Vehicle Class:
Grand Tourer (GT)
Target Audience:
Luxury car enthusiasts, owners seeking self-sufficiency in maintenance and repair
Key Competitors Era:
Ferrari 456 GT, Bentley Continental R, Jaguar XJS, Porsche 911 (993 generation)
Unique Selling Proposition:
Combines Aston Martin's renowned luxury and styling with a more accessible (compared to some rivals) V8 engine and Jaguar's XK8 platform foundation.
Primary Coverage:
Workshop Repair and Service
Scope:
All Models, Engines, Trim, and Transmission Types
Estimated Page Count:
Hundreds (as described in product information)
Type:
Workshop Repair Service Manual
Engine Service Repair:
Comprehensive service and repair for the engine
Transmission Service Repair:
Comprehensive service and repair for the transmission
Brake System:
Detailed coverage of the brake system
Wiring Diagrams:
Included, crucial for electrical diagnostics
Electrical System:
In-depth diagnostics and repair of the electrical system
Suspension:
Service and repair procedures for the suspension system
Steering:
Detailed information on steering system maintenance and repair
Cooling System:
Maintenance and repair of the cooling system
Fuel Injection Fuel System:
Coverage of fuel injection and fuel system components
Emission System:
Information related to the emission control system
Heater Air Conditioner:
Service and repair of the HVAC system
Engine Control System:
Diagnostics and repair of engine management systems
Chassis Body:
Information on chassis and body repairs
Restraint System:
Details on safety restraint systems (e.g., airbags)
Interior:
Service and repair related to interior components
Differential Drive:
Coverage of differential and drivetrain components
Axle:
Service and repair of axle components
General Maintenance:
Routine maintenance procedures
Troubleshooting:
Systematic troubleshooting guides
Disassembly Assembly:
Step-by-step procedures for component disassembly and reassembly
Cleaning Reinstalling:
Procedures for cleaning and reinstalling parts
Depth:
Professional-level diagnostics, repair, and maintenance
Instruction Style:
Numbered instructions, detailed substeps, diagrams, photos, and callouts
Diagnostic Aid:
Excellent for diagnosing electrical and mechanical issues
Engine Type:
32-valve V8, DOHC (Derived from Jaguar's AJ-V8)
Displacement:
5.3 Liters (5340 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
90.3 mm x 96.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
9.0:1 (typical for early models)
Horsepower:
335 bhp @ 5500 rpm (approx.)
Torque:
356 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (approx.)
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Premium Gasoline (95 RON / 91 AKI or higher recommended)
Crash Test Data Availability:
Limited publicly available data for this specific year/model, often relied on manufacturer internal testing and design principles of the era.
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) often standard or optional
Airbags:
Driver and passenger airbags
Seatbelts:
Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts
Oil Change:
Typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (consult manual for exact specification).
Major Service:
Significant inspections and component checks usually around 30,000-60,000 miles or specific time intervals.
Engine Oil:
Refer to manual for specific API classification and viscosity (e.g., Mobil 1 15W-50 or equivalent for older V8s).
Coolant:
Ethylene Glycol based coolant, 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 (ensure consistency with manual).
Transmission Fluid:
Refer to manual for specific ATF type (e.g., Dexron III for ZF automatic).
Common Db7 Issues:
Potential for door seal degradation, minor electrical gremlins, catalytic converter issues, and coolant hose degradation due to age. The supercharged inline-6 models (introduced later) had their own set of known issues, but this manual is stated for the 1997 model which likely points to early V8s or potentially the inline-6 variant if Aston Martin used that nomenclature for 1997 in some markets prior to the DB7 Vantage.
Brand Legacy:
Aston Martin is synonymous with British luxury sports cars, known for iconic models like the DB4, DB5, and V8 Vantage.
Db7 Introduction:
Launched in 1993, the DB7 was designed by Ian Callum and revitalized Aston Martin, becoming its most produced model to date.
1997 Model Year Significance:
Represents a key year in the early DB7 development, following the initial Volante (convertible) and Coupe versions. The 1997 model year typically features the naturally aspirated 3.2L supercharged inline-6 or the earlier 5.3L V8 depending on market and exact build date, though the product information points to V8. The 1997 manual may cover early V8 iterations.
Manufacturing Location:
Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England
