Jon Hyde

Hi Jim, Thanks for that! However, the story moves on… Today’s AA man worked out that there’s a dead short in the alternator, not the battery. The overheating of the battery last night was apparently because it couldn’t keep up with demand with no charging going on. A battery was fitted this morning, which got it started and moved out of the middle of the road, but that battery also went low very quickly. Now have to get it booked in for an alternator and recovery to the dealership. Cheers! Jon

Hi All, I've been reading lots of posts concerning all the resets needed when a new battery is fitted - they all seem a bit of a faff, but I guess I'll just have to work through them! One problem remains (once the new battery is fitted) - I don't have the code for the radio! Some people have said that an XF doesn't need a radio code though. Is there a definitive answer? Can't bear the thought of no music or satnav! Cheers, Jon

Fingers crossed!

Seems it was a dead short in the battery, which was almost melting in the boot! New battery coming tomorrow morning.

So my wife & I were just heading out to the shops, when about 200yds from home I got a gearbox fault message (was still driving OK), followed by a red battery warning light. Turned around, got to the house where the car died completely. Now blocking neighbour’s driveway and can’t lock the car! AA on the way, but I wonder what they will be able to do, given that the battery is in the boot, which won’t open! Ho-hum!

Hi, I get my DVD updates from here: www.latestsatnav.co.uk Very good service, and so far, every DVD has worked perfectly. Cheers Jon

Pirelli P-Zero everytime!

So glad I found this topic! My XF-S occasionally emits what looks like steam (but obviously is probably smoke) from the front left of the bonnet. No ill-effects on driving/performance, just a bit scary. Only does it briefly after a cold start. My speed limiter in the passenger seat says she can smell it and she doesn't like it. I think I'll just relax now! Cheers, Jon

John, The "insomnia" got my ribs aching! Sorry Richard, your car still has a problem, I know, but a little humour is something to cherish! J

Hi Nick, This may not be particularly helpful, but... I also have a 2011 XF (3.0l diesel S). It does exactly as you would expect - no need to double pull to open. So you clearly have a gremlin in the works somewhere. I've looked at the owner's manual and can find nothing to suggest an option to invoke a double pull - why would there be? Makes no sense! Taking it to a Jaguar dealer would be expensive, so, although annoying, I think I'd tolerate it. Cheers, Jon

Hi Paul, I completely agree! Even my wife's Audi TT was appalling compared to the XF - noisy, rough ride, no toys! It's great when they come back home. Cheers Jon

Hi All, and thanks again for your suggestions. Have just been for a drive. Straight and bendy, different gears, all as suggested. But no difference, so I have to conclude it's the tyres since there's no vibration, no 'shimmy' on the steering wheel, and (most importantly!) Mrs. H is convinced I'm hearing things (I'm not!!!). Ho hum! Cheers, Jon

Thanks for your help. I'll try the suggestions later today. Tyres are Pirelli, but a different version of P-Zeros than the previous ones.

As in the new tyres recently fitted. Not new tyres needed!

Hi John, Actually all around, no increase on braking or turning. I'm wondering if it's just new tyres now! Cheers, J

Hi All, Looking for a suggestion for the cause of the following... At between 45 & 55mph I hear a droning, low-pitched whine. It's not so loud that the music can't overwhelm it, but it is a new noise. Worried about wheel bearings, diff, propshaft, whatever! Any clues anyone? Cheers, Jon

Hi Raymond, I'm astonished that the misfuelling protection allowed you to put that much petrol in, mine on the one occasion I made the mistake cut me off after about a pint! However, that's in the past, so I would guess you're right - damaged injectors! Maybe the gauge sender needs to settle down though, as petrol and diesel have different densities? Does your real consumption match with what the gauge is telling you? It could just be a calibration thing? All the best, Jon

Hi John, First problem - refuelling - it's the misfuelling prevention device in the neck of the filler. Someone must have tried adding petrol rather than diesel at some point. There's a yellow lever on the battery that sorts it out, instructions in the manual say to push it into the filler and remove. As for the 'shutdown in 3 minutes' message, it's nothing to do with a bad battery, it's just protecting you from a flat battery. The car uses a lot of battery power and the audio system is a big consumer. You can just press play and carry on (I've done so many times!) with no ill-effects, but I don't know of any way to defeat it, and probably wouldn't anyway, as a flat battery is worse than interrupted sounds! Hope you enjoy your XF! Cheers, Jon

HI, I also have a 2011 3.0l XF-S, had it for three years come October. So have been through 2 winters with it. Living in West Sussex, I don't often get to see really bad snow or ice (but when it does come, the response is ill-equipped to deal with it!) Being retired, I don't have to go out in the occasional ice & snow, but I have given it a go a few times using the winter mode setting for the traction control. That seems to work fine with normal tyres (Pirelli P-Zero 255/35x20). I guess if you need the extra security, winter tyres would be a good move, but I can't justify them for 2 or 3 weeks a year. Enjoy your XF! J

All sorted following a brief(ish) drive! Thanks all! J

It maybe disabled by setting valet mode in the screen menu, otherwise it should just pop open with a press on the silver button. J

Hi All, Today I had a check tyre pressure message (RH Front), so went to check all my tyres. Drove away, no message. 300yds later, it's back again! Tyre looks no different from before! Is there a reset? Do I need to take it for a spin? Cheers, Jon

Thanks Jim, All sorted! Nice and chilly now, just in time for the heatwave! J

Hi All, Is there an air filter that looks after the cooled seats in and XF Portfolio? I've noticed a marked drop off in cooling recently, so am wondering if there's a lack of airflow? Cheers, Jon

Another vote for Arun from me!