1998 XJ8L Jaguar

What does the owners manual say?

Could you specify which model you are talking about ?

Off the top of my head, one would be a normal gear change the changes being set to occur with economy in mind.

in race i would assume the gear change would occur later ie allowing the engine to rev up higher before each change.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/sequential-gearbox.htm/printable

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Tomorrows-world-dual-clutch-gearbox/

http://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/#/about_jaguar/jaguarreviews/xfreviews/reviews

http://www.carpages.co.uk/jaguar/jaguar-x-type-part-3-13-10-07.asp

It means that you should leave it in automatic if you don't know what moving it really does.

Good Answer if in doubt leave it in D.

The owners manual gives a good run down see it at http://www.autoownermanuals.com/manuals.item.1950/Jaguar%20XJ8%20Owners%20Manual%201998.pdf

The description for the sports mode matchs my description.

If the lever is left in the automatic side of the shifter, the transmission will select the correct forward gear ratio for the conditions it sees. When brought to the left side, the shifter will allow you to select whatever forward gear ratio you desire.

Be careful, if you select the wrong gear, you will ruin your engine, your transmission, possibly your rear differential, possibly your tires, possibly ruin your fuel mileage and add additional pollutants to the air. You may also increase your likelihood of looking like a fool if you try to use it in front of someone that actually does know how to use it.

Great answer, thanks all.

I'll tell my wife don't go there.

Shawdog2