2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q belt

vii
General Information
DB AR1 Owner's Guide
This Owner's Guide forms part of the essential vehicle equipment for
homologation purposes and must remain with the vehicle at all times.
Important Safety Information
1. Always wear your seat belt.
2. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3. Always obey all speed and traffic laws and regulations. Never drive
faster than the posted speed limit or than conditions allow.
4. Be particularly careful driving on slippery or wet surfaces.
5. Your DB AR1 is a high performance car and has handling
characteristics that you may not be accustomed to. Familiarise
yourself with the car and always drive prudently, being aware of
your own limitations and the limitations of the vehicle. As with
other vehicles of this type, failure to operate the vehicle properly
can result in accident and injury.
6. Follow the maintenance schedule prescribed in this guide.
7. Never allow your DB AR1 to be driven by inexperienced drivers.
8. Never allow your DB AR1 to be worked on by unqualified individuals.
9. To be sure that you are receiving qualified technical assistance
using correct parts, have all service work performed by an Aston
Martin dealer.
10. Use snow tyres in winter conditions
DB AR1 Owner's Guide

A - Before Driving
1-A-1
Contents
Vehicle Keys ....................................................................................... 1-A-2
The Security System and Door Locks .................................................. 1-A-3
Rain Cover ......................................................................................... 1-A-7
Adjustments Before Driving .............................................................. 1-A-10
Seat Belts .......................................................................................... 1-A-14
Airbags............................................................................................. 1-A-20
Interior Storage ................................................................................. 1-A-22

A - Before Driving
1-A-10
Adjustments Before Driving
When you get into the car you should check and, if necessary, adjust the
seat, steering wheel, interior and door mirrors, and secure your seat belt.
The controls for these functions are described on the following pages.
Steering Wheel
WARNING. Do not attempt to adjust the steering wheel whilst driving.
Rake
The rake of the steering wheel
is adjusted by using the release
lever to the left of the steering
column.
The steering wheel rake may
be locked in any one of four
positions.
Pull the release lever and apply
downwards pressure on the
steering wheel. Hold the wheel
in the desired rake position
and lock it by releasing the
lever.
After locking, attempt to move
the wheel up and down to
ensure that the lock is fully
engaged.

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-17
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.

A - Before Driving
1-A-19
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.