How do I use my XKR auto box?
Discussion
As an auto newbie, I have a few daft questions:
Does anyone use neutral and handbrake when at traffic lights?
Or park using handbrake?
Use(or even know why to use
) the 2,3,4 gearshift thingy?
Any advice for me? I am an enthusiastic driver and for this reason have always avoided autos but quite liking the change so far!
Does anyone use neutral and handbrake when at traffic lights?
Or park using handbrake?
Use(or even know why to use
) the 2,3,4 gearshift thingy?Any advice for me? I am an enthusiastic driver and for this reason have always avoided autos but quite liking the change so far!
No. Lots of discussion in the past. Everytime you slip out of 'D' you engage a clutch. Continual use at traffic lights may cause wear. So just leave it in D and hold on the foot brake. I never used the park brake ever.
So to use the auto'box, make sure the 'Sport' button works these have been known to cause issues. If you fancy a bit of spririted back country driving (in the dry!) the flick that leaver over to 2,3,4 and hold 'em gears for the twisties.
G
So to use the auto'box, make sure the 'Sport' button works these have been known to cause issues. If you fancy a bit of spririted back country driving (in the dry!) the flick that leaver over to 2,3,4 and hold 'em gears for the twisties.
G
I have an S Type 4.2 V8 SE and, as per Triple7, only very rarely do I move the gear lever, usually if I'm in a queue at night so as not to dazzle the person behind. I agree a flick to 3rd or 4th for some "interesting" driving is good once in a while.
I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
Recently, I started using my EPB more, mostly to help prevent brake discs from warping. Not sure if this tactics is any good though... The theory being I flick the EPB on at lights (not always, just after some longer or harder than usual braking), so that (cold) pads press on the (hot) discs as opposed to hot (normal) brake pads on hot discs, thus causing them to cool unevenly.
I will also sometimes use it at night, and especially in the rain, when stationery at the lights, in order not to dazzle/blind drivers behind.
I will also sometimes use it at night, and especially in the rain, when stationery at the lights, in order not to dazzle/blind drivers behind.
The Leaper said:
I have an S Type 4.2 V8 SE and, as per Triple7, only very rarely do I move the gear lever, usually if I'm in a queue at night so as not to dazzle the person behind. I agree a flick to 3rd or 4th for some "interesting" driving is good once in a while.
I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
Leaper, the older XK's don't have EPB, but you should use yours asit is brilliant. Just come to a stop, lift the lever and the epb will engage. When you need to set off just accelerate away as the epb disengages automatically. You can disengage it your self by pressing the switch down again if you wish.I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
Notax depending on how steep the hill is the car may hold it's weight in 'D' alone.
G
Can't remember this happening with the Jag EPB but I had a Audi rental on hols a few weeks ago. The EPB on that used to keep catching me out. I think it had a built in nanny. It would only auto disengage the EPB when the seat belt was on. Since our Villa had about 1/2KM drive with locked gates at the start it was quite common to want to stop, put on the brake while unlocking the gates, then get back in, drive through the gates and then stop again and go and shut and lock the damn things. It never occurred to me that I was only allowed to drive through the damn gates when I was wearing the seat belt.
The Leaper said:
I have an S Type 4.2 V8 SE and, as per Triple7, only very rarely do I move the gear lever, usually if I'm in a queue at night so as not to dazzle the person behind. I agree a flick to 3rd or 4th for some "interesting" driving is good once in a while.
I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
Do try it. It doubles as a useful "launch control" feature!I too have never used the electric park brake. In fact, I do not know the details of how to do so...maybe I really ought to get the manual out and check how to use it!
R.
Only had the S type a couple of months, love it to bits, and the epb is a nice feature, especially when waiting at traffic lights.
Every night I reverse the car into the garage, and due to kids bikes hanging from the garage roof I can't access the boot. As the epb automatically applies when you engage park and take the ignitian key out, what would happen if the battery went flat and I wanted to push the car out of the garage to apply jump leads.
Can the epb be manually released?
Also when parking up I seem to remember reading that you should always put the car in neutral apply the handbrake then into Park. That way the handbrake takes the strain of the car rather than the gearbox.
Edited to add: obviously non-EPB cars.
Edited to add: obviously non-EPB cars.
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Monday 1st December 20:59
ParanoidAndroid said:
Also when parking up I seem to remember reading that you should always put the car in neutral apply the handbrake then into Park. That way the handbrake takes the strain of the car rather than the gearbox.
Edited to add: obviously non-EPB cars.
Unless you live on a hill and don't trust your handbrake (like me!). Edited to add: obviously non-EPB cars.
I don't understand how this would strain the box? If the ignition is off surely it's just a case of the engine is directly holding the wheels in place like in a manual car?
Park engages a pawl and ratchet on the output shaft of the gearbox. If you engage Park when the car is moving you'll hear a clicking noise as the pawl engages and jumps until the car stops.
I'm not suggesting you try this 'tho - doing so counts as serious gearbox abuse.
Lots of people with automatics don't ever use the handbrake and wonder why the car fails an MOT because the handbrake mechanism has siezed through lack of use. I'd suggest using the handbarke hard to stop the car from highish speed maybe once a month to keep the cables/shoes/pads/drums/discs or whatever combination you have fitted working efficently.
I'm not suggesting you try this 'tho - doing so counts as serious gearbox abuse.
Lots of people with automatics don't ever use the handbrake and wonder why the car fails an MOT because the handbrake mechanism has siezed through lack of use. I'd suggest using the handbarke hard to stop the car from highish speed maybe once a month to keep the cables/shoes/pads/drums/discs or whatever combination you have fitted working efficently.
Jaguar steve said:
Lots of people with automatics don't ever use the handbrake and wonder why the car fails an MOT because the handbrake mechanism has siezed through lack of use. I'd suggest using the handbarke hard to stop the car from highish speed maybe once a month to keep the cables/shoes/pads/drums/discs or whatever combination you have fitted working efficently.
G_T said:
Jaguar steve said:
Lots of people with automatics don't ever use the handbrake and wonder why the car fails an MOT because the handbrake mechanism has siezed through lack of use. I'd suggest using the handbarke hard to stop the car from highish speed maybe once a month to keep the cables/shoes/pads/drums/discs or whatever combination you have fitted working efficently.
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