S-Type R, New to ownership, what should I look out for?

[A-Knight]

Hi everyone,

I've only just purchased my S-Type R so I'm looking for some advice please.

My first post on here was asking about the music system as I'd love to upgrade it, had two lovely answers and I've taken both onboard (thank you very much), I've also ordered the plug in that's arriving tomorrow, so I'm really hoping that gives me a start.

I've had an S-Type before but it was the early 3.0 manual, gold with silver 18" Audi Rota style alloys (looked gorgeous), went the usual way of MOT failure with the sills etc.

I've just bought my R this month, the sills have been done thankfully, and the supercharger has been serviced (and now has the smaller pulley), I'm a bit concerned about the gearbox though, what's the service procedure for these, and any tell tale signs of any issues?

I'm not used to these, my previous auto was an Audi S5, compared to this, that had a much longer gear ratio. Just unsure right now. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated please?

 

Thank you,

Ava

[N6 JMX]

Hi Ava, where are you within Aberdeenshire as there are a number of local garages throughout the Shire that offer decent quality services to Jaguar owners. I am in Banchory and lucky enough to have 2 x trusted mechanics and a bodyshop to call upon.

The gearbox can be given a simple service such as Oil and filter change by a competent mechanic, which if you are unsure of the car's history would be a good start - especially if it is "snatching", "clunking" or reluctant to change gear. A rebuild would be something else though and require a transmission specialist, which your local mechanic can usually access through their network.

N6 JMX

[JOE-DOT-COM]

HI

On these make sure you use ZF original parts and ZF Lifeguard 6 Oil, you usually get a kit, which includes 7 litres of lifeguard 6, filter/pan, new pins for the pan (usually the heads are bigger as oe ones were too small, new mecha sleeve (seal over the connector, prone to leaking), there a specific procedure on these for changing the Oil, car has to be level and the final Oil level check needs to be exactly when the gearbox is at 45 deg C, as it effects the oil level, also the gearbox holds about 10.5 litres, but at least 4.5 litre of that stays in the torque convertor, hence why its bad always mixing different types of oil. also a lot of after market filter/pans tend to leak. They should have the gearbox oil changed every 60k or 10 years, thats what ZF recommend.

Symptoms of common problems of the S-type ZF 6HP26 are harsh shifting inbetween gear changes and surging when cold at around 30 to 40 mph, surging can also be fixed by a software update to the gearbox, if its never been done, but last update on these was 2009, so most have been done.

If running right they should be silky smooth in normal mode

if you want to do some reading, theres lots of info on S-types and S-type R here http://www.jagrepair.com/

This video shows you exactly how to change the gearbox oil on these. https://youtu.be/MAMseFY8GpY?si=G6j6zNd3FwExftY6

The S-type R is really a great car, love mine, mine has been very reliable and never given me any trouble, but it does get well looked after

if your after any other info just let me know, I gathered quite a bit of info over the years on these.

cheers

Joe

[A-Knight]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:06 AM, N6 JMX said:

Hi Ava, where are you within Aberdeenshire as there are a number of local garages throughout the Shire that offer decent quality services to Jaguar owners. I am in Banchory and lucky enough to have 2 x trusted mechanics and a bodyshop to call upon.

The gearbox can be given a simple service such as oil and filter change by a competent mechanic, which if you are unsure of the car's history would be a good start - especially if it is "snatching", "clunking" or reluctant to change gear. A rebuild would be something else though and require a transmission specialist, which your local mechanic can usually access through their network.

N6 JMX

Hi Jim,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I stay In Aberdeen (south side), and I'd be happy travelling to the likes of Banchory etc. if it meant my car was going to a garage who know these cars, and will look after it as well. I don't have much history with the car so I think it sounds like a good idea to get a gearbox service done, and also a usual service as well. I'll also need to get an MOT done in the next couple of months.

Who would you recommend?

 

Many thanks,

Ava

 

 

[A-Knight]

On 2/14/2025 at 6:56 PM, JOE-DOT-COM said:

HI

On these make sure you use ZF original parts and ZF Lifeguard 6 oil, you usually get a kit, which includes 7 litres of lifeguard 6, filter/pan, new pins for the pan (usually the heads are bigger as oe ones were too small, new mecha sleeve (seal over the connector, prone to leaking), there a specific procedure on these for changing the oil, car has to be level and the final oil level check needs to be exactly when the gearbox is at 45 deg C, as it effects the oil level, also the gearbox holds about 10.5 litres, but at least 4.5 litre of that stays in the torque convertor, hence why its bad always mixing different types of oil. also a lot of after market filter/pans tend to leak. They should have the gearbox oil changed every 60k or 10 years, thats what ZF recommend.

Symptoms of common problems of the S-type ZF 6HP26 are harsh shifting inbetween gear changes and surging when cold at around 30 to 40 mph, surging can also be fixed by a software update to the gearbox, if its never been done, but last update on these was 2009, so most have been done.

If running right they should be silky smooth in normal mode

if you want to do some reading, theres lots of info on S-types and S-type R here http://www.jagrepair.com/

This video shows you exactly how to change the gearbox oil on these. https://youtu.be/MAMseFY8GpY?si=G6j6zNd3FwExftY6

The S-type R is really a great car, love mine, mine has been very reliable and never given me any trouble, but it does get well looked after

if your after any other info just let me know, I gathered quite a bit of info over the years on these.

cheers

Joe

Hi Joe,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I can tell you're a fountain of knowledge when it comes to these cars. I do want to look after mine as it's been one of my dream cars for many years now. 

What you've said on your message, is that quite common knowledge for a garage that services these S-Types? The car does sometimes change gears when I don't  expect it to, it does work well in sport mode, but I have noticed some surging between 30 & 40 mph.

I'm wanting to learn as much as I can about my car and I've now been on jagrepair.com as well (thank you for that). I'll no doubt spend hours on there as it has a lot of information.

I have one quick question if I may?......I have just a generally quite cheap OBDII code reader, which reads both my Audi A4 B7, and my mk1 Audi TT fine, but when I plug it into my Jag, it doesn't seem to read the car at all, but the car information screen comes up saying gearbox fault. I'm wondering if my car isn't OBDII compatible, and hopefully nothing worse.

What do you think?

 

Many thanks,

Ava

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

A of code readers only give generic faults and sometimes quite useless on s-types.

The best out for these Jaguar IDS/SDD, IDS for pre 2005 cars pre facelift and SDD for post 2005 cars , facelift, this software is the same as Jaguar use and is the best, but you need a dedicated laptop for it and if not carefull can do some serious damage, but great just for reading fault codes with proper descriptions and remedies.

The next best user friendly ones are Icarsoft LR V2 or V3, this is Jaguar dedicated, but will read most of the modules on the car, if you pay a bit extra and get Icarsoft CR Pro, that will do Jaguar and all other makes, so is handy for other cars aswell. Theres also icarsoft CR Max which is another one which is slightly more expensive but has a much better interface and screen.

I have both and they do have there uses and pay for them selves over time.

cheers

Joe

[N6 JMX]

Hi Ava, happy to recommend both Framor on Tillybrake Road and RM Motor Repairs at the Burn o' Bennie Business Park.

For Framor, call 01330 823884, probably Jenny will answer. Framor do have a website Car Servicing in Banchory : Framor Motors 

For RM Motor Repairs, call 01330 558118, ask for Reese. RM you will find on Facebook, not sure they yet have a website sorted. 

In some instances it is best to visit the shop and both will be happy to talk to you and understand your issues. Both are usually quite busy, hence the reasoning for offering both garages details.

N6 JMX

[N6 JMX]

Incidentally, whilst neither of the 2 x garages in Banchory carry out the MoT, they do have an arrangement with the local station so they can organise that for you so it becomes a one stop shop for all aspects of what you need.

N6 JMX