Old Peter

I worked in the Steel Industry for almost all my working life. Various attempts were made to get the car manufacturers to use both galvanised steel and a product called Steveltite, which was plastic coated steel, the former for undersides of cars and at the latter for the insides of section --- sills, doors wings etc. To get the power to weight ratio correct the car makers want to use thinner steel to reduce the weight of cars --- rust was inevitable with untreated thinner steel. Steel was easier to produce and more environment friendly than the conversion of bauxite into aluminium. One of the largest area where bauxite is found is India -- about 60% of the world's production. It is not surprising that TATA has been gradually moving to aluminium, and at the moment, with PVC window frames replacing Aluminium frames, there is plenty of Aluminium to recycle. Peter.

Hi Jonathan, The glow plugs issue does sound a bit like a problem with the fuel system that could well be a cheap fix - a can of Diesel Magic or any other brand of fuel system cleaner could make a big difference. The electrical problem could be down to the battery being on the way out, and it would be worth getting it tested. Let us know how you get on --- I would be inclined to keep your wallet deep in your pocket until the garage does something to cure the problem. Regards, Peter.

Well done, Gerald. A useful piece of information although I hope no-one else has the same problem. Peter.

I do exactly the same, Phil. A little bit of foam rubber keeps the wire in place. Peter.

The 07 plate S type does not have front fog lights fitted -- so no problem there. The worst offenders seem to be those who don't understand that they need to adjust their headlights when they have a loaded boot. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Gerald. I am sure that when some of the members see a photograph of the area where the fire originated they will assist in trying to find the root of the problem. Good luck, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Keith. The XK is an iconic car and in my opinion a future classic. The club is a friendly and knowledgeable group of people, who will share their experiences and knowledge. Regards, Peter.

What is the issue Trevor? Peter.

Hi Paul, I had heard that those bulbs were not legal in the UK for road usage. I have done a bit of night driving lately and while the s type headlights are OK on the main well lit roads, they leave something to be desired one the lanes. I am thinking of the ones you have mentioned - Osram. Peter.

I have also used VEHICLE SMART -- basically to try it out -- on another car parked in the road [next door neighbour] which is hardly used - 38 k in 19 years -- and it needs an MOT as from last Friday. Oops!

I have just got it on my iPhone. Mine has had a couple of failures in its history. One for a bad tyre, and the other for the restraint light coming on. Peter.

It all depends what you mean by a little --- the last disc produced to fit the x type and s type is the 2012/13 disc. A main dealer will supply one for £160. You can get one from various sources such as eBay for around £30. Peter

Vinegar diluted with the same amount of water is also quite good.

Welcome to the club, Alan. As a former caravanner, the 3.0 litre XF will make a great tow car - you won't know you have a caravan on the back! Just enjoy the car, and the club. Regards Peter.

Hi Russ, To become a supporter of the JOC you have to pay a small amount a year -- £20 -- which is soon regained with the discounts you can get. [15% off at Halfords for instance with some exclusions]. Just look at the Top Bar and you will see "MEMBERSHIP" and take it from there. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Alan. It is nice to see members passing on information. I have learnt a lot from the club, and the assistance I have had is just the tip of the iceberg. It is great to be a member of such a friendly club. Regards, Peter.

Hi Garry, I have a 2.7 diesel on an 07 plate, and I have never had a problem with the DPF in the last 3 and a half years of ownership. I don't do a big mileage - under 7000 miles a year, but it doe get a longish run 40 miles or so once a month. I also use an additive to clean the DPF and the EGR valves. However, Joe is quite right if you are only using your car for a daily drive to work, but as I don't work any more and enjoy the days out in he car, and in the winter I do give it a spell on the battery charger every couple of weeks. The plus of the 2.7 diesel is that it has great acceleration and does return a good mpg, with 49.2 mpg on the drive down to Dorset a few weeks ago. The 2.7 also has an auxiliary heater to heat the cabin, and when we go out to Lichfield - 12 miles away, it will normally reach operating temperature after 7 or 8 miles. Regards, Peter.

Hi Nige, The last door card I removed was on my wife's Viva HC in about 1983, and the previous one on my Triumph Herald in 1966.

That is typical, Paul. I had a similar experience about five years ago. My Blue badge, which I had when a surgeon advised that while a knee reconstruction was possible for someone my age it would probably mean that it would never really work. I applied and got a Blue Badge. Nine years later it was cancelled and I was not informed. Eventually I found that it was the office based near Gravelly Hill that had cancelled it, and I went to see them. However, I could not get in as the doors had a big sign "No entry for the General Public". I waited till someone came out and then walked in. But no joy! I had to go to that place you have to go to. I drove the three quarters of a mile to Four Oaks Railway Station, Managed to find a space to park -- the Disabled bays were only half full, but I had no Blue Badge. The Cross City line took me into New Street, and a Taxi to and from the Office cost £14. I had a very cursory test -- a walking test about 15 yard in a corridor [it should have been about 30 yards outside] and an interview from a young woman, who have not even seen the papers I had sent in the week before. I was refused a Blue Badge on the basis that I had turned down a knee replacement. Had the papers been read she would have seen that the consultant surgeon had advised that a knee reconstruction could fail -- he had put it in writing. I went to my local councillor, and to be fair she grasped the nettle immediately and both wrote and telephoned the people who had refused my Blue Badge. It took some time, and after being without a Blue Badge for three months I eventually got it restored Not a nice experience!

Welcome to the club, Stephen. I think you will enjoy your Jaguar --- great cars to drive. You will get assistance on any issues you may have --- the members are great for sharing information. Regards, Peter.

I was mystified, Russ, and thought that it was my MacBook that was slow. I emailed Steve and Trevor [Admin] and they sorted it out. Regards, Peter.

Hi Russ, Try Opie Oils who are members of the JOC and are very helpful. Regards, Peter.

Hi Russ, The multiple posts issue is now resolved and I have deleted the surplus ones. Peter.

Roof linings I am not very good at, Nige!

Hi Nige, I had spotted this too and Admin have now sorted it out. Regards, Peter.