I have purchased my first jaguar. A 2004 XJ8
and am very impressed with the car. I wasn't looking to buy a car, I was just bored and test driving to pass the day and ended up buying a car. Right price, garage kept, 35,000 miles, excellent ride, (no brainer). I would like to ask the mechanics how to maintain the car. Where should I go to get an oil and filter change, (motor, transmission) and fuel filter. Should i go back to the dealership or can I go to a local oil change shop.
Can i get better engine performance and gas mileage by using manuel transmission. I seem to have better control of power, manuelly. Thanks and appreciate you.

Darryl

 

Welcome.

Sounds like you got a good one. Does it have NAV in it?

As for oil changes, I bring my car to an independent Jag repair shop and do all the maintenence outside of dealer only things. With synthetic oil, oil changes are not that often. The tranmission fluid is super expensive and you should research some threads on it. A lot of mixed feelings on replacing the transmission fluid.

No comment from me on how to drive the transmission. I just keep it in drive and have never used the gear based shifting... I use the sport mode sometimes on the highway.

Don't try to go crazy without traction control. The car is not very controlable without traction control ($700 mistake).

 

No unfortunately i don't have NAV.
Please explain about traction control. In what instances do you engage it.
If you want more control of your cars' power use that manuel control. It's a little rough getting use to it,espcially without the foot clutch being there, but once you have mastered it you'll really have some fun.
At a red light, put the car in first, when the light turns green hit the gas, when rpms start going over 2, and the engine starts to sound hard, shift to second and repeat the previous till you reach the speed limit, then look around or should i say look back and see where everybody is. Tell me if you feel in the Zone!!!
***The JAQ is the car***
Thanks for the info,
Darryl

 

hey can i have some links to the thread about the 6sp zf's. ive read many on the previous gen 5sp and i didnt change the oil on my MY2000 , first gear blew on it around 100k

 

Yes leave the traction control on ! Trust me

 

Leave traction control on all the time.

The rear end does not control well like a sports car when off.

Also, check the shock bushings for wear. The part is cheap ($30ish), but is about 2 hours labor per corner...

Transmission and oil cooling lines can also leak. Something else to check for...