wheel ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-8
Engine Coolant Level Check
The engine coolant header tank (2) is mounted on the left-hand wheel arch
in the engine compartment. It is fitted with a pressure relief cap which
should not be removed unless the engine is cold. A thick cloth or glove must
be placed over the cap and the cap turned slowly in an anticlockwise
direction.
Allow any residual pressure to drop and then continue to turn the cap until
it is released from the header tank. Lift the cap clear and top up the tank with
an antifreeze mixture, of the correct strength, up to the maximum mark on
the side of the tank (see 'Specifications').
WARNING: Scalding can be caused by escaping steam or coolant. DO NOT
remove the pressure relief cap until the system is cold. In addition, use a cloth
or glove to protect hands. Protect your face and arms adequately. See warnings
given in SERVICING PRECAUTIONS.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-13
Windscreen Washer Jets
A washer jet housing is located on each of the
two windscreen wiper arms. Each housing
contains six washer jets.
Adjust the angle of the jets if necessary using
a fine needle so that fluid covers the full length
of both sides of the wiper blades and all spray
stays on the windscreen.
Wheels and Tyres
The tyres detailed in the specification section of this Owner's Guide are the
only tyres approved for use on this vehicle.
To maintain the high performance capability of the car, specified tyres
should be fitted when replacement becomes necessary. The recommended
tyres for DB AR1 are not unidirectional. Tyre sizes are different on the front
and rear axles. Therefore, complete wheels cannot be swapped between
axles, but may be swapped from one side of the vehicle to the other.
It is a characteristic of high performance tyres that temporary 'flat spots' may
develop if the vehicle is left standing in high or low ambient temperatures
for any length of time. These 'flat spots will manifest themselves as minor
vibrations when the car is first driven from cold. As the tyres warm up to
operating temperature, the normal tyre shape should be restored and the
vibrations cease. If vibrations persist, consult your Aston Martin dealer.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-15 Only fit the specified tyres. These are designed for the potential speed,
acceleration, handling and braking performance of the car
New tyres should not be fitted to the front wheels in combination with worn
rear tyres as rear end stability will be affected. Consult your Aston Martin
dealer for advice if the rear tyres are also worn.
Each wheel and tyre unit must be balanced dynamically to ensure efficient
steering, optimum tyre wear and maximum ride comfort. Because of the
potentially high speeds, it is essential that wheel balancing is carried out
when new tyres are fitted.
WARNING: Because of the high performance potential of your DB AR1, Aston
Martin strongly recommend replacement of any damaged or worn tyre.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are incorporated
into the construction of all tyres. These
indicators are integral moulded ribs
spaced at regular intervals around the
circumference of the tyre and extend
across the full width of the tread, in all
primary grooves.
When a tyre has worn causing one or more of the indicators to be flush with
the outer face of the tread, only 1.6mm (0.062in) or less tread depth remains
and the tyre has reached its wear limit. It then becomes illegal in certain
countries and must be replaced.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-16
Winter Tyres
Two options are available to equip your DB AR1 for winter motoring.
Snow Tyres - The recommended snow tyres fit to the normal 8 inch front
wheel rims. Four 8 inch front wheel rims and winter tyres are required to
fully equip the car for severe weather driving. (See the Specifications section
of this Owner's Guide).
Snow Chains - These are available from your Aston Martin dealer and will
fit only the 8 inch road wheels fitted with snow tyres.
United States Department of Transportation
Uniform Tyre Quality Grades
The following information relates to the tyre grading system developed by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which will grade tyres by
tread wear, traction and temperature performance.
All passenger car tyres must conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tyre when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tyre graded 150 would wear one and a half times as
well on the government course as a tyre graded 100. The relative performance
of tyres depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-17 Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from the highest to the lowest are A, B and C, and they
represent the tyre's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tyre marked 'C' may have poor traction performance.
WARNING:
The traction grade assigned to this tyre is based on braking (straight ahead)
traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are 'A' (the highest), 'B' and 'C' representing the tyres
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tyre to
degenerate and reduce tyre life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tyre failure.
The grade 'C' corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car
tyres must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades 'B' and 'A' represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING:
The temperature grade for this tyre is established for a tyre that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat build-up and
possible tyre failure.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-18
The Vehicle Toolkit
On vehicles fitted with a space-saver spare wheel , the tool kit is stored in
the spare wheel insert.
On vehicles without the spare wheel option the vehicle toolkit is stored in
a well within the boot floor and covered by a boot floor liner panel. The
standard toolkit consists of the following items:
• 2 Tyre Inflation Aerosols and Warning Labels
• 1 Tyre Pressure Gauge
• 1 Towing Eye
• 1 Pair of Pliers
• 1 Screwdriver
• 1 Pair of Gloves
• 1 Locking Wheelnut Socket (UK only)
• 1 Bulb and Fuse Kit
• 1 Allen Key
Lift up the boot floor to access the toolkit.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-19
No Spare Wheel Option
Spare Wheel Option

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-20
Tyre Inflation Aerosols
Your DB AR1 is equipped with two tyre inflation aerosols instead of a spare
wheel. The aerosols are located with the tool kit. In the event of a simple
puncture, the following procedure must be used to perform a safe temporary
reinflation of the tyre. Tyres with major damage cannot be repaired using
inflation aerosols.
WARNING: A replacement tyre must be fitted at the earliest possible opportunity
This is particularly important because of the high performance potential of the
DB AR1.
Warning labels must be placed on the steering wheel and on the repaired wheel
to remind the driver and operator that tyre sealant is in use.
This type of tyreweld is not a permanent repair, but is designed to get you to a
place of repair. The tyre should be replaced as soon as possible.
After affecting a temporary repair, travel at a maximum speed of 50 Km/h (30
mph) until the defective tyre is replaced.
Warning: Inflation aerosols are not suitable for large holes or for repairs to tyre
walls. Do not attempt a repair if the tyre has been displaced from the rim.
Reinflation Procedure
1. Move the vehicle to a safe location and if possible, remove the object
causing the puncture. Reposition the vehicle so that the puncture is at
the bottom of the tyre. Remove the valve cap, deflate the tyre completely
and clean the valve if necessary.
2. Shake both cans of tyre sealant. Warm the cans (e.g. by placing in the
warm air from the heater) if the temperature is below freezing.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-21 3. Firmly screw the aerosol to the valve of the punctured tyre. Remove the
cap from the canister. Holding the canister upright, press the button until
the contents of the can are completely emptied into the punctured tyre.
This may take up to 5 minutes per canister.
4. Repeat step 3 with the second canister.
WARNING: Because of the large air volume contained in tyres fitted to the
vehicle, two canisters are required to provide reinflation of a deflated tyre to
a safe working pressure.
5. Fit the 30 mph maximum speed WARNING labels to the repaired wheel
and to the steering wheel. Remove the steering wheel label only when
a new replacement tyre has been fitted.
6. Drive off immediately for 10 - 20 km (6 - 12 miles) at a maximum speed
of 50 km/h (30 mph) to allow the tyre weld product to spread within the
tyre.
7. Stop off the road in a safe place and visually inspect the tyre to confirm
that the leak has been completely sealed. Measure the tyre pressure
(pressure gauge in the tool kit) and if necessary drive to the nearest
service station and adjust to the correct pressure using an air line.
8. Limit your speed to 50 km/h (30 mph) and have the defective tyre and
valve replaced as soon as possible.
9. Purchase approved replacement aerosols and labels from your nearest
Aston Martin dealer as soon as possible.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-22
Jacking and Wheel Changing
WARNINGS:
The front road wheels must be in the straight ahead position before removal. The
front tyre will catch on the wheel arch during removal if not in the "straight
ahead" position.
Check that the temporarily repaired tyre is inflated to the specified pressure.
Never exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) when a temporarily repaired wheel is fitted.
Ensure that no persons are in the vehicle before jacking commences.
Ensure that the handbrake (parking brake) is set and that the car is in 'Park' (Auto)
or 1st Gear (Manual).
Ensure that the vehicle is parked on firm and level ground to ensure a secure base
for the jack.
Do not run the engine while the car is on the jack and never let anyone work
under the car whilst it is on the jack.
Spare Wheel Access (where fitted)
On vehicles with the space saver spare
wheel, the spare wheel is stored in a
well in the boot floor.
Lift out the boot floor and toolkit.
Remove the spare wheel retaining screw
and lift out the spare wheel.