Old Peter

My S type was picked up at 7.00 am by my mobile mechanic. MOT passed with no advisories. Diagnostic showed no codes, Full service including oil change. Cost -- £215, Rather chuffed! Peter.

Welcome to the club, Andy. I think P0420 is telling you that the Catalytic Converter is operation below its efficiency. The question of the lock? That I do not know, but I would squirt in a little WD40 -- Universal cure [sometimes]. trreagrds, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Mov. My s type 2.7D has a belt, and I thought that the XJ diesel with a similar [the 3.0 litre Diesel is basically the uprated 2.7D] would be the same. I would take a second/third opinion. Hopefully `n member with a similar car can give you a definite answer. Regards, Peter.

I had known about this issue with diesels for some time and indeed, had heard that many thad thought it was scaremongering. It is not the quality of the oil that is in your car [although I use the oil recommended by Jaguar] but the quantity that is in your sump. Preventative measures, and using good fuel are important, and those that do this will be rarely, if ever.troubled by the DPF full message . It is important that you check the oil yourself -- not an exacting task -- rather than depend on what a mechanic tells you, unless you know and trust the mechanic. I was told when an exhaust was bing fitted that my brake discs needed changing, and that car passed 3 MOTs after that without any change in discs. Peter,

My manual has a 2 column full page item on the diesel particulate filter, and I am very surprised that the salesman didn't mention the regeneration process, which he ought to have done. Whatever car you have it will most certainly have an engine which always needs some maintenance by the driver/owner. Fluids should be checked on a regular basis, and it is always worth carrying in the boot a bottle of screen wash water, plus some engine coolant. Running out of either can cause something to go wrong. SWMBO has a Toyota Yaris Hybrid --- very reliable vehicle --- but the oil has to be checked, the engine coolant has to be checked, and the screen washer topped up every wee. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Ray. I must say that I have never come across this, but hopefully there will be one or two members with electrical expertise who will offer a reason. Regards, Peter.

Before I bought my S Type 4 years ago I did quite a lot of research. I had had diesels before, both Rovers, one with a Peugeot Engine and the other with the K series Rover diesel. Neither had the DPF Filters, and it was that difference which caused me to do the research. I knew that the EU emissions required some cars to be fitted with the DPF , and I made sure what I had to do to make sure it was regularly regenerated. What does surprise me somewhat is that when I take a dipstick reading from when the engine has been idle overnight the reading shows that there is an amount of oil in the sump at the satisfactory level, and when I wipe the dipstick it is often about 5mm higher. I does appear that the design of the dipstick seems to drag a small amount of oil up the pipe. Regards, Peter.

When the DPF is regenerating she fuel is directed towards the DPF to assist in the regeneration. Any unburnt oil will remain in the engine, and your dipstick will indicated that there is too much oil, and it is worth checking every week. New oil or old oil does not matter. If the DPF is full of soot, however new the engine and parts, the issue will still arise. Peter.

The 2.7 Gemini Engine was designed as a Joint venture between Ford and Peugeot, wth input from other manufacturers who intended to use it. I check the oil every week and if it rises I take some out, making sure I take more out than necessary, so that I can then add some new oil to ensure that the engine oil is not diluted. If you look after the engine in your car by a few sinple tasks, the modern diesel will last for years. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Tony. Knowledge about cars really comes from driving them. I don't get underneath them any more -- too old for that -- but finding out how they work is a great interest of mine. You car, like mine, is one of the last from the factory and IMO is a future classic. Paul is an expert on retro fitting, and almost nothing can't be done! Regards, Peter.

Preventative maintenance is always the best thing to do. A Can of DPF cleaner is not expensive, once a while. Peter.

I have an s type with the same engine. I live in a city and only drive about 6,000 miles a year. I use Shell V power all the time - there is a shell station 500 yards away. I also make sure that at least once a month I do a short drive, about 40 minutes, when I put the car into third gear and keep the revs on 2000rpm. I have never had a DPF warning light on. Peter.

I agree with Joe. And if your battery is around 5 years old or more it will probably need replacing. Regards, Peter.

Hi Martyn, Black smoke off a diesel could be faulty injectors, or just plain dirty ones. Some say it could be a faulty turbocharger. Definitely something in the fuel system, though. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, When you open the page "Destination Entry" you will see on the right a map wth the words underneath "Change". Just the country and it will give GB and away you go. Assuming that your satnav is the same as mine. Regards, Peter.

I only use Shell V Power and have never had a DPF problem even though I only do about 6000 miles a year. I also get a fiver every few months from the Shell Drivers Club, as well as a better fuel consumption. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Steve. The XJ is the flagship car of the Jaguar Marque, and always stands out in a crowd. I think you will enjoy it. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, I am guessing you have the same sat nav as I have. Do you put a space in after the first block Mine is B75 5AW, but it won't let you put in B755AW. That could be the answer. The other answer could be that your are operating in Belgium -- I was -- all I sussed out that you have to be in the correct country. You need to check that. Regards, Peter.

I have got the service message coming up. It does it every year in May and I just delete it. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Andy. I think that you have got a very good car, great style and low mileage. BUT it has been sitting around for a whole year doing very little and there is a possibility that some deterioration has taken place. I am from the old school with the motto "Better Safe than sorry" and I would be inclined to have the car serviced snd given a good all round check. There is also an free App called Vehicle Smart which will give you the cars MOT History which could also ne worth looking at. Then just enjoy the Jaguar experience. Regards, Peter.

Hi James, I have found that main dealers are, in the main, quite expensive for maintenance. I have used the same local mobile mechanic [Rover trained] since 2002. He has all the diagnostic equipment, and has never failed me in all those years. He collects my car [fully insured to do so] and takes it away to so the work necessary, and does not overcharge. He will do smaller jobs [replacing an exhaust etc] on you driveway. He is based in Erdington. Contact me if you want his 'phone number. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, James. I had a 2.5 litre V6 x type AWD on a 2005 plate and found it a very nice car indeed. It was in a metallic red and looked really spectacular in the sun. Good luck on your search, I am also from Sutton Coldfield; My X type, and my current S Type. Regards, Peter,

Hi Carole, The window trims is not steel based, although the black centre frames are. The brightwork on the bumpers and the boot are steel based, and I am still mystified as to why Jaguar did not use steel based trim all round. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, David. You have already had some very good advice, Fitting a leaper is not a difficult job, as other have said. The sat nav is a bit different. I know two people who use their iPhones, having fitted a small bracket on the air vents. It works very well. You cannot get map updates after 2012/13 on the Satav fitted on the X type and buying a TomTom or Garmin is a good option. Regards, Peter. Lancastrian in Exile.

I was thinking of going, but I have too much to do at home. A couple of weeks in Italy leaves a lot to do in the house and garden. I did see three s types, one x type, and two XFs. Not a single Ferrari and only one Maserati. Plenty of Toyotas, though. Peter.