather not send your email address.👍
@MitchGrooms4 жыл бұрын
Hey mate, I never use the Sport mode, I guess I should but I do not drive my 98 XjR hard at all.
@paulbatley40553 жыл бұрын
brilliant.informative and interesting.i have a xjr .will have to have a play with the j gate.mine starts off 2nd gear .unless sport button pressed then will do 1st.do xkr s do this too
@ToTheGarage3 жыл бұрын
Yes itS THE SAME ON THE XJ AND XK8 /R OF THIS ERA👍
@oaktree32784 жыл бұрын
Hi John, thoroughly enjoyed this three parter and very much looking foward to the J gate one as well. Am i right in thinking that when the sports mode is activated, that it automatically firms up as it were, the suspension? Also, does the car have to be stationary before you activate and deactivate it, to stop any possible damage, thanks as always, Andrew
@palacioladiante28718 күн бұрын
Is there a difference in fuel efficiency if you use S mode or not?
@johnbeckett26244 жыл бұрын
Hi John, I have noticed that my XK8, when in sport mode will change down a gear or two when braking at a junction or a corner much more than in normal mode, I tend to leave it in sport most of the time unless I am in traffic when I find the gear changes a bit harsh I also use the J gate if I need a bit more control. Thanks for the great videos, entertaining and interesting am learning lot's about my XK8. Thanks John.
@ThomasPollas4 жыл бұрын
Mine is always in sports mode as well. I prefer the feel of that for city driving and it reacts faster if i want to change lanes on the autobahn and get a move on
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Thanks John
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
I like to alternate, as the normal mode improves fuel consumption and gives a more luxurious if slower change.
@johnmckittrick99074 жыл бұрын
Hi John ... Regarding the calendar photo competition, do you have a filter to eliminate repeat votes from the same source?
@ToTheGarage4 жыл бұрын
Hi John. Yes the system Im using will eliminate multiples fro the same URL source. Cant stop folk jumping on 10 different Pc's but its pretty good.
@ericdiekmann23083 жыл бұрын
I have a question, why is there a button to make the brake lights turn on even brighter
@Camrocok2 жыл бұрын
Do all XK8 models have a kickdown switch under the pedal?
@ToTheGarage2 жыл бұрын
Hi Cormac. No. Later cars don't have the switch there.
@bernardpullon46323 жыл бұрын
My 1997 540i BMW detects going down steep hills and if I happen to be drive, it will kick down (nicely) a gear. Does the XK8 do that also (not that you normally coast down in drive)?
@ToTheGarage3 жыл бұрын
Not that im aware of Bernard and certainly not on early cars. Nice feature👍
@johnwilliams45564 жыл бұрын
Can u do a video on the roof hydraulic oil mine has leaked out on the passenger side. Shop is taking about rams and things. Can i fix it my self.
@garyvanremortel52184 жыл бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3XYeqismquVfqc
@dereklaveau18243 жыл бұрын
whaT DO you think about the 2004 xk R supercharge ?