ABS ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

B - Controls
1-B-6
Information/Warning Lights
Ignition Warning Light (Red)
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on. Extinguishes when
the engine is started and battery charging commences.
Brake Warning (Red)
Illuminates when the brake fluid level is low. May
illuminate with the ABS Warning Light.
Note: When the ignition is turned on, the Brake warning light will illuminate
briefly and extinguish if the brake fluid level is within specification.
Parking Brake Warning (Red)
Illuminates when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition On.
Low Coolant Level (Red)
Illuminates if the level of the engine coolant in the header is
tank is low.
Oil Pressure Warning Light (Red)
Illuminates when the engine oil pressure falls below minimum.
Do not continue driving if this light remains illuminated.
Consult your Dealer immediately.
Seat Belt Warning (Red)
This warning lamp will illuminate and a chime will sound if the
driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition is switched
on.
Hazard Warning (Red)
Flashes in time with the external indicator lamps when the
hazard warning lamps are switched on.

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.

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-18Traction Control Operation
WARNING: In all cases it remains the drivers responsibility to drive safely
according to the law and with due regard to prevailing conditions. The fact that
a vehicle is equipped with Traction Control must never allow the driver to be
tempted into taking risks which could affect his/her safety or that of other road
users. The addition of Traction Control cannot overcome the consequences of
applying too much engine power for the prevailing conditions.
The traction control system is designed to limit engine power when driven
wheel slip is detected. This most commonly happens when accelerating on
a slippery road or loose surface.
The system uses the vehicles ABS sensors to monitor the wheel speed of all
four road wheels. As soon as a driven rear wheel starts to spin due to the
application of too much power for the available grip, the system automatically
reduces engine power by temporarily adjusting the fuel supply. The brake
on the slipping wheel will also be applied as necessary until the wheel speed
matches that of the other wheels.
During activation, the system warning light will flash. The driver may
experience a loss in power or temporary 'misfire' as engine power is
reduced. These symptoms are normal and will clear as wheel spin is
eliminated and normal engine power is restored.
If traction control cuts in when driving on extended icy or slippery surfaces,
reduce engine power as necessary until the traction control warning light is
extinguished.
Caution: Do not maintain engine power at such a level that traction control is
activated for long periods (more than about one minute). The reduced fuelling levels
to the engine will cause the exhaust catalysts to overheat. Overheating of the exhaust
catalysts can destroy them.

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-21
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) fitted to the DB AR1 helps prevent the
road wheels from locking and skidding during emergency braking, helping
steering and directional stability to be maintained.
If, in an emergency braking situation, the braking force applied begins to
exceed the tyre/road adhesion, the ABS system is activated to prevent the
road wheels locking. When this happens a pulsating effect is felt through the
brake pedal. This is a normal ABS effect.
WARNING: In all cases it remains the drivers responsibility to drive safely
according to the law and with due regard to prevailing conditions. The fact that
a vehicle is equipped with ABS must never allow the driver to be tempted into
taking risks which could affect his/her safety or that of other road users. The
addition of ABS cannot overcome the consequences of trying to stop in too short
a distance, cornering at too high a speed, or the risk of aquaplaning - where the
tyres are prevented from contacting the road surface by a layer of water.
The driver should always take road conditions into account. A slippery road
surface always requires more braking distance for a given speed, even with ABS.
Possible extensions of stopping distance compared to locked wheels may occur
during ABS operation on slushy snow, gravel, sand or certain heavily corrugated
or ridged warning sections of road surfaces.

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.

F - Owner Maintenance
1-F-11
Brake Fluid Reservoir
The brake fluid reservoir (5) is fitted to the driver's side of the engine
compartment on top of the brake master cylinder assembly.
Before removing the cap, clean the cap and the surrounding area thoroughly
to prevent ingress of dirt and foreign matter. Top up to the indicated level
on the reservoir with the recommended brake fluid (see 'Specifications') and
refit the cap securely.
Brake fluid will absorb water vapour and must be replaced every two years
in order to maintain the efficiency of the hydraulic system.
WARNINGS: Do not drive the vehicle if the brake fluid level is low. Use only new
DOT4 brake fluid from air tight containers.
Avoid touching the sides of the engine when working in the engine compartment.
The exhaust system will be hot if the engine has recently been run.
Caution: Take care that hydraulic fluid does not contact the paint work during the
topping up operation. Serious paint work damage can result. If a spillage does occur,
immediately flush the hydraulic fluid from the paint work with clean, fresh water and
then wipe with a clean damp cloth.