Flat spot? 2013 2.2D 200ps sportbrake

[CliveRothwell]

So, does anybody else notice a flat spot or a delay in the pick up on part throttle when trying to cross a roundabout without actually stopping?

Its quite bad. The car appears to almost stall. You could call it a rich cut.................

Solutions requested please!

[davidr]

Is it the gearbox being a bit slow?

[CliveRothwell]

I don't think so. Its hard to tell actually but I would have said no. Is that a known issue?

[davidr]

When I had one I did find that I could occasionally catch the gearbox a little undecided, especially when slowing down to a near stop and then trying to pull away again sharply. For example trickling up to a junction, not quite stopping and then deciding to nip out could catch the gearbox napping. This could I suppose feel like a flat spot as I think the engine management system turns the engine torque right down when changing gear and if it's cant decide what gear to be in then it would feel like you're putting your foot down and nothing's happening?

[CliveRothwell]

Yes - that's exactly it in a nutshell!

[J44EAG]

I wonder if there might be a gearbox software update reflash available?

What sort of mileage does this car have? After I had a Terraclean done on my 350R at around 82K miles, the power was rather more instant in roundabout situations. My issue was somewhat similar to the above. The Terraclan process began with an in situe injector clean then a general engine chemical decoke. Well worth doing in my opinion. Our Portsmouth Vice Chairman, Tony also followed suit and had his diesel 2.2 X-type Terracleaned. That made a huge difference. Tony said performance and hill climbing improved dramatically after the clean, not to mention a slight improvement in fuel economy. Mine will have another Terraclean preventative maintenance session in about a years time. Worth every penny in my opinion. It blows the clag out of the corners!

Mike

[CliveRothwell]

Thanks Mike. The car has done 27000 - 10000 in the past year with me on A roads / motorways. FMDSH so I would have thought it would be clean inside the chambers and would have any of the latest gearbox updates. Do you still think a Terraclean would be a good idea?

[J44EAG]

No hard and fast rule on that really, Clive. Every car is so different to its brother as regards usage cycles. Being a diesel though, does make it a rather sooty proposition and that I suppose is really the prime conundrum. Its also well worth throwing a couple of bottles of Cataclean in the tank as preventative maintenance. Diesel models do concern me. Reasons being DPF issues and blockages if this type of vehicle is not run hard on the motorway and regeneration permitted to occur.

I`d have your maintenance guys review where there have been subsequent gearbox software reflashes brought out for your model year. I`d check that first before going much further.

Mike K

[davidr]

I took delivery of my 2.2 XF new in 2011 and it behaved just as I've described from new. I think the gearbox software sometimes thinks too much. It anticipates what you're going to do next and sometimes gets it wrong. So while its realising that it's made a wrong guess and is then sorting itself out there is a delay.
The DSG gearbox in my Audi A6 has the same issue. In some respects it's worse as it preselects the next gear it thinks you're going to want so it can get confused when it's made a wrong choice and you're left half across a junction with the gearbox dithering! On the plus side, gear changes are almost instant and because it's a direct drive without a torque converter it's more efficient.

[CliveRothwell]

Sound advice Mike. Thanks for the info David. All relevant comments.
Merry Christmas all!

[ianoliver57]

Clive, presume your XF has the ‘flappy paddles’ on the steering wheel? Try using the paddles as you approach and move through the roundabout thus ensuring you are in the correct gear. If it still flat spots, then it’s an engine issue.

Good luck, MerryChristmas.

Regards

Ian.

[CliveRothwell]

Ian - that's a clever idea -- thanks!

[Foffer]

I have noticed exactly the "flat spot" or "hesitation" that you describe. I asked for this to be looked at when serviced at Guy Salmon and was told that they all do this and to use sport mode when approaching a roundabout to get ready for a quick pull away! I wonder if an engine management remap might help, but I'm reluctant to try this as it would invalidate the car's warranty. The gearbox seems to be constantly undecided as to what gear it should be in. I've noticed that at 65mph if you accelerate slightly it normally changes down two gears, surely this can't be right? I have resigned myself to driving sedately in this car, not expecting any sharp responses from the throttle, that way I'm never disappointed!

Having said all that, I've just used the car for the first time in a few days due to the snow and thought I would try out the snow mode control (button near the parking brake). FANTASTIC!!! This is a really well thought out map of the engine management. All aspects of the drive appear to be perfect for really icy conditions. Well done Jaguar!

[franrca]

I have exactly the same flat spot with my 2013 Sportbrake (37k miles) - I always put it in Sport mode when pulling away as it has caught me off guard in the past where I have pulled out and had very minimal acceleration with a really long hesitation before it finally decides to get going quite quickly...real squeaky bum time (if you excuse the phrase!)...can be really dangerous. It's like it's building up energy to start going.

[CliveRothwell]

Well, there we have it......at least two other owners noting the same issue. I'm not that quick thinking to remember to put it into sport mode when approaching a junction and most likely will ask the dealers to investigate if software update is available.

I've avoided using the car in bad weather and haven't noticed any change in it's reaction when I have pressed the snow button below 4 degrees.