2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q Owners Guide

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Interior Mirror
The interior rear view mirror can be
adjusted on its ball mounting until a
satisfactory rear view is obtained when
sitting in the normal driving position.
The rear view mirror can be dipped to
reduce the glare from the headlights of
following vehicles.
Pull the tab towards the rear to dip the mirror. Push the tab forwards to re-
establish the normal view.
Door Mirror Switch
The exterior door mounted mirrors
can be adjusted using a single control
knob mounted on the driver's door.
Note: The ignition must be switched
on (position I or II) before the door
mirrors can be adjusted
To select the mirror to be adjusted
rotate the knob left or right.
The joystick can then be moved forwards and backwards or to the left or
right to adjust the mirror up/down or left/right as required.
Powerfold Mirrors
Push the control knob towards the mirror symbol and hold
to fold the door mirrors against the door when parked.
Repeat this procedure to unfold the mirrors before driving
the car.

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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withdrawn.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.

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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.

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Seat Belts are designed to bear upon the bone structure of the body and should
be worn low across the front of the pelvis and across the chest and shoulders.
Wearing the lap portion of the belt across the abdominal area must be avoided.
Never place the shoulder portion of the belt under your arm or behind your back.
Always remove from your pockets rigid or breakable objects, such as spectacles,
which could be trapped under seat belts, possibly causing injury in the event of
an accident.
Expectant mothers should seek medical advice on the most appropriate way to
wear the seat belt.
In the interests of safety, seat belts must be kept clean so that the retractor works
correctly. Ensure that the belt webbing is not twisted, looped, frayed or
obstructed in any way. If in doubt about the condition or operation of the seat
belt installation, have it checked by your Aston Martin Dealer.
No modifications or additions should be made by the user which will either
prevent the seat belt adjusting devices from operating, or prevent the seat belt
assembly from being adjusted to remove slack.Never install accessories on your
seat belts.

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USE OF CHILD SEATS IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
WARNING
Child Restraints
Aston Martin has not tested any child restraint systems for this vehicle, and does
not recommend any specific child restraint system.
The following table is supplied under EC Directive 77/541.
Mass Group Seating Position
as indicated on the Front Passenger Second Row *
child safety seat packaging Outboard
0 = Up to 10kg (0-9 months) X X
0+ = Up to 13kg (0-18 months) X X
1 = 9 to 18kg (9 months to 4 years X X
11 & 111 = 15 to 36kg (4 to 12 years) X X
U = Suitable for "universal" category restraints approved for this mass group.
X = Seat position not suitable for children in the mass group.
* = Unsuitable for use with many child restraints due to limited space.
Please consult with local manufacturers of smaller forward facing restraint and
booster cushions. These manufacturers can supply you with advice on the safety
of their particular child restraints, the position that they recommend, and also
advice on fitting instructions.
Do not seat a child aged 12 or younger, or weighing 36 kg or less in the car without
an appropriate child seat or booster cushion. Please confirm that any child seat
or booster cushion you may fit in the vehicle has been designed for use in this
model, and that it conforms to local market requirements.

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SPECIAL WARNINGS ON USE OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN:
A child, regardless of age, should always be restrained when travelling in a
vehicle. The following precautions are strongly recommended.
Do not allow children to travel in the vehicle without restraint. Approved child
seats or harnesses should always be used.
Each seat belt assembly must be used by only one occupant. It is dangerous to put
a seat belt around a child being carried on the occupants lap.
Child restraint anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads imposed
by correctly fitted child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used
for adult seat belts, harnesses or for attaching other items or equipment to the
vehicle
CHILDREN AND THE USE OF CHILD SAFETY SEATS
An infant or child that is not properly restrained can be seriously injured or killed
in a crash. Seat belts are designed for adults and larger children; infants and
smaller children must be restrained in an approved child safety seat.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured by lap belts, or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Children could be endangered in a crash if their
child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle. If you choose to use a
child safety seat, follow the manufacturers instructions. Never hold a baby or
child on your lap while riding in the car.
For use in USA, the child safety seat must be in conformity with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Look for the statement on the box and seat.
Check the seat manufacturers instructions for proper use and installation - use
the correct size seat and properly secure the seat in the car in accordance with
the manufacturers instructions. Be sure to read and follow the 'Installation and
Use Instructions' provided with the child seat.
Remember that children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the
vehicle's seat belt.

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12
SECS
CHILD SEATS AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS
DO NOT install a rearward facing child seat in the front passenger seat position.
If a front seat position must be employed, use only a forward facing child seat
with the passenger seat set as far rearwards as practical.
Airbags
In order to provide optimum occupant protection the DB AR1 is equipped
with a driver airbag mounted in the centre of the steering wheel and front
passenger airbag located in the fascia panel immediately in front of the
passenger seat. The airbags are supplementary to the seat belts.
Note: There are important airbag safety labels on the sun visors (illustrated
below).