ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

A - Before Driving
1-A-9 5. Install the two (L/H and R/H) elastic cord
pulls over the door mirrors.
With the rain cover fitted both doors can
still be opened and closed. As a door is
opened or closed take care to lift the
rain cover clear of the window.
Note: To aid door opening, remove the elastic cord pull from the door mirror. Refit
after closing the door.
Take care not to trap the rain cover. Ensure that the rain cover is fitted
correctly.
To Remove the Rain Cover
Remove the rain cover from the vehicle starting from the rear of the vehicle
and work forwards, removing the sucker attachments last.
Ensure that the rain cover is completely dry before packing it away in its
storage bag.
Manouvering with Rain Cover Fitted
WARNING. Aston Martin recommend that your DB AR1 is not to be driven while
the rain cover is installed.
If it is essential that your DB AR1 is to
be moved with the rain cover installed,
i.e. to move to a safe parking area or
into a covered area, do not exceed 5
m.p.h. and only drive a very short
distance.
A section of the rain cover covering the windowscreen can be rolled up
(secured with velcro) to allow forward vision in the event of essential vehicle
movement with the rain cover fitted.

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-12
Seat Controls
WARNING: Do not attempt to adjust the seat whilst driving.
The Seat Control Panels
Three rocker switches are mounted on the outside of each front seat. The
switches may be operated with the ignition on or off.
Lumbar Support - Press either the + or - symbol on the
rear switch (A) to increase or reduce lumbar support.
Seat Back Angle - Use the centre switch (B) to increase or
decrease the angle of the seat back.
Front to Rear - Use the forward switch (C) to move the seat
in the front to rear direction.

A - Before Driving
1-A-13
Interior Mirror
The interior rear view mirror can be
adjusted on its ball mounting until a
satisfactory rear view is obtained when
sitting in the normal driving position.
The rear view mirror can be dipped to
reduce the glare from the headlights of
following vehicles.
Pull the tab towards the rear to dip the mirror. Push the tab forwards to re-
establish the normal view.
Door Mirror Switch
The exterior door mounted mirrors
can be adjusted using a single control
knob mounted on the driver's door.
Note: The ignition must be switched
on (position I or II) before the door
mirrors can be adjusted
To select the mirror to be adjusted
rotate the knob left or right.
The joystick can then be moved forwards and backwards or to the left or
right to adjust the mirror up/down or left/right as required.
Powerfold Mirrors
Push the control knob towards the mirror symbol and hold
to fold the door mirrors against the door when parked.
Repeat this procedure to unfold the mirrors before driving
the car.

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
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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.

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USE OF CHILD SEATS IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
WARNING
Child Restraints
Aston Martin has not tested any child restraint systems for this vehicle, and does
not recommend any specific child restraint system.
The following table is supplied under EC Directive 77/541.
Mass Group Seating Position
as indicated on the Front Passenger Second Row *
child safety seat packaging Outboard
0 = Up to 10kg (0-9 months) X X
0+ = Up to 13kg (0-18 months) X X
1 = 9 to 18kg (9 months to 4 years X X
11 & 111 = 15 to 36kg (4 to 12 years) X X
U = Suitable for "universal" category restraints approved for this mass group.
X = Seat position not suitable for children in the mass group.
* = Unsuitable for use with many child restraints due to limited space.
Please consult with local manufacturers of smaller forward facing restraint and
booster cushions. These manufacturers can supply you with advice on the safety
of their particular child restraints, the position that they recommend, and also
advice on fitting instructions.
Do not seat a child aged 12 or younger, or weighing 36 kg or less in the car without
an appropriate child seat or booster cushion. Please confirm that any child seat
or booster cushion you may fit in the vehicle has been designed for use in this
model, and that it conforms to local market requirements.