Old Peter

Hi Ian, Jaguar engines are very good for towing, and indeed some models have won the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year award. However, no matter the power of the engine, exceeding 85% of the kerb weight of the vehicle for the trailer being towed will give you a difficult time when towing. Peter.

I have just filled up with Shell extra special vitro diesel at 127.9p a litre --- I am going to Scunthorpe tomorrow to attend the funeral of a former colleague -- I expect to get circa 50 mpg. Petrol locally is 114.9p a litre.

In a big City such as Birmingham, even in what are described as "leafy suburbs" car insurance is high. Fuel, however comes a bit cheaper with diesel being 119.9 pence a litre at my local forecourt. Putting the Road fund on fuel is a solution, but still has its problems. There could be more thefts from filling stations and also from cars and lorries. I still feel that the big road users should bear the brunt of the cost. Peter.

I get a cheque for £0.63 every month for a pension I got from a company in which I was a senior manager at the age of 27 in the early sixties when you could not transfer pensions. I was only in the pension scheme for 17 months before the works closed down. The bank is only 500 yards away, and the staff are great, know my name, and ask how I am doing. The walk up gives me a bit of exercise, too! Peter.

I must be lucky -- it only took a month to get my refund back. I did get a cheque from the Inland Revenue within a week of sending in a return a couple years ago. It was for £0.00! Peter.

Comfort, speed, and sheer class. My s type does not have front fog/driving lights -- they were discontinued on the 2007 model --- I think that was a mistake as they would be very useful on country roads. Peter.

Not a bad debate, either, Phil, but us oldies are a bit traditonal and remember when you had a man waving a red flag in front of cars. Peter.

[ Nice colour, too.

I am inclined to go along with Trevor and Kenny --- police drivers [and I was taught by one a long time ago] are of the same opinion, too. Peter.

Very easy to do, very cheap to replace, too, Keith. I look at mine every couple of weeks when I am checking fluid levers and oil level. Peter.

It is possible, Trevor, as the car runs well when warmed up. The car starts first time, though. I do not use supermarket fuel, and give the car a taste of Shell performance diesel every few fill ups. It does make a difference. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Edward. My wife says I am too old for a Jaguar! There are a lot of friendly people in the club who have one thing in common -- their love of these great cars. Regards Peter.

Hi Alan, Welcome to the Club. I had the same fault on a Rover Sterling about 5 years ago. It was the switch unit. A visit to car breakers got me a replacement for £8, I would remove the switch and clean the terminals and see if that works. Peter.

Good morning, Harvey, I think your S type is a bit like me and doesn't like cold mornings. <_< What you have suggested is a possibility, but rather that starts replacing expensive bits I would give the system a Terraclean service, which cleans out the fuel system and is very beneficial to diesels. I had it done to mine earlier this year, and it cost me £114 -- it has probably gone up since, but it did make a huge difference in performance and mpg. Regards Peter.

Hi Trevor, That is something I have never thought of. On the S type the air flow seems to go to the EGR from the air intake, but the engine is entirely different. I will see if I can find out. regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Gary. I can't answer that one as I am uncertain about the locking mechanisms on the XF. You might have pressed something that is causing the problem, but there are other XF owners who will assist. Regards, Peter.

Hi Sean, Another good man from God's own County joining the Club is welcome. There are quite a few XK owners in the club who will give good advice. Regards, Peter Lancastrian in exile.

I have been out all afternoon on Grandparent duty, I think the reason for the higher idling speed has been said. A bit more fuel getting to the engine, and that says an injector. Peter. PS. I have been married now for almost 48 years. My wife would say "I don't like it doing something funny like that. Fix it or I will get a proper man in."

Hi David, Jaguar say that the automatic gearbox is sealed for life. At the same time most people think that a change of oil at 75,000 is rather beneficial and does cure some problems. I will be having my car done when it gets near that mileage. Glad you problem has been solved. Peter.

I have never thought of doing it. Anything that is visibility restrictive could cause an accident. When I first started driving wing mirrors were a novelty, but they made a world of difference on my motorbikes, and they always were an optional extra on cars till a few years ago. I have always had them! Good visibility is a must. Peter.

Hi Neil, I have looked around and have found several via google: Leeds Car Key Centre-- LS9 6NN. 0113 225 008901 --- This looks very good and can do something while you wait. Another one is Lockies auto locksmiths -- speak to Chris on 07768 911249. And there is one in York: Auto Locksmiths York : 07766 986939 All appear suited to your requirements Regards, Peter.

And terrible road works, Stan. The A5 will eventually be much better

Kenny, The last person I knew of who got a good talking to was found the next morning tied to a tree on Tettenhall golf course with a few bruised ribs and a black eye. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Clive. I think the insurance people look at the average prices of similar cars on the open market. They appear to take no notice of things like the condition of the car, the fact that it might have new tyres on it, and other opinions on the value. I think you must write a letter to the company, but before you do look up the list of directors and address the letter to the Managing Director. When my x type was stolen, LV refused to pay as they felt that I was 100% at fault as I got out of the car to ask someone to move his car from across my driveway. His accomplice jumped into the car and drove it away. I told LV that I would have a quiet chat with their MD, and I got a 'phone call a couple of hours later to say that they were going to pay up. Not enough money, really, though. Good luck Peter.

Hi Trevor, They caught them bang to rights. There have been a spate of similar carjacks in the area and "from information received" the police followed them for weeks and eventually bought them with a stolen car which them followed and it led the to a lock up in Erdington when they had two stolen Audi TTs. They charged them with the theft of those two cars plus the one they had followed and took about 10 other cases which they had admitted to. The pictures in the paper of the scroats were the two who stole my car. I would like to know when they get out as I know several big lads who might want to give them a good talking to. Regards, Peter