ignition ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

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.

C - Driving
1-C-8
Stopping the Engine - Removing the Ignition Key
To stop the engine, turn the ignition key anti-clockwise to position 0.
The ignition key is interlocked with the gear selector lever on automatic
transmission vehicles so that the key may only be removed from the ignition
lock when the gear selector lever is in the Park position.
Note: If the Ignition Key is left in positions I or II and a door is opened, a warning
chime will sound to advise removal of the key.
Fuel Cut-Off Switch
Your DB AR1 is fitted with an emergency
fuel cut-off inertia switch mounted on the
passenger side door pillar. This switch
operates to cut-off fuel supply to the
engine in the event of an accident, thereby
reducing fire risk.
If the engine cuts out and then does not
restart in such a situation, open the
passenger door and press the top of the
cut-off switch until it latches down. With
the ignition on, the fuel pumps will then
run and fuel will again be supplied to the
engine. Restart the engine as normal.
WARNING: To avoid the possibility of fire, do not reset the fuel cut-off switch if
you smell fuel.

C - Driving
1-C-17
Traction Control System
On/Off Switch
The traction control system is always operational when the ignition is
switched on. The traction control system can be switched off at any time
using the switch in the centre console.
Traction Control Warning Lamp
To ensure that the system is working correctly, a warning
lamp is integrated into the instrument panel. When the
ignition is switched on, the lamp should illuminate for
approximately 2 seconds and will then extinguish if the
system is in working order.
If the lamp remains on after 2 seconds, a system fault is present and should
be investigated by your Aston Martin Dealer.
During normal operation, the light remains off until wheel slip is detected.
The warning lamp will then flash whilst the system controls the wheel slip.
The warning lamp remains illuminated if traction control is switched off.

C - Driving
1-C-19
The Braking Systems
The Footbrake System
Your DB AR1 uses a vacuum boosted hydraulic braking system with anti-
lock (ABS) function. This system ensures braking performance in keeping
with the vehicle performance.
The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is continually monitored for correct
operation whilst the ignition is switched on. Should a fault occur, it will be
signalled by the Anti-Lock Warning Light.
Brake System Safety Features
The brake system tandem master cylinder is designed so that in the worst
case (barring major accident damage), only half the brake system could fail.
Even in the event of a major brake pipe fracture, at least two wheels will have
fully operative brakes.

C - Driving
1-C-22
Brake Warning Indications During Driving
Your DB AR1 electronic control units continue to monitor correct operation
of the braking sub-systems while the vehicle is being driven. Two brake
warning lights are of particular importance.
The Anti Lock Braking (ABS) Warning Light
The ABS system is monitored for correct operation while the
ignition is switched on. If a fault is detected, the Anti-Lock
warning light will illuminate and the ABS system will be partly
or fully disabled.
The normal braking system will continue to function without anti-lock but
with full vacuum boosted braking to all road wheels being maintained. In
the event of an ABS fault, consult your Aston Martin Dealer immediately.
WARNING: If the ABS warning light illuminates, you should be aware that
wheels could lock during extreme braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
Take additional care to avoid the danger of wheels locking.
The Brake System Warning Light
The braking system is continuously monitored for fluid level.
If only the brake warning light illuminates, it indicates that the
brake fluid has fallen below the acceptable level. It is essential
that the braking system is checked immediately, preferably
by an Aston Martin Dealer.
WARNING: If the brake warning light illuminates, you should
immediately be prepared for possible increased stopping distances
and possible partial failure of the braking system.

E - Security Systems
1-E-2
Security Systems
The primary protection for your DB AR1 is provided by an electronic
security system. Protection is further enhanced by a passive anti-theft system
(PATS) which provides engine immobilisation measures if the wrong ignition
key is used. The total system has the following functions:
• Remote Arming/Disarming via a Key Fob.
• Perimeter Sensing via switches on the doors, boot lid and bonnet.
• Boot Release on the Key Fob.
• Panic Alarm triggered using the Alarm Key Fob.
• 120dB Siren with battery back-up (in markets where audible sirens are
permitted).
• Random Code Encryption to prevent electronic scanning or grabbing of
the key fob identity code.
• Passive Anti-Theft system.
Tracker System (Optional - UK only excluding Channel Isles)
• The Tracker hardware is fitted to UK cars only and may be activated for
any owners who wish to subscribe to this additional vehicle security
system. Please consult your dealer for system details and subscription
rates.

E - Security Systems
1-E-3
System Operation - Basic Controls
The system is controlled using the two button key fob. The left (key symbol)
button controls the normal locking/unlocking of the car and arms/disarms
the alarm system. The right (boot open symbol) button controls the
unlocking of the boot. The Panic Alarm feature is operated using the left key
fob button.
The security system aerial is located at the rear of the car. The key fob should
be pointed towards this area of the vehicle to ensure a strong signal. The
normal operating range of the key fob is approximately 10 metres (30 feet).
The Passive Anti-Theft feature is fully automatic and is operated via a
transponder in the ignition key head which communicates with the engine
immobiliser circuits.

E - Security Systems
1-E-7
The Passive Anti-Theft System (PATs)
The PATs system is a fully automatic engine immobiliser. The system consists
of a transponder inside the head of each ignition key and, around the
ignition lock, a transceiver aerial which communicates signals to the PATs
electronic control unit. The PATs control unit communicates with the engine
management controller to immobilise the engine until a valid code signal is
received from the ignition key.
Two coded keys are provided with the vehicle. These
keys fit both the door locks, the boot lock and the ignition
lock.
In the event of loss of one of the keys, duplicate keys can
be created and programmed from the other key by your
Aston Martin dealer.
Starting the Engine
When the alarm system is disarmed and the vehicle key is turned in the
ignition lock, the PATs controller sends a signal to the ignition key. The
ignition key must respond with a valid code before engine start will be
enabled. If a valid code is received, the ignition system will operate
normally.
If the key code is not received, or is invalid, engine start remains disabled.
Caution: To ensure a trouble-free signal exchange between the key and the vehicle,
do not cover the key head with any metal object (e.g. another key).
ASTON MARTIN

E - Security Systems
1-E-8
PATs Status
The PATs system state is shown by the red status
LED in the centre console.
The status LED will illuminate for three seconds
when the ignition is turned on and will extinguish
when a valid code is received from the ignition
key.
When the ignition is turned off, the status LED
will flash. This is the normal state when the
vehicle is parked with the ignition off and the
key removed.
If the status LED remains on when the ignition is switched on, the system is
in fail-safe mode. This means that the car will start, but PATs has a fault.
After one minute, the status lamp will flash a fault code. Your Aston Martin
Dealer can use this code to aid diagnosis of the PATs problem.
If the status LED continues flashing when the ignition is turned on, the
vehicle remains immobilised due to a fault in the system or an invalid key
code. Should this situation arise, try the spare key. If successful, source a
replacement for the faulty key. If problems persist with both keys, consult
your Aston Martin dealer.
During normal operation, the only indication that PATs is present is the PATS
status LED. The system is designed to be completely transparent to the
vehicle user.