What exactly is RealGauge?
RealGauge is a tiny computer, about 2" (50mm) square that mounts on top of your instrument cluster case, hidden behind the dashboard of your Jaguar 1996 to 2006 XK8/XKR or 1996-2003 XJ/XJR. It plugs into the instrument cluster and attaches to a few instrument cluster harness wires with reliable, simple to use connectors called Posi-taps without cutting, stripping or soldering any wires.
What does RealGauge do?
RealGauge reads the accurate digital coolant temperature information already present in your car at the instrument cluster. It then uses this information to drive the factory coolant gauge in the instrument cluster (which is actually a stepper motor).
Why should I care about this?
Once Jaguar's factory cooling gauge reaches about 185 degrees F, the instrument cluster forces the gauge to remain at mid-scale until the temperature reaches approximately 235 to
240 F. This allows virtually no time to react to an approaching overheat condition.
Overheating may be extremely damaging to our aluminum engines in a very short matter of time.
RealGauge will let you see normal fluctuations in temperature as you drive, depending on the outside temperature, how fast you are going, the engine speed, the condition of the cooling system, the engine controller switching on the cooling fans, use of heating and AC, etc.
RealGauge will give you more time to react to a potential overheating situation.
Additionally, by noticing changes to normal engine temperature patterns, you increase the likelihood that you can have cooling system problems (thermostat, water pumps, radiator, fans,
etc.) evaluated and repaired before they become serious, expensive and potentially leave you stranded. This is especially important as our cars get older the chances of a failure in the cooling system increases.
What coolant temperature readings should I expect with RealGauge?
As with the factory gauge you will see the engine warm up from 125 F to about 185 F, which is
midscale. The car should then operate most of the time in the range of about 190 F to about 215 F, but higher temperatures may occur at times of idling, high ambient temperatures and high RPMs. If you consistently see higher temperatures or lower temperatures, the cooling system and fans should be investigated.
My XK8/XKR also has the oil pressure gauge...I never see that move either.
The oil pressure gauge is even more 'fake' than the coolant gauge. The XK8 and XKR does not have an oil pressure sensor, it only has a low pressure switch. The factory oil pressure gauge is truly an 'idiot light with a needle', which has only two positions: zero and midscale.
Does RealGauge support the oil pressure gauge?
The RealGauge computer is pre-programmed to support the oil pressure gauge also. To use this feature, you need to purchase the oil pressure option, which includes a high quality oil pressure sensor, adapter, and connection hardware. The oil pressure option is only for XK8s and XKRs that have the 3-gauge cluster instead of navigation. The oil pressure option is not available for XJ vehicles.
What oil pressure readings should I expect with RealGauge?
You will now see normal fluctuations in oil pressure as you drive, depending on the engine temperature, the engine speed, and oil viscosity. Normal fluctuations are quite large, typically from about 10 psi to 75 psi. By noticing changes to normal oil pressure patterns, you increase the likelihood that you can have oil pressure problems evaluated and repaired before they become serious, expensive and potentially leave you stranded.
What kinds of problems will a full functioning oil pressure gauge help predict?
Certainly you may get insight into a variety of oil pump related problems, but it is not uncommon in the Jaguar V8 for bits of material from plastic primary and secondary tensioners and plastic camshaft chain guides to break off and begin to clog the oil sump. This becomes more prevalent with increasing age and miles. All else being equal, a drop in typical pressures could be a clear sign to investigate for these problems before they become serious.
What happens to the factory oil pressure switch when I use the RealGauge oil pressure sensor option?
It remains in the car as a backup, independent low oil pressure warning. A rugged tee adapter is included in the oil pressure option kit to allow both the oil pressure sensor and factory switch
to co-exist.
Does RealGauge have an audible alarm feature also?
Yes, RealGauge has an audible alarm tone to alert you as soon as you have a potentially harmful overheat situation or low oil pressure situation. Even on navigation equipped XKs and on XJs without the oil pressure gauge and oil pressure option, RealGauge will use the Jaguar's built in oil pressure switch to audibly alert you immediately of dangerously low oil pressure (in
addition to the normal dashboard warning light and message).
OK, so if I have an over temperature or a low oil pressure condition, how do I shut the alarm off?
Simply depress the trip button at the end of the blinker stalk for 1.5 seconds and the alarm will be silenced.
What if I do not like the idea at all of an audible alarm in my car at all?
Simple instructions are included to permanently disable the alarm, if desired, during installation.
What is the RealGauge 'History' feature?
'History' is a feature where the peak temperature and minimum oil pressure are recorded during each engine run for each of the last 60 engine runs.
'History Replay' is invoked by pressing the trip button on the blinker stalk for 4 seconds with the ignition on and the engine off.
The History feature is useful for finding patterns which may indicate slowly degrading operation of the cooling system or the engine oiling system. History data is maintained in non-volatile memory even if the car battery is disconnected.
How hard is RealGauge to install?
Installing RealGauge module alone is just a little more difficult that replacing light bulbs in your
instrument cluster. Very detailed instructions are provided and support is available.
The instruction document is several pages long because it is well detailed and has many photographs, not because it is particularly difficult. Note that '96-'99 models require a one-time calibration step with an OBDII scanner capable of reading coolant temperature. If you do not have a scanner, let us know when you order and one will be provided FREE as a loaner to you.
Installing the oil pressure option also requires you to access the area next to the oil filter, so you need to jack up the front end and work under the car for a few minutes with some wrenches to install the oil pressure sensor and adapter. The oil pressure option also requires running a cable through the firewall…this procedure is described in detail in the instructions and accessories are included in the kit to simplify the process.
If you do not care to do the work yourself, many mechanics will do it for you as long as you provide the instructions supplied with the kit. If you live near Washington DC, I also do a limited number of installations for local forum members.
The coolant and oil pressure scales are not labeled...how do I know what the readings
are?
You have some choices.
Some will prefer to leave the gauges as is without labels and keep the car looking 100% original. If this is the case, you can just remember the needle behavior under different driving
conditions and keep an eye out for changes from that the norm.
You also may want to remember that the coolant temperature scale starts at 125 F and ends at 245 F, and each minor tick mark is 15 degrees F, and each major tick mark is 30 F. This means quarter scale is 155 F, midscale is 185 F, 3/4 scale is 215 F.
The oil pressure scale range is 0 - 100 psi. Minor tick marks are 12.5 psi and major tick marks are 25 psi. Quarter scale is 25 psi, half scale is 50 psi and 3/4 scale is 75 psi.
Adhesive plastic number labels in factory correct fonts along with instructions for application are included with the kit. Fahrenheit temperature and PSI pressure scales are shipped in the US. Celsius temperature and bar pressure scales are shipped to orders outside the US, unless another preference is stated. You can add some, all or none of the labels...this is your choice. The labels are not backlit, but the lighted gauge needle provides a bit of light to read the label near the needle at light.
If there is sufficient demand, backlit overlay replacements may be available in the future as an
option, but it was determined that they would add too much to the price of the kit, making it out of reach for some, and complicate installation for something only a few may desire.
I have navigation in my car. How do I get an oil pressure gauge?
If you want to keep your navigation, you will need to add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge and sensor if you want to monitor oil pressure. There are many of these in the automotive aftermarket. If you decide to add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge to a navigation equipped vehicle, do not order the oil pressure option for RealGauge.
If instead you choose to remove the obsolete navigation system you can add the Jaguar XK's 3-gauge cluster and replace the wood bezel. We also offer the wiring harness you will also need. Cars converted to the 3-gauge cluster using TheJagWrangler harness are fully compatible with RealGauge.
Will RealGauge affect my warranty?
Installation of any aftermarket equipment might affect your warranty, if you have one.
Check your policy.
What does RealGauge cost?
The RealGauge computer and installation kit, which supports the coolant temperature gauge alone is priced at $129.95.
The oil pressure option for RealGauge needed to support the oil temperature gauge includes a quality oil pressure sensor and installation kit and is priced at $149.95 additional.
Units are in stock now for immediate shipment.
RealGauge is a tiny computer, about 2" (50mm) square that mounts on top of your instrument cluster case, hidden behind the dashboard of your Jaguar 1996 to 2006 XK8/XKR or 1996-2003 XJ/XJR. It plugs into the instrument cluster and attaches to a few instrument cluster harness wires with reliable, simple to use connectors called Posi-taps without cutting, stripping or soldering any wires.
What does RealGauge do?
RealGauge reads the accurate digital coolant temperature information already present in your car at the instrument cluster. It then uses this information to drive the factory coolant gauge in the instrument cluster (which is actually a stepper motor).
Why should I care about this?
Once Jaguar's factory cooling gauge reaches about 185 degrees F, the instrument cluster forces the gauge to remain at mid-scale until the temperature reaches approximately 235 to
240 F. This allows virtually no time to react to an approaching overheat condition.
Overheating may be extremely damaging to our aluminum engines in a very short matter of time.
RealGauge will let you see normal fluctuations in temperature as you drive, depending on the outside temperature, how fast you are going, the engine speed, the condition of the cooling system, the engine controller switching on the cooling fans, use of heating and AC, etc.
RealGauge will give you more time to react to a potential overheating situation.
Additionally, by noticing changes to normal engine temperature patterns, you increase the likelihood that you can have cooling system problems (thermostat, water pumps, radiator, fans,
etc.) evaluated and repaired before they become serious, expensive and potentially leave you stranded. This is especially important as our cars get older the chances of a failure in the cooling system increases.
What coolant temperature readings should I expect with RealGauge?
As with the factory gauge you will see the engine warm up from 125 F to about 185 F, which is
midscale. The car should then operate most of the time in the range of about 190 F to about 215 F, but higher temperatures may occur at times of idling, high ambient temperatures and high RPMs. If you consistently see higher temperatures or lower temperatures, the cooling system and fans should be investigated.
My XK8/XKR also has the oil pressure gauge...I never see that move either.
The oil pressure gauge is even more 'fake' than the coolant gauge. The XK8 and XKR does not have an oil pressure sensor, it only has a low pressure switch. The factory oil pressure gauge is truly an 'idiot light with a needle', which has only two positions: zero and midscale.
Does RealGauge support the oil pressure gauge?
The RealGauge computer is pre-programmed to support the oil pressure gauge also. To use this feature, you need to purchase the oil pressure option, which includes a high quality oil pressure sensor, adapter, and connection hardware. The oil pressure option is only for XK8s and XKRs that have the 3-gauge cluster instead of navigation. The oil pressure option is not available for XJ vehicles.
What oil pressure readings should I expect with RealGauge?
You will now see normal fluctuations in oil pressure as you drive, depending on the engine temperature, the engine speed, and oil viscosity. Normal fluctuations are quite large, typically from about 10 psi to 75 psi. By noticing changes to normal oil pressure patterns, you increase the likelihood that you can have oil pressure problems evaluated and repaired before they become serious, expensive and potentially leave you stranded.
What kinds of problems will a full functioning oil pressure gauge help predict?
Certainly you may get insight into a variety of oil pump related problems, but it is not uncommon in the Jaguar V8 for bits of material from plastic primary and secondary tensioners and plastic camshaft chain guides to break off and begin to clog the oil sump. This becomes more prevalent with increasing age and miles. All else being equal, a drop in typical pressures could be a clear sign to investigate for these problems before they become serious.
What happens to the factory oil pressure switch when I use the RealGauge oil pressure sensor option?
It remains in the car as a backup, independent low oil pressure warning. A rugged tee adapter is included in the oil pressure option kit to allow both the oil pressure sensor and factory switch
to co-exist.
Does RealGauge have an audible alarm feature also?
Yes, RealGauge has an audible alarm tone to alert you as soon as you have a potentially harmful overheat situation or low oil pressure situation. Even on navigation equipped XKs and on XJs without the oil pressure gauge and oil pressure option, RealGauge will use the Jaguar's built in oil pressure switch to audibly alert you immediately of dangerously low oil pressure (in
addition to the normal dashboard warning light and message).
OK, so if I have an over temperature or a low oil pressure condition, how do I shut the alarm off?
Simply depress the trip button at the end of the blinker stalk for 1.5 seconds and the alarm will be silenced.
What if I do not like the idea at all of an audible alarm in my car at all?
Simple instructions are included to permanently disable the alarm, if desired, during installation.
What is the RealGauge 'History' feature?
'History' is a feature where the peak temperature and minimum oil pressure are recorded during each engine run for each of the last 60 engine runs.
'History Replay' is invoked by pressing the trip button on the blinker stalk for 4 seconds with the ignition on and the engine off.
The History feature is useful for finding patterns which may indicate slowly degrading operation of the cooling system or the engine oiling system. History data is maintained in non-volatile memory even if the car battery is disconnected.
How hard is RealGauge to install?
Installing RealGauge module alone is just a little more difficult that replacing light bulbs in your
instrument cluster. Very detailed instructions are provided and support is available.
The instruction document is several pages long because it is well detailed and has many photographs, not because it is particularly difficult. Note that '96-'99 models require a one-time calibration step with an OBDII scanner capable of reading coolant temperature. If you do not have a scanner, let us know when you order and one will be provided FREE as a loaner to you.
Installing the oil pressure option also requires you to access the area next to the oil filter, so you need to jack up the front end and work under the car for a few minutes with some wrenches to install the oil pressure sensor and adapter. The oil pressure option also requires running a cable through the firewall…this procedure is described in detail in the instructions and accessories are included in the kit to simplify the process.
If you do not care to do the work yourself, many mechanics will do it for you as long as you provide the instructions supplied with the kit. If you live near Washington DC, I also do a limited number of installations for local forum members.
The coolant and oil pressure scales are not labeled...how do I know what the readings
are?
You have some choices.
Some will prefer to leave the gauges as is without labels and keep the car looking 100% original. If this is the case, you can just remember the needle behavior under different driving
conditions and keep an eye out for changes from that the norm.
You also may want to remember that the coolant temperature scale starts at 125 F and ends at 245 F, and each minor tick mark is 15 degrees F, and each major tick mark is 30 F. This means quarter scale is 155 F, midscale is 185 F, 3/4 scale is 215 F.
The oil pressure scale range is 0 - 100 psi. Minor tick marks are 12.5 psi and major tick marks are 25 psi. Quarter scale is 25 psi, half scale is 50 psi and 3/4 scale is 75 psi.
Adhesive plastic number labels in factory correct fonts along with instructions for application are included with the kit. Fahrenheit temperature and PSI pressure scales are shipped in the US. Celsius temperature and bar pressure scales are shipped to orders outside the US, unless another preference is stated. You can add some, all or none of the labels...this is your choice. The labels are not backlit, but the lighted gauge needle provides a bit of light to read the label near the needle at light.
If there is sufficient demand, backlit overlay replacements may be available in the future as an
option, but it was determined that they would add too much to the price of the kit, making it out of reach for some, and complicate installation for something only a few may desire.
I have navigation in my car. How do I get an oil pressure gauge?
If you want to keep your navigation, you will need to add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge and sensor if you want to monitor oil pressure. There are many of these in the automotive aftermarket. If you decide to add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge to a navigation equipped vehicle, do not order the oil pressure option for RealGauge.
If instead you choose to remove the obsolete navigation system you can add the Jaguar XK's 3-gauge cluster and replace the wood bezel. We also offer the wiring harness you will also need. Cars converted to the 3-gauge cluster using TheJagWrangler harness are fully compatible with RealGauge.
Will RealGauge affect my warranty?
Installation of any aftermarket equipment might affect your warranty, if you have one.
Check your policy.
What does RealGauge cost?
The RealGauge computer and installation kit, which supports the coolant temperature gauge alone is priced at $129.95.
The oil pressure option for RealGauge needed to support the oil temperature gauge includes a quality oil pressure sensor and installation kit and is priced at $149.95 additional.
Units are in stock now for immediate shipment.
