VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL

Reason for Issue 3 of this Vehicle Storage and Battery Care Manual
The changes to this document have a black line against them in the left margin. Please destroy all copies of Vehicle
Storage and Battery Care Manual Issue 2 and replace them with Vehicle Storage and Battery Care Manual Issue 3.

Issue 3 August 2021

VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL

Contents
Vehicle Storage – Check List ................................................................................ 3
Vehicle Storage .................................................................................................... 3
Minimum Standards for New Vehicle Storage .................................................... 4
Vehicle Parking .................................................................................................... 4
Storage Outside................................................................................................... 5
Storage Inside...................................................................................................... 5
Facilities and Equipment ..................................................................................... 6
Overview of Necessary Storage Operations........................................................ 7
Storage Operations ............................................................................................. 8
Battery Care......................................................................................................... 9
48V Battery (DBX) ............................................................................................. 11
48V Battery Weekly Health Check..................................................................... 12
Lithium-Ion Batteries......................................................................................... 13
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Battery Care ........................................................ 13
Cooling System.................................................................................................. 14
Engine Oil Level ................................................................................................ 15
Tyres .................................................................................................................. 15
Park Brake ......................................................................................................... 15
Doors, Windows and Vehicle Interior/Exterior.................................................. 16
Removal from Storage ....................................................................................... 16
Washing of Paintwork........................................................................................ 16

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VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Vehicle Storage – Check List
There is a “Vehicle Storage – Check List” attached to this document. Please print and display this in a suitable
location so it can be easily referred to in your Dealership.

Vehicle Storage
Introduction
It may be necessary for vehicles to be stored for different periods of time before the Customer takes delivery. This
guide gives the correct instructions to store vehicles. This helps to make sure that the vehicle is easy to prepare for
demonstration or retail, and that the Customer is fully satisfied at the point of purchase.
This document specifies the minimum standards that are necessary for the storage of new vehicles by Aston Martin
franchise holders, and can only be changed with prior agreement from Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.
This manual must be used with the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Schedule. A copy of the PDI must be submitted
through the correct channels immediately when completed.
Areas of Responsibility
You must take sufficient preventative steps to make sure that you keep each vehicle in the best possible condition.
Arrival
It is your responsibility to immediately report any losses and/or transit damage to the delivery company when you
receive the vehicle.
Where applicable, Vehicle Condition Reports (VCRs) must be clearly signed and dated. Otherwise, it is possible that
the transit insurance company, or Aston Martin will not accept any subsequent claims for missing items or damage
correction.
Storage
You must make sure that vehicles are correctly prepared for storage. New vehicles that leave Aston Martin have
transit covers installed to give protection for transit. It is your responsibility to make sure that your vehicle storage
department, or specialist company, is correctly equipped to satisfy the storage conditions given in this publication.
Note: Please remove protective film from exterior plastic trim such as mirror assemblies and C-duct finisher
immediately upon vehicle arrival. Ultraviolet exposure to the protective film is known to cause discolouration
to these parts.
When you remove a vehicle from storage, it is your responsibility to make sure that you follow all procedures so that
the vehicle is in a safe and roadworthy condition.
It is the Dealer’s responsibility to make sure that the vehicle is stored so that it is ready to be handed over to the
Customer in a pristine and roadworthy condition.
The storage requirements and procedures that follow are also designed to care for vehicles in hot weather climates
and must be observed at all times, including periodic maintenance. Claims for deterioration caused by improper
storage, maintenance or handling are not the responsibility of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.
Claims related to the damage of interior trim, components and hardware by extreme heat and exterior paintwork
and ornamentation by sunlight and the environment will be subject to review by the Aston Martin Warranty Team
and your Regional After Sales Manager.

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Copyright ©2021 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

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VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Minimum Standards for New Vehicle Storage
We recommend that all vehicles are stored in a well ventilated and temperature-controlled building.
If it is necessary to store vehicles in the open, the site requirements that follow must be observed and should be
authorised by Aston Martin field personnel:
•

The site should have a hardstanding surface, preferably concrete or tarmac that has no undergrowth and
suitable drainage.

•

Always keep the site and the driveways clean and clear of any obstruction.

•

The site must be surrounded by a secure, intruder-proof perimeter fence and the gates must be securely
locked. The site should be under daily surveillance, with unauthorised access always prevented.

•

The site should be away from areas that can have industrial fall-out, sea spray or wind-blown dust and
sand. Where fall-out conditions cannot be avoided, it will be necessary to monitor the exterior condition
of all vehicles and wash them when necessary.

•

You must have applicable lighting, a water supply, tyre inflation and the correct battery charging facilities
available on site.

•

Keep hedges, shrubs and trees that are adjacent to the site trimmed and clear of the parked vehicles.

•

Make sure that all stored vehicles have transit covers installed.

•

Where a transit cover has been removed, a new cover must be installed before storage.

•

Do not park vehicles under trees, overhead power cables or other overhanging structures because bird
droppings or other types of contamination can occur, such as tree sap or berries, oil and greases.

•

In high temperature environments, sunscreens must be placed inside both front and rear screens to protect
the interior trim from solar loading.

Vehicle Parking
You must park the vehicles tidily with a minimum of 600 mm (2 ft) between the bumpers at the front and the rear.
There must be a full door-width clearance between the driver’s door and any adjacent vehicle or obstruction (refer
to Figure 1).
Park the vehicles at least 1.2 metres (4 ft) away from interior walls or, for outside storage, at least 2 metres (6 ft) away
from perimeter fences.
Move the vehicles on a first-in, first-out basis as necessary.
You must not leave vehicles in the same location for extended periods of time. You must rotate exposed vehicles in
sequence with vehicles in more protected positions. This will help to reduce the period of extreme heat on a vehicle
and help to prevent flat spots on the tyres.
In secure storage facilities where temperatures are likely to exceed 60'C (140'F) it is advisable to open vehicle
windows during the day and close them at night. A small gap of around 5cm is sufficient to allow air to circulate and
vent heat from the interior.

Copyright ©2021 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Storage Outside

Storage Inside

Figure 1

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VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Facilities and Equipment
•

Clean water and hand car wash facilities

•

Tyre inflation equipment with calibrated gauges 0–4.1 bar (0–60 psi)

•

Battery servicing and testing equipment

•

Battery charger:
•

For lead acid batteries – 12 V, 0–40 Ah – Self-regulating, conditioner type

•

For Lithium Ion batteries (Li-ion) charging/conditioning equipment

•

Digital multimeter: 3.5 digit display

•

Jacking equipment and underbody protection pads

•

Wheel brace and torque wrench

•

Replacement transit covers

•

Tyre stops

•

Filing system for vehicle records and battery maintenance sheets

The following materials must be available and must meet the correct vehicle specifications:
•

Engine oil

•

Transmission fluid

•

Brake fluid

•

Windscreen washer fluid

•

Anti-freeze or coolant

•

SportShift/ASM fluid

•

Access to a covered trailer or recovery vehicle (a vehicle must not be towed unless it is being winched
onto a recovery vehicle)

Note:

Tools that are supplied with the vehicle must not be used for any correction work before the vehicle is
delivered to the customer.

Copyright ©2021 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Overview of Necessary Storage Operations
The table that follows gives a quick reference to the maintenance necessary during the time a vehicle is in Dealer
storage (refer to Table 1). More information about each operation is given on the pages that follow.
If a vehicle is still in storage after 6 months, do the maintenance again, as from Month 1.
Operation

At Receipt

At 1
Month

At 2
Month

At 3
Month

At 4
Month

At 5
Month

At 6
Month

X

X

X

X

X

X

1. Identification

X

2. Inspection

X

3. Battery Condition

X

4. Cooling System

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

5. Engine

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

6. Tyres

X

7. Park Brake

X

X

X

8. Doors, Windows and
Interior
9. Windscreen Wiper
Blades
10. Paintwork

Weekly

Weekly
X

X

X

X

X
X
X

Hand wash as applicable to keep surfaces clean
Table 1

If the vehicle is stored for a month or more, start and operate the engine to 2000 rpm for a period of 1 minute once
per month. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature before it is switched off.
CAUTION: FAILURE TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO WARM UP, OR STARTING AND STOPPING OF THE ENGINE,
CAN CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY
ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LTD.
Refer to the Battery Care section of this document for battery checks.

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Copyright ©2021 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

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VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Storage Operations
Vehicle Identification on Arrival
•

Immediately examine all vehicles for shortages and transit damage when they arrive. Please refer to the
New Vehicle Delivery Procedure in Technical Hub.

•

You must complete a New Vehicle Storage History Sheet for every new vehicle when it arrives. This sheet
must be kept inside the vehicle until registration and sale. This must contain a record of the vehicle
condition and any corrective work done during the storage period. Record the arrival date of the vehicle
and keep it in a binder. The binder must be made available for your Regional Aftersales Manager at each
quarterly visit.

•

If you need to remove a transit cover, refer to Service Bulletin SB-01-0383 for the correct procedure to do
this.

•

Check the vehicle is the correct specification. Where this is incorrect, speak to Aston Martin – Warranty
Department immediately.

•

If you find items missing, or transit damage or the specification is incorrect, advise the delivery agent when
the vehicle arrives. Also tell the Aston Martin – Warranty Department.

•

All missing items should be recorded on the New Vehicle Storage History Sheet, signed and dated by an
authorised person.

•

Please also print the contact name and telephone number.

•

Place all vehicle paperwork, including check sheets and vehicle information, inside the vehicle where it
can be seen through the windscreen.

•

Correctly label the keys. Remove the keys from the vehicle when it is locked and store them in an
approved secure office. Record all key numbers on the New Vehicle Storage History Sheet.

Vehicle Inspection
Examine the external surfaces of the whole vehicle. If necessary, wash thoroughly, including the underside and the
wheel arches, to remove all dirt, salt and mud contamination.
Correct all defects found during the inspection before the vehicle is stored.

Copyright ©2021 Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

VEHICLE STORAGE AND BATTERY CARE MANUAL
Battery Care
Weekly Battery Checks
Do a weekly check of the battery condition and make sure the battery condition report is kept at your Dealership. If
the battery condition reports are not available, your Dealership may be responsible for any warranty claims on the
battery in the first 1000 miles.
Check on Vehicle Delivery
Do a voltage check and visually inspect the battery when you receive a vehicle from the factory. If the voltage of the
battery is below the minimum requirement (12.5 Volts) you must charge the battery immediately. When the battery
has charged, test the voltage again. If the battery still does not meet the minimum requirement, only then must the
battery be replaced.
Check before Customer Handover
A minimum of 48 hours before the point of customer handover, you must do a voltage check of the battery. If the
voltage or condition of the battery is below the minimum requirement (12.5 Volts) you must charge the battery
immediately. When the battery has charged, test the voltage again. If the battery still does not meet the minimum
requirement, you must replace the battery before the vehicle is handed over to the customer.
Battery Conditioner
CAUTION:

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A BATTERY CONDITIONER CONNECTED
TO THE MAINS SUPPLY.

Aston Martin battery conditioners are available for all types of 12 volt AGM and lead acid batteries.
If a vehicle is not going to be used for more than two weeks, use a battery conditioner to maintain the battery charge
level. When connected, the battery conditioner will maintain a small trickle charge to keep the battery in a fully
charged state. A battery conditioner is designed for conditioning of partially or fully charged batteries. It will not
effectively charge a discharged battery.
It is important to educate customers that if vehicles are stored for periods of more than two weeks, a suitable battery
conditioner must be connected to the vehicle.
Battery Conditioner Part Numbers
Select the applicable conditioner to make sure it is correct for your region.
Description

Part Number

Battery Conditioner + Link Lead (Australia/New Zealand)

HY53-37-10014

Battery Conditioner + Link Lead (UK/Hong Kong)

HY53-37-10015