Driving Techniques - Aston Martin DB9 2006 Manual

Driving Techniques

Procedures for driving this vehicle may be unfamiliar to many
new owners. Please take time to safely acquire the necessary
new driving skills. Practise in safe, lower speed conditions
before investigating the high performance potential of the
vehicle. Please ensure a safe and enjoyable entry into this
new phase of Aston Martin motoring.
Performance Driving Courses are available to enable
customers not only to understand the control functions of
their vehicle but also the basic principles of Performance
Driving.
Please contact your Aston Martin Dealer for further
information.
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.
It is important to take bends or curves at a safe, reasonable
speed, particularly when driving on wet or slippery road
surfaces.
Slow down when it is raining.
This vehicle should not be driven through water depths
of up to 175 mm (7 in) above 50 km/h (30 m.p.h.) or
through water depths over 175mm (7 in) above idle
speed.
Water depths of 200 mm (8 in) or more should not be
traversed as this may cause extensive damage to the
engine.
Running-In
This vehicle 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 accelerating gently
and by using lower gears on steep hills or when negotiating
tight turns) during the first 1,600 km (1,000 mile).
5.17