2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q warning

v
DB AR1 Owner's Guide Contents
Introduction
Vehicle Provenance iii
Warnings, Cautions and Notes vi
General Information vii
Reporting Safety Defects (USA) x
Reporting Safety Defects (Other Markets) x
Regular Checks xi
Glossary of Terms xii
Section 1 - Owner's Guide
Before Driving 1-A-1
Controls 1-B-1
Driving 1-C-1
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning 1-D-1
Security System 1-E-1
Owner Maintenance 1-F-1
Specifications 1-G-1
Section 2 - Service Schedules & Service Records
Service Schedules 2-A-1
Service Records 2-B-1
Section 3 - Warranty and Emergency Service
Warranty 3-A-1
Aston Martin Emergency Service 3-B-1
Section 4 - Dealer Directory
Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. Worldwide Dealer Directory 4-A-1
Section 5 - Index
Index 5-A-1

vi
Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Within this Owner's Guide, advice is given at three levels, Warnings,
Cautions and Notes. Take particular care to read all relevant advice before
operating or servicing the vehicle.
Warnings
Procedures which must be followed precisely to help avoid the risk of
personal injury.
Example:
WARNING: Avoid touching the sides of the engine when working in the engine
compartment. The exhaust system will be hot if the engine has recently been run.
Cautions
Procedures which must be followed precisely to reduce the possibility of
damage to the vehicle.
Example:
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.
Notes
Procedures which will help to avoid difficulties in the operation of the
vehicle.
Example:
Note: The ignition must be switched on (position I or II) before the door mirrors
can be adjusted.
DB AR1 Owner's Guide

xii
DB AR1 Owner's Guide
Monthly
Windscreen Washer - Top-up with the recommended windscreen wash
fluid. Check the operation of the windscreen washers. Use the recommended
concentration of additives to prevent freezing in winter conditions. Check
the windscreen wash fluid level more frequently if the wash system is being
heavily used.
Safety Warning
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Glossary of Terms
The following glossary contains frequently used alternative names or
spellings for vehicle components mentioned in this Owner's Guide:
Bonnet Hood
Boot Trunk
Brake Disc Rotor
Handbrake Parking Brake
Petrol Gasoline
Tyre Tire
Wing Fender
Windscreen Windshield

A - Before Driving
1-A-5
Door Locks
The door locks and fuel filler flap are centrally controlled and are normally
unlocked when the left button is pressed on the alarm key fob. The boot lock
is also enabled at this time but does not release until opened using the boot
release switch, ignition key or by pressing the right button on the key fob.
NOTE: If a door is unlocked and opened with the key whilst the alarm is switched
on, the alarm will sound.
If the alarm system is off, then locking or unlocking of either door with the
ignition key causes simultaneous locking or unlocking of the other door and
the fuel filler flap by means of the central locking system.
Door Sealing
Your DB AR1 is fitted with frameless door windows. A special door sealing
system is fitted to ensure a tight fit of the door glass to the seal along the 'A'
post.
When you open a door, the window glass is automatically lowered a few
millimetres to clear the door seal.
As you close a door, the window glass is automatically raised against the
body frame rubber seals.
WARNING: Ensure that all occupants are clear when the window mechanism is
operating.
Caution: Door Seal Damage - Reconnect the battery (see Battery Reconnect Switch
1-F-35) before opening the doors to avoid damage to the door seals.

A - Before Driving
1-A-6
Interior Door Handles and Locks
To open either car door from inside, pull on the release lever and push
outwards on the door.
Locking the Doors when Inside the Car
If you wish to lock the car doors from inside the vehicle, push the lock tab
on the release lever towards the rear of the car. This will activate the central
locking system and lock both doors and the fuel filler flap.
WARNING: The interior door handle will also be disabled at this time.
Pushing the lock tab towards the front of the car will unlock the doors and
fuel filler flap.

A - Before Driving
1-A-7
Rain Cover
To protect the interior of your DB AR1 during periods of inclement weather
a rain cover is provided.
WARNING. Aston Martin recommend that your DB AR1 is not to be driven while
the rain cover is installed.
If it is essential that your DB AR1 is to be moved with the rain cover installed, i.e.
to move to a safe parking area or into a covered area, do not exceed 5 m.p.h. and
only drive a very short distance. The front of the rain cover, over the windscreen,
can be rolled up, allowing the driver to have vision.
To Fit the Rain Cover
Before fitting the rain cover raise both door windows fully and remove the
ignition key from the ignition lock.
1. Remove the rain cover from its storage bag.
Place the rain cover over the windscreen,
black side up, with the two sucker
attachments towards the front of the vehicle.
Attach the suckers to the windscreen (one
in each bottom corner of the windscreen).
Note: Place the sucker attachments close to the
corners, this will enable the windscreen wipers to operate if required.

A - Before Driving
1-A-9 5. Install the two (L/H and R/H) elastic cord
pulls over the door mirrors.
With the rain cover fitted both doors can
still be opened and closed. As a door is
opened or closed take care to lift the
rain cover clear of the window.
Note: To aid door opening, remove the elastic cord pull from the door mirror. Refit
after closing the door.
Take care not to trap the rain cover. Ensure that the rain cover is fitted
correctly.
To Remove the Rain Cover
Remove the rain cover from the vehicle starting from the rear of the vehicle
and work forwards, removing the sucker attachments last.
Ensure that the rain cover is completely dry before packing it away in its
storage bag.
Manouvering with Rain Cover Fitted
WARNING. Aston Martin recommend that your DB AR1 is not to be driven while
the rain cover is installed.
If it is essential that your DB AR1 is to
be moved with the rain cover installed,
i.e. to move to a safe parking area or
into a covered area, do not exceed 5
m.p.h. and only drive a very short
distance.
A section of the rain cover covering the windowscreen can be rolled up
(secured with velcro) to allow forward vision in the event of essential vehicle
movement with the rain cover fitted.

A - Before Driving
1-A-10
Adjustments Before Driving
When you get into the car you should check and, if necessary, adjust the
seat, steering wheel, interior and door mirrors, and secure your seat belt.
The controls for these functions are described on the following pages.
Steering Wheel
WARNING. Do not attempt to adjust the steering wheel whilst driving.
Rake
The rake of the steering wheel
is adjusted by using the release
lever to the left of the steering
column.
The steering wheel rake may
be locked in any one of four
positions.
Pull the release lever and apply
downwards pressure on the
steering wheel. Hold the wheel
in the desired rake position
and lock it by releasing the
lever.
After locking, attempt to move
the wheel up and down to
ensure that the lock is fully
engaged.