Jaguar Owners Club

Hi Steve....and welcome to the club! Your mechanic is right with allowing it to turn into a more permanent fault as sometimes they do not manifest themselves until it actually does go completely faulty. Normally, a fault like this I would recommend a Coolant Temperature Sensor as its this time of year that they fail and would lead to similar symptoms that your car is displaying. The sensor can go out of operating range, which is when the warning light will come on or you could change it quite easily and cheaply to just see if it changes anything in the meantime? It can also substantially affect your fuel economy by overfuelling the engine if left unattended. Hope this helps? Regards Trevor

Hi Stan...and welcome back ! As Peter says...it sounds like an EVAP problem, albeit probably only a temporary glitch. If you have a code (such as P0123) I can narrow down a little bit more, but otherwise if you clear memory and switch lamp off then it should take care of the problem. The following is a forum link to Technical Abbreviations used in modern vehicles if it helps. http://www.jaguarownersclub.com/forums/topic/9076-technical-abbreviations/ Regards Trevor

Hi Alan....and welcome to the club....and to the wonderful world of Jaguars! As Peter has stated, there really should be an under tray on your car but most Jag specialists will probably have one or two leaning up against a wall in the workshop where they have forgotten to refit it (talking from previous experience). Hopefully some other members have experienced the fuel gauge issue you are referring to and can comment on it? Regards Trevor

Blimey, you've travelled quite a bit Trevor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UpFys4Xci_M

STARTECH has launched their Jaguar XKR and XK program at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show. The STARTECH Jaguar XKR program features a new aerodynamics package which includes spoiler flaps that attach to the front apron, LED daytime running lights and a carbon-fiber rear molding. The STARTECH Jaguar XKR sits on 21 inch rims and is equipped with sport springs that lower the ride height by 40 mm. The interior of the STARTECH Jaguar XKR features a leather and Alcantara upholstery, bamboo wood and aluminum trim elements and various carbon fiber accents. STARTECH Press Release: Exclusive, innovative and individual: These three attributes best describe the STARTECH accessories program for the latest Jaguar XK and XKR models, which is available for coupes and convertibles. A customized XK Coupe that celebrates its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA 2009 in Frankfurt/Main gives a good first look at the complete product lineup for the British automobiles. The engineers and designers from STARTECH (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 20 41 / 777 547, fax + 49 / (0) 20 41 / 777 111, Internet www.startech.de) have developed subtle sporty body modifications, custom-tailored 21-inch forged wheels with corresponding ride-height lowering and eye-catching interior options. Adding sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the two-door with subtle components was a challenge the STARTECH styling team mastered with great success. The team developed spoiler flaps that attach to both sides of the production front apron. They upgrade the car’s appearance and reduce lift on the front axle. All STARTECH aerodynamic-enhancement components are made from carbon fiber. To make these components not only ultra-light but also extremely strong STARTECH uses the same ‘Prepreg’ production process in an autoclave used in motor racing and aerospace engineering. The face of the Jaguar is further upgraded with daytime running lights. Using precise-fit design elements these lights are beautifully integrated into the stylized air vents on both sides of the bumper. The STARTECH carbon-fiber rear molding serves as the perfect backdrop for the two tailpipes of the exhaust system and gives the rear of the Jaguar even more character. The exclusive STARTECH looks are further characterized by STARTECH forged wheels customtailored for the XK models. The three-piece Monostar J Diamond Edition wheels intersperse polished surfaces with brushed-look sections and are miles apart from the rest. The same is true for the wheel sizes, which were selected specifically for the sportiest Jaguar model. The front wheel houses are filled to the max by size 9Jx21 wheels with tires in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear tires in size 295/25 ZR 21 mounted on size 10.5Jx21 wheels strive to provide maximum traction. STARTECH sport springs are specially calibrated to these tire/wheel combinations. They lower the ride height of both body styles by some 40 millimeters (1.6 inches). Exclusive interiors are a particular STARTECH specialty. The interior designers transformed trends from exclusive high-end living into the XK without overpowering the sports car’s British character. The company upholstery shop has created a fully leather interior made from the finest, especially soft brandy-colored leather. A new combination of contrasting cords and double seams using an especially thick thread creates an entirely new and yet very English ambiance in the cockpit. The STARTECH interior program also offers countless other color combinations in leather and Alcantara. More than 100 different colors are always in stock, special requests such a leather color that matches a favorite lipstick or other item can also be fulfilled. New bamboo wood trim elements replace the precious-wood and aluminum trim available from the factory. The wood color is specially matched to the brandy-colored leather. A special bleaching and staining process makes it possible to match the leather color exactly. This STARTECH innovationalso gives customers a choice of open-pore, matte or high-gloss surface finishes. Genuine carbonfiber trim sets with different structures and colors are yet another option for customizing the interior. Further exclusive ideas for the interior are scuff plates with illuminated STARTECH logo and highquality floor mats bordered with color-coordinated leather.

The aftermarket specialists from Arden revealed recently their new program for the Jaguar XKR-S, which receives several styling updates as well as performance upgrades. The Arden Jaguar XKR-S comes with a new body kit that also manages to improve the downforce on both axels of the car. The aero package includes a new front bumper, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a boot lid spoiler. Arden's XKR-S features a new front grille, a set of 21-inch alloy wheels and a new exhaust system with two double tailpipes on each side of the car. For the interior of the Jaguar XKR-S, Arden is offering a leather upholstery with Alcantara inserts, aluminum pedals and various trim parts made from carbon, chrome or wood.Arden is also offering a leather/Alcantara sport steering wheel and a bespoke entertainment system. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine of the Arden XKR-S develops 645 hp and 803 Nm of torque. However, the power kit is still under development at the moment. Arden did not announce the price of their new mods for the Jaguar XKR-S

haha....Brilliant!! Trevor, I believe you seemed to have captured the Jaguar owner defined look for 2014 ! However, I didn't see that model of Jag available in next years line up though

Want something different? Check out the 2013 Jaguar XJ sedan. It’s often overlooked by buyers who automatically go after, say, a large BMW, Mercedes or Audi. The Jaguar XJ sedan long has been among Jaguar’s most venerable and popular models. It has never caught up with such heady rivals as BMW or Mercedes, but is a good alternative to sporty, elegant upscale sedans—foreign or domestic. I drove a 2013 XJ sedan in December, 2013. The 2014 model year officially began in October, 2013, but never mind because the 2014 XJ is virtually identical to the 2013 model. You thus might be able to get a pretty good deal on a 2013 XJ. The 2013 Jaguar XJ is a strong alternative to more popular upscale sedans. The 2013 XJ got an available all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the first time, which is offered if you order its new supercharged 3-liter 340-horsepower V-6, which has a neck-snapping 332 pound-feet of torque. For my money the strong, smooth V-6 in the XJ is virtually as good as the costlier 5-liter 385-horsepower V-8. And the V-6 gets better fuel economy. The 0-60 mph time with the V-6 and rear drive are conservatively estimated by Jaguar at 5.7 seconds and at 6.1 seconds with AWD. The sophisticated V-6 has lots of punch in the city and on highways because its equipment includes direct fuel injection and twin vortex superchargers with dual intercoolers. Whatever the engine, power is transmitted though a thoroughly modern eight-speed automatic transmission with a decent manual-shift feature. The XJ V-6’s estimated economy figures are a decent 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on highways with the standard rear-drive XJ V-6, despite the fact that all XJs top 4,000 pounds. The figures are 16 and 24 with AWD. Prices for the XJ V-6 range from $73,200 to $83,700. With a V-8, XJs go from $81,200 to $119,100. Jaguar supplied no price/option sticker with my test car, but I found that I drove the $83,700 XJL upscale “Portfolio” all-wheel-drive version with the V-6. Plush interior, 2013 Jaguar XJ. The “L” in my test car’s designation stands for long wheelbase, which translates to almost limo-style rear-seat room. The regular XJ V-6’s wheelbase and overall length are, respectively, 119.4 inch and 201.9 inches. The long-wheelbase version has a 124.3-inch wheelbase and is 206.8 inches long. The long-wheelbase version adds $3,500 to the price of the $73,200 regular-wheelbase V-6 model. That’s quite a difference, although you really can’t tell the “L” version is longer by just casually glancing at it. Both XJs have the same sleek, sexy styling. Such styling helped sell lots of Jaguars—even in the automaker’s dark old days when they weren’t the most reliable things around. Jaguar gave the XJ wide front and rear door openings for easy entry and exit. The comfortable front seats provide good lateral support in curves and during sharp turns. And the large rear seats are nicely shaped for long-distance comfort, although the stiff center area is best left for the fold-down armrest, which contains dual cupholders. The ultramodern backlit gauges can be quickly read, and the small console rotary shifter is easy to use. But the complex dashboard touch screen leaves something to be desired for quick selection of the climate, audio and navigation systems. At least there’s a conventional on-off knob for the audio system. Maintaining Jaguar’s XJ tradition, the whisper-quiet interior is plush, with genuine wood trim, lots of leather and many chrome details. Cabin storage areas include pockets in all doors and a covered front console bin. Small, but nifty, touches include a cover for each of the two front console cupholders. The XJ acts much like a big sports car. Its steering is quick and nicely weighted, the handling is admirable (the V-6 offers better handling than the heavier V-8) and the ride is smooth. The brake pedal has a nice progressive action, and the car stops surely and quickly. The lid for the deep-but-shallow luggage compartment is opened with twin enclosed manual hinges, not the hydraulic struts I expected. However, the hood opens via twin struts, revealing a very crowded engine compartment. A large plastic cover conceals the V-6, which is set back for better handling. Jaguars still are built in England despite foreign ownership, and the automaker has been adding alluring new models. Jaguar has loads of exciting history behind it, and the XJ, as always, is more exciting than most competitors. You’ll always feel wealthy driving an XJ. Pros: Virtually unchanged for 2014. Sleek. New super-charged V-6. New all-wheel drive. Sharp handling. Smooth ride. Roomy longer version. Cons: Shallow trunk. Premium fuel required. Complex touch screen. Bottom Line: A sexy alternative to higher volume upscale sedans. Posted by: Dan Jedlicka December 9, 2013

A new motorsport project 'Team Kilo Foxtrot' boldly announces an impressive goal. Many of these goals, alas, turn out to be little more than pipe dreams, but some have the air of credibility and others have solid foundations already in place. Falling into the latter category is Team Kilo Foxtrot, which is aiming to take a team of ex-service personnel from Karting all the way to the Le Mans 24 Hours. But it is the drivers of this new team that makes it remarkable, with their determination to succeed coming despite appalling injuries suffered in the line of duty and without their asking for anything other than a level playing field. Dave Player is the man behind the team, having previously founded Team KartForce as a place for very seriously injured service personnel to race. This video shows Dave, himself a wheelchair user and former serviceman, and Team KartForce in action on the indoor circuit: The next chapter of the story begins, however, with a chance encounter on Facebook in August; “My wife Emma read that one of the KartForce guys had had his kit stolen from a circuit and she contacted Dave to offer him some of our spare ones – we’ve got loads here from all the teams we’ve worked with,” began OMS boss Steve Briggs. “It turned out that they’d already managed to get replacement kit, but this led to Emma talking to Dave about getting involved with supporting the team. I soon joined in the conversation and it was clear to me that they’d already reached the stage in Karting where there was nowhere else to go really, so I suggested that they look at racing cars instead.” OMS (Online Motorsport Solutions) have a wealth of experience in motorsport, having been involved with Chamberlain Synergy for a decade and having managed the team for the past four years; a partnership that has yielded an LMES LMP2 championship in 2005 and runner up spot in LMES LMP1 in 2006, as well as back-to-back victories in Group C Racing in 2011, 2012 and 2013. They also worked with Greaves Motorsport from 2007 to 2012 (2011 LMP2 champions) and currently support Wessex Vehicles in Britcar, GT Cup and British GT. “Racing allows these guys a chance to compete on the same level as anyone else,” continued Steve. “Those with hand injuries are always going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to sports that demand dexterity, while Martyn can’t go swimming because of the chlorine in the water. But the hand controls that Team Kart Force use, and the ones that we are developing for Team Kilo Foxtrot, enable the guys to go head-to-head with able-bodied drivers. And the adrenalin generated actually gives them some relief from the pain for quite some time, which is significant when you consider that some of them require medication eight to 10 times a day.” So the team needed a car; but it wasn’t as simple as just going out and buying one, as Dave Player explained. “The guys who race with us have suffered major injuries during their service – amputations, spinal injuries, PTSD and missing digits; and Martyn has 75% burns – so they need assistance with their driving; and to that end we’re developing a special hand-control system, which will enable the driver to steer, throttle, brake and change gears all at the same time. ” Hand-controls already exist in motorsport, but these are all specific to a particular driver. What’s unique about our system is that they need to be used by guys with different injuries in an endurance environment. One of our guys has lost his right thumb, while another has only his middle finger on his left hand and another lost the top half of all his fingers; so the system has to be able to cater to all their individual demands. KartForce has already taken part in 24 hour kart races with adapted karts, so it’s now a case of working towards the same in race cars.” You can read the biographies of some of the KartForce drivers – here. Six of the Team Kart Force drivers (out of some 25 who have raced in karts) have acquired their National B licences and will be going on to race with Kilo Foxtrot in 2014. “We haven’t yet confirmed our racing program for next year, but the best fit for us is Britcar and we’ve already had talks with James Tucker about entering,” said Dave. “The number of drivers at each race will depend on the length of the races, but we’re hoping that by the end of the season some of them will have acquired enough signatures to upgrade their licences so that we can look at doing races like the Barcelona 24.” While the stated aim is to be the first team of only injured troops to race in the Le Mans 24 Hours, there is a long way to go yet before that happens. “We need to be realistic about timescales,” said Steve. “OMS have plenty of experience at Le Mans and on the International stage, but we won’t be prepping and running the car; so as well as getting the drivers up to speed in the car, we also have to help make sure that the team is developed to the required level . At the moment, we’re looking no further than competing in the Creventic series and then we’ll take it from there.” So which car will Kilo Foxtrot be using? “We needed a car to install and test the hand controls in, so I put the word around that I needed to borrow one for that purpose,” said Steve. “Ian Carvell quickly responded with the wonderful offer of the use of his Jaguar XF-S for both testing and racing.” The Jaguar was the car that gave Carvell Motorsport – Rob Carvell, Nathan Freke and Colin White – the D3T class win in the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours, so comes with its own endurance heritage. “The car will be prepped at Ian’s workshops and we’re hoping to install the hand controls and begin testing before the end of the year, said Steve.” While the hand controls are being developed by OMS, some backing is being provided by The Douglas Bader Foundation, which exists to advance and promote the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of persons who are without one or more limbs, or otherwise physically disabled; and it turns out that there is a fitting link to the legendary fighter ace himself; “The Jaguar was built in the same factory that used to build Spitfires during the second world war,” said Dave. “So it’s entirely possible that Douglas Bader visited the site back in the day.” Once trials of the installed control system are complete, testing will begin in earnest, with Dr Jonathan Palmer having offered the team the use of the Bedford Autodrome. Have overtures already been made to the ACO regarding the Kilo Foxtrot drivers being allowed to drive? “Not yet – we’re at such an early stage in the project that this isn’t yet a consideration,” said Steve. “But there are precedents: Paul Drayson proved that only having one eye wasn’t an obstacle to racing an LMP1 and Jean de Pourtales raced the Kruse Schiller Lola at Le Mans with a specially-adapted steering wheel due to his prosthetic left arm. I can’t see this being a major problem.” “What you need to remember is that these guys have already faced challenges far beyond anything they are likely to experience on the race track,” added Dave. “When you’ve had to act and think while injured and under fire from the Taliban, very little else is going to bother you!” One suspects that Douglas Bader would fully approve of what Team Kilo Foxtrot is setting out to achieve. To learn more about Team KartForce, see – here

As Peter has stated, there are ways to clean the throttle body and its certainly worth a try but it does seem a quite terminal malady with the throttle bodies on these Jags. Pay careful attention to the electrical contacts to see if there is any corrosion on them when attempting cleaning. There are companies that remanufacturer like BBA Reman or other solutions are eBay but you could end up buying another faulty one

It does seem cheap but needs work...which is okay if you can do it yourself or enlist the services of a reasonably priced mechanic. But it is a high spec car so maybe worth a punt ?

A very beautiful car indeed !!! Lovely colour too

VIDEO: Jaguar Castle Bromwich production line

I have put it as the Gallery front page image....looks great !

Hi Thomas and welcome to the club ! I saw the X-Type listed...hope you find a good home for it...seems like a great car from the specs that you have put in the advert. Regards Trevor

Cruise control issues could be something as simple as a brake light bulb out, Air Flow Sensor or an ABS wheel sensor fault. Worth using the live data function to see what outputs you get and then post them up so I can look at the data if you like.

Have to agree that the Aston is a beautiful car but running costs wise I think the XK is far more economical to maintain. Personally, I would take either...or both !

Thanks Mick....it looks in superb condition...great colour too !

Failsafe is generally known as an emergency running mode that the car is placed in to enable you to get to a garage albeit, at a reduced engine power output. There could be many reasons for it going into 'Limphome Mode' and it can only really be efficiently diagnosed by using a scan tool. I advise you enlist the services of a Jaguar specialist with this one...a good diagnosis can save you lots of money in the long run