I have this week, bought an XK8 as a retirement present the XKR and XK8 were my dream cars. I am so glad I have watched your videos on the XK8 battery, and correct operation of the J gate, not only was the data conveyed really important to me but your presentation was great, many, many thanks.
Possibly the best video you have posted, John. To have the gearbox explained by an engineer has made a world of difference by understanding the mechanics of jag and will help me get the most out of my car. I’ve only owned my XKR for 6 months so almost all of that has been in ‘lockdown ‘. We are getting through the second wave of Covid19 so have been restricted to a 5 km radius from home and only essential journeys have been allowed so I can’t wait to get on the road again. Technically your video was spot on , so I appreciate the hard work and time you have put into this and the results show this. Well done !
MARC Dimond Thanks mate👍 Ye this one took a while to film and edit as I felt the sound of the engine had to be captured to make it make sense for everyone. I enjoyed the experimenting But have never re shot any of my other films as many times😁 Stay safe for now and look forward to going and practicing your J gate techniques real soon
Thank you so much for explaining the J-gate! I’m from the United States and about to get my first Jag ( X-Type) and it, of course, has the infamous J-Gate. I can’t wait to experience the hills and saving my brakes at the same time! Thanks buddy! 😋👍🏾💕
John- The sport mode tricks? So.etimes it will shut itself off on my '05 XKR and the park light will turn pink and flash on abd off. 1after U start the car a couple of times, leaving the sport mode on, I e. up, it will have its red light on again and work normally. I used to think it had to do with putting it over to D. Now I do note know what to think. Any ideas?
I have owned my XK8 for two and a half years but I've not used the left side of the J gate for the fear of causing a gearbox fault code. You have given me the confidence to give it a go. I have learnt so much from your videos about my car. I'm very happy I found your channel. Thanks , Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith i get a fault when i go from 4 and back into D. If i restart the car it works fine again though. I did use the J-gate back when i had an XJ40.
@@ThomasPollas About 2 weeks after I bought my XK8 it started having a gearbox fault and went into limp mode. I purchased a 2nd hand gearbox rotary switch and got a local gearbox specialist to fit it for me. It fixed the fault and it has driven problem free since.
Thomas Pollas I have an occasional issue like that on my XK8. It only happens if I rush the change from 3rd to 4th and then across into D. I’ve discovered that it causes a fault when the lever isn’t pulled properly back into 4th and it ‘misses’ the change, basically jumping from 3rd to 5th. I reckon that this flummoxes the gearbox program and registers the fault. With careful use of the lever I can avoid this happening, but I intend to investigate soon. I think it feels like a stretched or misaligned selector /cable but more research needed. I’m also lucky in that I have a newer x308 and the engagement in 4th occurs far more easily and sooner in the shift pattern. This also leads me to suspect a selector misalignment. Let me know if you have any success.
Damn you John Dee, there goes my average fuel consumption of 22 mpg! I cannot see me getting above 9 mpg ever again. It was a real pleasure to have the gearbox explained so well. Often use the lower gears for engine braking here in hilly Wales, but never realised that the gearbox would behave so differently on the left side of the 'J'. Superb video, thanks John.
Thanks.for the very clear tutorial. I'm basically a lazy bugger and have never used the LH side of the J gate on my 05 plate S type 3.0. I now intend to experiment and introduce this technique even though I'm 79! It'll be just like sprinting in my mini again in my early years!
@@ToTheGarage you're right about the knees.... and the hips.... and the trigger finger! Oh by the way your engine note under acceleration reminds me of the old flathead V8 Ford. Lovely.
Hi John, I only use D when cruising on the Highway. All other times I used the left side manual shifting best performance and sound. Thanks for another great video.
Thank you, finally a j gate video worth watching. I’ve been using the j side as true manual. Takes away from enjoying the winding roads. Can’t wait to select 3 and really enjoy the mountain roads
Yeah I wish I watched this video like eight years ago when I had my XJ8, I never used the J gate, but I fondly remember how solid and awesome it felt when moving the J Gate from park to drive and vice versa.
Ich habe trotz geringer (sorry) kenntnisse der englischen sprache hoffentlich richtig verstanden, dass es dem getriebe nicht schadet, von hand zu schalten. Damit macht mir mein 96er xk 8 besonders viel freude. Ich bin sehr dankbar für die vielen hilfreichen video. Best wishes from germany, michael
"The Tail Of The Dragon" is calling! I have had several of my cars on it, but not my XK8. I cannot wait to get it there! What a fabulous video. I don't think you left 'anything' unanswered. Thanks John from an old Ipswich boy.
Thanks Mark.👍 And. for those who don't know. mark is not saying he fancies some drugs🤣. The tail of the Dragon is a fabulous winding road at the foot of the smokey mountains. in Tennessee
@@ToTheGarage HA! That would have been something the KOTRT might have went on a quest for, or maybe partaken in before a quest! I took her out for a run yesterday, and used that "J" gate for the first time. What fun. Whole new driving experience. I thought it couldn't get any better. Thanks again Sir John.
That was incredibly helpful, buddy. Makes deciding on the direction of my looming midlife crisis easier. After a steady parade of Spitfires and TR7s in my younger days, as on older person I stand agape at two of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen, the XK8 ... and the '02 Thunderbird (in turquoise, OMG what a gorgeous automobile). But I think now I'll stick with the Jag. If I can't have a real manual shifter in my old guy's retro indulgence, I'll happily learn the whims of the J-Gate.
Oh yes and great tip, I always put the emergency brake on before putting it in the park, I hated that clunk and the extra force needed when you did not initialize the emergency brake when moving it to drive. Especially on hills, I remember back in the day my 1995 Acura legend literally would be so difficult to get it out of park and in to drive if you didn’t pull up the handbrake before lol I practice that on every car I own to this day, except for my leased cars my Mini Cooper S and my BMW M340i, because I don’t have to worry about transmission problems down the line 😂
Excellent video and instructions. I agree with the other contributors. Bought my 03 XKR at the end of 2019, two Lockdowns later not put many miles on the clock. This video will enhance my driving. Thanks John.
Thank you for the great video! I just got a supercharged 2003 XJR and I am loving it! I was having trouble understanding the shifter and the Sport button. I was very happy to find your video!
Great video still today. I tried shifting manually for the first time on my used X308 in the neighborhood. So smooth, don't recall much jerking and so easy to use. I will problably need to get more demanding practice on the highway and back roads.
Absolutely correct. I’m over 50 (70 actually) and use the right side exclusively on my 2003 XKR. I ignore the paddles on my 19 E-Pace even though I ordered them. I’ve always been afraid of over-revving the car. But now I understand. Many thanks.
I’ve got a 4.2 2003 XJ8, my first Jag, and the J gate is entirely logical for my brain, I was using it within days. Mainly for shifting down when driving enthusiastically.
Another good one John, brilliantly explained and nice with some history on the end there about Mr Randle, did't know that until now. Take care, cheers from Sweden:)
Hi John, Another superb video, thank you. I use the J gate but didn't know how clever it reaaly is! I also have an XK with a J for sport mode (dangerously exciting) and use the paddles all the time and a dial selector and paddles in my XF Sportbrake R Sport. The upshot of this is that when driving the XK8, I find myself feeling silly trying to use the paddles that aren't there.
Hi, this is Peter Lowe ..Very well explained ,thanks ,it is a good system i think,almost like the best of both worlds jag sounds loverly , and well driven ..btw ! i,ve had several Jag,s in my time the 1st being a MK2 when i was 14 and used to drive round an old ww2 airfield in Norfolk , ,i used to race the new lotus Elites and Eclats as my bit of runway ran Paralle to the Lotus test track ,they where the days ! i paid £15 for it !! an petrol was 10 bob a gallon back in 1975 ,,..!:) i,m 61 now an hope to get an XK8 soon now that they are pretty cheap now like 3,4 k.. not bad for a car that cost over £50,000 back in 1995 which was a lot of money back then that,s 4 sure ...
Drove the car back from the garage on Thursday and used the J gate. Works great! BTW John the ‘B:SC SYSTEM FAULT’ warning (I sent you an email) that came up on the dash was a ref’ to 2 Lambda sensors. One had failed and the other was on its way out. These were replaced. Cheers for your advice
Now that I have watched this it making my decision to buy a very nice xk8 more convincing. It was very confusing just looking at it. Your videos are the best!
Watching the Video, I really Enjoy the Sound, as I told U before ! Although I am not a Big Fan of Loud Pipes any more... I love how my X308 is so silent, so U can really enjoy Music, because it's a Fact that the Alpine Pro is a Joy to listen to. I have been a Audio Technician for Years, and the Audio System/Sound in these Cars is really Amazing. Thanks for explaining the alternative use of the J-Gate, I will try , after 6 months owning a Jag, I never tried the Cruise Control also... So much to discover on this land Yacht . Recently had the 5G Transmission done, an Hour after Pick up, my Driver Door lock, won't shut properly any more, think the Spring has issues.. After I had my Transmission maintained, I noticed , Gearbox will like immediately switch to Sport when pressed, before it took a while... Greetings to All !
Just curious here about your knowledge of audio. I have a 2000 XKR and am sorting out various issues with it. Do you have anything specific you can talk about the sound system in these cars? Have you changed anything out? Speakers? Stock head / amp(s)?
@@kevinhanson3400 The Alpine Pro is stock. Alpine is for Decades a German Top Brand. Even Celebrated in the 80s US Rap US Music ! It's just that I notice, how HQ (like 320 Kb Mp3) come to real effect in this Car's Audio system. The tweeters in the A Pillar do a great job, and the rest of the setup also, having a Subwoofer in the back is quit unique for a 2000 build car. I never even bothered about changing anything in the setup like, more/less..Bass , Treble, or Sub. They same I notice at the Paintjob of my X308, looks like Jaguar put real effort in that. I changed nothing on the Audio outlay, Radio and Cassette , but I bought a Nulaxy Bluetooth FM Transmitter 1.8" Color Screen Wireless Kit for just 14$ on Ebay. I always use it,32 Gb of all mostly HQ Music , Hed Kandi, Dire Straits , Perry Como, Burning Spear. I used the Cd player for a short while, but that seems to crashplay within like 2 hours of use. Also my ..Radio antenna starts moving down after 30 sec aprox, when I use the Radio, can anyone explain this...so Radio sound becomes crap-o-saurus. Found this> ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FNH4cVZ5a90.html Greetings to All , and don't always drive Your Jag, like U stole it !
Hello John, after a short tour, I can say this is one of the best videos and greatest secrets so far, really extended my driving options. As much as I like the comfort of the automatic gearbox, sometimes I am missing "the action" of a manual gearbox, this brings a little bit of the feeling back👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I wonder, how many secrets the big cat still holds?
@@ToTheGarage Eyup pal.I've been Jag mad for yrs. Bought my first Series 2 XJ6 4.2 in 1985.Had my X308 4ltr for 4 yrs now.It's my 10th Jaguar and we love it.Had the XJC about 25 yrs ago,and I reckon that was the best looking car ever.Enjoyed your presentation and learned so much from you.Thanks again.
Absolutely brilliant John, I've owned my XKR for 7 yrs now, but not once have I been brave enough to really use the J gate as it should be used. Until now, I'm literally going out to my car now and have a right good go, no fear anymore, so thanks mate, you've made my car even better than it was before, keep up the great work. PS I'm in the XKEC, and your spoken about at every meet, so thanks we all really appreciate what you do.
Hey there thank you so much for the video. Very high production value, and some great exhaust clips. I had a 2004 jaguar X type 3.0 sport five speed manual, and then a 2006 XJ8, and a 2011 XF 5.0. On my XJ8 I did not mess around with the J gate at all and I don’t even remember using sport mode because even though I researched the car and I knew that the transmission was reliable it was a one owner older guy car until 90,000 miles when I bought it. I always feared that if I messed around with sport mode it would hurt the transmission lol and I did drive it hard. Ironically I never had a problem with the transmission but the air suspension yes but of course that is a known problem point on many cars with air suspension over 100k miles even Toyota and Lexus. However on my XF it was a similar ZF, the XJ 6HP26 vs 6HP28 in the XF. The XF was such a quick shifting transmission especially in dynamic mode with the paddle shifters. The XJ was very smooth as well though👌
New to your channel, Very informative THANK YOU , I just bought my first Jaguar a 2003 S Type R looking forward to trying this out on her, love the growl of your car cheers Romano
Im a J gate man John. Tried flappy paddles once and got confused during a spirited session, not good for the car i was driving, poor thing! 😂 Another great video, intersting about using 2nd gear even if you think revs are too high for it, i will certainly try the J gate more confidently now, especially for those corners. Thanks again. Best wishes Andrew
I on occasion will use the paddles on my Ford Flex Turbo for more spirited driving, but I definitely prefer the J-gate for the tactile feeling of control over the gearbox. Great explanation. I used your video to show my sons how and when to use the J-gate on the XK8. Thanks John.
Another great video John, I love the relaxed nature of your videos. Thoroughly enjoyed It. I often use the J gate for decelerating/engine braking. But not used it for powering through a bend. I’ll do some practicing tomorrow, good excuse to take the Jaaag out 😜
Hiya John. I use the j-gate manually on both my x100 and x-308. Its a good system and enjoyable to use. Very useful for inducing serious roaring from the straight pipes on the XK8 when passing unsuspecting pedestrians or driving through tunnels 😉 Having said that, my daily driver has a 9 speed torque converter box with paddles and which locks up pretty much instantly in all gears. I love the paddles as they are allow you to keep both hands on the wheel whilst changing gear. Not only that, they also allow you to change up (as long as the software doesn’t reckon you’ll labour the engine). That’s an advantage over the J gate as the Jags only allow you to ‘permit’ an up shift rather than placing an instruction. Having said that, there’s 20 years age difference between the X100 and my current motor. My previous daily had a 6 speed dual clutch. I know that the journos all rave about them, but I couldn’t get rid of it soon enough. The low speed take off was so jerky, I felt like learner. Manoeuvring the vehicle in car parks and tight spaces was really dicey. My conclusion, give me a real TC auto with working lock up every time. I think back to my first auto which had a 3 speed GM auto with lock up in top (which never worked). My, how they’ve come on since then. Shame these fantastic transmissions will be utterly redundant in the coming electric world. Take care and enjoy the growl...
Gerard Booth My experiences with dual clutch systems have been .... ok? Whilst on the open road if a little unrefined, and close to dangerous in car parks.
To The Garage spot on John. I reckon we should start a counter-revolution against the all-conquering dual clutch boxes and my other bête noir, the SUVs that are cluttering up every road in the UK. Give me a proper estate car any day. Come the revolution brother!
I found this very informative as im about to buy one with a J-Gate so thanks for brilliant video as I would not had a clue on how to use it to its best advantage.
This was very informitive, one of your best yet. I have a XK 8, love that car (2006.) Also have a 2014 XK with paddle shifters. I use them all the time. (Also have a trio of Corvettes, the Jags are much more civilized!)
I must admit. I have an automatic license only. I’m a nervous driver and not at all confident at all. Though... I have put my foot down in D just to get a taste of what my 3.2 X308 can do. I’ve done it a few times and yes, when you mentioned the delay that happens during all of that, I noticed and talked about it to my brother a couple of weeks ago actually. Now I know the science behind it all and I’m very intrigued about the left hand side of the J-gate now, whereas before, I didn’t even think about it. All those numbers haha. Now I understand the potential of what it can do and how to use it properly thanks to you. I think I will put myself out there soon and chuck it into a bend and see how much shove it can give on the other side when I’m in second. I love the sound of the engine. I’ve never turned my radio on at all since owning my jag because that V8 soundtrack is all I need. I think I want to experience that at it’s full potential and now I know how to do that. Thank you very much for the informative and non-condescending video. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for taking the time to get involved with the debate via such a well written comment dean. I discovered a great x308 fact the other day. the roof line on your car is lower than the Porsche 911 of the same era. Sleek. Go play with your x308 (windows down👍)
To The Garage really? That’s a very cool fact, actually! I’ll have to remember that one. Thanks again for sharing all of your knowledge and for the kind words. All the best to you.
I had a Rover 827 auto in which only 1st and top gear worked. These had to be manually selected. This made acceleration wild. Pulling away from the lights was always a drag race. Had to get to a decent speed before dropping it into drive.
John, "thx" again for another "good-un" video. "Lotsa" ongoing appreciation for your efforts from here in Oregon, USA. We live on a hill with a large deer population and "twisties" galore, and don't often need to ride our 2004 brakes, when using J-Gate. NICE. (P.S. Mums the word to the Exchequer of the British Lexicon for our epistolary indulgences, please!)
I miss my J Gate. I had a nice windy road when I lived in the town I grew up in in Boston MA which was a lot of fun to drive with the J gate. I've since moved to Florida USA and have had my XJ-R, got it new in 2018 so I can't enjoy a J Gate, and there's no windy roads here in FL. It's like a long flat plane. The paddle shifters are fun but not as fun a the J gate. It really breaks my heart the direction Jaguar has gone. The Jag we all knew and loved is gone :(
The J gate is certainly not a substitute for a nice manual but its still a very satisfying interface when you know how to use it👍. I have had paddles in two of my recent cars but once over the initial novelty i never used them.
Thanks for the info , John. I will now start using the left side of the gate on my xj8, and start to have more fun. Perhaps stop Corsas leaving me at lights , haha.
Thanks for that, I really enjoyed it and have subscribed as well. I'm not long back from a nice two hour drive in the Boxster S, it's almost midnight and I am tempted to go out again, in the S Type this time. Not used anything but D in that so I can't wait to try it out. I bought it because I wanted something to waft about in as I have two 2 seater convertibles and a 1999 Ford Puma, so the comfort is very welcome lol
Having owned XK Rs with all 3 systems, in my opinion, the "L gate and paddles" is by far the best from an ergonomic/driver perspective. The rotary dial thing is just horrible in use, easily the worst option of the 3. The J gate system can sometimes be a little hazy, meaning you can inadvertently end up between gears, especially when you're manually shifting on the left side.
I tend to use the left hand side to slow the car down, rather than as a way to let it loose. What impact (if any) does it have on fuel consumption if you drive consistently in “manual”
Loved using the Jgate on my previously owned Stype especially in Wales - very useful for those steep descents also. Not a Jag owner at present and this is one of the most missed items on all cars I've had. Should be made mandatory for all shifters! Nicely presented video!
@@ToTheGarage So I've got the hang of it after a couple of days hooning in the XKR; my only add on is keep your eyes on the revs! because of the torque and smoothness it's very easy to hit the limiter/soft cut
Thanks,it really helps alot I have a 2006 jaguar xj8 4.2l v8 with 6 speed and this video helps alot ,when I drive in d one of my sensors are bad and the gear box fault comes on and the car stays stuck in 3rd or 4th gear only way to take it off temporarily is by turning car off and restart and the gearbox fault goes away,though I don't use the sport mode but I use that to see if my shift is good because the red light goes off when the gearbox fault comes on but it restarting the car turns it back on to normal, long story short manually shifting it works way better and I don't have the gearbox fault issue and it shifts like butter compared to just using drive which causes gearbox fault and sluggish shifting and stuck on one gear
I have owned many automatic cars. I have always driven them in the same way. I have have a lovely 1989 XJ40. I drive in the same manor. I also own a 1998 XJ8. Again I drive it in the same way. Plus when I get my 1987 XJS V12. I will also be driving it the same. I get better control and a better fuel economy too and a smoother drive. D drive is basically for cruising on motorways or having to drive in slow traffic. As it creeps nice and smoothly.
I found the J-Gate almost immediately on my XKR. It’s a completely different driving experience. Toggle the Traction Control “Off” and you have another very different/dangerous experience.
Many years ago, my daughter was 5years old and sat in the back of my ’03 XKR. We were travelling about 30mph when she kicked my elbow forwards and my hand pushed the gearstick from Drive straight through Reverse and into Park! I slammed on the brakes and pulled over. I heard a violent clonk as the dog ratchet found Park as the car stopped. To my relief there was no loss of function or damage and I later found out that the gearbox brain will not allow Reverse gear when there’s forward motion.
Your videos are great. I just purchased a 2005 xk8 and I have one question about the jgate. I have paddle shifters in a camaro and they tell you to keep your foot on the gas while shifting. Do I do the same on a jaguar or let off the gas and then give it throttle after I move to the next gear. I could not tell by watching you. As I stated on the american cars you keep your foot on the gas and shift. I use a plus and minus on the gearshift instead of the paddles. As far as those round automatic shifts I feel it ruins the whole astetic of the system. Your videos are the most informative on the web. Who better than a British guy and mechanic to teach an old man like myself how to drive my dreamcar.
Thanks for your kind words Arnie. I can confirm that with the Jag system, you can indeed 'Keep the boot in'😁 So yes it's the same rules as you apply in your Camaro. I found the Rotary shift to be an aesthetically pleasing solution in my 2018 XJ. But that was a car which encouraged me to leave its systems to deal with most if not all driving mode choices. I like you think the J Gate is far superior to the rotary shifter in terms of tactile experience. Sense of involvement and Aesthetic in a more overtly sporting car. Also I would comment that paddles are certainly a more efficient method of manually selecting gear shifts. However, I never got the same level of enjoyment from their use (in an XF and my XJ) as I do from the J gate in my XK8. Enjoy your Cat👍
It's worth helping the car on the bends using the J-gate. It helps you keep the revs up whilst entering the bend and to be on the power as you come out.
Great Video John. I do use the J gate occasionally and was very advanced for its time. I had an XJ40 with it and then had an XJs without it and missed it. My every day drive is a 7 speed DSG which is brilliant, but I do do like the J gate on my XK8
DSG is I hope the norm for the future as the alternative is CVT🥺 (gearless electric vehicles aside). DSG's are much more efficient lighter smaller and cleverer, than our gargantuan lock up torque converter units. But that does not mean I would swap the box in my xk8 for one😁
I’d agree with all said. Great video. I’m a huge proponent of the J gate. I just wish it was a little quicker on the down change approaching “that bend”. I find I’m entering bend waiting for the revs to pick up. Probably my driving style. Must downshift sooner!
@@ToTheGarage I’d be interested to see a short on the properties and uses of the S button. When used it really takes the car to another level but difficult to master the kick downs and manage revs on public roads.
I got 3 Jags - XKR Convertible 2000 XJ8 1997 and an older V12 Series III XJ. It’s blindingly obvious to me but my GF thought 2 3 4 implied you were fixed in that gear ! she drives a Citroen!
