tyre pressure ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

xi
Regular Checks
In the interests of safety and reliability, it is advisable to carry out the
following checks at the intervals suggested (more frequently if the vehicle is
heavily used or operating in adverse conditions), and always before starting
on a long journey. Refer to the Owner Maintenance section of this guide.
Each Day
Check that there is sufficient fuel for the intended journey, particularly at
night and before entering highways.
Weekly - (Daily if covering high mileage or touring)
Tyres - Check the tyres, including the spare (if fitted) for condition and
pressure. See the 'Specifications' section for the recommended tyre pressures.
Lights - Check that all exterior lights and direction indicators function
correctly and that the lenses are clean.
Engine Oil - With the vehicle standing on level ground, check the oil level
and top up if necessary with oil of the correct grade.
Engine Cooling System - With the engine cold, check the level of the engine
coolant. Top-up if necessary with coolant containing the required percentage
of anti-freeze. Any significant coolant loss should be investigated by your
Aston Martin Dealer.
Brake Fluid - Check the level of the fluid in the brake reservoir. Top-up if
necessary with the specified brake fluid from a new unopened container.
Power Steering Fluid - Check and top-up the level of fluid in the power
steering reservoir with fluid of the correct specification.
DB AR1 Owners Guide

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-14
Tyre Pressures
In the interest of safety and tyre life it is important that correct tyre pressures
are carefully maintained (See 'Specifications').
Road holding, steering and braking are especially vulnerable to incorrect
tyre pressures.
Pressures increase slightly when tyres are hot and, for an accurate reading,
pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold.
After checking the pressures ensure that the valve caps are securely replaced
to provide an additional air seal and to prevent the ingress of dirt.
Running-In New Tyres
When new tyres have been fitted, speed should be limited, particularly
during the first 80 km (50 miles) or so of driving. Fast cornering, hard braking,
and harsh acceleration should also be avoided during this period.
Tyre Service
Tyres should be examined at regular intervals for wear and damage. Stones
or other objects which have become lodged in the tyre treads should be
carefully removed.
When new tyres are required, it is advisable to consult an Aston Martin
dealer who will be able to supply tyres to the correct specification.

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-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
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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.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-24
5. Using the handwheel (A) on the jack screwshaft, raise the jack until the
jack top plate (B) fits to the jacking point stud under the sill at the affected
wheel. Ensure that the jack baseplate is squarely seated on solid ground.
Note: In the following step, the jack handle extension (D) must be used to prevent
damage to the vehicle paintwork as the jack handle (C) is rotated.
6. Ensure the safety of any persons in the vicinity and the security of the
wheel chock. Raise the vehicle as necessary using the jack ratchet handle
(C) and extension (D) to lift the deflated wheel clear of the ground.
Remove the wheel nuts and remove the deflated wheel.
7. Mount the spare wheel on the hub. Reverse the jack ratchet handle on
the extension and partially tighten the wheel nuts.
8. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the wheel nuts alternately.
Remove the wheel chock.
9. Repack the tools into their location in the boot. Place the defective wheel
into the bag provided and place on the rear seats.
10. When the spare wheel is correctly fitted and secured, drive conservatively
(80 km/h (50 mph) maximum) and have the wheel nuts torque tightened
to 88-102 Nm (65-75 lbs/ft) at the earliest opportunity.
WARNINGS:
Follow the wheel label warnings. Failure to comply can be dangerous. Drive
cautiously and refit a serviceable standard wheel and tyre as soon as possible.
Never fit more than one temporary spare wheel at a time.
Check that the temporary spare tyre is inflated to the specified pressure.
Never exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) when the spare wheel is fitted.

F - Owner Maintenance
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On Board Headlight Aiming (where fitted)
The headlight assemblies (main and dipped beam lights) are factory set to
give correct forward illumination under average load conditions. Should
your headlight aiming require adjustment, it may be corrected as follows:
1. Ensure that the tyres are inflated to the specified pressures.
2. Fill the car with fuel.
3. Park the car on level ground.
NOTE: Any error in ground level will adversely influence the accuracy of the
vertical beam alignment check
4. Have an adult person sit in the drivers seat.
5. Load the boot with the normal items you carry.
6. Open the bonnet.
Horizontal Beam Alignment Check
1. Check the gauge labelled Horizontal Angle Gauge. The green line on the
collar must be aligned with the pointer at the side of the spirit level. If
adjustment is required, rotate the screw and collar until the green line
is aligned with the pointer.

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Storing the Car - Recommendations
Note: These recommendations apply to new and pre-owned cars either in
Dealer or customer ownership.
When ever the car is not in use always cover the car with it's fabric cover.
If the vehicle is not to be used for periods up to six months it should be stored
in a dry, well ventilated building.
Drive the car for a sufficient distance to warm the oil in the engine, torque
convertor, transmission and final drive unit; this ensures complete lubrication
of the internal components.
Check the engine coolant level. Top up if necessary with the correct
antifreeze/water solution.
In order to take the weight off the tyres, raise the car with a jack and place
supports under the front and rear suspension.
If the vehicle is not raised from the ground, increase the tyre pressures to 3.4
bar 340 kpa 50 psi. Cover the tyres to exclude any light. Rotate the wheels
1/4 turn every month to avoid tyre flat spots.
The battery should be removed and cleaned. Fully charge the battery on a
trickle charger and recharge once a month.
Once a month
Reconnect the battery and ventilate the storage area. Start and run the
engine until fully warmed up. Check that there are no fluid leaks. Check
and correct the tyre pressures if necessary.
Run the Air Conditioning system to keep the internal parts of the Air
Conditioning system lubricated.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-59 When returning the car to normal service, set the tyre pressures to normal
specification before driving on the road.
Extended Storage
For storage periods exceeding six months the following additional measures
are recommended;
Run the car until there is as small a quantity of fuel in the tank as is practical
for storage purposes.
Caution: Do Not Drain The Fuel System
Add Engine Oil to the remaining fuel in the tank to ensure a concentration
of 2% (i.e. 20ml per 1 litre of fuel) and then run the engine for not less than
ten minutes to circulate the mixture thoroughly through the entire fuel
system.
Inspect the rubber connections of the cooling system and have them
renewed if necessary.
Wash the bodywork of the car thoroughly and repair any paint
blisters or patches of rust in order to prevent any further deterioration.
Apply a suitable polish.
Clean the carpets and upholstery thoroughly. Dust them with an
anti-moth powder and store in a dry place. Treat all leather upholstery
with an appropriate leather conditioner.
If the storage building is dry leave the car windows slightly open. If
there is any tendency towards dampness close the car doors and
windows and place an anti-moisture compound such as Silica desiccant
bags in an open metal container inside the car.
Cover the car with it's fabric cover.

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Recommissioning After Storage
Provided that the car has been stored in accordance with the recommended
procedure, the following points only should require attention before using
the car on the road.
Check the tyre pressures, inflate if necessary and lower the car to the ground.
Fully charge and refit the battery. Reset the clock and electric windows.
Drain the engine sump and final drive unit, fit a new engine oil filter element,
then refill with the approved oils. Check the coolant level and if necessary
top up with the correct antifreeze/water solution.
Check all fluid levels and top-up as necessary. Fill the fuel tank
Caution: Starting the engine without sufficient lubrication can cause serious engine
damage. Take care to establish engine oil pressure as directed in the following steps
before allowing the engine to start.
Press and hold the accelerator hard to the floor (kickdown switch actuated).
This will temporarily inhibit the fuel injectors during cranking. Turn on the
ignition. Press and hold the starter button to crank the engine until normal
oil pressure is indicated on the oil pressure gauge. Release the starter button
and the accelerator pedal.
Start the engine normally and check that the oil pressure and ignition
warning lights go out as the engine starts indicating correct oil pressure and
battery charging. Raise the bonnet and check for leaks of fuel, oil and
coolant.
Finally, check the operation of all instruments, lights and accessories.