“People need to be careful and understand what they’re getting into,” advises Sheik Bacchus, owner of Bacchus British Services in Dublin. “You should be able to recognize what repairs the technicians are working on and their associated costs.”
Mr. Bacchus says luxury car repair shops are somewhat infamous for performing unnecessary maintenance. “Always get a second opinion. If a doctor diagnosed you with a serious medical condition, you’d get a second opinion. It’s the same with your car.”
Mr. Bacchus also says to be aware of the parts a shop uses. Using inexpensive parts can create future problems that end up being more expensive than doing the job right the first time. “If you don’t put Jaguar brakes on your Jaguar, you’ll hear the brakes screech,” he explains. “Having the job done right can cost more upfront, but it’ll be much less than paying for double labor.”
If you own a Jaguar, consider the following tips to extend its life and improve its gas mileage, emissions and overall performance:
• Keeping your Jaguar’s engine clean is the best preventive maintenance. A clean engine runs cooler and is less likely to cause other parts to prematurely fail.
• Regularly replace all filters, lubricants and coolant. Use manufacturer-recommended mileage guidelines as your benchmark. Jaguars’ sensors and mechanical tolerances are tight, so even slight variations can create drastic performance changes.
• Know your Jaguar’s systems and particular requirements before starting any project. Don’t attempt to fix what you don’t understand.
• If your Jaguar’s computer is designed to learn and adjust, remember that some improvements might not take effect right away. The computer may need to see various parameters before making any permanent setting changes.
• Keep a list of tune-up parts and perform routine maintenance: spark plugs and spark plug wires; distributor caps and rotors; oxygen sensors; oil, air, PCV breather, fuel and transmission filters; vacuum and coolant hoses; temperature sensors; lubricants; and belts.
