Cerbera owner's handbook reference

This page collects the factual reference data from the original TVR Cerbera owner’s handbook (May 1996, AJP8 4.2-litre car). It covers dimensions, fluid specifications, fuse and relay assignments, bulb sizes, tyre pressures, gear ratios and engine data. Procedural advice (running-in, cooling system bleeding, emergency procedures) is summarised in your own words; for full original wording, refer to a copy of the handbook itself.

The handbook was issued for early Cerberas fitted with the AJP8 V8 engine. Later cars (Speed Six, AJP6, revised electrics) differ in detail — always verify against your own car before ordering parts or applying figures.

Dimensions and weight

Parameter	Value
Overall length	4310 mm
Wheelbase	2566 mm
Overall width (inc. mirrors)	1865 mm
Overall height	1220 mm
Front track	1464 mm
Rear track	1470 mm
Ground clearance	130 mm
Fuel tank capacity	67 litres (15 gallons)
Kerb weight	1100 kg

AJP8 engine data

The Cerbera launched with TVR’s own 75° alloy V8, the AJP8.

Parameter	Value
Configuration	75° V8, two valves per cylinder, all-alloy, wet liners
Capacity	4185 cc
Bore × stroke	94 × 90 mm
Compression ratio	10.0:1
Maximum rpm	7000
Maximum power	350 bhp (DIN) @ 6500 rpm
Maximum torque	320 lb·ft @ 4500 rpm
0–60 mph	4.2 s
0–100 mph	9.9 s
Power-to-weight	318 bhp/ton

(The foreword quotes 360 bhp; the specification page lists 350 bhp DIN. Both figures appear in the original document.)

Transmission ratios

5-speed manual gearbox, hydraulically operated clutch, centrally mounted limited-slip differential. Hydratrak fluid-coupling LSD was an option.

Gear	Ratio
1st	2.95:1
2nd	1.95:1
3rd	1.34:1
4th	1.00:1
5th	0.73:1
Final drive	3.45:1

Wheels, tyres and pressures

Standard fitment was 16 × 7.5J alloys with Bridgestone Expedia S-01 tyres.

Position	Tyre size	Normal pressure	High speed / fully laden
Front	225/45 ZR16	22 psi (1.51 bar)	25 psi (1.72 bar)
Rear	235/50 ZR16	24 psi (1.65 bar)	28 psi (1.93 bar)

For track days the handbook recommends 28 psi all round, then returning to normal pressures afterwards.

Brakes and suspension

Item	Specification
Front discs	291 mm ventilated, 4-piston alloy calipers
Rear discs	306 mm ventilated, 2-piston calipers
Servo / split	Servo assisted, front/rear split dual circuit
Handbrake	Cable-operated drum, on rear
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension	Independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, anti-roll bar, CV-jointed driveshafts
Steering	Power-assisted AJP rack and pinion, adjustable column, 350 mm wheel

Lubricants and capacities

TVR specified Mobil products throughout. Using alternatives is the owner’s call but the handbook warns it may affect warranty.

System	Recommended product	Capacity
Engine, running-in to 1000 miles	Mobil Delvac SAE 10W30	6 litres
Engine, 1000–6000 miles	Mobil Delvac SAE 15W40	6 litres
Engine, 6000 miles onward	Mobil Delvac 15W40 or Mobil 1 5W50	6 litres
Gearbox	Mobil ATF 220	1.4 litres
Differential	Mobil SHC 80W140 ID	1.6 litres
Cooling system	Mobil Universal Antifreeze	12 litres
Brakes and clutch	Mobil Universal Brake & Clutch Fluid (SAE J1703)	—
CV joints	Mobil Grease Special NLGI 2	—
Power steering	Mobil ATF 220	—

Fuel: 98 RON unleaded (super unleaded). Leaded fuel must never be used — it will destroy the catalysts and lambda sensors.

Fuse panel (boot, upper right inner wing)

Fuse	Circuit	Rating
1	Engine fan (relay 1)	25 A
2	Main beam	20 A
3	Engine fan (relay 1) & horn	25 A
4	Sidelights, fog lamps, hazards	15 A
5	Heated rear window	25 A
6	Door control unit, alarm immobiliser	15 A
7	Boot lock, passenger door lock, radio	15 A
8	Injectors, alarm/immobilisers	10 A
9	Engine management	10 A
10	Right-hand window	20 A
11	Left-hand window	20 A
12	Speed, lights, dim-dip, dash, ECUs	10 A
13	Starter, driver’s door lock	20 A
14	Heater control	10 A
15	Indicators, reverse, brake	20 A
16	Wipers, mirrors	25 A
17	Ignition coils	25 A
18	Heater fans	25 A
19	Fuel pump and lambda heaters	15 A
20	Master ignition	15 A
21	Dip beam	20 A

Relay layout

Position	Function
1	Engine fan
2	Heated rear window
3	Fuel pump / lambda heaters
4	Blank
5	Master ignition
6	Horns
7	Engine fan
8–10	Blank
11	Main beam

Four spare fuses are housed in the same panel.

Bulb specification

Lamp	Bulb
Headlamps	55/65 W
Front sidelights	5 W
Front indicators	21 W
Side repeaters	5 W capless
Rear brake/tail	21/5 W
Rear indicators	21 W
Number plate	5 W
Rear fog	21 W
Reversing	21 W
Interior	5 W
Warning lights	2.2 W
Gauge illumination (speedo, tacho, temp/fuel/oil)	5 W capless

Initial headlamp beam setting (unladen): 1.5 % drop.

Cooling system — bleed procedure summary

If the cooling system has been drained or has lost significant coolant, it must be bled carefully:

1. Fill via the expansion tank with the engine cold.
2. With the system full, slacken the large brass plug on the expansion tank to vent trapped air, then retighten once bubble-free coolant flows.
3. Slacken the bleed screws on both the nearside and offside coolant rails (located between the black plenum boxes and the cam covers); retighten once air-free coolant appears.
4. Restart the engine, idle around 1500 rpm with the blue pressure cap off, topping up as the thermostat opens.
5. Refit the pressure cap once no more coolant can be added. Run until the cooling fan cuts in, then switch off.
6. If the gauge climbs above 105 °C before the fan operates, stop and let the engine cool. Once pressure has dropped, remove the cap and top up to the MAX seam on the side of the tank.

Caution: never remove the blue pressure cap on a hot engine. The handbook expects the coolant level to be checked weekly.

Alarm LED diagnostic flash codes

After a trigger event, the rear-screen LED indicates which zone fired:

Trigger	LED pattern
Ultrasonics	1 flash every 6 s
Doors	2 flashes every 6 s
Boot or bonnet	4 flashes every 6 s
Panic facility	16 flashes every 6 s

Running-in guidance

• 0–1000 miles: keep below 2500 rpm until the engine is fully warm.
• 0–900 miles: avoid full-throttle acceleration in low gears.
• 0–250 miles: avoid full throttle in any gear.
• 0–300 miles: avoid prolonged constant speeds.
• 0–500 miles: bed brakes and tyres in gently, avoiding hard braking and cornering except in emergency.

Service intervals

Factory-recommended servicing is at 1000, 6000, 12000, 18000, 24000 and 30000 miles, and thereafter every 6000 miles or 12 months — whichever comes first. Work was expected to be carried out by a TVR-approved service centre.

Safety notes worth keeping in mind

• Brake-fluid warning light also illuminates as a self-test with the handbrake on; if it stays on with the handbrake released, check the reservoir.
• The MIL (engine-management lamp) also lights for two seconds at every ignition-on cycle if the fuel-pump inertia switch has tripped; the engine will not start until it is reset.
• The catalytic exhaust runs very hot — never park over dry grass, leaves or paper.
• Do not tow- or push-start; use jump leads from a slave battery instead, to protect the catalysts.
• Apply torque values and brake/fuel/suspension work to TVR specification or consult a professional — safety-critical systems are not the place to guess.

Compiled from the May 1996 TVR Cerbera Owner’s Handbook — always verify figures against the original document and against your own car before relying on them.