instrument panel ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

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withdrawn.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.

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-2
Introduction
Your DB AR1 has been designed to provide easy access to all primary
controls. The illustrations below show the main controls on the centre
console and instrument panel. The operation and function of each control
is described on the following pages.

B - Controls
1-B-4
Information/Warning Lights
The Instrument Panel contains a number of information and warning lights
mounted above the instruments.
The information/warning light colours are significant and have the following
uses:
RED is used to warn drivers of concerns which may endanger them (e.g. Seat
Belt Warning, Brake System Warning, etc.) or to indicate potentially serious
problems with the car (e.g. Low Oil Pressure, Low Engine Coolant, etc.)

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-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.

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-12
Touchtronic Gear Selector Lever
The Touchtronic gear selector lever is operated in the right portion of the
selector gate for automatic mode (P, R, N and D) and in the left portion of
the selector gate for Sport (S) and Touchtronic modes. The Sport warning
lamp on the instrument panel will illuminate when Sport mode is selected
and will extinguish on entering Touchtronic mode. Touchtronic mode is
selected and operated sequentially using the gear lever or the '-' or '+'
buttons on the steering wheel.

C - Driving
1-C-13
Gearshift Mode Indicator
The current gearshift mode is indicated on the instrument panel digital
display.
Automatic mode is indicated by the 'A' symbol.
In Sport mode, the 'A' symbol is shown on the
indicator and the Sport warning lamp on the
instrument panel is illuminated.
In Touchtronic mode, the current gear is shown by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 in the
display.
Steering Wheel Gear Shift Buttons
In Touchtronic mode, gearshifts may also be made using the '-' and '+'
buttons on the steering wheel. These buttons are inactive when in Automatic
mode.