2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q fuel

B - Controls
1-B-10
Instruments
Voltmeter (top left)
Shows the battery voltage when the ignition is turned on and shows the
voltage delivered from the alternator when the engine is running.
Fuel Gauge (bottom left)
The DB AR1 fuel capacity is 82 litres (18 Imp gallons / 21.5 US gallons). The
low fuel warning lamp will illumunate when approximately 20 litres (4.4
imp
gallons / 5.0 US gallons) of fuel remain.
Note: Approximately 7 litres of the total fuel capacity specified above is required
to prime the fuel system and is therefore not usable.
Tachometer (centre left)
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute x 1000.
Trip Meter/External Temperature Digital Display
The tachometer also contains the trip meter/external temperature display.
Trip Meter - The trip meter may be used to record the distance travelled on
individual journeys. Whilst the trip reading is displayed, it may be set to zero
by holding the trip button pressed for more than about two seconds.

C - Driving
1-C-1
Contents
Checks Before Driving........................................................................ 1-C-2
The Ignition Lock ................................................................................ 1-C-5
Starting the Engine - Hot or Cold ........................................................ 1-C-7
Stopping the Engine - Removing the Ignition Key ................................ 1-C-8
Fuel Cut-Off Switch ............................................................................ 1-C-8
Gear Changing ................................................................................. 1-C-10
Additional Automatic Gearbox Functions .......................................... 1-C-16
Traction Control System.................................................................... 1-C-17
The Braking Systems......................................................................... 1-C-19

C - Driving
1-C-2
Checks Before Driving
Inspect the car to make sure that everything is according to the information
and specifications in this Owner's Guide.
Check the wheels, wheel nuts and tyres.
Check that all windows, mirrors and lights are clear and unobstructed.
Check that the boot and bonnet are closed.
Once you are in the car, check that the doors are closed.
Check that the seat, mirrors and steering wheel adjustments are correct.
Check that all gauges and indicators are reading correctly.
Check that the seat backs are in an upright position.
Check that all occupants have fastened their seat belts.
Fuel
DB AR1 uses 95/98 RON Unleaded Fuel only (USA - Premium Unleaded).
For optimum performance and extended high speed driving, the use of 98
RON fuel is recommended.
Caution: Do not use unleaded petrol containing metal based additives, such as those
based on Manganese (often sold as MMT) and Iron (often sold as Ferrocene). The use
of fuel containing such additives could lead to catalyst failure which is not covered by
the vehicle warranties.
The DB AR1 total fuel capacity is 82 litres (18 Imp gallons / 21.5 US gallons).
Note: Approximately 7 litres of the total fuel capacity specified above is required
to prime the fuel system and is therefore not usable.

C - Driving
1-C-3
Fuel Filler Cap
The fuel filler cap is located on the
left side of the car, to the left of the
boot (trunk) lid. The filler flap is
unlocked automatically upon turning
off the alarm or upon operating the
central locking system by unlocking
either door lock with the ignition
key.
Lift the filler flap. Release the filler
cap by rotating a quarter turn
anticlockwise, then lift off the cap.
WARNINGS: Fuel vapour is highly flammable, toxic and explosive. Always switch
off the ignition before refuelling. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Do not inhale fuel
fumes.
Never carry additional fuel in portable containers. They may leak, explode or
cause a fire, whether full or partially empty.
If you handle fuel improperly, it can ignite or explode and cause injury. Do not
smoke or light a flame while refuelling. Do not use mobile phones at filling
stations.
Do not use the car if there is fuel leakage or a persistent smell of fuel.

C - Driving
1-C-4
Fuel Filling
The unleaded fuel tank filler neck has a restricted opening which will only
accommodate the fuel supply nozzle of unleaded fuel pumps.
To avoid fuel spillage, stop filling at the first automatic cutoff of the fuel
supply nozzle.
Catalytic Converters
The DB AR1 exhaust system contains 3-way catalytic convertors which
convert harmful exhaust gasses into less noxious substances and so reduce
environmental pollution. Catalytic converters operate at high temperatures
and continue to radiate a considerable amount of heat after turning off the
engine.
WARNINGS: Leaded fuel will cause irreparable damage to the catalytic converters.
If you do inadvertently put leaded fuel into a DB AR1, DO NOT START THE
ENGINE. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR. Contact your Aston Martin Dealer immediately.
Do not park over dry grass, leaves or other combustible material. A significant
fire risk exists because of residual heat in the catalytic converters.
Do not drive through deep water. The rapid cooling of the catalyst may cause it
to break up. Replacement catalytic converters are expensive.

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.

C - Driving
1-C-8
Stopping the Engine - Removing the Ignition Key
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key anti-clockwise to position 0.
The ignition key is interlocked with the gear selector lever on automatic
transmission vehicles so that the key may only be removed from the ignition
lock when the gear selector lever is in the Park position.
Note: If the Ignition Key is left in positions I or II and a door is opened, a warning
chime will sound to advise removal of the key.
Fuel Cut-Off Switch
Your DB AR1 is fitted with an emergency
fuel cut-off inertia switch mounted on the
passenger side door pillar. This switch
operates to cut-off fuel supply to the
engine in the event of an accident, thereby
reducing fire risk.
If the engine cuts out and then does not
restart in such a situation, open the
passenger door and press the top of the
cut-off switch until it latches down. With
the ignition on, the fuel pumps will then
run and fuel will again be supplied to the
engine. Restart the engine as normal.
WARNING: To avoid the possibility of fire, do not reset the fuel cut-off switch if
you smell fuel.

C - Driving
1-C-9
Running-In
Your DB AR1 engine is fully hot tested during manufacture and no special
running-in procedures are necessary. Nevertheless it is prudent to limit
engine loads (e.g. by using lower gears on steep hills) during the first 4,000
km (2500 miles).
Maximum Engine Speed - Fuel Cut-Off
The maximum safe engine speed is 7,000 RPM on manual transmission
vehicles (6,400 RPM on auto and touchtronic transmission cars). If this
speed is exceeded, fuel supply to the engine is gradually reduced. As the
engine speed reduces back to a safe level, fuel supply is progressively
restored.
Driving in Wet Conditions
When driving in wet conditions, water can build up under your tyres so that
they ride on a layer of water. This is called aquaplaning or hydroplaning.
When this happens, you have little or no control. Aquaplaning is more prone
to happening at higher road speeds if there is a lot of water on the road and
particularly if the tyres are also under inflated or approaching minimum
tread depth. Slow down when it is raining.
It is important to take bends or curves at a safe, reasonable speed,
particularly when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
Rapid acceleration or deceleration can cause loss of control, especially on
slippery surfaces. Use extra care when driving on such surfaces.