Page 72 of 279

C - Driving
1-C-7 If either the ABS or Brake Fluid Warning lights remain illuminated, refer to
the description of Brake Warnings during Driving later in this section.
Starting the Engine - Hot or Cold
WARNINGS:
Before driving the vehicle, ensure that you are wearing appropriate footwear to
efficiently operate the floor mounted pedals.
Ensure that floor mounted pedal movement is not restricted by floor mats or
other objects trapped beneath the pedals.
Manual Transmission - The engine can only be started with the clutch
pedal fully depressed.
Touchtronic Transmission - The engine can only be started when the gear
selector lever is in Park or Neutral.
Place the gear selector lever in Neutral (Park on Touchtronic vehicles) and
check that the handbrake is applied. Fully depress the clutch pedal on
manual transmission vehicles.
Insert the ignition key and rotate it to position II. Press the
starter button, wait until the engine fires, then release the
starter button.
Note: Do not press the accelerator during engine starting. The Electronic Engine
Management System automatically compensates for cold or hot start conditions
and makes appropriate adjustments to the fuel/air mixture and engine idle speed
without driver intervention.
Page 75 of 279
C - Driving
1-C-10
Gear Changing
When operating either the DB AR1 manual or Touchtronic transmission
systems, the following warnings are of particular importance:
WARNING: Do not skip one or more gears when downshifting, you could lose
control of the vehicle and injury could result.
WARNING: Shifting without correct operation of the clutch and throttle can
result in severe damage to the transmission and engine.
Gear Changing - Manual Transmission
The gear lever for the six speed manual transmission is spring biased to the
centre of the gate. Push to the left before selecting first or second gears and
to the right before selecting fifth or sixth gear.
Press fully to the right and forwards to overcome additional spring pressure
when selecting reverse gear. The reverse gear position has a solenoid lock
to prevent accidental engagement when driving forward.
13
4
25
R
6
Page 114 of 279

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-5
Dangerous Substances
WARNING: Many liquids and other substances used in motor vehicles are
poisonous and should under no circumstances be consumed and should, so far
as possible, be kept from contact with the skin. These substances include battery
electrolyte, antifreeze, oil, brake and clutch fluid, petrol, windscreen washer
additives, lubricants, refrigerant and various adhesives. Particular care should
be taken to avoid unnecessary contact with used engine oil. Always read carefully
the instructions printed on labels or stamped on components and follow them
carefully. Such instructions are included for reasons of your health and personal
safety. Never disregard them. Dangerous substances should be kept out of reach
of children.
Engine Oils
WARNING: Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oils can cause
serious skin disorders, including dermatitis and cancer. Avoid excessive contact,
wash thoroughly after contact. Keep out of reach of children. When your oil is
changed, be sure that it is done by an experienced person. In addition, observe
all laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and toxic fluids.
Protect The Environment
WARNING: It is illegal to pollute drains, water courses, or soil. Use authorised
waste disposal facilities, including civic amenity sites and garages providing
facilities for receipt of used oil. If in doubt, contact your local authority for advice.
Fuel Tank Filling
WARNING: Petrol is highly flammable and, in confined spaces, is also explosive
and toxic. In the event of spillage, switch off the engine, use no naked flame or
light. Do not smoke. Do not inhale fumes.
Page 115 of 279
F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-6
Fluid Level Checks
Engine Bay Component Location (Right Hand Drive Illustrated)
1 Engine Oil Dipstick 2 Engine Coolant Header Tank
3 Engine Oil Filler Cap 4 Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
5 Brake Fluid Reservoir 6 Windscreen Washer Fluid Reservoir
7 Clutch Reservoir (Man) 8 Engine Bay Covers
Note: Items 5 &7 move to the left corner on left hand drive cars.
In the following descriptions, numbers in parenthesis, e.g. (1), refer to the
numbered items in the diagram and list above.
All directions are described as viewed from the driver's seat. Thus the oil filler cap
(item 3) is on the left side of the car, the brake fluid reservoir (item 5) is on the right
side of the car.
Page 118 of 279
F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-9
Clutch Fluid Reservoir
The clutch fluid reservoir (7) is fitted to the drivers side of the engine
bulkhead on manual transmission cars only.
Before removing the filler cap, clean it and the surrounding area to prevent
any ingress of dirt or foreign matter into the system. Top up the reservoir
using only the recommended fluid until the fluid level is at the maximum
mark. (see 'Specifications').
Caution: Take care that hydraulic fluid does not contact the paint work during the
topping up operation. Serious paint work damage can result. If a spillage does occur,
immediately flush the hydraulic fluid from the paint work with clean, fresh water and
then wipe with a clean damp cloth.
Page 149 of 279

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-40
Passenger Footwell Fusebox - Left Hand
F1 15A Accessory Terminal
F2 10A Transmission Control Module, Gearshift Interlock
Module, PRND Switch
F3 5A Headlamp Relay, Instrument Pack, Dimmer Unit
F4 10A Multi Function Unit, Air-Conditioning In-Car Sensor,
Anti-Lock Brakes Control Unit
F5 5A Traction Control Switch, Alternator Regulator, Heated
Front Screen Control
F6 10A Rear Fog Switch, RH Dip Beam
F7 30A Starter Relay
F8 10A LH Dip Beam
F9 20A LHS Seat Heater Relay, LHS Seat Module
F10 40A Heated Front Screen Controller
F11 10A RH Horn
F12 30A LH Rad Cooling Fan
F13 10A LH Horn
F14 30A RH Rad Cooling Fan
F15 30A Primary Powertrain Control Module RHS
F16 10A Multi-Function Unit, Central Locking Module, Air
Conditioning Control Panel, Alarm Sounder
F17 30A Secondary Powertrain Control Module LHS
F18 5A Interior Map Lights, Instrument Pack,
RH Rad Module
F19 10A RH Main Beam
F20 20A Window Lift Cut Out, Accessory Terminal,
Air Conditioning Clutch Relay
F21 10A Instrument Pack, LH Main Beam
F22 25A Front Fog Relay
Page 183 of 279
G - Specifications
1-G-12
Recommended Fluids
Engine oil (Initial fill) Mobil 1 0w-40 Europe (0w-30 USA)
Engine oil API SJ/CF, ACEA A3/B3 OR ILSAC GF2
Mobil 1 recommended
Engine coolant 60% water, 40% Havoline OAT
Do not mix OAT with glycol based antifreeze
Manual gearbox oil Texaco 1863, Transam 7045, Mobil ATF or
Dexron III
Auto transmission fluid Esso LT 71141
Final drive oil Shell spirax super 90 TS or Mobilube SHC LS
Brake/Clutch fluid Mobil Universal Brake Fluid
Power steering fluid Mobil ATF or Dexron III
A/C refrigerant R134A (HFC134A)
Engine Oil
Synthetic oils must conform to API SJ/CF standards. Preferably with ACEA
A3/B3 and ILSAC GF2. The chart below gives oil grades for average ambient
temperatures and applies to both mineral and synthetic oils.
Caution: To achieve the desired high performance of synthetic lubricants, do not mix
with mineral oils.
Page 190 of 279

2-A-5
A - Service Schedules
Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI)
Before you receive your DB AR1, it will undergo a comprehensive pre-
delivery inspection at the Dealer's premises to ensure that it meets Aston
Martin's quality standards. The following checks will be made:
Levels and Leaks
Engine oil
Power steering oil
Brake Fluid
Clutch fluid (manual only)
Engine coolant level
Engine coolant specific gravity
Windscreen washer fluid
Fuel system
Gearbox oil/Auto transmission fluid
Rear axle oil - Differential
Battery
Mechanical Functions
Auto transmission
Selection and P & N functions
Manual gear selection
Clutch operation (manual only)
Throttle pedal operation
Parking brake operation
Steering column adjustment and lock
operation
Seat adjuster rails
Bonnet (Hood) release and catch
Door operation and locks
Storage compartments
Rear view mirror
Wheels and Tyres
Road wheel nuts
Tyre pressures
Front wheel tracking
Electrical Checks
Battery condition
Heated windscreen
Windscreen washers
Windscreen wipers
Air-conditioning controls
Gauges and warning lights
Radio/Cassette/CD player
Navigation (where fitted)
All speakers
Electric aerial
Inertia switch
Window mechanisms
Side and headlights (main and dip)
Front fog lights
Rear fog lights (where fitted)
Hazard warning lights
Instrument illumination and dimmer
Air conditioning panel illumination
Auto Trans. PRNDL illumination
Horns
Interior/map lights
Cigar lighter
Seat adjustment - all functions
Door mirror adjustments
Reset clock (if necessary)
Door / boot courtesy lights
Central locking system
Filler flap lock operation
Seat belt operation
Seat belt warning system
Security system / Remote control
Clutch pedal start inhibit
Interrogate DTC codes (not N.
America)
Record battery open-circuit voltage