Yesterday I was on a transition ramp from one freeway to another and the ramp was a very tight turn. I was surprised as to how much effort it took to turn the steering wheel at roughly 45 mph. Is this normal? It was a two lane transition and a mundane car next to me sailed through.

Other than that, the power steering has been great.

I've never owned a car with an automatic transmission, so shifting is very second nature to me. However, with the 6-speed XF, the only way I can get a smooth shift from first to second is to keep the revs low on first, shift then just ease on the accelerator. I feel the problem - at least for me - is that first is a stump puller, but second is a bit too high for starting from standing still.

I never thought I'd ask for instructions as to how to shift a car. I'll add that when there is no traffic behind me, I'm fine with the slow and easy shift. For those non SoCal folks, many of the on-ramps to freeways have a stoplight, frequently with two lanes. And especially when the light changes, I gun it a lot more (no, not to race the other guy), then shift into second - which turns out to be very jerky - so as to be up to speed once on the freeway.

I am not a speed shifter since for no other reason I work on cars and can always tell by how bad the second gear synchros are as to how hard the owner did or did not speed shift.

 

I only use first up my driveway simply because the door is slow to open. Other than that I often just use 2nd-4th-6th for stop to 45 (we have many around here).

Know the reason is the absurd gearing (am looking for a 2.60-2.90 rear gear), 6th is the same 2600 rpm @ 70 as 4th in my Fiero GT.

Probably a product of the same thinking that gave us a seat that does not go back far enough when reclined for someone 5'10".

There are so many great things about the Crossfire (makes me think of a DB4-GT) that you have to wonder what they were smoking when they came up with the ergodynamics and the gearing.

Oh well one just needs a bigger hammer & sawzall and the other a new R&P (if I can find one).

 

When you find that gear, let us know where it came from.