2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q fuel

viii
Maintenance and Servicing
Regular maintenance and servicing is the responsibility of the owner.
Regular routine maintenance helps to prevent unnecessary breakdowns
and inconvenience. Each vehicle is given a full Pre-Delivery Inspection to
ensure that all systems function correctly and that the vehicle meets its
specifications. Failure to carry out maintenance at the recommended
intervals could result in deterioration of vehicle performance and possible
infringement of regulations. Such lack of proper maintenance may also
adversely affect your warranty protection.
Your Aston Martin dealer will arrange for appointments on a distance or time
interval basis to ensure that all routine and corrective maintenance work is
undertaken and recorded in the 'Service Schedules and Service Records'
section of this Owner's Guide.
Location of Components
When reading component descriptions or when
following procedures in this Owner's Guide, the
following convention is adopted for locating items
within the vehicle.
All directions are described as viewed from the
driver's seat. Thus the fuel filler cap indicated on this
diagram will be described as "located at the rear left
side of the vehicle".
DB AR1 Owner's Guide

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

A - Before Driving
1-A-4
Unlocking the Car / Turning off the Alarm
To unlock the car and turn the alarm system off, approach to within 10
metres (30 feet) of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window.
Press the left button on the alarm key fob.
The exterior direction indicators flash three times, indicating that the alarm
has been switched off. At the same time, the central locking system unlocks
the car doors and fuel filler flap. Alarm sensing on the boot lock is also
switched off so that the boot may be opened without triggering the alarm.
Locking the Car / Turning on the Alarm
To turn the alarm system on and lock the car, stand within 10 metres (30 feet)
of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window. Press the left
button on the alarm key fob.
The direction indicators flash once as the alarm is switched on. Alarm
sensing is then operative on the door locks, bonnet and boot. At the same
time, the car doors, boot and filler flap are locked by the central locking
system.
Engine Immobiliser
The engine is immobilised by the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and may
not be started until a correctly coded key is inserted and turned in the
ignition switch (See 'Security Systems' for a full description of PATS). The
PATS system is fully automatic and requires no intervention from the driver.

A - Before Driving
1-A-5
Door Locks
The door locks and fuel filler flap are centrally controlled and are normally
unlocked when the left button is pressed on the alarm key fob. The boot lock
is also enabled at this time but does not release until opened using the boot
release switch, ignition key or by pressing the right button on the key fob.
NOTE: If a door is unlocked and opened with the key whilst the alarm is switched
on, the alarm will sound.
If the alarm system is off, then locking or unlocking of either door with the
ignition key causes simultaneous locking or unlocking of the other door and
the fuel filler flap by means of the central locking system.
Door Sealing
Your DB AR1 is fitted with frameless door windows. A special door sealing
system is fitted to ensure a tight fit of the door glass to the seal along the 'A'
post.
When you open a door, the window glass is automatically lowered a few
millimetres to clear the door seal.
As you close a door, the window glass is automatically raised against the
body frame rubber seals.
WARNING: Ensure that all occupants are clear when the window mechanism is
operating.
Caution: Door Seal Damage - Reconnect the battery (see Battery Reconnect Switch
1-F-35) before opening the doors to avoid damage to the door seals.

A - Before Driving
1-A-6
Interior Door Handles and Locks
To open either car door from inside, pull on the release lever and push
outwards on the door.
Locking the Doors when Inside the Car
If you wish to lock the car doors from inside the vehicle, push the lock tab
on the release lever towards the rear of the car. This will activate the central
locking system and lock both doors and the fuel filler flap.
WARNING: The interior door handle will also be disabled at this time.
Pushing the lock tab towards the front of the car will unlock the doors and
fuel filler flap.

B - Controls
1-B-5 AMBER is used for non-emergency indications such as Low Fuel, Low
Screen Wash Fluid.
GREEN signals the use of normal functions such as Direction Indicators and
Sport Mode engagement.
BLUE is used to indicate that the Headlight Main Beams are on.
The following descriptions cover all instrument panel warning lights grouped
in the order warnings (reds), cautions (ambers), and normal status lights
(greens and blue).

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.

B - Controls
1-B-9 Headlights (Blue)
Shows when the main beam of the headlights are in use.
Instrument Pack Chime
A warning chime will sound briefly to attract your attention if any of the
following warning lamps illuminate - ABS, Low brake fluid, Low coolant
level, Low fuel level, Low oil pressure, Boot open or a Frost warning.
The warning will be repeated each time the ignition is switched on until the
cause is cleared.
Instrument Panel Illumination
The level of instrument illumination can be adjusted using the rotary control
on the left hand side of the steering column.