How to Reset the Computer on a 2004 Jaguar XJ8

James May might have been taking a swipe at fellow Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson when he said this: "Within one generation, men have been reduced to feckless, bed-wetting, Parmesan-shaving imbeciles who revel in their own uselessness." In his own show, Man Lab, May endeavors to a noble task: restoring to his fellow man the skills, the wisdom and the inventiveness of our vaunted forefathers. So, fear not -- having augustly changed the oil or performed some other vital service on your Jaguar XJ8 -- you may soon repose warmly in the knowledge of a job well and completely finished after resetting the service computer.

  • Start with the ignition key in the "O" -- ignition off -- position. Press and hold the rear fog lamp switch.

  • Press the "Start" button -- as though trying to start the car -- without putting your foot on the brake; this will put the car into "Power Mode 6." Immediately release the fog lamp switch.

  • Press and hold the computer display cycle switch, then press and hold the rear fog lamp switch again. Continue holding the two of them while the system resets.

  • Look at the display. If the process has been successful, the message center will display "Resetting Service Mode" for 10 seconds. After that time, it will read "service Mode Reset."

  • Release both switches and remove the key from the ignition.