2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q wheel

C - Driving
1-C-22
Brake Warning Indications During Driving
Your DB AR1 electronic control units continue to monitor correct operation
of the braking sub-systems while the vehicle is being driven. Two brake
warning lights are of particular importance.
The Anti Lock Braking (ABS) Warning Light
The ABS system is monitored for correct operation while the
ignition is switched on. If a fault is detected, the Anti-Lock
warning light will illuminate and the ABS system will be partly
or fully disabled.
The normal braking system will continue to function without anti-lock but
with full vacuum boosted braking to all road wheels being maintained. In
the event of an ABS fault, consult your Aston Martin Dealer immediately.
WARNING: If the ABS warning light illuminates, you should be aware that
wheels could lock during extreme braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
Take additional care to avoid the danger of wheels locking.
The Brake System Warning Light
The braking system is continuously monitored for fluid level.
If only the brake warning light illuminates, it indicates that the
brake fluid has fallen below the acceptable level. It is essential
that the braking system is checked immediately, preferably
by an Aston Martin Dealer.
WARNING: If the brake warning light illuminates, you should
immediately be prepared for possible increased stopping distances
and possible partial failure of the braking system.

C - Driving
1-C-23
The Handbrake (Parking Brake)
The handbrake lever is situated on the outside of the drivers seat. The
handbrake operates on brake drums within the rear wheel brake discs.
To engage the handbrake, pull up firmly on the lever without pressing the
release button. The handbrake ratchet will latch and the handbrake warning
light will illuminate. Note that this lamp is the only indication that the
handbrake is applied. The lever can then be lowered to its fully down
position.
To release the handbrake, pull up on the lever against spring pressure, press
and hold the lock release button whilst lowering the lever to its maximum
down position.
The handbrake warning light extinguishes when the handbrake is fully
released.
Caution: Always check that the warning lamp is correctly extinguished before moving
off. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle if the warning lamp remains on.

D - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
1-D-3
Ventilation
The air from the air-conditioning system is fed into the passenger compartment
through a distribution system with several outlets. The diagram below
illustrates the principal outlet positions.
Face Level Vents
The face level vents are controllable and can be adjusted, horizontally or
vertically. Air supply to these vents is closed off in heating and defrost modes.
To direct the air from any of the face
level vents, rotate the central thumb
wheel left/right or up/down.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-1
Contents
Introduction........................................................................................ 1-F-2
Servicing Precautions ...........................................................................1-F-4
Fluid Level Checks ............................................................................... 1-F-6
Wheels and Tyres.............................................................................. 1-F-13
The Vehicle Toolkit ............................................................................ 1-F-18
Jacking and Wheel Changing............................................................. 1-F-22
Vehicle Recovery............................................................................... 1-F-26
Electrics .............................................................................................1-F-30
Fuse Boxes........................................................................................ 1-F-38
Bulb and Fuse Replacement ...............................................................1-F-42
Bodywork and Fittings....................................................................... 1-F-54
Vehicle Cleaning................................................................................ 1-F-54
Storing the Car - Recommendations ...................................................1-F-58

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-8
Engine Coolant Level Check
The engine coolant header tank (2) is mounted on the left-hand wheel arch
in the engine compartment. It is fitted with a pressure relief cap which
should not be removed unless the engine is cold. A thick cloth or glove must
be placed over the cap and the cap turned slowly in an anticlockwise
direction.
Allow any residual pressure to drop and then continue to turn the cap until
it is released from the header tank. Lift the cap clear and top up the tank with
an antifreeze mixture, of the correct strength, up to the maximum mark on
the side of the tank (see 'Specifications').
WARNING: Scalding can be caused by escaping steam or coolant. DO NOT
remove the pressure relief cap until the system is cold. In addition, use a cloth
or glove to protect hands. Protect your face and arms adequately. See warnings
given in SERVICING PRECAUTIONS.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-13
Windscreen Washer Jets
A washer jet housing is located on each of the
two windscreen wiper arms. Each housing
contains six washer jets.
Adjust the angle of the jets if necessary using
a fine needle so that fluid covers the full length
of both sides of the wiper blades and all spray
stays on the windscreen.
Wheels and Tyres
The tyres detailed in the specification section of this Owner's Guide are the
only tyres approved for use on this vehicle.
To maintain the high performance capability of the car, specified tyres
should be fitted when replacement becomes necessary. The recommended
tyres for DB AR1 are not unidirectional. Tyre sizes are different on the front
and rear axles. Therefore, complete wheels cannot be swapped between
axles, but may be swapped from one side of the vehicle to the other.
It is a characteristic of high performance tyres that temporary 'flat spots' may
develop if the vehicle is left standing in high or low ambient temperatures
for any length of time. These 'flat spots will manifest themselves as minor
vibrations when the car is first driven from cold. As the tyres warm up to
operating temperature, the normal tyre shape should be restored and the
vibrations cease. If vibrations persist, consult your Aston Martin dealer.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-15 Only fit the specified tyres. These are designed for the potential speed,
acceleration, handling and braking performance of the car
New tyres should not be fitted to the front wheels in combination with worn
rear tyres as rear end stability will be affected. Consult your Aston Martin
dealer for advice if the rear tyres are also worn.
Each wheel and tyre unit must be balanced dynamically to ensure efficient
steering, optimum tyre wear and maximum ride comfort. Because of the
potentially high speeds, it is essential that wheel balancing is carried out
when new tyres are fitted.
WARNING: Because of the high performance potential of your DB AR1, Aston
Martin strongly recommend replacement of any damaged or worn tyre.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are incorporated
into the construction of all tyres. These
indicators are integral moulded ribs
spaced at regular intervals around the
circumference of the tyre and extend
across the full width of the tread, in all
primary grooves.
When a tyre has worn causing one or more of the indicators to be flush with
the outer face of the tread, only 1.6mm (0.062in) or less tread depth remains
and the tyre has reached its wear limit. It then becomes illegal in certain
countries and must be replaced.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-16
Winter Tyres
Two options are available to equip your DB AR1 for winter motoring.
Snow Tyres - The recommended snow tyres fit to the normal 8 inch front
wheel rims. Four 8 inch front wheel rims and winter tyres are required to
fully equip the car for severe weather driving. (See the Specifications section
of this Owner's Guide).
Snow Chains - These are available from your Aston Martin dealer and will
fit only the 8 inch road wheels fitted with snow tyres.
United States Department of Transportation
Uniform Tyre Quality Grades
The following information relates to the tyre grading system developed by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which will grade tyres by
tread wear, traction and temperature performance.
All passenger car tyres must conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tyre when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tyre graded 150 would wear one and a half times as
well on the government course as a tyre graded 100. The relative performance
of tyres depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.