OK folks . . . it's Christmas and I have been thinking of this advisory for some time . . .

What are your choices of the three most appropriate tools (ie essential but easily affordable) that we suggest Jaguar owners acquire to maintain their kitties? Obviously, personal choice will be influenced by experience, but I feel that a wider discussion of these recommendations may serve to help newer members. To better get you thinking, here are my choices . . .

1. Spare Key(s) . . . Murphy's First Law predicts that, if kitty came with just one key, then sooner or later, you will lose it or lock it in the boot/trunk! Extra keys can be ordered through Jaguar dealers, but many owners find that independent locksmiths can provide similar but less expensive services;
2. OBDII Code Reader . . . Murphy's Second Law is an equally simple dictum, predicting that if kitty develops a problem that warrants her flashing warnings at you, then all help and any accurate technical advice starts with knowing what DTCs are listed . . . coz all else is pure guesswork;
3. Smart Charger . . . known as a maintainer in some markets, this can be considered essential if kitty is only driven occasionally. There is nothing more humbling than warnings of impending doom that kitty will throw up if attempting to start on a less than fully charged battery!

I realise that this leaves a wide array of resources (like JTIS, manuals, TSBs etc) that I regard as beyond useful to the point of critical for the DIY owner. Obviously, my choices reflect the increasingly electronic era in which most of my cars were made. However, this avoids the need for 150 different extension bars and universal ada[ters that are needed to reach all the nuts and bolts on a Mk2. Oooh, that deserves a slap!

So . . . what are your choices for Top Tools?

Cheers and Season's Greetings to all,

Ken

 

My suggestions, and based on what has happened to me on the Round OZ trips.

1) Screwdriver, mine is Snap On, with the multiple tips.
2) Fencing wire, much can be sorted with that sucker.
3) BFH, you know what I mean, and to say it would upset Management too much.
4) I cant count, ha, FULLY PAID ROADSIDE ASSIST MEMBERSHIP.

Remember., that was all before mobile phones, and OBD ports, etc.

NOWADAYS, with the "Laptops on wheels".

1) Sense of humour.
2) Tow truck on speed dial.
3) FULLY charged mobile phone (cell in some lingo's)

 

LMAO........

My 2 cents

1. Code Reader or preferably JLR SDD
2. Fully equipped shop with lift
3. 2nd vehicle

Bare minimum would be SDD with external power supply, Good set of tools (Socket and combo) and seriously, a laptop so you can pop in and out of the Forum.

 

Tools etc to be able to change a wheel (& safely etc).

More than 3! Warning triangle, hi-vis jacket, telescopic wrench, torque wrench, ... and you better have the locking wheel nut key if you still have locking wheel nuts.

 

1. Big, deep pockets.
2. A good sense of humour, and
3. A beer fridge in your workshop!

Cheers.

 

Great to see that "sense of humour" ranks high in priority.
Any more?

Cheers,

 

A. Tools for in the shop:

1. Lift (2-post, 4-post, mid-rise, doesn't matter as any lift system is several orders of magnitude superior in convenience and safety to bottle jacks, trolley jacks, jack stands, creepers, etc.)
2. Small 1/4" drive torque wrench (you may get away with tight-is-tight much of the time, but modern Jaguars have lots of plastic, thin stamped metal and cast pot-metal parts that specify a lot less torque than your manly paws feel like they're applying)
3. Cable-operated remote hose clamp pliers or even a whole set of spring clamp pliers (everything on a modern Jaguar is a spring clamp and during assembly the factory pointed them all in a direction that makes using ordinary pliers impossible after the engine is installed).

B. Tools to carry with you:

1. Tire pressure gauge (don't forget to check your spare tire or it likely will be too low to do you any good when you need it)
2. Microfiber towel and quick detailer product in a small spray bottle (wipe those bird poops off the instant you see them, especially the dark black ones will etch the paint if left on even a few hours)
3. AAA card (I can fix most things myself, but anything beyond a flat tire and I'd rather do it back at my shop <see #1 above> than try to fix it on the side of the road or in a shopping center parking lot.)

 

1. OBDII reader, the kind that can report live data, not just read codes. It also needs to have the ability to pull Jaguar-specific codes, like ABS and Transmission Codes.

2. 12v bench power supply - so helpful to be able to check sensors, relays, etc.

3. Pozidriv screwdrivers/tips.

 

I will give this a crack:

1) some sort of lift for the car
2) a good OBD reader to give you a starting point to solve problems
3) a place like here that gives you both motivation when you are questioning yourself and also answers to those problems that you think are way above your head.