Old Peter

Hi Dave, I had a 2.5 litre x type SE and the seats did not fold down. I later found that it was an optional extra above the original SE specification. Regards, Peter.

And you are probably correct, Frank. Incorrect tyre pressure is a common cause of uneven tyre wear. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, James. I am thinking like you about the fuel but also a possibility that there is a clog up along the fuel lines. I don't get my hands oily any more but there are some XJ owners who know about these things. Let us know how it goes. Regards, Peter.

H Anthony, I have never come across this particular issue, and I would suggest it could be something like a loose electrical connection. I would be inclined to check out the fuse first, just to set my mind at rest. There is a topic in the Jaguar Owners Lounge [Just look up Forums on the site]. A few people have recommended a Garage in Northfield as a good independent Jaguar. A big problem with the West Midlands County is that it is a Traffic Jam in between Sutton Coldfield to Stourbridge and Coventry to Wolverhampton, and what seem close on the map can be at least an hour's drive, Regards, Peter.

I tend to use an old fashioned pressure gauge, Brian. Usually the best type. But tyres and wheels are rather important! Peter.

I agree, Kenny. The S Type diesel has an auxiliary heater that on a very cold start up may give just a whiff of diesel for about a second after starting the engine, but usually no fumes at all. Get it checked out, Steve, as Kenny says. Peter.

Martin, removing the DPF is an automatic MOT failure. I think it is an EU directive that was brought in this year about February. There is some argument about how successful the DPF is as I know of someone who had it removed and the emissions were better than previously. I have been given very reliable information that the DPF inspection is a visual one, and will be spotted if the DPF is replaced by a straight through pipe. However, if the DPF is removed, the innards taken out, and then rewelded it can pass cursory inspection. However, the cost of putting it back in is around £2k, I believe, so my solution is a good burn up once a month or so. About 20 minutes at over 50, making sure that the engine has got up to full operating temperature first . Peter.

Brighton is a terrible drive from here too Trevor, unfortunately, as I have had quite a few great weeks there. Glad you enjoyed the blues -- i love live music, but don't get enough of it up here, as the admission prices at the NIA and the NEC where all the big stuff is played are quite exorbitant. The prices for Bette Midler next June/July start a £56 to sit about 150 yards away and watch with binoculars to £110 for the best seats. It was only £45 for Johnny Mathis in pretty decent seats. I used to play First Oboe in a pretty good orchestra for buttons, and a few of us used to have a few jazz sessions now and then which was most enjoyable. I am glad that musicians get a better deal now --- they have to work very hard to keep in form. Regards, Peter.

Hi Shaun, I have just been out to my car and had a good mess around with my filler cap. Curiously, it would not open for me the first and second time, and I then turned it clockwise three clicks, and then anti clockwise and it came off OK. I think you could have a go at that a few times and see if what I did works. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, There is a topic on the Jaguar Owners Lounge with a list of recommended independent garages. In particular there is a very well respected independent Jaguar specialist in Doncaster which might be close enough to you. The independent garages are just as good as main dealers -- often better -- and certainly less expensive. I think you will enjoy the Club --- a lot of friendly people who will always try to assist. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, and welcome to the club. It looks to me as if you need to get your keys reprogrammed. They do not appear to be switching off the alarm. I have never experienced this myself, but my guess is that is where the problem is. Regards, Peter.

The Royal Town is back in existence, Trevor. Just recently the Freedom fighters established the fact that the Town Clerk of Sutton Coldfield forgot to re-apply for the Royal Charter in 1847, but it wasn't his fault because he wrote the letter but the guy who was in charge of posting it had gone home early on Friday, which is POETS day. [P*** off early tomorrows Saturday]. It has now been reinstated. Personally I couldn't care. Regards, Peter.

There is no way to release the interior cap from inside the car, Shaun. It is raining here at the moment, but when it stops or tomorrow when it is light, I will go and have a look at my car. It could be that a certain amount of downward pressure is required. Meanwhile, because it is Friday [POETS Day] and I live in Sutton Coldfield, I am going to open a bottle of bubbly and enjoy! Regards, Peter.

Hi Alan, And welcome to the club. I do notice the fumes but only for a second. But I don't get the puff of blue smoke. It could be the vents that are opened, but basically I do not know. I did have my car Terracleaned in the summer and it has made a difference, so it could be something in the fuel burning. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Tim. I am afraid I have the old-fashioned system that uses a disc. But there are several members with the USB system who will be able to assist. Regards, Peter.

Fit a towbar, Charlie. You don't need to tow anything, but the wall you reverse into comes off worse than the car. I have done it several times, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Frank. It sounds a bit like the switches are at fault. But try the cheap one first --- a couple pf squirts of WD40, Or, could it be that the setting that disables the individual units has been pressed? Regards, Peter.

I just press the defrost button, David, and it is gone in less than 30 seconds. I then switch Auto on plus the front and rear heaters, and job done. I have always thought it was efficient, although I do come from the era when a tea towel to wipe the from and rear screens was de rigeur. Peter

A bit far for me, Luke, but if the weather is good, and my wife feels like a trip to the East Coast [we have been to Cromer a lot] we could well be up for it. Peter.

If a tradesman, shopkeeper, garage or car salesman, to name but a few, tells me lies, or to put it a different way, makes false statements, I don't go there again. I like to buy fresh vegetable locally grown and when a small farm shop owner told me that he had cut a lettuce himself an hour ago I didn't buy it as having worked in a market garden and on my Dad's allotment during the war I could tell when a vegetable had been harvested. I never went there again. Formula 1 Autocentre told me that my brakes needed urgent attention, when I was having an exhaust changed under warranty. My mechanic checked them out, told me they were OK and they passed the next two MOTs. Sometimes telling it straight gets you into trouble, but my upbringing was a good one, and I would sooner have the trouble as you also get respect. Peter.

Hi Keith, The manual for the S Type and probably other Jaguar Models does say that you should always keep the A/C on in the Auto mode. Some Aircon systems [my Rover Sterling did] give you a better mpg when they are switched on, biu not Jaguar. Page 156 of the owners manual [if you have one]. The manual can be downloaded if you haven't got a copy. Regards, Peter.

The S Type is a great car, both in style and to drive. I have had mine for over a year, and other than an oil change I have spent nothing on it. A sticky handbrake was cured by disconnecting the battery, and an EGR problem was cured by giving the car a good burst of speed on the A38. The 2.7 diesel has given me a good fuel consumption figure - the best being 53 mpg on a 100 mile trip, - usually about 46 mpg. Great Car.

I agree, Trevor. I did get a free repair from a Rover Main Dealer when a failure occurred a couple of weeks after a service plus a courtesy car for the week because of it. Additionally, the put a note on my service record that for all occasions when my car was in for service they would provide a courtesy car for me. They are also Jaguar franchised and although I do not have them service my car, I do get some assistance from them when my mechanic is unavailable. It does't take much to admit they were wrong! Regards, Peter.

Hi Trevor, For over 17 years i was responsible for the maintenance of company cars with the area I was the Regional Director of my Organisation. I had problems with one main dealer and sacked them and went to another. I was obliged by the rules to use a main dealers, and often challenged their bills. When I retired I knew that there was better to be had elsewhere and that is why I had my car serviced and maintained with someone trusted and cheaper. The real answer to a bad dealer is to sack them, tell them why, and then go elsewhere. I have dealt with Taunton Jaguar online and they seem efficient. My very local Jaguar Dealer is a franchised dealer and is very good, and I know they come from a long distance away to buy cars from them. I do know that most manufacturers will support their main dealers publicly but will give them a good telling off privately. It is sad though, that for the cost of a few shillings, a dealer is prepared to lose a customer. Regards, Peter.

Curiously, I have never had a problem with the main dealer I have been using [when necessary] for 30 years. It could have been something to do with the fact that I was somewhat involved with the purchasing and servicing of our car fleet for the last 5 years of my employment. Peter.