key ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

A - Before Driving
1-A-1
Contents
Vehicle Keys ....................................................................................... 1-A-2
The Security System and Door Locks .................................................. 1-A-3
Rain Cover ......................................................................................... 1-A-7
Adjustments Before Driving .............................................................. 1-A-10
Seat Belts .......................................................................................... 1-A-14
Airbags............................................................................................. 1-A-20
Interior Storage ................................................................................. 1-A-22

A - Before Driving
1-A-2
Vehicle Keys
Your DB AR1 is supplied with two sets of keys. Each set contains the
following:
• One ignition/door key
• One key number tag
• One key for the centre armrest storage box
• One alarm key fob
Security of Keys and Alarm Key Fobs
It is important to keep your keys and alarm key fobs in a safe place at all
times. Leaving them in a conspicuous place is an invitation for a thief to steal
them and consequently your car and belongings. Keep your key sets secure
at all times.
Remove the key number tags from each key set and keep them secure. They
will be required if you wish to obtain replacement keys.
ASTON MARTIN

A - Before Driving
1-A-3
The Security System and Door Locks
Your DB AR1 is fitted with sophisticated security systems which protect your
car against theft. The alarm system is linked to the central locking system.
The following two pages describe the basic operations required to turn on
or off the alarm and at the same time to lock or unlock the car. The systems
are fully described in section 'E - Security Systems'.
Alarm Key Fob
Basic alarm functions are controlled using the alarm key fob which sends
radio signals to the alarm unit aerial near the rear window when either the
left or right key fob button is pressed.
The left button is used for turning the alarm system on/off and locking/
unlocking the car. The right button is used for unlocking the boot.
The key fob has a range of about 10 metres (30 feet) when operating with
no intervening obstructions.

A - Before Driving
1-A-4
Unlocking the Car / Turning off the Alarm
To unlock the car and turn the alarm system off, approach to within 10
metres (30 feet) of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window.
Press the left button on the alarm key fob.
The exterior direction indicators flash three times, indicating that the alarm
has been switched off. At the same time, the central locking system unlocks
the car doors and fuel filler flap. Alarm sensing on the boot lock is also
switched off so that the boot may be opened without triggering the alarm.
Locking the Car / Turning on the Alarm
To turn the alarm system on and lock the car, stand within 10 metres (30 feet)
of the car and point the key fob towards the rear window. Press the left
button on the alarm key fob.
The direction indicators flash once as the alarm is switched on. Alarm
sensing is then operative on the door locks, bonnet and boot. At the same
time, the car doors, boot and filler flap are locked by the central locking
system.
Engine Immobiliser
The engine is immobilised by the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and may
not be started until a correctly coded key is inserted and turned in the
ignition switch (See 'Security Systems' for a full description of PATS). The
PATS system is fully automatic and requires no intervention from the driver.

A - Before Driving
1-A-5
Door Locks
The door locks and fuel filler flap are centrally controlled and are normally
unlocked when the left button is pressed on the alarm key fob. The boot lock
is also enabled at this time but does not release until opened using the boot
release switch, ignition key or by pressing the right button on the key fob.
NOTE: If a door is unlocked and opened with the key whilst the alarm is switched
on, the alarm will sound.
If the alarm system is off, then locking or unlocking of either door with the
ignition key causes simultaneous locking or unlocking of the other door and
the fuel filler flap by means of the central locking system.
Door Sealing
Your DB AR1 is fitted with frameless door windows. A special door sealing
system is fitted to ensure a tight fit of the door glass to the seal along the 'A'
post.
When you open a door, the window glass is automatically lowered a few
millimetres to clear the door seal.
As you close a door, the window glass is automatically raised against the
body frame rubber seals.
WARNING: Ensure that all occupants are clear when the window mechanism is
operating.
Caution: Door Seal Damage - Reconnect the battery (see Battery Reconnect Switch
1-F-35) before opening the doors to avoid damage to the door seals.

A - Before Driving
1-A-7
Rain Cover
To protect the interior of your DB AR1 during periods of inclement weather
a rain cover is provided.
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. The front of the rain cover, over the windscreen,
can be rolled up, allowing the driver to have vision.
To Fit the Rain Cover
Before fitting the rain cover raise both door windows fully and remove the
ignition key from the ignition lock.
1. Remove the rain cover from its storage bag.
Place the rain cover over the windscreen,
black side up, with the two sucker
attachments towards the front of the vehicle.
Attach the suckers to the windscreen (one
in each bottom corner of the windscreen).
Note: Place the sucker attachments close to the
corners, this will enable the windscreen wipers to operate if required.

B - Controls
1-B-21
Electric Window Switches
On either side of the gear selector lever are two identical
rocker switches to control the movement of the electric
windows.
With the ignition on and the doors closed, press and hold
the down (hollow) arrow to lower the window.
Press and hold the up (solid) arrow to raise the window.
Note: The electric window will only operate if the door is
closed.
Electric Window 'One Touch Down' Feature
Briefly press and release the down (hollow) arrow to lower the window fully.
Pressing the button again will stop downward window movement.
WARNINGS: Clear all obstructions before raising the window. When leaving the
vehicle, remove the ignition keys. Misuse of window switches, especially by
children, can cause injury.
Note: If battery power to the electric windows has been interrupted for any
reason, they will fail to operate correctly until reset using the procedure described
in 'Owner Maintenance'.

B - Controls
1-B-24
Closing the Bonnet (Hood)
To close the bonnet, hold near the centre of the rear edge and lower until
approximately 18 inches (450 mm) from the latch mechanisms and then
release it. After closing the bonnet, ensure that both left and right hand
latches have fully engaged by pulling up at either side of the bonnet rear
edge.
WARNING: Before closing the bonnet, ensure that no one is obstructing the
closing area and that hands and clothing are clear. Remove tools, cleaning cloths,
etc. from the engine compartment.
Boot (Trunk) Release
There are four methods for opening the boot.
1. The boot lid may be released at any time using the right hand button on
the key fob.
ASTON MARTIN

B - Controls
1-B-25 2. The boot may be opened from outside the car
using the ignition key when the alarm system is
switched off. Lift up the Aston Martin badge to
access the boot lock.
3. The boot may be opened by pressing the boot
release switch located on the center console at
any time when the alarm system is switched off
and the ignition is switched on.
4. The boot may be opened from inside by
pulling the luminous emergency release handle.
The handle will latch on the edge of its housing.
To retract the handle, pull, lift and release so that
it may withdraw into the housing.
Boot (Trunk) Closing
Close the boot gently and press down the lid until the lock engages.
Slamming of the boot lid may damage the lock mechanism or the boot seals.

B - Controls
1-B-26
Accessory Socket
The accessory socket is mounted in the centre armrest beside the boot open
switch and may be used to power any 12 volt vehicle accessory requiring a
current of less than 15 amps.
The accessory socket is only live when the ignition key is inserted and the
switch is turned to position I or II.
WARNING: Damage to the electrical circuits will result if more than 15 amps is
drawn from the accessory socket.
Only connect accessories which are designed for use in a motor vehicle.
Read the manufacturer's instructions and ensure that you do not connect any
device which would exceed the current rating of the accessory socket.