Graham C

Hi John D, Happy New Year. On my car, though I have no water ingress, the cardboard cover you mentioned had deteriorated so much I was catching the top of my shoes in it. It was actually quite danderous! The damage was done by previous owners. I then cut away the damaged areas but now find the heat is roasting my feet. I'm thinking of buying a replacement and having it fitted by my local 'trimmers' who can 'whip' the seat out for easy access. Hi Jon W, Just buy one, the sheer experience of the drive and the admiring comments from a myriad of people is well worth it. Graham.

Hi Guys, My 'Extended Jaguar Approved Warranty' comes to an end early next year. I found details of a Warranty Co (no names) who immediately after I'd entered my details, and I mean immediately, were on the phone to me pushing their wares. They offered a wear and tear policy at a final knock down price of just under £750. I then contacted my dealer and discussed the possibilty of extending my current policy, they said no problem, at a cost of £1100. Over the past 2 years I've had work done under warranty that must have cost quite a few hundred pounds, so bearing that in mind I'm under the usual dilemma, what to do next. The car (XK60) is now 7 years old, and done 52K. Dealership labour rates are about £150 per hour so it's tempting, however it's the usual risk, will the car break down or not! What are your views, do or don't? Cheers, Graham.

Hi, I'm still considering the Adamesh DRL's, does anyone know the best way of getting to the existing fog lights, does it entail taking the bumper off or not? Graham.

Hi John D, Thanks for your input, I'm at the dealers tomorrow and will ask their advice. The car has an ownership long free mot and passed last year. I'm assuming the light wasn't working then but passed. Cheers, Graham.

Due to an illness in the family, I've only just managed to get an auto-electrician to take a look at the brake light, and to be honest it's thrown up more questions than answers. Firstly he proved that the unit was not at fault by somehow managing to get it to light up. However it was only getting a feed of approx 8.5V and didn't appear to work off the depressing of the footbrake. He's said it ,may work off a CanBus system and wondered if it worked in relation to speed, or as an emergency warning brake. I rang the dealership, who weren't overly helpful, and said the 8.5V was a 'short'. My man said it wasn't. It's been left as it is (not working) because 1) it's not an MOT fail, 2) It may never have worked, and 3) It may entail taking it to the dealership and having it 'tuned in'. All very confusing!!! Anyone got any further thoughts? Thanks. Graham.

Hi Jhdee' Thanks for all the info. Don't go to any more trouble. I've seen the ebay item also but am counting on the job being covered under extended warranty. I agree that it sounds like a connection problem or fuse etc. I'll just bite the bullet and pay if not covered. The trouble is the main dealer usually asks for over a £100 to diagnose then for part and fitting. If they do it may be better to just say "no diagnosis, just fit a new part". I've never known garages asking to pay for diagnoses before! I'm still mulling that over. I'm assuming it's an MOT failure if the item is not working. I'll keep you posted. Thanks, Graham.

Hi John, Always good to hear from you, how's the XKR doing? Someone said a XK was like going up on a escalator, whilst a XKR is like going up in a high speed lift! I've been to the main dealer. It's one complete unit at just under £100. It's held in by the torx screws. I don't however have the correct tool. I'm waiting to see if it's covered by my extended warranty, if not I'll see if I can buy the necessary tool. I've accessed your link, is the tailgate panel held on by two screws and then gently prised off? Will let you know how I get on. Cheers, Graham.

Hi. I've been told that the boot braking strip light on the spoiler isn't working, and on checking it isn't. However I can't find any mention of it or any fuses or bulbs/leds in the handbook. Does it actually work? Thanks. Graham. I've noticed that I can pry off two lugs either side to reveal two screws, unfortunately they're hex screws and I don't have one small enough! I'm now wondering if it is a complete unit change. Any ideas anyone?

Hi Chris' Look for my posting of 'Annoying vibration @ 1200 revs'. If you have the same problem I had have your Main Dealer look at Tech Bulletin JTB00088. It solved the problem, and even though my car was 6 years old when they did the alteration ( a clamp I think on the exhaust manifold), it was paid for by Jaguar. My thanks to member JHDEE. Hope this helps. Graham.

Hi Tony, I had an XF and never encountered your problem. However I've seen many postings of this problem in the US where it admittedly in certain states can get hotter. The response from their Main Dealers was also poor. Let us know how you get on.

Hi David, I've been giving a wave to fellow XK drivers, some wave some don't. I do think it's a nice touch. Graham.

Hello Carl, I'd also look at the Road Fund Tax between the two. I think you'll find the 2.7 is more expensive. Also, the 3.0L XFS is quite a beast, I know, my previous car was one. It's very fast. Cheers, Graham.

Hi, A friend of mine who owns a 2007 XJ reckons his car has a factory fitted stainless steel exhaust. Could that be true? What is a XK 2009 exhaust made of? I ask because at 7 years old, the exhaust on mine still looks in very good condition. Thanks, Graham.

Hi Old Growler, Thanks very much for your reply. Very interesting, it's given me something to think about. //////cheers, Graham.

Hi, Just like to flag up the Tatton Park Classic Car Show is on the 4th and 5th June. Went last year and it was well worth it. Cheers.

Hi, I've just finished feeding and cleaning my leather seats, (5 times). They've come up beautifully. Although the dash and door cards look pretty good, anyone got any suggestions on what to use? Cheers, Graham.

Hi Jamie, I've seen them for sale on Amazon, (I assume your talking about the cable). The one I had that came with my 2010 XF (my previous Jag) won't work on my XK, It plays but doesn't charge. So be sure to get the correct one. Hope this helps. Graham.

Hi Peter, Thanks for your reply, Hope you are keeping well. I managed to solve the problem by deleting the paired phone and re-pairing it. Probably just one of the foibles of our multi-gadget era. Cheers, Graham.

Hi, The phone has always docked okay, until now. It's showing as 'Paired' but no matter what I do it keeps saying 'Docking failed'. Anyone any idea please? Cheers, Graham.

Hi Terry, Firstly, was the door unlocking before you changed the batteries? I ask this because after changing mine a whole lot of things went awry, including the keyless entry. The dealers had fun and games with the car trying many things before deciding that two new key fobs were required. That solved the problem, and I hope may solve yours. It could be a cheaper option. But that's just a thought. If and when my batteries need changing I will now only let the dealership do them. Cheers, Graham.

Hi John, Hope you are keeping well. They look pretty good, (I've been looking into daylight led's) I might consider them. Graham,

Hi Tom, My previous 2010 XF would lose time, as does my current 2009 XK. I'm afraid you'll just have to keep updating it. Cheers Graham.

I'm still undecided as to whether to have it done, mainly because my car is doing the mpg jaguar say it should. I also tend to think that in using Shell and not supermarket fuel the system is being cleaned. Graham.

Hi, I've seen blogs on this and have thought of having mine done. Has anyone had this done on the 4.2 engine, and with what results? Cheers' Graham.

Hi, Since the cold weather has set in, a drive belt has started 'twittering' (the usual noise when it's slipping slightly.) It disappears after a couple of miles, but it's not good for the image of a Jaguar. Firstly, is the engine cover held on by the 4 bolts I can see, and secondly, is there a spray on the market to cure it? Cheers, Graham.