2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q Owners Guide

ix
Vehicle Identification
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is shown in the left hand corner of
the windscreen.
The Vehicle Identification Plate attached to the right front inner wing is
model and market dependant but typically contains the following types of
information:
Maximum Gross Rear Axle Weight
Maximum Gross Front Axle Weight
Maximum Permitted Laden Weight
Vehicle Identification Number
Model Type Approval Number
Note: Gross axle weight is the maximum permissible weight on a single axle. The
sum of the axle weights must never exceed the maximum permitted laden weight
of 2152kg.
DB AR1 Owner's Guide

x
Reporting Safety Defects (USA)
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying
Aston Martin Lagonda (North America) Inc. 533 MacArthur Boulevard, NJ
07430-2326.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if
it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your Dealer, or Aston Martin Lagonda
(North America) Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hot-line toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the
Auto Safety Hot-line.
Reporting Safety Defects (Other Markets - Non-USA)
If you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect which could cause a crash
or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform your Aston
Martin dealer or the manufacturers service operations department at the
address below:
Aston Martin, Service Operations, Banbury Road, Gaydon, WARWICK,
CV35 0DB, England
Telephone (44) (0)1926 644700
Facsimile (44) (0)1926 644733
DB AR1 Owner's Guide

xi
Regular Checks
In the interests of safety and reliability, it is advisable to carry out the
following checks at the intervals suggested (more frequently if the vehicle is
heavily used or operating in adverse conditions), and always before starting
on a long journey. Refer to the Owner Maintenance section of this guide.
Each Day
Check that there is sufficient fuel for the intended journey, particularly at
night and before entering highways.
Weekly - (Daily if covering high mileage or touring)
Tyres - Check the tyres, including the spare (if fitted) for condition and
pressure. See the 'Specifications' section for the recommended tyre pressures.
Lights - Check that all exterior lights and direction indicators function
correctly and that the lenses are clean.
Engine Oil - With the vehicle standing on level ground, check the oil level
and top up if necessary with oil of the correct grade.
Engine Cooling System - With the engine cold, check the level of the engine
coolant. Top-up if necessary with coolant containing the required percentage
of anti-freeze. Any significant coolant loss should be investigated by your
Aston Martin Dealer.
Brake Fluid - Check the level of the fluid in the brake reservoir. Top-up if
necessary with the specified brake fluid from a new unopened container.
Power Steering Fluid - Check and top-up the level of fluid in the power
steering reservoir with fluid of the correct specification.
DB AR1 Owners 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-1
Contents
Vehicle Keys ....................................................................................... 1-A-2
The Security System and Door Locks .................................................. 1-A-3
Rain Cover ......................................................................................... 1-A-7
Adjustments Before Driving .............................................................. 1-A-10
Seat Belts .......................................................................................... 1-A-14
Airbags............................................................................................. 1-A-20
Interior Storage ................................................................................. 1-A-22

A - Before Driving
1-A-2
Vehicle Keys
Your DB AR1 is supplied with two sets of keys. Each set contains the
following:
• One ignition/door key
• One key number tag
• One key for the centre armrest storage box
• One alarm key fob
Security of Keys and Alarm Key Fobs
It is important to keep your keys and alarm key fobs in a safe place at all
times. Leaving them in a conspicuous place is an invitation for a thief to steal
them and consequently your car and belongings. Keep your key sets secure
at all times.
Remove the key number tags from each key set and keep them secure. They
will be required if you wish to obtain replacement keys.
ASTON MARTIN

A - Before Driving
1-A-3
The Security System and Door Locks
Your DB AR1 is fitted with sophisticated security systems which protect your
car against theft. The alarm system is linked to the central locking system.
The following two pages describe the basic operations required to turn on
or off the alarm and at the same time to lock or unlock the car. The systems
are fully described in section 'E - Security Systems'.
Alarm Key Fob
Basic alarm functions are controlled using the alarm key fob which sends
radio signals to the alarm unit aerial near the rear window when either the
left or right key fob button is pressed.
The left button is used for turning the alarm system on/off and locking/
unlocking the car. The right button is used for unlocking the boot.
The key fob has a range of about 10 metres (30 feet) when operating with
no intervening obstructions.

A - Before Driving
1-A-4
Unlocking the Car / Turning off the Alarm
To unlock the car and turn the alarm system off, approach to within 10
metres (30 feet) of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window.
Press the left button on the alarm key fob.
The exterior direction indicators flash three times, indicating that the alarm
has been switched off. At the same time, the central locking system unlocks
the car doors and fuel filler flap. Alarm sensing on the boot lock is also
switched off so that the boot may be opened without triggering the alarm.
Locking the Car / Turning on the Alarm
To turn the alarm system on and lock the car, stand within 10 metres (30 feet)
of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window. Press the left
button on the alarm key fob.
The direction indicators flash once as the alarm is switched on. Alarm
sensing is then operative on the door locks, bonnet and boot. At the same
time, the car doors, boot and filler flap are locked by the central locking
system.
Engine Immobiliser
The engine is immobilised by the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and may
not be started until a correctly coded key is inserted and turned in the
ignition switch (See 'Security Systems' for a full description of PATS). The
PATS system is fully automatic and requires no intervention from the driver.