Anyone drive a Jaguar?

Oh it go brmmm brrMMM! Yes it's a lovely drive thanks Didn't go for the hugely powered one while the family are driving about in it and the wife might borrow it from time to time (I just had a little cold shiver at that) but that said it still has plenty of poke in the thing!

Rear demister and stop/start isn't working so it's going to see Jaguar dealer in Slough to have everything looked at. They want to keep it for 4 days! Do I want a courtesy car says they... well yes if you want the thing for a week says I... That'll be November then. Popular service obviously.

Gorgeous inside, really quiet and looks the business. My only gripe really is that the auto gearbox when starting from standstill hasn't much grunt unless you plant your foot at which point the engine spools up and blasts out like a rocket. Something about industry rules and emissions, bah.

 

Oh, and possibly favourite thing - heated windscreen

 

Think Jags had them since Ford ownership a while back but has the patent lapsed so its available to all now? Still love it

Got those too!

 

I would bet a pound to a penny that the stop/start not working is simply that the battery is a wee tad low on charge. This applies to many cars, not just Jaguars, but the gist of it is that before the stop/start system will work, a number of parameters must be met, if any one of them are not, then the system will not trigger. These include (but are not limited to):

- Driver being in the seat (no, I am not kidding)
- Driver's seatbelt is on
- Engine temperature is above prescribed minimum
- Fuel level is above a prescribed minimum
- Battery charge level is greater than a given percentage (normally 60%)
- Battery condition is greater than a given level (normally 95%)
- Battery has been coded to the car and calibrated (again, not kidding)
- Steering angle is not beyond certain limits
- Vehicle is not inclined over a given level (not on too great a slope)

Now here is the daft bit - because of the type of batteries they are fitted with, they have 'smart' charging systems that only seek to keep them above a given level (sometimes as low as 45%) and once the battery has over that in it, it will drop the charge level to a lower level - - if the car has not had sufficiently long running, this trickle charging will not be enough to bring it quickly up to the level that is demanded by the start/stop system.

The heated rear screen, I am going to bet that one is an earth or a dirty connector somewhere in the rear loom, so will await the diagnosis with interest.

Now, going back to the battery condition - all Jaguars are very fussy about battery voltage, with XJ's and XF's especially so, so it is recommended that the battery be periodically charged just to keep them in good health. You can't whack any old fashioned style charger on these batteries, as it will cook them - a smart charger is required. I actually have a spare one, virtually brand new (think it has been used twice at most) that I bought for my Nissan but it is too small for my current car - - if it is any good to you, you can have it gratis - we just need to work out how to get it to you.

 

I don't need that as I get the servants to breathe heavily on the screen. There's a lot of heavy breathing goes on here! That's why we have more than one phone line!

When I got my current car it was supposed to have a heated screen as standard but by the time they got it made (nine months later!) they had changed the standard to a Heads Up Display. I'm pleased that they did as it is supremely helpful. It displays the speed of the car and the speed limit and speed cameras. When using the satnav it also displays any turns or roundabouts in detail.

 

Oh I've been reading all about the jag stopstart! A very finicky thing it seems but I'm sure you're right FC but it's annoying I have to wait so long to find out!

Shine, my servants all rebelled and the kids are no use at all. Lungs are too small apparently. Nothing but excuses...

 

All modern cars are generally very electrically finicky - as I say, I had similar weirdness with the Nissan. The offer of the charger stands if you want it Andy.

 

Just realised I haven’t said thanks for the offer FC! Very kind and will certainly let you know if I need it

 

No thanks needed, it is safe in my shed if you do.

 

Agree with this, especially if the Jag has been sitting on a forecourt for a few weeks. We had this on our Volvo after picking it up for the first time from a dealer, after a good long run a week later the stop/start kicks into action (or should that be inaction!)

It's a nice looking car @Loofah I had an XJ6 some years ago and loved it although it wasn't the most economical car to run, I understand they are a bit more efficient now.