Just re-did the pads and rotors on my 2005 S-Type 3.0. Used Brake Performance to buy for about a $100 a wheel the premium semi-metallic pads and their premium dimple drilled and slotted rotors (heat is the big issue in Dallas). They are very quiet, no dust and stop very well. Everything went without a problem. Just for giggles I had checked with park Place Jag and to do what I did they wanted to charge $1600 and I just laughed out loud at the person that told me that. So considering the cost of the parts were $100 a wheel for me (yes I am sure they charge more) the time spent was about 15-20 minutes a wheel and I would love to charge someone $800-1000 an hour for work done.

Everything is fine with the job except for that general notorious soft pedal on these s types.

I am getting ready to change the fluid. I have a business partner/friend that owns a Kwik Kar and he has the flush machine and will get him to do it. My question is the old question about the fluid.

I know that factory is Dot 4 and that is fine. My 2 questions are as follows:

1. I have heard from some independent jag. mechanics that I should only use Jag fluid for the brakes. Is there any truth to that or any reason? Do they do something different than what other Dot 4 brake fluids do that meet the standard specifications?
2. If using a flush machine is there any problem refilling with Dot5 or the fact that the master cylinder has had 7 years and 63k of Dot4, do I risk a problem wit the seals and other items there?


And just a curious note, does anyone have an idea why the S-types have that soft pedal feature. It is not a problem, just an adjustment from a different car and it's pedal feel. I had always wondered if the soft pedal had something to do with the adjustment that would more the brake pedal and accelerator closer or further back from the driver.. Again not a problem- just a question of the curious nature.

Thanks again.


Tom in Dallas
2005 S-Type 3.0 63K

 

Any fresh can of DOT 4 should be fine....

Flushing ANY system always carries some degree of risk. You may have no issues or you may have plenty of issues. Flush techniques and the skill (or lack thereof) of the "flusher" can have a big impact. Be careful out there....

 

Ummm, what 'soft pedal'? Not on mine except for once when a caliper pin seized. Easily fixed. A partially inop. parking brake will give a soft pedal too.

DOT4 is DOT4 is DOT4, there's no magic about the stuff that Jaguar specifies. 'Super' DOT4 is a marketing term, not a spec.

DOT5 CANNOT be mixed with DOT4 or anything else, nor can a simple flush get rid of all traces of the old. Since there's no real advantage (flame suit on) to DOT5, stick with DOT4.

 

This notorious thing - what??? Shouldn't be.

+1 on DOT 4. Any DOT 4.

 

i have always had what I consider a soft pedal and I have read on the forum in many places abut the soft pedal issue. I have no real problems with the brakes and as I thought Dot4 is Dot 4 no matter the name. If I change to Dot 5, any chance that Dot 4 could hang around in bits and pieces and cause problems after 63K.

I would assume that if I had a real problem with break pressure, the brake booster, master cylinder or the ABS that I would get yellow or red lights and messages or a CEL and codes of which I have none.

\So there is nothing special than anyone knows about Jag dot4 and other dot4 of quality?

Tom in Dallas.

 

You'd need a major fault to get any lights. It's quite a dumb system, diagnostic-wise.

Got to say I would definitely not use DOT 5 since 4 is trouble free in our cars.

I simply do not believe that jag DOT 4 is anything but DOT 4 and until now never heard such claims as you apparently have. I suspect someone fibbed. Only difference I know is the PRICE.

 

DOT-5 is *not* compatible with DOT-4 as it is silicone based.

 

Thanks all. Since this sytem seems to be similar to the Lincoln and Ford (I am surprised by the number of little things that have Ford on them which is not that bad) I could not imagine that Jag Dot4 is any different than a quality DOT 4 made by someone else and did not think that it was like the transmission fluid debate/issue.

I was just curious about the DOT 5 in these cars and knew they were not compatible with each other and my tendency was not to try and use it for fear that some internal parts might have been associated with DOT4 for such a time that it would cause more problem than solve.

I am just going to do a fluid flush and go from there.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a fluid they think has the best reputation vs. some that do not live up to what they should be doing??

Thanks

Tom in D

 

I used Valvoline Dot 4 Synthetic in my car. That was about 15k miles ago and I have had no problems thus far. I bought the 32oz. bottle and it filled up the whole brake fluid reservoir.

 

Brake fluid is one of the very very few fluids in a car that are controlled by government regulations. To be labelled as DOT4, it must meet or exceed those specs. I doubt you'll find any tangible difference from one specific manufacturer to another.

 

Agreed. I buy whatever is on sale. I've used NAPA, Valvoline, and Prestone among other brands. Never an issue with any of them. Of much more importance is making certain that you have sealed the container tightly if you do not use all of it. Brake fluid absorbs moisture in the air, so that container must be hermetically-sealed tight....