Aston Martin Vantage Info | Exotic Car Rental in Newport RI

2007 Aston Martin Vantage

Welcome to the rental information page — here you'll find everything you need to know about your vehicle.

Vehicle Breakdown Emergency Contact-

In the event of a breakdown, please contact:
Ken Hudson - 401.465.1246

How To Start Your Vehicle -

This vehicle does not operate like a typical everyday car. Please follow these instructions closely to ensure a smooth start and to protect the integrity of the Aston Martin Vantage.

1. No “Park” Gear - The vehicle does not have a traditional "Park" gear. Instead, it uses a parking brake located on the left side of the driver's seat (between the seat and the door). Always engage this when the vehicle is stopped.
2. Ignition On - Insert the key and turn it all the way. This powers the battery and vehicle’s main computer systems, prepping the car for start-up.
3. Engage Neutral - Once the key is fully turned, press the “N” (Neutral) button on the dashboard.A red light on the button will confirm the vehicle is in Neutral.

4. To start the engine, press and hold the red "Engine Start" button for 3–4 seconds until the engine turns on. Simply tapping the button won’t start the vehicle—you must hold it down until you hear the engine engage. This method ensures proper ignition for the 2007 Aston Martin Vantage and protects its performance system.

5. Once the engine has started in your 2007 Aston Martin Vantage rental, you can release the parking brake. To do this, pull the parking brake lever—located on the left side of the driver's seat—all the way up. You’ll feel it engage at the top. Then, while holding the button, push the lever fully back down to release it. If done correctly, the parking brake light will turn off on the dash. This step is essential for driving your Aston Martin Vantage safely on the scenic roads of Newport, Rhode Island.

6. The 2007 Aston Martin Vantage available for rental in Newport, Rhode Island, features three distinct drive modes: manual, automatic, and comfort. These settings allow you to customize your driving experience—whether you're cruising along the coast or navigating downtown.
7. To activate either automatic or comfort mode, press the “D” button for standard automatic driving or the “Comfort” button for a smoother, more relaxed ride. Once selected, your Newport Aston Martin rental will shift automatically. The comfort setting prioritizes higher gears for a refined driving feel, perfect for scenic drives across Rhode Island. For a sportier feel, switch back to regular automatic mode.

8. The 2007 Aston Martin Vantage, available for rental in Newport, RI, features paddle shifters for a manual driving experience. In manual mode, the vehicle operates like a traditional manual transmission, requiring the driver to manually shift up or down using paddles on the steering wheel. To engage manual mode, with the car in Neutral, tap the "+" paddle on the right side of the wheel. The dash display will change from “N” to “1,” putting the car into first gear. Press the gas to begin driving. To shift into higher gears, release the gas, tap the "+" paddle, and accelerate again. To downshift, release the gas and tap the left "-" paddle. It is Important to always lift your foot off the gas before shifting gears. Keeping your foot on the gas can damage the clutch. When stopping, the vehicle will downshift automatically, but while accelerating you must upshift manually—or risk hitting the red line.

9. How to Park the Aston Martin Vantage Safely – Parking Brake & Key Instructions-
   To properly park your 2007 Aston Martin Vantage rental in Newport, RI, engage the Parking Brake by pulling the lever (located on the left side of the driver’s seat) all the way up until you feel resistance. Then check your dashboard for the illuminated “Brake” light to confirm it's fully engaged. Once the parking brake is set, turn the ignition key all the way to the off position to shut off the engine. Do not press the “Start” button—it is used only to start the vehicle, not to turn it off. After the key is fully turned off, remove it from the ignition.

Important Parking Notice – Aston Martin Vantage Rentals in Newport, RI
To protect the clutch in your Aston Martin Vantage rental, we strongly recommend parking in spots that do not require reversing to exit. The reverse gear in this luxury vehicle places extra stress on the clutch plate, which may lead to unnecessary wear or damage. For a smooth experience, choose pull-through or easy-exit parking spots whenever possible—especially in busy Newport parking areas. Avoid tight or crowded lots. When available, park in open, less congested spaces to reduce the risk of dings, scratches, or forced reversing.

Valet Parking Advisory – Protect Your Classic Car Rental
We do not recommend using valet parking for this classic car rental. Valet drivers often lack experience handling high-end vehicles like the Aston Martin Vantage and may not be familiar with its unique clutch and gear system. If valet service is unavoidable, you are responsible for checking the vehicle for damage before driving away. If you notice any issues after a valet has handled the vehicle, do not operate it. Instead, immediately contact Ken Hudson for instructions.

10. Reverse - To reverse the Aston Martin Vantage rental in Newport, Rhode Island, make sure the vehicle is at a complete stop before pressing the “N” button on the dash to engage Neutral. Once in Neutral, press the “R” button to shift into Reverse, and you’ll see the reverse light turn on. Gently press the gas to reverse the vehicle. After reversing, press “N” again to return to Neutral, then select your preferred drive setting. Please avoid using reverse unless necessary—this luxury classic car’s gearing in reverse is not ideal and can cause unnecessary wear on the clutch, which is especially important to keep in mind during your Newport car rental experience.

Pumping Gas

The gas tank fill is located on the drivers side.

1. To open the latch for the the gas tank, push the "Gas Tank" button found on the drivers left side under the dash. Push the "Gas Tank" button and the latch will pop open. USE ONLY 93 octane.
2. Unscrew the gas cap, using the post to hold the gas cap.
3. Fill the tank.
4. Replace the gas cap by turning until it clicks and then push the latch closed.

Opening The Trunk

To open the trunk while the vehicle is unlocked, push the small chrome button found above the Aston Martin logo on the trunk. You'll hear the trunk disengage and pop up. The trunk is now ready to open. To close, simply shut the trunk lid and the trunk locks automatically. This can also be done by pushing the trunk button on the key fob.

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