2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q Owners Guide

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-52
Door Edge Lights
1. Taking care to protect the paint
work, use a screwdriver to lever the
light assembly from its location in
the lower door edge.
2. Remove the bulb from the light
assembly and fit a replacement bulb.
3. Refit the assembly to the door,
pushing firmly until it clips into place.
Central High Mounted Stop Lamp
The high mounted stop lamp is fitted in the boot lid. It is recommended that
your have your dealer change the high mounted stop lamp if necessary.
Electric Window Reset Procedure
If either the battery or the window controllers are disconnected, the window
controller will lose its memory of the window maximum up and down
positions. The window controller memory may be checked and reset as
follows:

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-53 Window Controller Memory Check
With the alarm off and the doors unlocked, open and then close each door
in turn. If the door window drops on opening and rises on closing the door,
the window controller memory is good. If the windows do not drop and rise
correctly, reset the window controllers as follows:
Window Controller Memory Reset Procedure
1. Sit in the drivers seat with the doors closed. Turn on the ignition switch.
2. Press and hold down the window Down button until the window drops
to its maximum down position in one movement.
3. Press and hold the window Up button until the window rises to its
maximum up position in one movement.
4. Switch off the ignition, step out of the car and close the doors. Perform
the Window Controller Memory Check to ensure that the window
maximum up and down positions have been correctly reset.
Headlamp Ventilation
In very humid conditions some condensation may accumulate within the
headlamp pod enclosures whilst the engine is stopped. When the vehicle
is running and the air conditioning is switched on, the headlamp pod
enclosures are automatically vented and any condensation will clear within
a few minutes.
For rapid headlamp ventilation, use the following settings: A/C On, Fan
speed 3, Interior vents all closed. If the condensation does not clear quickly,
consult your Aston Martin dealer.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-54
Bodywork and Fittings
Checks and Maintenance
Door hinges should be lubricated and door drain holes cleaned regularly
as follows:
• Door hinges should be lubricated with grease.
• Wipe away any excess lubricant to avoid contaminating clothing.
• Check the drain holes in the bottom face of each door periodically and
clear if necessary with a short length of wire.
Caution: Do not lubricate door or ignition locks. They are greased during manufacture
and should not need regular service.
Caution: Automatic car washes and power-operated mops are not recommended,
since prolonged use will cause fine scratches in the paint surface.
Vehicle Cleaning
Paintwork
Washing
For best results, do not wash the vehicle in strong sunlight. Allow the vehicle
to cool before washing. Do not use household soaps or detergents. Do not
direct hoses at full force around the door or boot seals.
When washing the vehicle use plenty of clean, cold or luke warm water.
Remove dust or mud from the paintwork by brushing in a gentle flow of
water from a hose.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-55 Aston Martin recommends the use of 'AUTOGLYM' car care products or
preparations of similar reputable manufacture for adding to the washing
water. The use of mild 'detergents' as directed by the manufacturers will also
help. When dust and mud have been removed with a hose brush and water,
finally dry with a chamois leather, which should be rinsed regularly in clean
water.
WARNING: Washing and polishing agents containing silicone should not be
applied to glass. This will reduce the efficiency of the windscreen wipers, causing
smears which will reduce visibility, particularly during darkness and in the rain.
During the winter months, it is advisable to wash the car more frequently,
paying particular attention to the underside to combat the detrimental
effects of any salt and sand contamination picked up from treated roads.
Polishing
Approximately twice a year, a good quality polish should be applied and
then buffed, using a soft lint-free cloth.
Alloy wheel rims should be treated with a cleaner which is specifically
manufactured for this purpose.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-56
Upholstery, Carpets and Seats
The seats and soft trimmed components of DB AR1 are covered in Natural
Leather Hide and Alcantara. The Natural Leather Hide is supplied by Bridge
of Weir, Scotland.
In general, this natural leather upholstery requires little attention. The seats
should be brushed with a soft brush from time to time and may be cleaned
occasionally with a cloth damped in soap and water. DO NOT use
detergents, quick cleansers or furniture polishes.
Several times a year, a leather conditioner or preservative should be used.
Appropriate care materials are contained in the 'Bridge of Weir Leather Care
Kit', obtainable from your Aston Martin Dealer.
Alcantara trim and seat panels may be brushed with a soft brush. Stains from
water based substances such as coffee, tea or soft drinks should be cleaned
as soon as possible with mild soap and water. Please consult your dealer for
instructions on the removal of more difficult stains such as oil, grease or
ballpoint Ink.
Carpets should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner. Any stains or
grease marks should be removed with a good quality solvent suitable for use
on carpets.
WARNING: Fumes from cleaning solvents may be dangerous in confined spaces.
Make sure that the car is well ventilated and follow the manufacturer's printed
instructions when using these products.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-57
Care and Maintenance of Seat Belts
To ensure that they are in proper working order, regularly check the seat
belts. Look for fraying, cuts, burns and similar problems. Ensure that the
latches and buckles function correctly. If a belt is not in good condition or
is not working properly, consult your Aston Martin Dealer.
Any belt that has been worn during a serious collision should be replaced
by an Aston Martin dealer.
To clean the belts, use mild soap and water; do not use bleach, solvents or
dyes as they can weaken the material. Allow the belts to dry before use.
WARNING: In the interest of safety, do not allow seat belts to be retracted until
completely dry.
Underbonnet Cleaning
Underbonnet cleaning using high pressure hoses or steam cleaners should
not be done. The electronic control modules and fuse boxes will be
damaged by indiscriminate use of high pressure cleaning equipment.
Aerial Care
Regular cleaning with a special aerial cleaner will ensure smooth and reliable
operation of the aerial.
Always wipe the aerial in an upwards direction
Lubricate using an aerial maintenance wipe cloth.
In freezing conditions, check that no ice has formed over the top of the
aerial, which could prevent it being raised and cause damage to the motor.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-58
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.