2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q lock

A - Before Driving
1-A-14
Seat Belts
The DB AR1 is fitted with two inertia reel seat
belts which automatically tension to provide
security with comfort. In the event of a collision
or during severe braking, the belt reel will lock.
A light on the instrument panel is illuminated
when the car is started and the driver's seat belt
is not fastened. There is also a brief reminder
buzzer that sounds at the same time.
Seat Belt Fastening
Sit upright with your back
fully in contact with the seat
back. Pull out the seat belt,
drawing the tongue over the
shoulder and across the chest.
Note: When parked on an
incline, the belt may lock as it is
withdrawn. This is not a fault. If
the mechanism locks, release the
belt tension and then pull gently
to avoid operation of the inertia
lock.
Push the tongue into the belt buckle latch until a positive click is heard.

A - Before Driving
1-A-15 Pull upwards on the diagonal belt to ensure secure latching and to remove
all slack from the belt. Finally, double check that the lap belt is fitted snugly,
low down across the hips, and that there are no twists.
If it is necessary for an occupant to adjust their seat or seating position during
a journey, the belt tension might be disturbed. The occupant should
therefore (as soon as it is safe to do so) gently pull down the shoulder run of
the seat belt to create some slack and then immediately release it to re-
tension the belt for the new seating position.
Seat Belt Pretensioner
The seat belt pretensioner system is designed to hold vehicle occupants
against the seat back when a frontal collision occurs.
The seat belt pretensioner system works in conjunction with the airbag
system. In a serious frontal impact, as the airbags are triggered, the
pretensioners will also be triggered. These apply additional tension to the
front seat belts to hold the front seat occupants back in their seats.
Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)
All vehicles are fitted with an ALR seat belt in the front passenger seat.
This system is designed to securely hold child seats. The ALR system
temporarily locks the belt securing the child seat.
Securing a Child Seat (ALR System)
Fit the child seat following the manufacturers instructions. Gently pull out
the relevant inertia reel seat belt until fully extended. The ALR system will
only engage at the maximum extension point of the seat belt.

A - Before Driving
1-A-16Thread the belt tongue through the child seat as instructed by the
manufacturer. Engage the tongue into the belt buckle. Adjust the tongue
position on the belt if necessary to ensure that the lower belt run is tight and
then allow the upper run of the seat belt to fully retract until the child seat
is securely held. The ALR system will be heard 'clicking' as the seat belt
retracts. When fully retracted, pull down on the upper run of the belt to
check that the ALR lock has engaged.
Child Seat Removal (ALR System)
To remove the child seat, release the belt as normal and allow it to retract
through the seat frame. The ALR system will disengage when the belt is fully
retracted. The belt may then be worn when required as a normal inertia reel
belt. Once the ALR is disengaged, the belt must be fully extended to re-
engage the system on the next occasion that a child seat is fitted.
WARNINGS - Seat Belts - General
Wearing your seat belt is crucial to your safety. Not wearing a seat belt increases
the chance of serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Be sure that you
and your passengers always fasten their seat belts and use them properly even
though airbags are provided. Seat belt usage is mandatory in most countries and
should be used in accordance with local laws.
By reclining the seat back, you decrease the protection you get from the seat belt
in the event of a crash. Adjust the seat back to an upright position (approximately
90° to the seat base.
Make sure that the seat back is locked in place. Otherwise it could move forward
in a sudden stop or crash and cause injury.

A - Before Driving
1-A-22
Interior Storage
Door Storage
Open storage pockets are provided below the arm rests in both doors.
Front Armrest Storage
The front armrest lid is lockable.
The boot release switch and the
accessory socket are fitted in the
front armrest storage box.
Rear Storage
A rear storage area is provided
behind the driver and passenger
seats. Tie down straps enable
items to be secured.

B - Controls
1-B-17 The centre console contains the following controls:
• Clock and PATS Status Light
• Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Controls
• Fog Lamp, Screen Heater and Seat Heater Switches
• Radio Cassette Player (Control for the CD autochanger)
• Hazard Light Switch
• Starter Button
• Traction Control Switch
• Window Lift Switches
• Boot Release Switch
• Cigar Lighter and Ashtray
The Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Systems are fully described
in the Air-Conditioning section of this Owner's Guide.
Clock
The clock in the centre of the air conditioning control panel is set using the
buttons on the clock panel.
The left button is used to retard the time and the
right button to advance the time.
The small light between the time set buttons is the
PATS Status Light which is described in the Security
section of this Owner's Guide.
ASTON MARTIN

B - Controls
1-B-25 2. The boot may be opened from outside the car
using the ignition key when the alarm system is
switched off. Lift up the Aston Martin badge to
access the boot lock.
3. The boot may be opened by pressing the boot
release switch located on the center console at
any time when the alarm system is switched off
and the ignition is switched on.
4. The boot may be opened from inside by
pulling the luminous emergency release handle.
The handle will latch on the edge of its housing.
To retract the handle, pull, lift and release so that
it may withdraw into the housing.
Boot (Trunk) Closing
Close the boot gently and press down the lid until the lock engages.
Slamming of the boot lid may damage the lock mechanism or the boot seals.

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-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.