Category: Advice

Thinking of Buying an Aston Martin DB9? Then this book is for you.

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary12 Comments
The Definitive Guide to the new Gaydon era Aston Martin - Book Cover
11th Edition Cover

I was a little slow on the uptake.  I bought a DB9 – then I started to ask questions on the forums I should have asked BEFORE I bought one.  “What should I look out for?”  “What options are standard?”  “What changed between the model years?”

These questions are not unique, and through this Blog I am hearing users asking me those same questions, and I am doing my best to answer.

I finally noticed, discovered, was pointed at probably the ultimate resource in the matter.   Written by Grant Neal, The Definitive Guide to the new Gaydon era Aston Martin – A Buyer’s Guide and Car Enthusiast’s Guide is really what you need. Continue reading “Thinking of Buying an Aston Martin DB9? Then this book is for you.” →

Recalibrating the Door Window Glass Auto Drop Positioning on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To40 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Door GlassYour DB9 has a cool feature that when you open either door the window glass lowers slightly (drops) to allow it to clear the opening.  When you close the door the opposite happens and the window rises the final amount to seal up tight.  If the windows loose power the calibration to know where top and bottom are forgotten, and this feature stops working until you reset them.  Fortunately the procedure is simple and takes just a minute. Continue reading “Recalibrating the Door Window Glass Auto Drop Positioning on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Preparing your Aston Martin DB9 for Track Day

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary, How ToLeave a comment

You Own a DB9 – Now Act Like It

Steve-AM1
My DB9 at a Track Day

I think the phrase ‘Track Day’ gets a bad rapp in some of the Aston Martin forums.  If you are worried about your depreciation value more than enjoying your car, your reading the wrong blog.

We own beautiful cars that are technical mastery.  What’s the point of owning it if you aren’t interested in taking it out for a romp once in a while?   Just staring at it in the garage is only 1/3rd of the fun.  Sitting in it and fondling it is another third.  Taking it for a spirited drive is the last third. Continue reading “Preparing your Aston Martin DB9 for Track Day” →

Performing a Seat Module Calibration on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To31 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 SeatsSo this post is because one day I got into my car and discovered I couldn’t adjust my drivers seat.   Specifically:

  • I couldn’t adjust the seat back incline forward or back
  • I couldn’t adjust the seat bottom backwards – BUT – I could move it forward.
  • I couldn’t adjust the seat bottom back down – BUT – I could raise it.
  • I couldn’t adjust the seat bottom front down – BUT  – If I tried to raise it I could hear a motor click.  It was already all the way up.

What really sucked is that every time I fiddled with it, I would end up edging the seat forward a bit, and seat bottom back up a bit (the only two motions that worked).  Envision me slowly tipping up and squishing into the steering wheel.

Continue reading “Performing a Seat Module Calibration on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Adjusting the Time on the Clock in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To5 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 ClockAt least twice a year you probably need to adjust the time on your DB9 dash clock (with the changes for daylight savings time).   Or maybe you’ve had your battery disconnected for a service event and the clocks time is off.  Personally I think the clock keeps accurate time, I’ve never needed to tweak the time due to it drifting on its own.

Changing the time is very simple and probably doesn’t warrant a post and video, but since it’s officially part of the Aston Martin Annual Service routine I thought I would do a quick one – some people are visual learners and are encouraged when they see others do it.

Flux Capacitor
Flux Capacitor

Just below the clock to the right and left are two small holes (with recessed adjustment buttons).  The left hand one turns the time backward.  The right hand one turns the time forward (all without 1.21 jigawatts of power and a flux capacitor!).

Continue reading “Adjusting the Time on the Clock in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Torqueing the Wheel Nuts on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To1 Comment

Torquing a Road Wheel on an Aston Martin DB9There are lots of reasons you might Torque the Wheel Nuts on  your DB9, but its anytime you’ve had a wheel removed or perhaps you are getting ready for a track day and should double check they are properly torqued.  I can tell you there is absolutely a wrong way to do it – just using an impact wrench and hammering them on until the gun stops turning.    Read on to learn the right way. Continue reading “Torqueing the Wheel Nuts on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Lowering your Aston Martin DB9 Off Jack Stands

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

Aston Martin DB9 on Jack StandsNot every topic is all that exciting, but lowering your DB9 down off Jack Stands safely is important.   When you are to this point in a service project you are usually in a hurry just to get the car back on the ground and be done, but spend 1 minute and read on for a couple of quick tips I can share from my experience. Continue reading “Lowering your Aston Martin DB9 Off Jack Stands” →

Installing a Road Wheel on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

Installing the Road Wheel on an Aston Martin DB9There are a myriad of reasons you might have taken a Road Wheel off your DB9, but eventually it needs to go back on.  I know, I hear you laughing, how hard can this be.   It’s not hard, but there are a few tips I can share to help you get it done just the way Aston Martin wants. Continue reading “Installing a Road Wheel on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Installing the Front Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Aston Martin Front Under Tray Parts DiagramYou may have had the front under tray off on your DB9 performing your annual service or some other exciting service task.   Eventually it’s time to put it back on.

I found that it’s pretty much the reversal of the removal steps (check out my post on how to remove it), but I did learn a few things along the way when I did it.  You essentially have one really large sheet of aluminum to hold up while you install about 40 bolts.  Challenging to maneuver, and tedious to replace all those bolts. Continue reading “Installing the Front Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Checking the Tire Pressures on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Checking the Tire Pressure on an Aston Martin DB9You might be checking your DB9 tire pressures routinely or even as part of an annual service.  There are some tips I can share with you here.

I’ve used the official Aston Martin Vehicle Inspection Checklist as my guide on what we should be checking.  You can see a copy of it here.

Check out my other posts and videos relating to your tires:

Checking the Tire Pressures

You should check the tire pressures when they are cold (after the car has been sitting for several hours).  Tire temperatures go up under normal driving, and this heat increases the tire pressure (which is normal).   All the specifications are for measuring and adjusting the tires pressures when they are cold. Continue reading “Checking the Tire Pressures on an Aston Martin DB9” →