EVERYTHING You Need to Do to Maintain an Aston Martin V8 Vantage 

I've got a couple more videos planned for this video series, one of which is going to touch on the AMDS, another about the transmissions, and another about "gotchas" (silly things that can be an issue). I've also got a ton of DIY Guides on www.redpants.lol that show how to do almost every common task, so browsing through those will give an idea of what can be done yourself, and if something isn't there it might require a dealership. I have plenty more DIY guides to make, so it's by no means comprehensive yet, but it's getting there. There are very few special tools that are needed to work on Astons and even some of those can be replaced with common tools and a little ingenuity. The only Aston Martin special tool I own myself is to lock the flywheel in place, which is needed for installing GMR's supercharger kit. If anyone's doing a job that does require a special tool, they're either a professional or they shouldn't be tackling that task. Very few weekend warriors are going to be willing or able to do a job that requires a special tool. Just posting this comment is the most effort I've had to put into dealing with special tools hahaha. The cross-reference one can be very tricky... to be really blunt, it's not going to happen. It can take a lot of time to research parts, and even when I've been given lists that someone else compiled, it was under the condition that it not be shared. One of my upcoming videos will talk about parts bin stuff but the bottom line is, "Hey, I can save you $80 on this item. You might be able to save are few dollars more if you put time and effort into figuring out what it is, but if you want to support me for the help I provide AND still save a bunch of money compared to buying it from a dealership, then just buy the part from me." I can go way further into this but I don't want to sound like I'm complaining or entitled or anything like that. I hope that makes sense and doesn't come across the wrong way.

Thank you!

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll make a note to include that when I talk about the transmissions :)

@@Redpantslol Thanks for all of your help, Rich!!

Quite the opposite - I usually need to refill my drink lol. I mess up fairly often so it takes forever to film, especially long videos like this one... I was standing at that table for a solid 7 hours to film the main talking portion of the video. I messed up the continuity pretty badly on my buyers guide video when I did a couple reshoots, so I wanted to make sure I got everything done in one session regardless of how long that session was... still not perfect but a noticeable improvement on that last video! The key fobs have a short range and can be a little annoying sometimes, plus the door modules on earlier cars can be problematic. Cleaning the contacts inside the fob while replacing the battery can help in some cases, but it could be something bigger like the door modules.

Thank you so much for the kind words!!

hahaha I wish I had that much charisma on camera!

Early cars with the Volvo key fob should have two. Cars with the updated interior should have one crystal key and one plastic/valet key. Some come with an extra crystal key, though.

@@Redpantslol what year they key come with crystal key ? And whats price for sportshift 4,3 new and improved clutch system. have just got a 2008 roadster with total 8500 miles, can see carfax serviced to 2016 before shipped out SCFBF04B28GD08197

There isn't anything special about the AC system on these cars - a recharge would be easy and shouldn't cost much.

It's a niche segment so I don't expect much in the way of RU-vid stats. The amount of feedback I get from emails and whatnot is pretty incredible, though, and being able to help beyond just making videos is really awesome, and it's why I make the videos to begin with 🙂

I asked the same thing last week

Yep, it's not a problem at all but my website isn't set up for it to be cost effective right now because it assumes everything is shipping out of Florida, so you'd be way overcharged for shipping, and it wouldn't take VAT into account. I'm about to launch a new online store that will make it much more feasible for you guys. It's a something I've been working on for several months lol.

@@Redpantslol thanks for letting me know 👍, look forward to the new launch.

Buy a 4.7 . 4.3 are too slow bud

@@abitofmymind hear what your saying but done the speed thing - replacing my AMG as that was quick enough 😁, now time for a GT to cruise and the Vantage is just sex on wheels even at 30mph 😜😁😁😁

It can vary pretty wildly depending on the country and the dealership, and these are estimates for dealership pricing and DIY costs can and do vary as well... I've seen dealerships in the US charge $600-700 for an annual service (DIY $200), $1500-2000 for a 2-year service (DIY $500), $750-850 for a gear oil change (DIY $300), $700+ for a thermostat change (DIY $100), etc etc...

@@Redpantslolcrikey, how can changing a thermostat cost $700!

I believe there are aftermarket options for those at a pretty good price. I haven't used any myself but I've heard of others finding some that are compatible. For OEM specifically, so long as the aftermarket ones function properly, then it's just as valid a choice as OEM.

Bad brake fluid is more common for causing a soft brake pedal. When was the last time you flushed the brake fluid? Should be every two years.

Thanks so much for the kind words! I sell everyone online, and there's a link to the store on www.redpants.lol so it's easy to find. I'm using a new platform and still adding products to it, so please be patient if what you need isn't listed yet :)

Trying to reduce a decade of information gathering into a RU-vid video is... difficult. And then reshoots because I don't like the way something came out or need to add in more information to clarify or better explain something... I've just come to terms with having little control lol.

Wow, great eye! Very very similar but the AM one has a unique part number with Bosch. I believe it's a custom version made for Aston Martin based on the one used on the Cayenne.

Redpants I have to say you overview has really given me a push to start my AM shopping, that said I'm honestly torn between the GT DB9 or a more the my alive V8 vantage. If I have DB9 I'm more than happy for a traditional torque converter auto... With that said with the exception of a manual stick I'm a little confused by the generations of sport shift and so on. Just as a thought too, does the V12 and V8's need a cam belt or are they timing chains? That for me is a deciding factor. Thanks for the response and stay safe 🇬🇧🇺🇸

There are several that work, like from Autel and Foxwell. Not too many have Aston-specific functions, but if they don't then you can trick the scan tool by saying you're plugged into a Volvo or Jaguar (depending on what you're trying to do). Regardless, there are some things that require an AMDS and no other tool can replicate that functionality.

First thing to check is the fuel sender unit. Easy fix: www.redpants.lol/article-that-time-my-fuel-gauge-went-binary

Yep, they have LSDs from the factory, but they're plate-type, not Torsen.

What problems did yours have

In this context, the terms are interchangeable. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is not the same, though.

This is an odd one because I think I've heard one or **maybe** two people say they've actually replaced them. I can say the same about any car I've ever owned, too - not just Aston Martins.

It was a cheap table off Amazon, and I wiped it down between takes lol

Well - someone got burned 😉. I know several Aston owners and that is not their experience. Especially the Vantage V8 is quite stabil…. Just do your due diligence when buying..

Great video