Mine is a 1990 XJS

This question has been on my mind (seriously) and was just pushed to the front by a member (Leo in Denmark) who said he keeps a spare this and that in the boot, just in case.

This summer I plan on taking the first of many road trips in Cherry-Pie, starting with a NYC to Pittsburgh, then up to one of the great lakes, then, putting her on a ferry out to Nova Scotia after driving up the East Coast into Maine...

What SPARES (besides a sandwich) should I pack in a bag in the boot? What do you bring along - just in case?

 

I know a lot of people suggest a spare fan belt and a crank position sensor. I always used to carry a bottle of oil and antifreeze when I was younger using my 80 Malibu as my main car. Possibly also a small assortment of fuses? Maybe a can of fix a flat?

 

Nothing ever.

The belts be new, hoses too, ALL the servicing is ticked off, why carry extra baggage, the car is fine, the owner is questionable.

Fully charged cell phone, maybe.

When we did the Round Aus Coast Road, 25000kms, I had a roll of tape, basic tools, and I mean basic, 5ltrs of water, thats it. Only item I needed was the idiot light switch, Toyota dealer nearby, sorted in 10 minutes, Still in it today.

Its up to the individual. If you have attended to ALL the WELL DOCUMENTED "catch up" items, just drive the damn thing. If you are still "grazing" through that list, OOPS.

 

Hahahaha...
The owner IS, questionable!
So the question remains...
I once heard that there are 18,000 bits and pieces in everyone of these cars. Is that true?

CPS seems to make sense for me. Belts, yes. Things that the local big box auto house just might not have on hand,,, because it's a 30yo Jaguar XJS.

 

I carry the following, always, and have never ever used any of them:

• full set spare belts
• electrical connectors and wire in a tin
• fuses, relays and coolant temp sensor in the glove box
• socket set
• lovely little set of imperial spanners
• jump leads
• screwdrivers
• jubilee clips
• gaffer tape
• top hose - I think.
• spare ignition amp

Sounds alot; but it is spread over the boot floor and does not affect the boot capacity.
JJJ, a long road trip, and I am very envious of your itinery, will do the car the WORLD of good, after about 200 miles you will find it starts to feel more supple and free-er running. You will not break down, providing, as Grant has said, you have done all the maintenance you should have. In particular: coolant hoses, all ignition system items, injection loom OK, fuel system done, brakes done, radiator done.

 

I carry no spares as such, because I'm pretty sure I'd be unable to replace anything serious (though most of my tools are in there), but I do always travel with spare oil and spare coolant. Both of which I have used on road trips. Plus a spare tyre, of course....
Though just make sure your insurance or whatever has a "get you to a garage free no matter how far" clause, or something similar....

 

Yeah I didn't even think about jumper cables, because as soon as I buy a car I buy a new set to keep in it. I also didn't think about tools, but yeah all the spare parts in the world won't do any good without tools to fit them

 

I carry:

Jug of coolant
Socket and screw driver set
Rope and Bolt cutters for stealing paintings
BCAA (AAA for you US people) ultra premium+RV membership with maximum free towing for a few hundred miles).

 

Good to see I have inspired you to start a new subject

In my well used XJ40 (AJ6 engine) I carry the B-hose and a CPS. Both are known to fail quite randomly. A few zip ties, a piece a stiff copper wire and, if ,and only if, we are on a longer road trip, a roll of most common tools. Maybe 1 kg of tools.
In the XJ-S I bring no spares. More or less all parts with limited lifespan are changed recently, fingers crossed...
On our 5800 km round trip to France and Cornwall last summer I brought a few kg of tools and used some of them as my front axle was assembled and mounted just before take off.

 

6-cyl I always carry a CPS. V12 I don’t carry anything. Used the CPS twice. Nothing on the V12 breaks as frequently and without warning.

 

I used to carry water until I replaced the Radiator...
I carried extra coils... until I found the wires to the coils falling apart... Bought new wire to replace that part of harness...

I recommend...
tent, sleeping bags... fire starter... cooler with food and drink... favorite beverage of you partner...
something to barter with the locals... grin...

JMW