2003 ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q steering

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-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-11
Reach
The reach to the steering wheel
may be adjusted by pushing
down the lever below the
steering column.
Adjust the reach position of
the wheel and then raise the
lever to lock the wheel
position.
After locking, attempt to move
the wheel in and out to ensure
that the lock is fully engaged.

A - Before Driving
1-A-20
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).

A - Before Driving
1-A-21
Some models may have additional safety labels elsewhere, easily visible to the
vehicle occupants. Ensure that you have read and complied with the instructions
on these labels prior to driving the vehicle.
Do not change or modify or tamper with the steering wheel, passenger side
fascia or any other part of the airbag system. Such actions could disable the
system or cause inadvertent inflation.
The airbags are designed to deploy only in a serious frontal collision. Their
purpose is to provide additional protection for the front seat occupants if
thrown forwards in an accident. The system is designed so that it will not
deploy in the event of trivial frontal impacts such as minor contacts when
parking. The airbag system is not designed to protect against side or rear
impacts.
WARNINGS:
No objects whatsoever should be attached to the centre cover of the steering
wheel or the passenger fascia panel. Such objects could cause harm if the vehicle
is in a crash severe enough to cause the airbags to deploy.
All occupants, including the driver, should always wear seat belts, whether or not
an airbag is provided , to decrease the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash
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.
Any work on the airbag system must only be done by an Aston Martin Dealer.

B - Controls
1-B-1
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................... 1-B-2
Information/Warning Lights................................................................. 1-B-4
Instrument Panel Illumination............................................................. 1-B-9
Instruments ......................................................................................1-B-10
Steering Column Controls - Left Hand Stalk ...................................... 1-B-12
Steering Column Controls - Right Hand Stalk .................................... 1-B-14
Steering Wheel ................................................................................. 1-B-15
Console Mounted Controls............................................................... 1-B-16
Bonnet (Hood) and Boot (Trunk) ....................................................... 1-B-23
Accessory Socket .............................................................................. 1-B-26
Interior Lights ................................................................................... 1-B-27

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.

B - Controls
1-B-12
Steering Column Controls - Left Hand Stalk
The left column stalk controls the following functions:
Turn Signals
Move the stalk up to indicate a right turn, or down to indicate a left turn. The
stalk automatically returns to the centre position on completion of the
manoeuvre. The stalk may be moved partially up or down to bring on the
indicator lights to indicate a lane change. When released from the partially
up or down positions, the stalk is returned to the centre position by spring
pressure.
If an external indicator bulb fails, the remaining indicator lights on that side
of the car and the instrument panel warning light for that side will flash at
twice the normal rate when a turn to that side is indicated. If this situation
occurs, replace the defective bulb as soon as possible.