Vehicle Segment:
Full-size luxury sedan, positioned as Jaguar's flagship model, emphasizing comfort, refinement, and performance.
Key Competitors:
Competed directly with luxury sedans from brands like Mercedes-Benz (S-Class), BMW (7 Series), Audi (A8), and Lexus (LS).
Design Philosophy:
Combines classic Jaguar styling cues with modern luxury, featuring a long wheelbase, elegant lines, and a spacious, opulent interior.
Luxury Appointments:
Renowned for its premium leather upholstery, real wood veneers, advanced climate control, and sophisticated sound systems.
Engine Service:
Detailed procedures for engine disassembly, assembly, diagnosis, and repair, including timing, fuel injection, ignition, and cooling systems.
Transmission Service:
Comprehensive coverage for automatic transmission diagnosis, repair, fluid changes, and component replacement.
Chassis And Suspension:
In-depth information on Jaguar's adaptive suspension, air suspension components, steering system, wheel bearings, and alignment procedures.
Brakes And Wheels:
Detailed repair instructions for ABS, EBD, brake calipers, rotors, lines, parking brake, and wheel specifications.
Electrical And Electronics:
Extensive diagnostic procedures for the CAN bus system, body control module (BCM), infotainment, lighting, power windows, seats, and advanced electronic modules.
Body And Interior:
Repair and replacement guides for body panels, doors, windows, upholstery, trim pieces, and HVAC components.
Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning:
Diagnostic and repair procedures for the climate control system, refrigerant handling, and component replacement.
Diagnostic Troubleshooting:
Systematic diagnostic flowcharts, fault code interpretation, and troubleshooting methodologies for common and rare issues.
Fuel System:
Detailed diagnostics and repair procedures for fuel pump, injectors, fuel lines, and evaporative emission control (EVAP) systems.
Exhaust System:
Information on catalytic converters, mufflers, exhaust pipes, and oxygen sensors.
Routine Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance tasks, fluid level checks, filter replacements, and general upkeep procedures.
Component Removal And Installation:
Step-by-step instructions for the removal, installation, and reassembly of all major vehicle components.
Adjustments And Calibration:
Precise procedures for adjusting various systems, including suspension height, steering alignment, and electronic module calibration.
Special Tool Usage:
Identification and application of specialized tools required for specific repair and maintenance procedures, often referencing Jaguar part numbers.
Depth Of Information:
Extremely detailed, covering everything from basic maintenance to complex diagnostic and repair procedures, including internal component rebuilding.
Illustrations And Diagrams:
Abundant pictorial diagrams, exploded views, wiring schematics, and photographic guides to illustrate procedures and component locations.
Specifications And Tolerances:
Includes critical specifications such as tightening torques, wear limits, fluid capacities, and performance tolerances for all systems.
Ignition Diagnostics:
Covers ignition coils, spark plugs, crankshaft position sensors, and camshaft position sensors.
Lighting Repair:
Headlight bulb replacement, taillight assembly, interior lighting, and fog lamp service.
Wheel Tire Specs:
Specifications for wheel bolt patterns, tire sizes, and inflation pressures. Includes procedures for wheel bearing replacement.
Airbag System Service:
Detailed procedures for airbag system diagnosis, component replacement (SRS module, sensors, airbags), and safety precautions.
Infotainment System:
Features a premium audio system (e.g., Alpine or Harman Kardon), touch-screen navigation system, and often an in-dash CD changer. Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls may be standard or optional.
Driver Assistance Features:
Adaptive cruise control (optional), parking sensors (front and rear), rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps.
Connectivity Options:
Limited by modern standards, primarily focused on audio connectivity (e.g., CD, possibly Aux-in or early Bluetooth for phone). The manual would cover these integrated systems.
Comfort Technology:
Dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable steering column, keyless entry and start.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically recommended every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using synthetic oil.
Major Service Intervals:
Significant services, including timing chain checks (though generally robust on the 4.2L), coolant flushes, and transmission fluid changes, often recommended around 60,000-100,000 miles.
Engine Oil Specification:
API SN/SP, ACEA A3/B4, SAE 5W-30 synthetic. Specific Jaguar approval codes may apply (e.g., Jaguar STJLR.51.5182).
Transmission Fluid Specification:
ZF Lifeguardfluid8 or equivalent (e.g., Texaco ETL-8072B or Mercon SP). Always refer to the specific ZF transmission fluid recommendation for this model.
Coolant Specification:
Jaguar Premium Coolant (or equivalent specification like HOAT - Hybrid Organic Acid Technology), typically a 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Air Suspension Leaks:
Common for air suspension springs (air springs) and compressor to develop leaks over time, leading to ride height issues. The manual details leak detection and replacement.
Cooling System Leaks:
Plastic coolant pipes and reservoir can become brittle and leak. The manual covers diagnosis and replacement of these components.
Door Latch Actuator Failure:
Central locking actuators for doors can fail. The manual outlines removal and replacement procedures.
Infotainment System Quirks:
Some early models might experience occasional glitches with the touchscreen or audio system. The manual covers system reset procedures and diagnostic checks.
Jaguar Brand Legacy:
Jaguar has a long-standing reputation for producing luxurious, performance-oriented grand tourers and sedans, synonymous with refined engineering and elegant design.
Vanden Plas Lineage:
The Vanden Plas nameplate has historically represented the highest luxury trim level for Jaguar sedans, dating back to the Daimler marque in the UK and later applied to various Jaguar models, signifying ultimate comfort and refinement.
Production Location:
Birmingham, England (Jaguar's Browns Lane facility).
Production Years For Platform:
The X350 platform, which includes the Vanden Plas, was produced from 2003 to 2009, with the X358 facelift occurring in 2007.