2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q check engine

xi
Regular Checks
In the interests of safety and reliability, it is advisable to carry out the
following checks at the intervals suggested (more frequently if the vehicle is
heavily used or operating in adverse conditions), and always before starting
on a long journey. Refer to the Owner Maintenance section of this guide.
Each Day
Check that there is sufficient fuel for the intended journey, particularly at
night and before entering highways.
Weekly - (Daily if covering high mileage or touring)
Tyres - Check the tyres, including the spare (if fitted) for condition and
pressure. See the 'Specifications' section for the recommended tyre pressures.
Lights - Check that all exterior lights and direction indicators function
correctly and that the lenses are clean.
Engine Oil - With the vehicle standing on level ground, check the oil level
and top up if necessary with oil of the correct grade.
Engine Cooling System - With the engine cold, check the level of the engine
coolant. Top-up if necessary with coolant containing the required percentage
of anti-freeze. Any significant coolant loss should be investigated by your
Aston Martin Dealer.
Brake Fluid - Check the level of the fluid in the brake reservoir. Top-up if
necessary with the specified brake fluid from a new unopened container.
Power Steering Fluid - Check and top-up the level of fluid in the power
steering reservoir with fluid of the correct specification.
DB AR1 Owners Guide

xii
DB AR1 Owner's Guide
Monthly
Windscreen Washer - Top-up with the recommended windscreen wash
fluid. Check the operation of the windscreen washers. Use the recommended
concentration of additives to prevent freezing in winter conditions. Check
the windscreen wash fluid level more frequently if the wash system is being
heavily used.
Safety Warning
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Glossary of Terms
The following glossary contains frequently used alternative names or
spellings for vehicle components mentioned in this Owner's Guide:
Bonnet Hood
Boot Trunk
Brake Disc Rotor
Handbrake Parking Brake
Petrol Gasoline
Tyre Tire
Wing Fender
Windscreen Windshield

B - Controls
1-B-7
Door or Boot Open (Red)
Indicates that any door and/or the boot is open.
Gearshift Warning (Touchtronic transmission only) (Amber)
Indicates that a concern is detected in the gearshift electronic
control system. Consult your Dealer if this light illuminates.
ABS Warning Lamp (Amber)
Indicates a concern in the ABS control circuits. Consult your
Dealer immediately if this light remains illuminated.
Low Fuel Warning Lamp (Amber)
Illuminates when the fuel level drops to approximately 20 litres
(4.4
imp gallons / 5.0 US gallons).
Check Engine (Amber)
Indicates that an anomaly is detected in the engine management
system. The vehicle may go into 'Limp Home' mode with the
possibility of reduced engine performance.
If the lamp is on constantly, complete your journey and consult
your dealer at the earliest opportunity.
If the lamp flashes, a misfire is occurring which could damage
the catalytic convertor. Stop as soon as possible in a safe
location and have your car recovered to an Aston Martin
dealership.
Low Screen Wash (Amber)
Illuminates to warn you when the level of fluid in the screen
wash reservoir is low.

C - Driving
1-C-1
Contents
Checks Before Driving........................................................................ 1-C-2
The Ignition Lock ................................................................................ 1-C-5
Starting the Engine - Hot or Cold ........................................................ 1-C-7
Stopping the Engine - Removing the Ignition Key ................................ 1-C-8
Fuel Cut-Off Switch ............................................................................ 1-C-8
Gear Changing ................................................................................. 1-C-10
Additional Automatic Gearbox Functions .......................................... 1-C-16
Traction Control System.................................................................... 1-C-17
The Braking Systems......................................................................... 1-C-19

C - Driving
1-C-6
Warning Light Indications at Ignition On
As the ignition is switched on, the DB AR1 electronic control units each
complete a self check to ensure correct operation. During these checks, the
warning lights on the instrument panel will illuminate as follows:
• Bulb Check - All warning lamps illuminate for about three seconds as a
bulb check. (The Sport and Transmission Fail lamps are not illuminated
on manual transmission vehicles).
• The Ignition and Oil Pressure warning lights illuminate until the engine
starts.
• The Check Engine light will illuminate during the engine management
self-check and will extinguish when the starter button is pressed.
• The Seat Belt warning light illuminates and a gong sounds for six seconds
if the driver's seat belt is not fastened. On fastening the seat belt, the gong
immediately ceases. The warning lamp extinguishes at the end of the six
second warning period.
• The ABS and Traction Control warning lights illuminate and extinguish
if the system self checks are satisfactory.
• The Brake warning light will illuminate and extinguish if the brake fluid
level is within specification.
• The SRS Airbag warning light will illuminate and extinguish if the SRS
Airbag control system check is satisfactory.
Only the handbrake (parking brake) warning light should stay on after the
engine has started and is running correctly. The handbrake warning light will
extinguish as the handbrake is fully released.
Note: Other Information lights may remain on (e.g. Main Beam Warning or Low
Screen Wash) dependant on the vehicle state and switch settings at the time.

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.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-3
Parts and Lubricants
When undertaking a warranty servicing task, only parts, materials,
lubricants etc. that are specifically recommended by Aston Martin
Lagonda Limited should be used. Failure to do so can result in
damage to the vehicle and invalidate the New Car Warranty or
other warranties. Recommended lubricants, capacities, etc. may be
found in the Specifications section of this Owner's Guide, and are
recommended for use at all routine services whether or not under
warranty.
Emissions Warranty
The emission control systems fitted to cars for certain markets are
covered by a separate emissions warranty. A statement of the provisions
is given in the Warranty section of this Owner's Guide. You are
advised to familiarise yourself with all warranty conditions prior to
taking delivery of your car.
Engine Compartment Covers
The primary fluid level checks and reservoirs within the engine
compartment are all immediately accessible. The less frequently
maintained items are located under the engine compartment side
covers. To remove the covers, use a coin or the tool kit screwdriver
to turn the cover fasteners a quarter turn anti-clockwise. The fasteners
will pop-up and the covers can then be lifted off, along with a
rubber protection strip.
When replacing the covers, fit them into place and secure by pushing
down on each fastener and turn it a quarter turn clockwise until it
locks, then insert the rubber protection strip.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-6
Fluid Level Checks
Engine Bay Component Location (Right Hand Drive Illustrated)
1 Engine Oil Dipstick 2 Engine Coolant Header Tank
3 Engine Oil Filler Cap 4 Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
5 Brake Fluid Reservoir 6 Windscreen Washer Fluid Reservoir
7 Clutch Reservoir (Man) 8 Engine Bay Covers
Note: Items 5 &7 move to the left corner on left hand drive cars.
In the following descriptions, numbers in parenthesis, e.g. (1), refer to the
numbered items in the diagram and list above.
All directions are described as viewed from the driver's seat. Thus the oil filler cap
(item 3) is on the left side of the car, the brake fluid reservoir (item 5) is on the right
side of the car.