Jaguar XJ8 Parts & Accessories

Your Jaguar XJ8 is one of the finest sedans there is. It can rival with the high-class European cars in the market. Because of this, there's no need to ask why you want to keep it performing excellently. High end cars such as your Jaguar XJ8 don't need special maintenance—some of these maintenance steps are so simple, you can even do them yourself. Here are some of those simple maintenance tips.

• Keep your brake system in good working condition.

Your regular brake system maintenance must include checking the brake pads if they are still thick enough. If they become too thin, they might not work properly, so they have to be replaced. Also, check if you still have brake fluid. The brake fluid is turned into pressure and amplifies the stopping power of the vehicle. It is common for the brakes to become dirty, so just flush them with water if you hear a squealing sound coming from these components.

• Achieve smooth engine operation by keeping your engine and cooling system in check.

The engine is the heart of your Jaguar XJ8. Your car will not run without it. Just the normal operating condition in the engine can take its toll on it. Because of this, don't forget to check the engine regularly. Always check the engine oil in it. The engine oil keeps the engine and its parts lubricated and running smoothly. It also aids in keeping the engine cool. The engine oil needs to be replaced according to the recommended service interval stated in your owner's manual. The age of the vehicle and the mileage it has reached are factors in determining when to change the engine oil. Also, change the oil filter once you change the engine oil.

Because of the engine's function, it is important to keep the engine under normal operating temperature and its cooling system does just that. When you are checking the cooling system, see if there's still coolant left. Make sure that your engine's cooling system has the right amount of coolant in it. It should also be replaced at the recommended replacement schedule to avoid damaging the cooling system components. Check the radiator for corrosion and holes. Also, check the radiator hoses if they have become brittle because of the heat in the engine area. If they have dried out and are already brittle and cracking, they should be replaced as soon as possible.

• Have reliable tires. Always!

The tires are always in contact with the road, and they carry the weight of the vehicle. Because of this, the tires wear out at a much faster rate than the other parts of the vehicle. The most basic tire maintenance step is to check the tire pressure. If the tire is not inflated properly, it will wear out unevenly and cause lesser fuel economy. Also, have the wheels aligned and balanced at least once a year. This will also ensure that your tires will last longer and will result in better handling and drivability.

Jaguar XJ8 was a luxury car that’s commonly known as the cars that carried V8 engines. The availability of this engine option—in a lavish and beautiful body—pushed the respect and credibility people have towards Jaguar and its cars. Even if the model sold for only two generations that spanned a little more than a decade, the XJ8 still had enough impact to be seen as one of the great luxury cars during its time.

Jaguar’s XJ line has been around ever since the late 60s. After more than four decades, it has grown and evolved to become one of the most recognized lines of luxury cars in the auto industry. All XJs during this time were either equipped with an in-line-six engine or a more-powerful V12 as its powerhouse. It would’ve been forgivable if the company carried on with these engine options for succeeding models. However, it was not in Jaguar’s blood to settle for something safe. The introduction of a new 3.2L or 4.0L-V8 engine to the already established XJ line seemed like a good idea to push its limit.

The new XJ8 wasn’t only successful in introducing a new engine. It was also successful in incorporating that engine to the standards set by an XJ. The base model had all of the trims to achieve a look one would expect to find in a luxury car: leather seats, wooden panels inside, chrome pieces on the outside. Other standard features included automatic wipers, CD player, cruise control, and parking sensors. Upper trims, like the Sport or XJR, had a more powerful engine, improved suspension for better handling, wider wheelbase, and a very intimidating look.

The second-generation Jaguar XJ8 worked on the well-received V8 by raising its engine lineup to be either a 3.5L or 4.2L. The basic engine was able to give 300hp, while the supercharged 4.2L could give almost 400hp. Despite the daunting power, it was still safe enough to handle because of a power limiter that kept the car’s speed to about 155mph.

The body was mostly made of an aluminum monocoque chassis—a technology introduced and specialized by Jaguar. This, along with other advanced construction methods, made the XJ8 considerably lighter compared to its competitors at that time. Mechanically, the rear suspension was changed to a multi-link, air-spring system for better handling. A change in the design for the headlights, placement of chrome trims, front grille, and overall shape of the car gave the hot V8 a home worthy to carry such an engine.