By the way, I am reminded why I swore to myself I would never buy another black car after having a black Miata. I think I've already swirled the paint by washing the car using cotton terry cloth towels (two bucket method). I wanted to use a bug sponge but they were sold out at Advance!

Any recommendations for washing/cleaning a dark car? How do I avoid the swirls?

I would also like to avoid having the car professionally buffed every month or two, because I will run out of money fast! (I'd like to have it done maybe every 3-4 months.)

 

By the way, does anyone have any idea how to get the power headlamp washers to work? (I have the nozzles on the front bumper, doesn't this mean I have this feature?)

Also I can't seem to figure out the automatic speed limiter.

 

I assume by 'speed limiter' you mean Cruise Control' This is set using the command button on the righthand side of the steering wheel, at least it is on my UK car.

As for the headlight washers, the car decides when to wash them, and will do so every few times you use the screen wash.

The Owners Handbook explains it all

 

No, not the cruise control, the speed limiter! I have read about it in the owners manual, but cannot seem to get it to work as stated (the indicator light never comes on).

It supposedly limits your speed to what you set it at, while allowing you to drive at any speed you'd like under whatever you set it at. I figure it would be useful for avoiding speeding tickets.

 

Well I am stumped ! That is a new one on me. Anybody else know about this device ? No doubt the weasels in the government are getting interested. A plague on them, I say.

 

I will try to see if I can find it on the online owner's manual. It's that button right next to the hazard flasher button on the dash that looks like a gauge and says "ASL".

 

I have the ASL button on my dash as well with a symbol that looks like a speedometer. As previously mentioned it is a speed limiter. Would like to know how it works too if anybody knows.

brdave

 

Maybe they were disabled for US-spec cars?

 

My ASL button lights up, but I'm not sure how to program my set speed in - IIRC it is done through the info screen by the speedo - I skimmed by that part of the manual, it seemed complicated to set but I wasn't really paying attention.

As for the headlight washers - yeah I have those too. I think the book said they will clean the lights after every 3rd wash of the windshield.....

 

Don't use a BUG SPONGE! That will scratch the finish for sure.

As for minimizing swirls, I've heard you should wax not in circular motions but rather straight lines in the direction the wind flows over the car. Especially on dark colors. I did this over the weekend on my BRG (which looks black in some light) and it really looks great.

And use good quality wax, like Meguiars. If you already have swirls, try their Cleaner Wax - it has a (very mild) abrasive that will remove scratches and swirls, but still leaves a nice wax finish behind.
I've used it on Miatas that were faded to orange or pink, and it's brought them back amazingly to lush, deep, slick red.

 

I dunno, I don't think anything I can do with my hand will be able to remove swirl marks. I have used my Porter Cable 7424 (I think that's the number) to polish my old Miata and it worked very well. Unfortunately, I don't want to invest that kind of time anymore. Luckily there is a detail place around here that can apparently work wonders for a reasonable price. I think it's $100 for a wash and buff/wax, which includes a thorough interior cleaning.

Bug sponge is probably a bad idea, I wonder if one of those sheepskin wash mitts is any good. It's kinda funny, I think I introduced more swirl marks with those terry cloth towels than I did with the first couple machine washes!

 

Hi Alan

Don't know if you have got the alignment done or not yet, but I highly recommend it. It made a world of difference in driving pleasure for mine.

As for the ASL, on mine if you press the button the light on the button illuminates. Then you use the cruise control controls to set the top speed in the dash digital display. I tried it once and when I hit the set speed the car stopped accelerating......I then thought, so what happens if I need to accelerate to get out of danger.... so decided I would never use it, especially on side roads. If on the freeway then just use the crusie control instead!
Cheers

 

Haven't gotten it yet, but I will in the next couple months. The car tracks perfectly straight, just the wheel is cocked at about 5 degrees to the right when it is tracking straight. That doesn't mean tire damage isn't happening, though!

 

Well, I got it detailed. Looks good, but I need a better camera!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JOYe9P8owlc/TP...-21-53_238.jpg

 

Alan
Is this your first Jag? I'm on my third and it is the only way to go. IMHO

 

Yup, it's my first! Maybe my last! Or maybe the first of many! We will see how it goes!

I still love the car, though. It filled all the gaps that my previous Lexus LS was lacking in.

 

That's great. I'm sure you will find it to be one of the best cars around. I had to settle for the body change in 2004 but it is starting to growon me.

 

Best thing to use after washing is a chamois leather

 

The "Absorber" synthetic chamois also works well.

 

I had it detailed, and then yesterday I took it to a machine (touch) wash. To my surprise, this one left no swirl marks whatsoever! I think I will be going back to this one.

I bought some nice Cobra microfiber/chenelle? wash mitts for hand washing, though!