Daves Jaguar Pages - Easter Eggs for the new XJ and also the X and later S Types

Easter Eggs are little secrets that the manufacturer leaves in place but doesn't publicise to the owner. Called easter eggs because there's a secret inside - like an easter egg.

Jaguars have quite a few easter eggs and listed below are the ones I've been able to discover to date. Some of these are actually published by Jaguar but the information is buried so deep in the owner manuals that very often it's missed.

My car is fitted with the navigation and TV option and so some of these easter eggs are specific to such models. However, they are not exclusive to the new XJ and should apply to any of the later generation Jaguars including the X and S Types. If you know of any missing or any information that should be here and isn't, please drop me an email by clicking the above logo.

Please note, I am providing this information in good faith but cannot and do not guarantee that they will work on your car. Equally, I am not responsible for any consequences of using this information.
Stopping the TV from blanking & the Navigation & Phone from disabling functions when moving...

The most common request!

These issues are still being worked on. It is widely believed that it is possible to change these settings through the Jaguar WDS (Worldwide Diagnostics System) that is used by the dealers to diagnose faults, download and upload new software and settings to the cars. However, to date, despite being asked fairly forcefully for the information, Jaguar have refused point blank to give it to my dealer. They say, that's the way it is and it cannot be changed. I don't believe that for a second and I'm not letting this issue drop. I'll post here the moment I have further information.
To change the language of the message centre...
Hold down the m/km trip computer switch while switching the ignition to position 2 and it enables you to set the message centre language. Press the m/km switch repeatedly to change language. Press the A/B switch to select the currently displayed language.
To display the vehicle VIN in the message centre...
Hold down the A/B switch while switching the ignition to position 2 and the message centre displays the vehicle VIN.
To enable or disable RDBS on your radio...
Press the eject button on the MD (Tape and CD work too) and while pressing it also press the AM/FM button. This lets you into the localisation and RDBS settings for the audio systems.
To enter the diagnostic mode of the navigation and centre console...
With the ignition in any position hold the menu and phone buttons together for about 5 seconds. This presents a screen to enter the diag PIN. PIN is 917. This lets you into lots of information and a few settings for the screen. Also enables you to test the functionality of most centre console switches and functions and well as diagnose the navigation and TV systems.
To display the serial number of the radio...
Hold down the MD eject button and press PTY button and the computer briefly displays the last 5 digits of the radio serial number preceded with 5 zeros.
To enter the diagnostic mode for the instrument cluster...
Hold down the trip computer button on the indicator stalk as you switch the ignition to position 2 and the message centre will cycle through about 40 diagnostics for the gauge display including testing the lighting, warning lights, gauges, signals etc.
To enable or disable the seat belt warning chime...

1. Ensure the front passenger seat is unoccupied.

NOTE: Steps two to five must be completed within 60 seconds.

2. Turn the ignition to the RUN position (do not start the engine).

3. Buckle the driver safety belt buckle and wait until the seat belt warning lamp extinguishes.

4. Unbuckle the driver safety belt buckle and wait until the seat belt warning lamp illuminates.

5. Repeat Steps three and four a further eight times.

6. When the driver safety belt buckle is unbuckled for the ninth time a single chime will be heard. The single chime is acknowledgement that the beltminder feature has been disabled.

The beltminder feature will be disabled until the above process (Steps one to six) are repeated. Upon repeating the process the beltminder feature will be reactivated.

To enable or disable RF on the radio...
Hold down the AM/FM button for 3 seconds and RF ON or OFF is displayed. RF is the auto tune for RDS stations on the radio. Repeat to toggle setting.
Global open and close...

Not sure if this applies to the X and S Types but it certainly does to the new XJ and for some reason seems to get overlooked even though it is written clearly in the drivers handbook.

To open all the windows and sunroof, if fitted, press and hold the unlock button for 3 seconds on the remote. If you let go before 3 seconds is up then nothing will happen. Pressing any button on the remote before all windows have opened will stop them all where they are. To close them all, press and hold the lock button for 3 seconds. The same effect can be achieved by the key in the drivers door. Hold in the unlock position for 3 seconds to open everything and the lock position for 3 seconds to close everything. I have also been told, but have not yet confirmed that the same effects can be achieved from the drivers door lock button. I have also been told, but have not confirmed, that should the global open and close fail for some reason that it can be reset by pressing and holding either button on the remote for 10 seconds.

Click here to return to the Home page.

This web site is the personal property and copyright of David N Brown. All pictures unless marked otherwise and with the exception of the Jaguar logo are the sole and exclusive property of David N Brown and may not be reproduced without explicit written permission.

The Jaguar logo and emblem is a trade mark of Jaguar Cars Ltd, United Kingdom.