I know mine need replacing soon (pointed out at the last service). Would low pad level light up the "restricted performance" system?

I hope it does!

 

Yes. The pads must be very worn, thus low fluid level in master cylinder. Get new pads pronto.

 

Would it not set the red brake light warning instead?

 

Both the red and yellow warning lights are illuminated. does this help?

 

There's a specific and independent light just for the brakes. It comes on when the parking brake is applied also.

 

I will check it out later today, thanks for the input.

 

I doubt it would set RP. Anyone know for sure?

 

Knowing Jaguar has numerous driver and engine safety features, it wouldn't behoove one to believe that both red and yellow brake warning lights are illuminated with a "RP" message....severly worn brake pads could lead to both irrepable damage to both car and driver, thus "RP" won't allow modest speeds and restricts RPM to 3,000. The red parking brake light is for parking brake only, not for the main brake circuit Let's see what we find.

 

Yes- let's look in the owners manual and see what we find:

 

veedon - please provide your car details (see my sig) and do you just mean what you call the RP light or do you also actually get RP? If you have a later model car, do you get the RP message in the message centre?

 

Latest update - Car has reset itself overnight and after a 40 mile round-trip the fault has not re-occurred and the car drives fine. The message was Restricted Performance in the message centre, no brake warning light, red and yellow warning lights were illuminated.

I'm going to get this checked out as I have a 700 mile round trip to make on Friday! Car seems fine at the moment.

Car is a 2005 diesel

 

That's encouraging.

Be sure to check often that the engine oil is not too HIGH if the car has a DPF. Any signs of increasing level and read urgently about what that means - the UK forum is a good place for that. Serious risk of engine destruction if that occurs

 

Replace the brake pads, including the emergency brake pads.

 

This car (2005 diesel) does not have separate emergency brake pads.

 

What! The diesel "S" doesn't have separate emergency brakes? Well I suggest he gets them on then.

 

I think it's got similar brakes to all the cars except those with Brembos. So, it has an e-brake which operates as the other non-Brembos do.

 

That's what I understand also.

 

Fault code turned out to be a DPF warning (although not shown as this in the car). Dealer is satisfied that the fault has cleared as the DPF has now regenerated itself and seems to be ok. No immediate worries about sump contamination although I will keep an eye on levels/odd smells etc. Car is going in for a new set of brake pads next week. I look forward to a fault light free future! Thanks for the help and advice people!

 

You can help by putting car details as below.

Also, be aware there are no diesel S-Types in USA/Cdn and very few diesel owners on here (though there are a few) so diesel-related replies may be few or non-existent.

Check engine oil level weekly as that's the only way to avoid DPF-related engine destruction I'm aware of. And make sure your car definitely has the updated software. You can read the scary threads all over the net