V12 Vantage S Roadster
Discussion
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/u1erjppU.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/bZcWyfV7" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/bZcWyfV7.jpg)
Went to take delivery of my car at Aston Martin Netherlands.
Went to visit a DB6 owner in Belgium and then took the car South.
Car drives really well. Sportshift gearbox is better than I expected and you can learn to change gear smoothly with practice. As read elsewhere on this forum, forget "D" mode and use the paddles.
On one occasion when maneuvering I had a bad burnt clutch smell with the message "Clutch Protection Mode", anyone had this before? I'm worried about clutch life. Trouble is I have to go very slowly over my drive and I think the clutch is not fully engaged so probably the fact I'm crawling takes some life off the clutch.
I have tried the different suspension settings but find "Normal" probably the best for most conditions.
I have left DSC on up to now but as I am getting confident, I'll try "Track" mode but will not turn DSC to off completely for now. Anyone tried the DSC "Track" which limits DSC intervention to a later stage allowing the car to be somewhat more playful? Is this ok for road use?
Great choice of car I am 4 weeks into ownership myself and not stopped smiling yet......
Great pictures and colour scheme
I have had a couple of experiences of strong burning clutch smell usually when driving hard then hit an abrupt stop. It is the pull away that the smell comes but no warning on dash. Spoke to dealer and it might be the clutch learn kicking in whilst I am trying to pull away again but not sure that is it.
I went out with an Aston Martin performance driver and showed me how to use the brakes! I was shocked at how good they are and how far way from the limit I was using them.
Not used the various track modes yet saving that for month 3 of ownership. Month 2 is about fuse 15 remote control and have one on order and being fitted next week.
Great pictures and colour scheme
I have had a couple of experiences of strong burning clutch smell usually when driving hard then hit an abrupt stop. It is the pull away that the smell comes but no warning on dash. Spoke to dealer and it might be the clutch learn kicking in whilst I am trying to pull away again but not sure that is it.
I went out with an Aston Martin performance driver and showed me how to use the brakes! I was shocked at how good they are and how far way from the limit I was using them.
Not used the various track modes yet saving that for month 3 of ownership. Month 2 is about fuse 15 remote control and have one on order and being fitted next week.
You should change your name to V12staffie! :-)
Is there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
Is there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
Edited by CSK1 on Sunday 1st November 18:37
CSK1 said:
You should change your name to V12staffie! :-)
Is there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
Flashing red light on the Neutral button whilst the clutch learns after stsrt up. Once it stops flashing you are good to go. Is there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
Edited by CSK1 on Sunday 1st November 18:37
CSK1 said:
You should change your name to V12staffie! :-)
Is there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
LOLIs there a warning light that shows there's a Clutch Learn Procedure going on? The handbook says there is one but I haven't seen one. It says it is doing one at every start up so perhaps better to leave the car idling for a while before setting off.
Edited by CSK1 on Sunday 1st November 18:37
A name change is on the cards
The clutch learn happens on start up as has been said. It also does it on occasions during driving when you stop it is this that I am starting to work out? I have noticed that the N flashes when I stop after a hard drive. It is this I believe is the additional clutch learn above the start up.
[/quote] On one occasion when maneuvering I had a bad burnt clutch smell with the message "Clutch Protection Mode", anyone had this before? I'm worried about clutch life. Trouble is I have to go very slowly over my drive and I think the clutch is not fully engaged so probably the fact I'm crawling takes some life off the clutch.
I have tried the different suspension settings but find "Normal" probably the best for most conditions.
I have left DSC on up to now but as I am getting confident, I'll try "Track" mode but will not turn DSC to off completely for now. Anyone tried the DSC "Track" which limits DSC intervention to a later stage allowing the car to be somewhat more playful? Is this ok for road use?
[/quote]
When manoeuvering, avoid full lock on the steering. More steering equals more resistance to movement, which in turn increases load on the clutch.
Not a good idea to reduce DSC!!!!
Edited by roughrider on Sunday 1st November 22:40
Congratulations CSK from a fellow Dark Knight/California Poppy interior - what a fantastic colour combination 
I have had the smell of burning clutch and the clutch over heating message once when stuck in a road, on a hill and trying to get into a car peek to turn round.
To get the clutch learns down I now tend to leave in gear when at traffic lights rather than putting into neutral - seems to work ok.
I have had the smell of burning clutch and the clutch over heating message once when stuck in a road, on a hill and trying to get into a car peek to turn round.
To get the clutch learns down I now tend to leave in gear when at traffic lights rather than putting into neutral - seems to work ok.
Lovely machine, congratulations! I have a driveway problem too... a steep driveway entrance up to a sharp apex where it levels out to the garage, and this has been a barrier that has determined the purchase of almost every car I've had in the last 12 years. But Aston Martins don't come with adjustable suspension so I had to rethink it.
After I got the burning smell in both my Vanquish and V8VR I spent some time attacking the driveway at speed. It took a few unpleasant scrapes but I found the perfect line and a speed that kept the clutch engaged, and didn't have any problem. Hope you can do something similar - the potential of a burnt out clutch is a thing of worry.
______________
2007 Aston Martin DB9 (Meteorite Silver/Piano Black/Obsidian)
2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (sold)
2003 Aston Martin Vanquish (sold)
After I got the burning smell in both my Vanquish and V8VR I spent some time attacking the driveway at speed. It took a few unpleasant scrapes but I found the perfect line and a speed that kept the clutch engaged, and didn't have any problem. Hope you can do something similar - the potential of a burnt out clutch is a thing of worry.
______________
2007 Aston Martin DB9 (Meteorite Silver/Piano Black/Obsidian)
2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (sold)
2003 Aston Martin Vanquish (sold)
Congratulations on the purchase! Roughly where in the Netherlands are you? My girlfriend is studying in Leiden and I'm yet to see an AM anywhere other than where her parents like near Ultrech.
I'll be moving over next year but not quite sure what to do with the AM - it may just visit the country a few times and stay in Wales
I'll be moving over next year but not quite sure what to do with the AM - it may just visit the country a few times and stay in Wales
IanV12VR said:
To get the clutch learns down I now tend to leave in gear when at traffic lights rather than putting into neutral - seems to work ok.
what is AM's recommendation? When I had the yellow V12VSR for the weekend, I religiously put the box into neutral at traffic lights, thinking that was best for the clutch. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff