2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q engine

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.

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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.

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

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Gearshift Modes
Automatic Mode
When the gear selector lever is operated in the right half of
the selector gate ('A' showing in the instrument panel
display), the transmission is in Automatic mode.
The gearbox functions as a standard automatic five speed transmission. The
selector lever may be placed into the P, R, N or D positions. When D is
selected, gearshifts will be made automatically at points dependant on
vehicle speed, throttle position and engine load.
Sport Mode
The Sport mode can be selected by moving the gear selector
lever to the left from the 'D' position. The Sport warning lamp
on the instrument panel will illuminate on entering Sport
mode.
Sport mode may be cancelled by moving the selector lever back to the right
half of the selector gate to return to Auto mode. Sport mode is also cancelled
by selecting a gear in Touchtronic mode.
Touchtronic Mode
From the Sport position, Touchtronic mode is selected by any forward or
rearward movement of the selector lever or by pressing one of the steering
wheel gearshift buttons.
Any forward movement of the selector lever will engage the next higher
gear. Any rearward movement of the selector lever will engage the next
lower gear. The lever will return to the centre position after each movement.
In Touchtronic mode, all gearshifts are under driver control. The number of
the current gear appears in the digital selector display.

C - Driving
1-C-15 When at a standstill, Touchtronic mode is engaged by pushing the lever
forward or by pressing the '+' button on the steering wheel. The gearbox
controller will always initially select 2nd gear. If first gear is required, it may
be selected by pulling the lever rearwards or by pressing the - button on the
steering wheel.
When Touchtronic mode is engaged whilst driving, the transmission will
remain in the current gear. Gearshift control will revert from automatic to
manual control.
Touchtronic mode may be deselected whilst driving by moving the selector
lever to the right. The transmission will revert to Automatic mode and may
shift to a more appropriate gear.
Minimum Upshift Speeds
The transmission controller will only allow upshifts when vehicle speed is
above the following minimum limits:
Upshifts enabled 2nd to 3rd gear above 15 km/h (10 mph)
3rd to 4th gear above 35 km/h (22 mph)
4th to 5th gear above 52 km/h (32 mph)
During deceleration, if road speed falls below the minimum limit for each
gear, the transmission will automatically downshift to eliminate the possibility
of the engine stalling.
Gearshift Inhibit
In Touchtronic mode, any attempted gearshift which would cause the
engine speed to rise over 6,500 rpm, or fall below 1,300 rpm will be
prevented by the transmission controller.

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1-C-16
Additional Automatic Gearbox Functions
Kickdown (Automatic and Sport Modes Only)
If maximum power is demanded from the engine by opening the throttle to
more than about 95%, the kickdown function is automatically actuated.
With kickdown in operation, the gearbox may shift to the next lower gear
and further upshifts will occur at much higher engine speeds than when
using modest throttle openings. This mode is useful to achieve maximum
acceleration when, for example, overtaking another vehicle.
Torque Converter Lock-up
When driving in 3rd, 4th or 5th gears, a further change takes place within
the transmission. The torque convertor, transmitting power from engine to
transmission, will lock to improve the transmission efficiency. This is a
completely automatic function of the transmission system and will occur at
predetermined speeds.

C - Driving
1-C-18Traction Control Operation
WARNING: In all cases it remains the drivers responsibility to drive safely
according to the law and with due regard to prevailing conditions. The fact that
a vehicle is equipped with Traction Control must never allow the driver to be
tempted into taking risks which could affect his/her safety or that of other road
users. The addition of Traction Control cannot overcome the consequences of
applying too much engine power for the prevailing conditions.
The traction control system is designed to limit engine power when driven
wheel slip is detected. This most commonly happens when accelerating on
a slippery road or loose surface.
The system uses the vehicles ABS sensors to monitor the wheel speed of all
four road wheels. As soon as a driven rear wheel starts to spin due to the
application of too much power for the available grip, the system automatically
reduces engine power by temporarily adjusting the fuel supply. The brake
on the slipping wheel will also be applied as necessary until the wheel speed
matches that of the other wheels.
During activation, the system warning light will flash. The driver may
experience a loss in power or temporary 'misfire' as engine power is
reduced. These symptoms are normal and will clear as wheel spin is
eliminated and normal engine power is restored.
If traction control cuts in when driving on extended icy or slippery surfaces,
reduce engine power as necessary until the traction control warning light is
extinguished.
Caution: Do not maintain engine power at such a level that traction control is
activated for long periods (more than about one minute). The reduced fuelling levels
to the engine will cause the exhaust catalysts to overheat. Overheating of the exhaust
catalysts can destroy them.

D - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
1-D-6Defrost (A/C Off)
In defrost mode, the system is automatically switched
to high fan speed and maximum heat with no air
conditioning. The hot air is directed to the screen and
door vents only. The door vents may be closed to
direct maximum air flow to the screen.
Right Panel (A/C Mode Switch)
The right panel contains the mode switch and temperature differential
controls.
The mode switch settings are:
Economy (A/C off)
Manual Control
Auto Control
Demist
Recirculation
ECON (Economy)
In the ECON position, the air conditioning compressor is switched off.
Incoming air can be heated if required and the fan speed can be adjusted
to increase or decrease the airflow in the vehicle. This mode puts minimum
load on the engine and gives the best fuel economy with no air conditioning
(no cooling or dehumidifying of incoming air).