2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q automatic transmission

B - Controls
1-B-8
SRS (Supplementary Restraint System) (Amber)
Flashes if a fault is detected in the airbag system.
When you start the car, this lamp comes on for a few seconds
as a readiness indicator. If it does not come on when you start
the car, or if it does not go off after a few seconds, or if it comes
on whilst driving, the airbag system has detected a fault. Consult
your Dealer immediately if this light illuminates.
Frost Warning Lamp (Amber)
This lamp will illuminate if the external temperature falls to
+4°C. At or below this temperature there is an increased risk of
frost on the road surface.
Traction Control Warning (Green)
Traction control is normally on. This lamp illuminates if the
system is switched off. The lamp flashes when traction control
is active. See the traction control description in this section.
Sport (Auto transmission only) (Green)
Indicates that Sport Mode is selected, increasing the engine
speeds at which the automatic transmission changes gear.
Left Turn Direction Indicator (Green)
Flashes with the indicator lights during operation of the left turn
signal or hazard warning lights.
Right Turn Direction Indicator (Green)
Flashes with the indicator lights during operation of the right turn
signal or the hazard warning lights.

B - Controls
1-B-11 External Temperature Display - Press the trip button briefly to display the
external temperature. Whilst the external temperature is displayed, press
and hold the button to change between °C and °F readouts. Briefly press the
button again to return to the trip display.
Gearshift Indicator (centre top)
Indicates the current gearshift mode on DB AR1 fitted
with 'Touchtronic' transmission. 'A' indicates Automatic
mode. A number 1-5 indicates the current gear selected
when in Touchtronic mode.
Speedometer (centre right)
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour and/or kilometres per hour.
Also houses the odometer recording the total distance travelled by the
vehicle.
Oil Pressure Gauge (top right)
The oil pressure gauge is graduated in bar (1 bar 14.7 psi). Normal oil
pressure at medium engine revs should be in the range 3-6 bar.
Engine Coolant Temperture Gauge (bottom right)
In temperate climates, normal coolant temperature is indicated with the
needle to the left of the 'N' position, but coolant temperature will vary
(within the range 92 - 105°C) dependent on ambient temperature and
driving conditions.

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-11
Gear Changing - Touchtronic Transmission Control
The 'Touchtronic' transmission system can operate in Automatic, Sport and
Touchtronic modes. It is controlled using the special selector lever shown
below.
P
R
N
D

C - Driving
1-C-14
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.

C - Driving
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.