Got my tow bar installed, and the trailer wiring kit I bought from the UK was a perfect fit (except for now I have to build a mount plate for the connector). But now the instructions say the car has to be programmed. Only a dealer can do this? It mentions something called "SDD."

 

Hmm. It looks like all the "programming" does is turn off the rear parking sensors when a trailer is connected. If that's the case I think I will use the money for something else.

 

I believe you are correct as to the parking sensors. I read it may also allow the transmission to hold the lower gears longer but that maybe model & year dependent; if you are willing to brick your auto ECUs and invest in a "supply charger" with at least 25 amps constant power at 13.6 volts (A MUST!), get a Chinese Mangoose (knock off to The Mongoose Pro OEM programmer) and learn to use an older version of SDD v130, on a virtual drive. Here is a link to a very informative topic but the learning curve can be steep:

https://www.jaguarforum.com/showthread.php?t=108460


Patience is Virtuous!

Of course, proceed at your own risk!!!

 

Not that crazy yet. :P I don't think the power/torque/trannie is part of the reprogramming, I think that the car figures that out on its own with the normal programming. If it's just the rear sensors then, that would be a nonissue as on the 2008 (don't know about other year models) the rear sensors are only activated when in reverse. (I just realized... that's probably one of the few things on this car that makes perfect sense!)