These instructions apply to the Jaguar XF Mk2 (X260) 2015-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Jaguar XF (X260, 2015–Present) uses an electronic parking brake on the rear axle, and Jaguar provided an owner-usable maintenance mode for it. Before a rear pad change you put the EPB into that mode so the cable actuators release and stay released — you can’t just switch the brake off and start work, and you must never force the screw-type rear pistons back by hand.
What maintenance mode is and why the X260 needs it
The XF’s rear calipers use threaded pistons pulled by cables from electric actuators. With the system live, the actuators hold those cables tensioned and the brake re-applies the instant it detects a release attempt. Maintenance mode (“Park brake in maintenance mode” on the cluster) backs the actuators fully off and disables the rocker switch, so the brake stays slack while you work and can’t clamp shut on your fingers.
Entering maintenance mode and retracting the calipers
Park on level ground, chock a front wheel and fit a battery charger — low voltage aborts the routine.
- Switch the ignition ON but do not start the engine.
- Hold the EPB switch in the release (off) position for about two seconds.
- Keeping it held, press the accelerator fully to the floor for about two seconds.
- Still holding both, cycle the ignition OFF then ON again quickly.
- The display should read “Park brake in maintenance mode” and the actuators go silent. Switch the ignition off.
With the brake released, remove the caliper and wind the rear piston clockwise into its bore with a peg-type brake wind-back tool. Unbolting the cable actuator from the caliper first makes the spindle far easier to turn. Fit the new pads and reassemble.
Never force the pistons back by hand
Never push or clamp the XF’s rear pistons straight back. They are threaded and only retract by winding clockwise. Forcing one straight ruins the thread, and driving it back through a live actuator shears the internal gearset. If the piston feels solid, recheck that the car is genuinely in maintenance mode and the cable is slack before applying more effort. Wind it in; never lever it.
Exit and bed-in
With the pads in and wheels back on, exit by repeating the sequence but holding the EPB switch in the apply (on) position so the actuators re-tension to the new pads. Keep the ignition ON until the operation completes — switching off mid-cycle can log a U3000 code in the ABS module. Pump the pedal until firm, cycle the EPB on and off three times and confirm it holds on a slope. Bed the pads in with several firm slow-downs from about 30 mph, letting them cool between stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do the XF rear pads without a diagnostic tool? On most X260s, yes — the switch-and-accelerator maintenance-mode sequence is owner-accessible and needs no scanner. Keep JLR Pathfinder (or a generic EPB tool) as a fallback for the calibration step.
My XF is stuck in maintenance mode — how do I get it out? Re-run the exit with the switch held in apply and the ignition on throughout. If it still won’t exit, the module needs an apply/release command from a scan tool to re-initialise.
Do the rear pistons wind or push? They wind. Turn each clockwise with a peg tool; never use a straight piston clamp.
Why won’t the sequence take? Battery voltage or timing. Charge the battery, hold each step the full two seconds and finish with a crisp ignition off/on.
Is the Sportbrake the same as the saloon? Yes — the EPB maintenance-mode procedure is identical on the XF saloon and Sportbrake; only pad sizes vary by brake package.
If a brake or EPB fault code appears while you work, decode it first on our sister site autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Jaguar. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.