transmission ASTON MARTIN DB AR1 Q 2003 Owners Guide

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-8
SRS (Supplementary Restraint System) (Amber)
Flashes if a fault is detected in the airbag system.
When you start the car, this lamp comes on for a few seconds
as a readiness indicator. If it does not come on when you start
the car, or if it does not go off after a few seconds, or if it comes
on whilst driving, the airbag system has detected a fault. Consult
your Dealer immediately if this light illuminates.
Frost Warning Lamp (Amber)
This lamp will illuminate if the external temperature falls to
+4°C. At or below this temperature there is an increased risk of
frost on the road surface.
Traction Control Warning (Green)
Traction control is normally on. This lamp illuminates if the
system is switched off. The lamp flashes when traction control
is active. See the traction control description in this section.
Sport (Auto transmission only) (Green)
Indicates that Sport Mode is selected, increasing the engine
speeds at which the automatic transmission changes gear.
Left Turn Direction Indicator (Green)
Flashes with the indicator lights during operation of the left turn
signal or hazard warning lights.
Right Turn Direction Indicator (Green)
Flashes with the indicator lights during operation of the right turn
signal or the hazard warning lights.

B - Controls
1-B-11 External Temperature Display - Press the trip button briefly to display the
external temperature. Whilst the external temperature is displayed, press
and hold the button to change between °C and °F readouts. Briefly press the
button again to return to the trip display.
Gearshift Indicator (centre top)
Indicates the current gearshift mode on DB AR1 fitted
with 'Touchtronic' transmission. 'A' indicates Automatic
mode. A number 1-5 indicates the current gear selected
when in Touchtronic mode.
Speedometer (centre right)
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour and/or kilometres per hour.
Also houses the odometer recording the total distance travelled by the
vehicle.
Oil Pressure Gauge (top right)
The oil pressure gauge is graduated in bar (1 bar 14.7 psi). Normal oil
pressure at medium engine revs should be in the range 3-6 bar.
Engine Coolant Temperture Gauge (bottom right)
In temperate climates, normal coolant temperature is indicated with the
needle to the left of the 'N' position, but coolant temperature will vary
(within the range 92 - 105°C) dependent on ambient temperature and
driving conditions.

B - Controls
1-B-15
Windscreen Washer Control
The windscreen washers are switched on by pressing the button on the end
of the right column stalk. The washers and wipers operate whilst the button
is pressed. On releasing the button, the washers stop immediately but the
wipers continue for a few strokes to clear any residual washer fluid from the
screen.
If the washer button is used during normal wiper operation, the washers
operate whilst the button is pressed and the wipers operate continually
irrespective of the washer operation.
Steering Wheel
Horn Push
The horn is sounded by pressing either of the
horn buttons above the steering wheel pad.
An alternative three spoke sports wheel is
fitted to cars with the Touchtronic transmission
option.
Two buttons marked '+' and
'-' are fitted to
the steering wheel horizontal spokes. These
buttons are used for gearchanging when in
Touchtronic mode.

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-9
Running-In
Your DB AR1 engine is fully hot tested during manufacture and no special
running-in procedures are necessary. Nevertheless it is prudent to limit
engine loads (e.g. by using lower gears on steep hills) during the first 4,000
km (2500 miles).
Maximum Engine Speed - Fuel Cut-Off
The maximum safe engine speed is 7,000 RPM on manual transmission
vehicles (6,400 RPM on auto and touchtronic transmission cars). If this
speed is exceeded, fuel supply to the engine is gradually reduced. As the
engine speed reduces back to a safe level, fuel supply is progressively
restored.
Driving in Wet Conditions
When driving in wet conditions, water can build up under your tyres so that
they ride on a layer of water. This is called aquaplaning or hydroplaning.
When this happens, you have little or no control. Aquaplaning is more prone
to happening at higher road speeds if there is a lot of water on the road and
particularly if the tyres are also under inflated or approaching minimum
tread depth. Slow down when it is raining.
It is important to take bends or curves at a safe, reasonable speed,
particularly when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
Rapid acceleration or deceleration can cause loss of control, especially on
slippery surfaces. Use extra care when driving on such surfaces.

C - Driving
1-C-10
Gear Changing
When operating either the DB AR1 manual or Touchtronic transmission
systems, the following warnings are of particular importance:
WARNING: Do not skip one or more gears when downshifting, you could lose
control of the vehicle and injury could result.
WARNING: Shifting without correct operation of the clutch and throttle can
result in severe damage to the transmission and engine.
Gear Changing - Manual Transmission
The gear lever for the six speed manual transmission is spring biased to the
centre of the gate. Push to the left before selecting first or second gears and
to the right before selecting fifth or sixth gear.
Press fully to the right and forwards to overcome additional spring pressure
when selecting reverse gear. The reverse gear position has a solenoid lock
to prevent accidental engagement when driving forward.
13
4
25
R
6

C - Driving
1-C-11
Gear Changing - Touchtronic Transmission Control
The 'Touchtronic' transmission system can operate in Automatic, Sport and
Touchtronic modes. It is controlled using the special selector lever shown
below.
P
R
N
D