The Importance Of An Aston Martin Service
Aston Martin has built a reputation by offering some of the worlds most sought after grand tourers that effortlessly combine high performance with Royal British Luxury. Keeping your Aston in pristine condition so that you preserve that luxury and performance requires more than the occasional oil change and car wash. Knowing what to service and when to have it done is the key to any Aston Martin Service.
Racing Pedigree
At the heart of every Aston Martin is a fire breathing V8 or V12, and to make sure that every ounce of potential horsepower is extracted from that engine, Aston has gone straight to their racing heritage, building V12s that rev in excess of 7500 rpms, V8’s that use dry sump systems to ensure their engines remain lubricated in the highest G-force corners, and of course transaxles for near perfect 50-50 weight distribution.
This racing pedigree makes Aston Martins incredibly difficult to service, as they require specialized tools and equipment, experience, knowledge, and most importantly patience. For example, failing to replace the oil regularly can lead to a situation where the oil has degraded and collected so much dirt that it is too thick to properly prime the engine before starting, leading to catastrophic engine failure.
If you want to keep your Aston Martin alive and happy, trust us when we say you want to stick closely to your Aston Martin Service guide.
Preventing Common Aston Problems
The internet is riddled with articles talking about how problematic exotic cars like Aston Martins are, but very few address how to get the most out of one. If you have your heart set on one of these British Brutes (don’t worry, we completely understand the appeal) here are some tips to getting the most out of your ride.
Reseal The Third Brake Light
The DB9 is the best selling generation of Aston Martin ever. Jeremy Clarkson praised every aspect of it (it was, after all, sub-zero cool), and James Bond made it so iconic they flew off showroom floors. It’s nearly impossible to fault its design, except for the third brake light.
The seal used from the factory around the brake light isn’t of the best quality and is almost guaranteed to have degraded on every car from this era. This allows water to leak into the truck, damaging electronics and allowing mold to grow. If you pick up a DB9, do yourself a favor and have the third brake inspected and resealed if it hasn’t already been.
Sportshift Maintenance
One of the highlights of driving an Aston is the Sportshift Transmission, it offers the mechanical feedback of a manual transmission with the snappy shifts of an Automatic. Being a high-performance transmission they can develop issues with age.
That being said, regular flushing and changing of the transmission fluid, upgrading the transmission cooler, and keeping an eye on the condition of hydraulic lines and clutch will keep your Sportshift going for years.
Oil Consumption
One of the downsides of Aston Martins engines is that they do tend to burn more oil than the competitors. This happens when oil becomes vapourized under spirited driving conditions. Instead o f allowing this aerated oil to return to the sump and potentially cause unideal lubricating conditions it is burnt off in the crankcase. This is especially common on the new turbocharged V8s.
The best way to be prepared for this is to check your engine oil level at every second or third refill and consider having your mechanic fit an oil catch can reduce the amount of oil being burnt off.
Carbon Build up
This could go hand in hand with oil consumption. As the excess oil is burnt up, it can create additional carbon deposits of the internal components of your engine that will rob you of that sweet, sweet horsepower.
Again, investing in a catch can reduce the build-up, but doesn’t completely stop it. While it may feel excessive, having your engine cleaned every 50 000 or so miles will drastically reduce the power loss caused by carbon buildup
Find An Enthusiast Mechanic
The most important aspect of any service is finding a mechanic that shares the same passion for your vehicle as you do. Aston Martin’s engine bays are very tightly packed, and working on them isn’t the easiest task for any mechanic, and often requires more work than other vehicles.
A mechanic who is enthusiastic about the brand, is going to be more likely to spend the extra time doing each task right even if it’s more difficult. They’re also going to have the right tools to make sure no corners are cut, such as having a full vacuum system to drain the dry sump system, instead of letting it gravity drain.
Another benefit is they’ll be familiar with Aston Martins sorted history, and which parts can be sorted from where be that Ford or Mercedes-AMG.
Aston Martin Enthusiast Service Center In Pompano Beach
At Foreign Affairs Motorwerks, we love everything high-performance, Corvettes, Aston Martins, and even Honda’s. Our Team of ASE certified mechanics share the same passion for your vehicle as you do, so you know your car is in the best care possible.
From recommended service to modifications there’s no better place to book your Aston Martin. So what are you waiting for? Schedule your next visit today!