1 best of : 2017 Jaguar F-Pace Long-Term Update 6: Auto Stop/Start/Restart Part 2

When we last left our hero, it was beleaguered by intermittent ignition issues related to the auto stop/start system. After he figured out how to consistently replicate the problems (no small feat), fleet master Ayapana scheduled a service visit at our local Jaguar service center (Hornburg of Santa Monica, California). The timing was fortuitous—our F-Pace was also due for its first service interval at 16,000 miles.

“Hornburg’s service center is one of the busiest service drives I’ve seen (because it services Jaguars and Land Rovers), but was well staffed and efficient,” noted Ayapana. “Service advisor Nick was great and provided me daily updates via text.”

Frequent updates were necessary as it took eight days to fully service the F-Pace, approximately four of which were devoted to waiting for parts to arrive.

So what was the stop/start issue? According to Nick, there were two separate issues: having to push the ignition button at least two times before the car would start was apparently caused by a faulty instrument pack. Because this pack is integrated in the instrument panel, the whole thing was replaced. The stop-fail-to-restart issue was caused by a faulty stop lamp switch, which was also replaced.

Along with addressing our complaints, this service visit upgraded the F-Pace’s InControl Touch Pro (ICTP) entertainment system to the latest version (JPLA-19C204-EA), which is supposed to be the quickest and most responsive yet. Our Jag also apparently received a 99-point inspection, 7 quarts of Castrol Edge 0W 20 motor oil, and new oil and particulate filters. Perhaps as part of the inspection, it was determined that our tie rods needed resealing, so that was taken care of, as well.

All of the parts and service were covered as scheduled maintenance or under warranty, so the only out-of-pocket expense was $99 for the four-wheel alignment. Overall the service experience was very good; yes, it meant over a week without the vehicle, but Hornburg provided an Infiniti Q50 loaner car from day one, so we were not inconvenienced.

More important, the ignition button now only takes one push to start the Jag, and the auto stop/start system does exactly what it’s supposed to. For that matter, so does the upgraded ICTP; it’s perhaps a wee bit faster, although we can’t really tell the difference. Same goes for the regularly scheduled services; the fresh oil, new filters, resealed tie-rods, and re-aligned wheels have not materially improved the vehicle’s performance.

Our F-Pace drives just like new, which is great except in one unfortunate way. Back in Update 4, I wrote about how we tried to take the edge off the F-Pace’s starchy ride by decreasing the air pressure in each tire by 9 psi. At the time, I noted that this didn’t seem to improve ride quality very much. I was wrong; as part of the service cycle, the dealer returned the pressures to the 43-psi factory spec, and the harshness in the ride is now much more noticeable for some reason. Our F-Pace booms over big bumps and chatters over broken pavement, so we’ll be softening up the tires again soon. Another bit of comfort lost amidst the upgrades is our Activity Key connectivity. The rubberized bracelet I had been wearing while surfing, with the key locked inside the vehicle, no longer works because of the ICTP system upgrade. We can’t really blame the service department for this because it didn’t know we had the Activity Key, and it did offer to reprogram it for free when we return to the shop. These are minor aggravations to what has been, on balance, a pretty outstanding vehicle.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace Long-Term Update 6: Auto Stop/Start/Restart Part 2

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