2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q Owners Guide

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-12
Windscreen Wash Fluid Level Check
The washer fluid filler cap (6) is situated in the right rear corner of the engine
bay and should be topped up as required with an appropriate concentration
of screen wash solution. When the level of screen wash fluid is low the
instrument panel warning light will illuminate.
Caution: State or local regulations may restrict the use of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), which are commonly used as anti-freeze agents in washer
fluid. A washer fluid with limited VOC content should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all regions and climates in which the vehicle will
be operated.
Warning: If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40°F, use washer
fluid with anti-freeze protection. In cold weather, failure to use washer fluid with
anti-freeze protection could result in impaired windscreen vision and increase
the risk of a vehicle crash.

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-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-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