ASTON MARTIN CLIENT SERVICES

SERVICE POLICY LETTER
Reference number:

SPL-30-0579

Subject:

Installation of Data Loggers on DB11

Applicable to:

All Dealers

Distribute to:

After Sales Manager
Executive Manager
Service Manager
Sales Manager

Issued: 3 November 2016

Warranty Staff
Technician(s)
Parts Staff

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction
DB11 introduces many new systems and components that are new to Aston Martin and will set the benchmark for future
models. Because of this, it is very important that during the first months after launch we collect as much feedback as
possible from everyone that drives DB11.
This feedback will help us to confirm that the systems operate the same during customer ownership as they did during
the development of the vehicle. It also gives us important data that we can use to improve the vehicle systems in the
future.

As part of the programme to collect feedback, we will install data logging modules in up to 250 DB11s for a minimum
period of 12 months. These DB11s will be a mixture of customer and dealer demonstrators.
This Service Policy Letter has been written to give you the following information:
• What is the data logging module and what data is recorded?
• How will your customers be involved?
• When should you install the data logger to your customer’s vehicle?
• When should you remove the data logger from your customer’s vehicle?
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• How will your dealer demonstrators be involved?
• How do you install the data logging module
• Who will install the module?
• How to install the module.

What is the data logging module and what data is recorded?
How the data will be used
The data logging module is a telematics device that will send real-time data to a secure cloud server. The following
section explains what data will be recorded and sent to Aston Martin. It is important that you understand this, so you can
communicate it to your customers and anyone that drives one of your DB11 demonstrators that has the device installed.
What data will be sent to Aston Martin?
The data logger collects and continuously sends the data that follows:
• The VIN of the vehicle
• Battery voltage
• Odometer indication
• Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
• Software version data
• Hardware version data.
We can also ask the module to send us sensor data (for example: oil level and tyre pressures). It is possible that we can
look at any parameter on the vehicle data bus. But, we will only do this if a vehicle has a specific problem that could
affect other DB11s.
What data will not NOT be sent to Aston Martin?
• Who is driving the vehicle
• Where the vehicle is located
• The speed of the vehicle.
How secure is the system?
The device has an embedded security key and 256-bit encryption. The security key is transmitted to our server before
any other data is sent. If the key is authorised, data can then be uploaded. Only authorised personnel will have passwordprotected access to the data. The connection from the cloud server to users is protected by 2048-bit SSL encryption.
At the moment, this is the highest level of internet data encryption available. It is not possible to access or change the
module or its software and the module cannot change any vehicle systems. It can only look at, and record the vehicle
data.
What happens to the data that is uploaded and collected?
Some AML staff will have access to all of the data. Dealers can have access to the data for vehicles that are in their control
and Area Sales Managers can have access to all vehicle data for their region. To request access to the data, please send an
email to [email protected].
The data will be stored with the applicable vehicle VIN for a period of 6 months after collection. When 6 months have
passed, the VIN will be deleted. After 18 months, we will review the data and delete all information that we think is
unnecessary. We can keep some data that is related to other applicable data, for example: Warranty claims.

How will your customers be involved?
Some customers will be given the opportunity to be included in the programme and to have a data logger installed in
their DB11. The installation of the data logger will let us see if the customer’s vehicle is in the best possible condition and
to tell them quickly if we see that there are problems with the vehicle that could need work in your dealer workshop.
Pre-selected customers will be sent an email (Appendix 1 and 2 and Figure 1) asking if they would like to confirm their
interest in participating in the programme.
This email will be sent via Synergy. We will confirm details on how and when this will happen over the next couple of
weeks.
You will be given an opportunity to see which of your customers have been suggested before the email is sent.

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When should you install the data logger to your customer’s vehicle?
If any of your customers confirm their interest, then they will be placed
into a new campaign in Synergy called ‘Email - Global - DB11 Data
Logger - Customers Opted In’. Please make sure that you check this
campaign every Friday for newly added customers.
When you speak to your customer to arrange their vehicle handover,
please remind them about the data logging programme. Assure the
customer that no personal or tracking information is uploaded and ask
for their permission to install the module. Make sure that the module
kit is installed before the customer handover.
At the point of handover please make sure that you get your customer
to sign the Customer Consent Form (Appendix 3). Please scan this into
your computer and attach it to the vehicle's record in Synergy..
When should you remove the data logger from your customer’s
vehicle?
At the end of the 12-month period, the connection with the vehicle
will be stopped. When a customer brings their vehicle into your
workshops for any work near the 12-month period (such as the
12-month service) remove the device from the customer’s vehicle.
Please make sure that you tell the customer that you will do this. We
will issue another communication at a later date to tell you the process
for the removed modules.
How will your dealer demonstrators be involved?
A quantity of dealer demonstrator DB11s will also have the device
installed. This is for several reasons: firstly, we believe that your
vehicles will see the most usage initially and will therefore provide key
data to support the programme. Secondly, we expect that you will
want to keep your demonstrator vehicles in the best possible
operational condition. The data that we collect will help us to do this.
We need to collect data from the widest possible range of conditions
in which DB11 will operate (including hot and cold climates, dusty
conditions and so on). Therefore, the locations of the vehicles that
have the module installed will be chosen to give this. Initially, we will
send you a kit for each vehicle order that you have tagged as "Demo".
We plan to have a minimum of 10 dealer demonstrators in each
market that have the data logger installed, but larger markets will have
more variation in operating conditions and therefore a higher quantity
of modules will be allocated to those areas.
Your DB11 demonstrator will be included in this programme. The data
logger kits will be sent to you from Parts Operations. If, however, you
need to order additional kits, you can order them in the usual way
(Parts Numbers are included on the page that follows).

Figure 1

When you complete a test drive using this demonstrator you will need
to tell the driver that the car has this module installed and what data it
records. Some drivers may not be happy to have data uploaded from a vehicle while they drive. Because of this, it is very
important that you tell everyone that will drive a DB11 that it has data-logger installed and what it does.
You must also ask them to complete and sign an updated copy of the Drivers Declaration and Indemnity Form
(Appendix 4) to confirm that:
• Data will be uploaded while they drive
• No personal data will be uploaded
• Only data related to the performance of specific vehicle components will be uploaded
• They agree with these conditions

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A test drive could include possible customers, journalists or any other person that may test drive the vehicle. All drivers
must complete and sign the form.
If you need to sell a demonstrator vehicle to a customer, tell the customer about the programme and try to encourage
them to keep the device installed in the vehicle. If the customer is not happy, remove the module and tell us in an email
to [email protected].
How do you install the data logging module
The data logger is a small device that has a short link-lead to connect it into the OBDII port on the vehicle (refer to
Figure 2). It can be disconnected or connected as necessary, if, for example:
• A driver does not want to have the device in operation while they drive (however, where possible, we would
not encourage this)
• You need to connect other diagnostic equipment (for example AMDS) to the OBDII connector
• You need to move the unit to another vehicle.

Figure 2 - Data Logger Module

Who will install the module?
We will supply a module installation kit through Parts Operations. The Part Numbers for the kit are:
• HY53-14D126-AA (not Japan)
• HY53-14D126-JA (Japan only)
Please install the module into the vehicle during the PDI, before you do the test drive.

How to install the module
The module kit will take a maximum of approximately nine minutes (0.15 hours) to either install, or remove. You can
claim this time through the Warranty system. The ROT code to make the claim is in the installation instructions, which
will be included in the kit. You can also download the instruction from the DCS portal in the After Sales page for DB11
under "Accessory Installation Instructions" (refer to Figure 3):
Note:

After initial installation, with the ignition on, it will take approximately 17 minutes for the module to
communicate with the server. Subsequent communication on the same vehicle will only take a short time.

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Figure 3

This programme is important to make sure that we are collect feedback on how the DB11 systems are operating after
launch. This feedback will be used to improve future vehicle systems, so we really appreciate both yours and your
customers support with this programme.
If you have any specific questions about the data logger programme or the equipment, please email us at
[email protected].
If you have any other questions about this Policy Letter, please speak to Client Services - Technical on Tel: +44 (0) 1926
644720.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully

Phil Eaglesfield
Director, Client Services.

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Appendix 1 – Customer Email

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Appendix 2 – Customer Email Copy
Dear %%FirstName%% %%Surname%%
I am delighted that you have chosen to be one of the first customers to own the Aston Martin DB11.
With the launch of DB11, we introduce a number of new technologies, which will set the benchmark for our future
models. With this in mind, we feel it is important to collect feedback from you, our customers, about these new
innovations.
In order to collect this valuable feedback, with no inconvenience to you, we would like to install data logging equipment
on some of the first DB11s to be delivered and we would like to offer you the opportunity to take part.
The equipment can be quickly and easily installed by your dealer under your dashboard where it will not be visible.
Once installed, the equipment will record and continuously send a range of data as you drive. The data we will record
includes:
The VIN of your vehicle
Battery voltage
Odometer indication
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
Software version data
Hardware version data
Oil level
Tyre pressures
Sensor information
It will not record any personal data, such as who is driving your vehicle, where your vehicle is located or the speed at
which you are travelling. The device has been developed to record only diagnostics and vehicle health data.
This data will be gathered over a pre-determined period of time and will be analysed by the team at our Global
Headquarters in Gaydon. Once we have gathered enough data your Aston Martin dealer will contact you to arrange for
the equipment to be removed, which will only take a few minutes and would aim to do this with your first service to
avoid any inconvenience to you.
If you are willing to have this equipment installed on your car please confirm your interest using the button below.
CONFIRM MY INTEREST
The Aston Martin team at Gaydon are available to answer any questions you may have. Please use the following details if
you have any queries:
Contact Number: +44 (0) 1926 644511
Call service available 07:30 to 17:00 (5 days per week, Monday to Friday)
As our valued customers, I hope you are willing to support us with this collection of feedback.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Palmer
President and Chief Executive Officer

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Appendix 3 – Customer Consent Form

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Appendix 4 – Driver Declaration and Indemnity Form

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Appendix 4 – Driver Declaration and Indemnity Form (continued)

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