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Lotus 2005 Elise, Owner'S Handbook Manual

The Lotus 2005 Elise Owner's Handbook Manual is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed instructions and essential information about the iconic sports car. This manual is available for download absolutely free from our website, allowing you to access it anytime, anywhere. Get your hands on this essential manual today at manualshive.com.

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The Queen’s Award for Enterprise

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the highest honour that 

can be bestowed upon a British company and is the UK’s top 

award for business performance. The award is given annually 

by Her Majesty The Queen and the winning companies hold it 

for five years.

Group Lotus PLC and its staff were awarded The Queen’s 

Award for Enterprise 2002 for the whole group’s outstanding 

achievement  in  international  trade.  Lotus  Cars  has  sold  its 

prestigious sports car models into over 30 countries around the 

world and Lotus Engineering, which has been investing heavily in 

engine and chassis research, is regarded as one of the world’s 

leading engineering consultancy groups.

The Lotus Elise now proudly displays The Queen’s Award 

logo  on  the  rear  window.  This  logo  symbolises  the  achieve-

ments of Group Lotus over the last few years culminating in 

the company being given the Award in 2002 – the year of The 

Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

The Queen’s Award scheme was introduced in 1966, originally 

as The Queen’s Award to Industry before becoming known as 

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 1999.

Her Majesty The Queen makes the Awards on the advice of 

the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee 

that includes representatives of Government, industry and com-

merce, and the trade unions. They are announced on 21 April, 

The Queen’s personal birthday.

For more information about The Queen’s Awards, please see 

www.queensawards.org.uk

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Summary of Contents for 2005 Elise

Page 1: ...intro18f oh_croft_InD indd 1 20 05 2004 07 58 39 ...

Page 2: ...ars Limited 2004 Lotus Cars USA Inc 2236 Northmont Parkway Duluth Georgia 30096 Tel 770 476 6540 Fax 770 476 6541 www LotusCars com For North America OWNER S HANDBOOK 2005 model year onwards intro18e oh_croft_InD indd 2 20 05 2004 07 58 39 ...

Page 3: ...Arming the Alarm 32 Disarming the Alarm 33 Emergency Disarming Mobilising 33 Intrusion Sensing 34 Manual Activation of Siren 34 Transmitter Fob Battery Replacement 35 Programming Additional Transmitter Fobs 36 Disconnecting Car Battery 36 7 ENTRY COMFORT Central Door Locking 37 To Unlock From Outside 37 To Lock From Inside 37 To Unlock From Inside 38 To Lock From Outside 38 Lights On Buzzer 40 Int...

Page 4: ...hometer 51 LCD Display Panel 52 Fuel Level Display 52 Coolant Temperature Display 53 Odometer 53 Trip Recorder 53 Dashboard Switches 54 Parking Lamp Switch 54 Headlamp Switch 54 Lights on Buzzer 55 Hazard Warning Lamps Switch 55 Instrument Illumination 56 Auxiliary Power Socket 57 Column Switches Horn 58 Headlamp High Low Beam Flasher Turn Indicators 58 Windscreen Wiper Washer 59 Horn 60 Audio Equ...

Page 5: ...ine Cover Trunk Lid 79 Child Entrapment 80 Removable Roof Concept 81 Soft Top Roof Fitting 82 Soft Top Roof Removal 84 Hard Top Roof Fitting 85 Hard Top Roof Removal 90 13 SERVICING MAINTENANCE Bodycare 93 Body Features 93 Paint Care 94 Ventilation 94 Paintwork Polishing 95 Washing 95 Soft Top Roof 96 Windscreen Cleaning 96 Alloy Road Wheels 96 Upholstery Cleaning 97 Seat Belts Cleaning 97 Footwel...

Page 6: ...17 Replacement Tires 118 Tire Characteristics 119 Winter Tires 119 Tire Chains 120 Uniform Tire Quality Grading 120 Tire Placard Label 121 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 122 Tire Markings 123 Tire Inflator Aerosol 124 Wheels 126 Wheel Bolts 126 Wheel Alignment Tire Balance 126 Wheel Replacement 127 15 ELECTRICAL Battery 129 Battery Access 129 Disconnecting the Battery 129 Reconnecting the...

Page 7: ...b 144 Interior Lamp Bulb 145 Side Marker Lamp Bulb 145 16 LIFTING TOWING Towing Eye 146 Towing a Trailer 147 Car Tie Down 147 Lifting Your Car 148 Fuel Tank Undershield 149 17 ACCESSORIES Accessories Modifications 150 Storing Your Elise 152 18 RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS Engine 153 Transmission 154 Brakes Clutch 154 Engine Coolant Additive 154 19 TECHNICAL DATA 155 20 WARRANTY INDEX 161 21 ALPHABETICAL ...

Page 8: ... carried out at the correct intervals An alphabetical index is provided at the back of this book to help you find information about any particular feature or topic The information and specifications included in this publica tion were correct at the time of approval for printing Lotus has a policy of continuous product improvement and reserves the right to discontinue or change specification design or...

Page 9: ...li sions Airbags supplement seat belts but airbags are designed to inflate only in a moderate to severe frontal collision So even though your car is equipped with airbags make sure you and your passenger always wear your seat belts and wear them properly See page 18 Your Car is Not Recommended for Child Passengers Since all children are safest in the back seat of a car and your car does not have a ...

Page 10: ...al failure can be extremely hazardous To reduce the possibility of such problems check your tire pressures and condition frequently and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance see separate Maintenance Record booklet Safety Features Your car is equipped with many features that work together to protect you and your passenger during a crash The Lotus Elise has been designed to comply with applica...

Page 11: ...nt Be aware that any motor car has the potential to cause death or injury both to its occupants and or other persons and must be used only in a responsible and cautious manner This entire handbook is filled with important safety information Please read it carefully Remember ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Never drive when excessively tired Never u...

Page 12: ...h injury or death you should immediately inform the Na tional Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying Lotus Cars USA Inc 2236 Northmont Parkway Duluth Georgia 30096 Tel 770 476 6540 If NHTSA receives similar complaints it may open an inves tigation and if it finds that a safety problem exists in a group of cars it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cann...

Page 13: ...nical components or body finish either at the factory or dealer premises in order to ensure that the customer receives the car in optimum condition Safety Information 11 oh_croft_InD indd 11 20 05 2004 07 58 41 ...

Page 14: ...garage with the engine running WARNING Engine exhaust can kill It contains the gas carbon monoxide CO which you can t see or smell It can cause unconsciousness and death You might have exhaust gas entering the cockpit if Your exhaust system sounds strange or different Your car was damaged in a collision Your car was damaged when driving over high points in the road or over road debris Repairs were...

Page 15: ...r in areas where combustible material such as dry grass or leaves could come into contact with the hot exhaust system Under certain wind and weather conditions a grass fire could be initiated DO NOT tamper with any electrical components with the battery connected You could receive an electric shock from the spark plug coils or initiate a car fire DO NOT check or adjust any engine bay equipment with ...

Page 16: ...ned by their seat belts Care of the Environment By virtue of its light weight simple content constructional process and fuel efficiency the Elise has a low environmental im pact compared with many road cars All drivers should however be aware of the effect of motor car exhaust emissions on the environment and drive in a way which minimises pollution by Anticipating traffic flow to avoid needless ac...

Page 17: ...e chassis sideframe alongside the driver s seat It is repeated on the certification label on the driver s door jamb This label contains tire pressure information The chassis frame is stamped with the V I N in the right hand front wheelarch area viewable with the front wheels turned to right full lock It is essential that the complete V I N is quoted in any corre spondence concerning the car or when...

Page 18: ...er The engine number is stamped on the rear end of the cylinder block exhaust side and is followed by 2ZZ ohs133 ohs104 Car Identification 16 ENGINE NUMBER V I N ON CHASSIS oh_croft_InD indd 16 20 05 2004 07 58 43 ...

Page 19: ... seats is fixed and cannot be reclined WARNING Sit as far back from the steering wheel as is comfortable whilst ensuring that full control can be maintained Sit ting too close to an airbag can result in serious injury or death if the airbag inflates Ensure that your chest is at least 10 inches 250mm from the steering wheel Do not attempt to adjust the seat position whilst driving as this could adver...

Page 20: ...in the instrument cluster will flash until the driver s seat belt is fastened accompanied for the first eight seconds by an audible chime Inertia Reel Seat Belts The standard fitment inertia reel seat belts allow the wearer freedom of movement under normal driving conditions The belt reel will lock automatically whenever the car is subjected to brak ing acceleration or cornering forces or on impact i...

Page 21: ... in a crash even with airbags On fastening the seat belt ensure that no part of the belt is twisted or is entangled in the door or seat mechanism Seat belts are designed to bear upon the bone structure of the body and should be worn low across the front of the pelvis and across the chest and shoulder Wearing the lap section of the belt across the abdominal area must be avoided Improperly positioni...

Page 22: ...a severe impact even if damage to the assembly is not obvious In situations where the airbags have been deployed the belt tensioner systems must also be replaced Seat belt anchorage points must also be rigorously checked Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if the seat belts do not work properly when needed Check the belts regularly and have any problem corr...

Page 23: ...bag in the event of airbag deployment The airbag system is designed to inflate when the car is involved in a frontal or near frontal collision and the force of impact is sufficient to warrant additional occupant protection The driver s airbag is housed in the centre of the steering wheel and that for the passenger in the dashboard When triggered by an electronic crash sensor each air bag inflates in ...

Page 24: ...m it Airbags are designed to work with seat belts but don t replace them Airbags are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes They aren t designed to inflate at all in rollover rear or low speed frontal crashes or in many types of side im pacts Both driver and passenger should wear a seat belt properly to minimise the risk of severe injury or death in the event...

Page 25: ...the airbag panel Never transport heavy objects on or in front of the pas senger seat Give your passenger all of the information in this sec tion Do not attempt to de activate the airbags or make any other changes to the wiring or components of the airbag system Do not undertake any wiring for electrical ac cessory equipment in the vicinity of the airbag wiring harnesses Doing so may disable the ai...

Page 26: ...deployment Although the powder is not harmful people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort If this occurs get out of the car if possible as soon as it is safe to do so After airbag deployment the airbags seat belt tensioners and electronic control unit must be replaced by a Lotus dealer or other suitably qualified organisation Component parts of the airbag system are lo...

Page 27: ...s on the use of child restraints please refer to Child Restraints in this hand book Never use a rear facing child seat in your Elise A crash can damage the restraint systems in your car A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash have them ins...

Page 28: ... touches or crosses the child s neck the child should NOT be carried in the Elise WARNING Children should not be carried in the Elise unless they are large enough to be able properly to use the standard seat belt without any child seat or booster seat Child restraint systems other than belt positioning booster seats are designed to be secured in the car seat by the lap belt portion of the lap shou...

Page 29: ...ctivated this retractor allows you to securely fas ten the child restraint system Activating the Automatic Retractor 1 Pull the passenger seat safety belt completely out At this point the locking mechanism is activated 2 Place the forward facing child seat in the passenger seat using the safety belt to secure the child seat following the instructions that come with the child seat 3 Insert the safe...

Page 30: ...Seating Safety Restraints 28 oh_croft_InD indd 28 20 05 2004 07 58 46 ...

Page 31: ...rom the key ring and the number recorded safely with the car documents This number will be required when ordering a replacement or any additional keys from your dealer Ensure that a spare key is available at all times to guard against becoming stranded WARNING Never leave the car unattended with the key in the igni tion switch especially if unsupervised children and or animals are in the car Dange...

Page 32: ... siren to maintain protection if the car battery is disconnected Transmitter Fobs Two transmitter fobs are provided with the car to operate the immobiliser alarm system The two transmitters should be kept separate and a replacement obtained immediately after any loss to ensure that a spare is always available Each individual alarm system has a unique serial number and an owner s Personal Identifica...

Page 33: ...ometer upper face flashing continuously To mobilise the engine press once and for a full second the larger of the two buttons on the transmitter fob The security tell tale will be extinguished Valet Mode If leaving the car for servicing or parking the passive immobil isation feature may be switched off by switching on the ignition and pressing the transmitter small button Two beeps will confirm vale...

Page 34: ...hat switch group both doors or front rear access lids excluded from the circuit After arming the system the engine is immediately immo bilised but a period of approximately 45 seconds must elapse before all functions and sensors become fully active After this time the alarm will be triggered by any of the following actions Interruption of the car battery power supply Energising the ignition circui...

Page 35: ...ring source 1 pulse flashing door engine cover boot lid or body front access panel 2 pulse flashing movement detected in cabin by microwave sensor 4 pulse flashing tampering with ignition circuit 6 pulse flashing interruption of battery supply The coding will be deleted when the ignition is next turned on Emergency disarming mobilising If the transmitter fobs are lost or damaged the alarm system owner...

Page 36: ... battery interruption circuits being active by arming the system in the usual way with the transmitter larger button and within 20 seconds pressing the smaller button twice Manual Activation of Siren To enhance personal security with the system in a fully armed state after 45 second arming period the siren may be manually triggered by pressing the transmitter smaller button The siren will sound an...

Page 37: ...y 12 months Using a small screwdriver prise open the case in the areas marked open Remove the old battery and wait for 10 seconds before insert ing the new battery with ve sign uppermost and holding the battery only by the periphery Align the locating studs and firmly press the case together The transmitter should now operate normally but may require re synchronisation with the control unit Transmi...

Page 38: ... fobs required to operate the system 3 Turn the ignition on and off 3 times within 7 seconds the security tell tale in the tachometer will light for 3 seconds 4 Enter the PIN Immediately the tell tale goes out switch ON the ignition and count the number of security tell tale flashes until equal to the first number of the PIN then turn the ignition OFF then back ON again 5 Repeat operation 4 for the ...

Page 39: ...ing the fingergrip below the button If the door is swung fully open a spring detent mechanism on the hinge will aid restraint of the door for convenience whilst entering or exiting the car but the door should be manually held in windy conditions or if the car is parked on a slope From inside the car pull the door firmly shut using the recess provided at the top of the door trim panel WARNING Before ...

Page 40: ... the release handle at the front of the door and push open Shut the door from outside by using firm hand pressure towards the rear of the door WARNING Before closing a door take care to ensure that no persons or objects will be trapped to avoid injury or damage To lock from outside To lock the car from outside remove the ignition key close both doors and check that the engine cover and front body a...

Page 41: ...his technique does not deadlock the interior release handles but does allow continued key access to the car until restoration of battery power Note that a door locked with the mechanical key cannot be unlocked using only the transmitter fob To deadlock the car i e disable interior release handles with a flat car battery or without the use of the transmitter fob or mechanical key close and lock one ...

Page 42: ...anipulation of the mirror housing Note that the passenger side mirror glass is convex to provide a wider field of vision A spring detent mechanism allows the complete mirror to swing forwards or backwards on accidental contact to reduce possible damage WARNING The passenger side convex mirror makes objects seem smaller and farther away than when viewed through a flat mirror Take care to judge distan...

Page 43: ...against flattening the battery take care not to leave the lamp on when parking the car or to switch it on accidentally when using the storage space behind the seats Lens rocked downwards a courtesy mode applies where the lamp is switched on whenever a door is opened and goes out when both doors are closed This is the normal position and should be used whenever leaving the car Sun Visors To help red...

Page 44: ...ttended in the car with the ignition key in position Do not leave children or animals in a parked car with the roof and windows closed in hot weather conditions as they may suffocate and or experience heat exhaustion Manual Winders Each door window may be raised or lowered by the winder handle near the front of the door Electric Windows On cars so equipped switches for the electric window op erati...

Page 45: ...lower a window switch on the ignition and press the lower domed end of the switch in the relevant door Release the switch to stop window movement To raise a window press the upper dished end of the switch Entry Comfort 43 oh_croft_InD indd 43 20 05 2004 07 58 50 ...

Page 46: ... start function is controlled by a Start button at the left hand end of the dashboard see below B To remove the key turn fully counterclockwise to B and withdraw The steering column lock will be activated when the key is withdrawn but may not engage until the steering is turned and the mechanism is aligned NOTICE DO NOT leave the ignition switched on for long periods without the engine running Alt...

Page 47: ...lways remove the key when leaving a parked car Engine Start Button An engine start button is located at the left hand end of the dashboard alongside the lighting switches and is backlit when the ignition is turned on The button is operative only with the ignition on and engages the engine starter motor for as long as the button is pressed Release the button to stop engine cranking For the correct ...

Page 48: ...ise Bulb Check In order to check that the warning systems are operative all the tell tale lamps except the security tell tale see Car Se curity Alarm section should light for about 6 seconds following ignition switch on If any lamp should fail to light it is possible that the bulb or warning circuit may be faulty see your dealer without delay Turn Tell Tale When the left hand or right hand turn in...

Page 49: ...ront or rear brake circuits In the event of a leak there is a danger that air may enter the hydraulic system and cause spongy operation and extended pedal travel The divided brake circuit should ensure that emergency braking remains but the car should not be driven until the fault has been identified and rectified WARNING If the tell tale remains lit when the parking brake has been released the foot...

Page 50: ... Tale This lamp glows blue whenever the headlamp high beams are operating Airbag Tell Tale The airbag safety system has a self diagnostic feature which lights the red tell tale if a fault is detected As a bulb and circuit check the tell tale will light for about six seconds following ig nition switch on and then go out If the lamp remains lit or comes on at any other time a fault in the airbag sys...

Page 51: ... engine misfire has been detected which is likely to cause overheat damage to the catalytic converter Slow down immediately and be prepared to stop If the MIL then stops flashing and is lit continuously proceed with caution and seek dealer advice If the MIL continues to flash stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the engine Seek dealer advice NOTICE Continuing to drive the car wi...

Page 52: ...g see Tachometer NOTICE The car is not fitted with a low pressure tell tale You should check the tire condition and pressure regularly See section in the handbook on tires which specifies tire care and pressures Instruments Switches 50 oh_croft_InD indd 50 20 05 2004 07 58 53 ...

Page 53: ...er to reduce possible damage from a harsh driving style NOTICE The use of wide throttle openings and or high rpm before normal running temperature has been reached will result in premature wear and should be avoided Do not run the engine continuously at its maximum speed or allow overspeeding to occur on the overrun by downshift ing prematurely as the high engine loads imposed could result in cata...

Page 54: ...shroud Turn on ignition LCD DISPLAY PANEL A liquid crystal display LCD panel is provided below the instruments in order to display fuel level coolant temperature total mileage and trip functions The panel is blank until the ignition is switched on Fuel Level Display An indication of the level of fuel in the tank is displayed in the form of a bar graph at the right hand top of the LCD panel in the ...

Page 55: ...ng by the driver of high temperatures The pressurised cooling system has a boiling point of over 248 F If the temperature approaches this level then the driver should be concerned If this should occur allow the engine to idle for a few minutes whilst monitoring the temperature and if it continues to rise switch off and seek qualified assistance NOTICE After a heavy snowfall ensure that the radiator...

Page 56: ... A tell tale in the switch button lights up green to indicate when the circuit is active Note that the headlamps must be off before the parking lamps can be switched off Headlamp Switch The lower switch functions with or without ignition and switches on the headlamps together with the parking lamps side marker lamps and instrument switch illumination A tell tale in the switch button lights up gree...

Page 57: ...mps tell tale and the hazard switch icon Press a second time to switch off This switch should be used when the car has to be stopped on the highway in an emergency or in other situations where a warning to other traffic needs to be relayed Use of the hazard warning lamps may be subject to local traffic laws with which drivers should familiarise themselves WARNING If stalled or stopped for emergency ...

Page 58: ...ectroluminescent instrument illumination may be adjusted To cycle through the range of brightness press and hold the button and release at the desired setting This dual function button also resets the trip distance recorder see Trip Recorder Instruments Switches 56 ohs102a INSTRUMENT ILLUMINATION BUTTON oh_croft_InD indd 56 20 05 2004 07 58 54 ...

Page 59: ...lows a standard cigarette lighter element to be used or other electrical accessories requiring this type of fitting Maximum current draw should not exceed 15 amps WARNING Do not leave small children unattended in the car since careless interference with the power socket could be dangerous and result in burn injuries or the initiation of a car fire Instruments Switches 57 ohs144 AUXILIARY POWER SOCKE...

Page 60: ...beam with the lever moved back towards the wheel The high beam tell tale lamp in the instrument panel lights when high beam is operating Note that when high beam is selected the low beam lamps remain lit NOTICE The headlamps used on the Elise provide a beam pat tern which differs from regular USA headlamps Take a moment to familiarise yourself with the spread of light Headlamp Flasher The headlamp...

Page 61: ...r and is operative only with the ignition switched on NOTICE Never use the wiper on a dry screen This may overload the mechanism and or scratch the screen Ensure that snow is cleared from the windscreen before operating the wiper Windscreen Wiper The wiper is controlled by the up down position of the lever switch which operates as follows Moved fully down the wiper is switched off Move up to the fi...

Page 62: ...ill operate for convenience without the ignition key so in order to avoid draining the battery take care to switch off the set when leaving the car Aerial An analogue di pole type radio aerial is routed inside the front body for optimum performance and to avoid the vandalism and accidental damage which may occur to external aerials Speakers Two rear speakers with 90W peak 30W RMS are mounted at ea...

Page 63: ...ion Push button switches are provided for air conditioning and air re circulation Air Conditioning The left hand push button selects air conditioning but the following conditions must first be met before the system will operate The engine must be running A fan speed must be selected Ambient temperature must be above 3 C With a fully cold temperature setting refrigerated air will be supplied For deh...

Page 64: ... control turned fully counterclockwise no heating is provided If cooled air is required use this tem perature position in conjunction with air conditioning Turning the control progressively clockwise provides in creasing levels of heat until at the fully clockwise position maximum heat is supplied Fan Speed The centre rotary switch provides three fan speeds to boost air circulation Turned fully co...

Page 65: ...s A few moments should be allowed for the flaps to operate following a new selection Face Level Turned fully counterclockwise all airflow is directed to the four face level vents each of which may be manipulated to adjust volume and direction p100 Heating Ventilation A C 63 oh_croft_InD indd 63 20 05 2004 07 58 56 ...

Page 66: ...s turned clockwise from the face level vents symbol towards the footwell symbol an increasing proportion of airflow is directed towards the footwell vents p100 Heating Ventilation A C 64 oh_croft_InD indd 64 20 05 2004 07 58 56 ...

Page 67: ...g on the a c will help de humidify the air directed to the screen Ventilation Shut Off To close off the ventilation which you may want to do in heavy traffic to reduce fumes coming into the car select re circulation turn off the fan turn the distribution control fully counterclock wise to the face level vent position and manually shut off each of the face level vents Engine Bay Ventilation The engi...

Page 68: ...n of the pedals causing possible loss of control and a crash in which you or others could be killed or seriously injured The carpets fitted in the footwells of the Elise are secured by two button screws at the rear and Velcro strips beneath the front edge Always ensure that the carpets are replaced and secured correctly and never fit any loose mats on top Clutch Pedal NOTICE To avoid unnecessary clu...

Page 69: ...g through a ford or a flooded road some loss of braking response may be experienced until the brakes have dried out As soon as it is safe to do so after such an encounter apply the brakes until normal operation is restored Failure to do so may result in an accident in which you or others may be killed or seriously injured The brake assistance servo uses vacuum supplied from the engine intake plenum...

Page 70: ...n the brakes are applied and if one or more wheels begin to lock the brake pressure to that wheel s is modulated by the ABS to help keep the wheel rotating and provide the maximum controlled braking force The wheels may appear to lock momentarily as the wheel speed rapidly changes and some tire noise intermittent screeching may be heard which is normal and will vary with road and tire conditions N...

Page 71: ...it receives from the wheel speed sensors Fitting non standard tires would seriously affect the performance of your ABS The amber ABS tell tale in the instrument panel should light for about 4 seconds following ignition switch on and then go out If the lamp remains lit or comes on whilst driving a fault in the anti lock brake system is indicated The base brake system will continue to operate normal...

Page 72: ...ard use special care should be taken to ensure that the parking brake is securely engaged in order to allow for any potential brake force reduction as the discs cool Failure to do so may result in the car rolling away and causing an accident in which you or others may be killed or seriously injured To release the brake pull up the lever press and hold the release button in the end of the handgrip ...

Page 73: ...eneath the knob and then further to the left over a spring detent before finally pushing forwards to engage the gear When changing gear it is essential that the transmission is not abused by power shifting the clutch pedal must be fully depressed during each gear shift and the throttle pedal eased during upshifts NOTICE Gearshifting without correct operation of the clutch and throttle controls can ...

Page 74: ...tachometer face is flashing mobilise the engine by pressing once and for a full second the larger of the two buttons on the transmitter fob ii Turn the key to position II to switch on the ignition and pause for a moment to allow the fuel system to prime iii Depress the clutch pedal as a precaution and without moving the accelerator press the Start button at the left hand end of the dashboard to eng...

Page 75: ...ms of the car warranty It is important during the car s early life to limit the workload on the engine and thus control the heat generated within it which is primarily a function of throttle opening and rpm However being too sympathetic on the car will not allow the piston rings to bed in satisfactorily so a balance of spirited and gentle use is required For the first 600 miles 1 000 km use no more...

Page 76: ...on demand to assist fault diagnosis and identify vehicle misuse Tires New tires also require a short break in period before providing optimum grip Engine Special Features The engine of the Elise is designated VVTL i for Variable Valve Timing and Lift intelligent Using microprocessor control the inlet camshaft timing is advanced or retarded according to immediate operating conditions and the lift o...

Page 77: ...ecified fuel consult your dealer without delay The use of good quality fuels containing proper detergent ad ditives is advised for good performance and emission control NOTICE Do NOT use leaded fuel damage caused by the use of leaded or other improper fuel is not covered by the New Car or Emission Control System Warranty The effectiveness of the catalytic converter decreases after as little as one ...

Page 78: ...control system and are NOT recommended Diesel The Lotus Elise will not operate on diesel fuel Fuel Filling WARNING Gasoline and its attendant fumes are highly explosive You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel Before stopping at a filling station switch off mobile phones and other electronic equipment ensure that all cigarettes are extinguished and that no naked flames or other pote...

Page 79: ...ace the cap into the filler neck and turn clockwise until the ratchet mechanism clicks several times Push the flap closed Filling Procedure Insert the pump nozzle fully into the neck and fill until the auto shut off mechanism is triggered Do not attempt to brim the tank to the top of the filler neck as expansion of the fuel due to temperature change cold underground fuel storage may cause flooding of t...

Page 80: ...uard against the lightweight panel being blown away and damaged by a strong wind To refit a panel Hook the extended lip on the front edge of the panel beneath the rear edge of the louvre panel before engaging the two locating pegs on the inboard side of the access panel with the holes in the front body spine Fit the single screw at the outboard corner of the panel into the captive nut in the body t...

Page 81: ...ggage compartment beware of any hot surfaces exposed in the engine bay Touching hot surfaces could cause serious burns Before closing the lid ensure that no persons or objects will be trapped If necessary protect and or secure heavy objects as required To close Stow the support prop in its bulkhead clip and keeping fingers well clear of entrapment and ensuring that no obstruction is present lower t...

Page 82: ...s could be killed or seriously injured Refer also to the Tires section in this handbook Child Entrapment If a child should become trapped in the rear luggage com partment an emergency internal release handle is provided to facilitate their escape To release the latch pull the fluorescent handle on the un derside of the lid Parents should decide if their children should be shown how to use this feat...

Page 83: ...e tolerances required to allow for repeated removal and refitting of the roof means that minor wind noise and seepage at joints between the roof body and doors cannot be completely sealed in certain areas Therefore small leaks are considered normal for this model NOTICE Do not take the car through an automatic car wash The soft top may suffer damage by the brushes or suffer leaks due to the high pr...

Page 84: ...stays Lower both door windows or open both doors 2 Insert the two identical roof support stays with the arrows pointing forwards into the slots above the rear window and in the windscreen header rail Note that the slots are keyed to allow fitment of the stays in only the correct orientation 3 Lay the soft top roof across the centre of the roof space with the arrows on the side rails pointing forwar...

Page 85: ... slots indicating that latching is complete Pull up on the side rail to check security 6 On the right hand side of the car repeat steps 4 and 5 for the second side rail NOTICE Engaging the left hand roof side rail first will minimise the possibility of the canopy tensioning cable adjusters causing damage to the roof seals WARNING Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling upwards on ea...

Page 86: ...ease the side rail latches press down on the side rail if necessary to relieve the load on the latch pins and rotate the rail upwards to release the canopy tension 3 Repeat step 2 for the left hand side rail NOTICE Releasing the right hand roof side rail first will minimise the possibility of the canopy tensioning cable adjusters causing damage to the roof seals 4 Free the front and rear tensioning...

Page 87: ...roof to their dealer When stowing the roof off the car care should be taken to avoid damage to the roof corners e g use a suitable soft floor covering on which to stand the roof Note that there is no provision for on board hard top roof stowage Fitment or removal of the hardtop is made considerably easier with the assistance of a second person Use only the Torx tool supplied in the car tool kit in ...

Page 88: ...rst before locating the front edge against the windscreen header rail 2 Locate a front spigot bracket into its latch plate lower slot lifting the roof slightly to allow this and retain to the roof with the Torx bolt Use only the special Torx tool supplied in the car tool kit stowed in the battery cover pocket and do not fully tighten at this stage 3 Repeat step 2 for the opposite front spigot brac...

Page 89: ... is fully located onto the tongue 5 Repeat step 4 for the opposite rear hook bracket 6 Push the roof fully forwards before tightening the front spigot brackets using only the special Torx tool supplied Hold each rear hook bracket in alignment whilst tightening the single fixing screw for each bracket Do not overtighten h2 FITTING REAR HOOK BRACKET External Operations 87 oh_croft_InD indd 87 20 05 2...

Page 90: ...are handed for left and right sides Press the panels firmly into position fully to engage the Velcro fixing patches WARNING Do not drive the car with the cover panels removed Injury could result from contact with the roof brackets in a car collision External Operations 88 oh_croft_InD indd 88 20 05 2004 07 59 02 ...

Page 91: ...ontact with the roof brackets in a car collision Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling upwards on each corner in turn If any upward movement is evident check the correct fitment of all mounting brack ets An insecure or incorrectly fitted roof could cause death or serious injury to other road users or a crash in which you or others could be killed or seriously injured WINDSCREEN HEA...

Page 92: ...hilst the car is moving Serious injury or death could result from an unsecured roof panel 1 Open both doors 2 Using the special tool supplied release the three Torx screws securing the windscreen header trim panel and remove the panel External Operations 90 oh_croft_InD indd 90 20 05 2004 07 59 03 ...

Page 93: ...tool supplied slacken the Torx screw se curing each front corner spigot bracket to the roof but do not yet remove the screws b330 FRONT CORNER SPIGOT BRACKET External Operations 91 oh_croft_InD indd 91 20 05 2004 07 59 03 ...

Page 94: ...crews and lift the front edge of the roof slightly to release the front brackets from their latch plate slots 6 With the aid of an assistant lift the roof from the car taking care to restrain the tethered brackets to avoid damaging the paintwork 7 If storing the roof vertically take care to avoid damaging the panel corners by using a protective floor covering External Operations 92 oh_croft_InD ind...

Page 95: ...al for access to chassis or powertrain components or to allow simple and economic accident repair Other composite mouldings include the door shells sills front access panels windscreen frame and rear bulkhead some panels being bonded to the aluminium alloy chassis with an elastomeric adhesive Several different processes are used to manufacture the various panels depending on the functional require...

Page 96: ...dust or a dirty washing cloth Tree sap and insect fluids can form a water insoluble polymer that adheres to the paint Bird excrement highly acidic or alkaline they can chemically etch the paint Wash off immediately Leaves contain tannic acid which can stain light finishes Impact damage granite chippings thrown up from poor or recently dressed road surfaces can subject the body to severe localised im...

Page 97: ...rimental effect on the paint film and the soft top Use of automatic car washes will invalidate the terms of the Limited Warranty Many contaminants are water soluble and can be removed before any harm occurs by thorough washing with plenty of lukewarm water together with a proprietary car wash additive Household detergent and washing up liquid can contain cor rosive salts and will remove wax and acc...

Page 98: ...adation of the material may result The application of wax finishes dressings or preservatives may cause stains and should be avoided Your dealer will be able to advise on current Lotus approved soft top care products Windscreen Cleaning When washing the windscreen take care to lift the wiper blade only a small distance from the glass in order not to dam age the wiper arm mechanism Wash the wiper bl...

Page 99: ...leather specifically tanned and dyed for automotive use As a natural material leather ages in various ways and may over time exhibit signs of cracking scuffing shrinking etc Such wear is not an indication of a defect but rather the natural maturing of the leather Seat Belts Cleaning The seat belts may be sponged with warm water and should be allowed to air dry naturally before use Do not use chemica...

Page 100: ... and such wear and tear on parts and compo nents will not be covered by your Limited Warranty WARNING Any type of timed competitive car use will invalidate warranty and require appropriate levels of expert car prepa ration and servicing WARNING Attempts at car servicing with inadequate knowledge tools or equipment could result in car damage as well as endangering you your passenger and other road ...

Page 101: ...e until the engine components have bedded in The best time to check the level is when the oil is warm such as during a fuel stop Ensure that the car is parked on a level surface and that a few minutes have elapsed since stopping the engine to allow oil to drain back into the sump If the engine is stopped before reaching normal running temperature the oil will not drain back so readily and the dips...

Page 102: ... Do NOT overfill or lubrication will be degraded and consump tion increased as the oil becomes aerated Refit the filler cap turning clockwise until secure Engine Oil Change The use of high quality oil renewed at the specified intervals is the key to engine longevity and sustained performance Ad here strictly to the engine oil and filter change intervals specified in the Maintenance Schedule For access t...

Page 103: ...Keep out of reach of children Allow the oil to drain completely before cleaning the drain plug fitting a new sealing washer and tightening securely Refit the undertray Refill with the recommended lubricant see page 153 via the oil filler on the camshaft cover to the top mark on the dipstick allowing several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before checking the level Take care not to ove...

Page 104: ...us skin disorders including dermatitis and cancer Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact Keep out of reach of children Remove the filter by turning in a counterclockwise direction if necessary using an oil filter wrench and dispose of safely see Used Engine Oil Ensure that only a Lotus specified filter is fitted as parts with identical ...

Page 105: ...PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT Do not pollute drains water courses or land with oil Use only authorised waste collection facilities including civic amenity sites and garages providing facilities for disposal of used oil and used oil filters If in doubt contact your local authority for advice on disposal Transmission Oil The transmission should be checked for oil leaks for the cor rect oil level and the oi...

Page 106: ...washer and tighten securely Refit the undertray To renew transmission oil WARNING Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal if swallowed Take all suitable precautions to guard against scalding from the hot oil Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause serious skin disorders including dermatitis and cancer Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far as p...

Page 107: ...d be removed immediately after a run when the oil is warm taking suitable precautions against scalding Clean the plug fit a new sealing washer and refit securely Refill to the level plug hole as detailed above Servicing Maintenance 105 f131 plug oh_croft_InD indd 105 20 05 2004 07 59 06 ...

Page 108: ...esult from boiling water and or steam Coolant is hazardous to your health and may be fatal if swallowed Keep coolant out of reach of children Coolant is hazardous to animals and may be fatal if swallowed Clean up spilled coolant and do not leave in open containers The level of coolant in the translucent header tank will rise as the engine warms up and fall as it cools down and under normal circums...

Page 109: ...ted below the radiator in the air intake duct The fans are energised at high coolant tem peratures or when the air conditioning if fitted is selected The fans will also run if certain types of engine fault are detected and may operate during a 20 minute period following ignition switch off to prevent hot soak boiling An electric coolant circulation pump may also be heard running during this period ...

Page 110: ... million distilled de ionised or filtered rain water should be used for the water content of the coolant mix The effective level of ethylene glycol anti freeze in the sys tem may be measured by your dealer using a hydrometer but in order to ensure that the required level of corrosion protection is maintained the coolant should be renewed every 4 years For coolant capacity refer to Recommended Lubri...

Page 111: ...ets are mounted each side of the wiper spindle and may if necessary be cleared or adjusted using a suitable pin Wiper Blade To replace the single wiper blade lift the arm away from the screen swing the blade through 90 depress the retaining tab and slide the blade down the arm to unhook and release When refitting ensure that the retaining clip is re engaged in the wiper arm slot ohs36a ohs130 WASHE...

Page 112: ...be below the MIN mark it is likely there has been some fluid loss and that air will have entered the hydraulic system The car should not be driven until the fault has been investigated and rectified Note that a single reservoir is used to supply both of the independent hydraulic circuits for the front and rear brakes and also serves the hydraulic clutch release circuit If any fluid is to be added firs...

Page 113: ...thickness of the brake pad lining material should be checked at every service and under no circumstances be al lowed to fall below 0 1 inch 2 5 mm If the brakes are in very frequent or arduous use as when driving in mountainous terrain or on race circuits it is recommended that they be examined more frequently The pads should be renewed if of insufficient thickness to ensure safe braking until the ...

Page 114: ...e brake pipes and flexible hoses should be carefully examined for signs of dam age corrosion or perishing especially in territories where salt is used on the road surface in the winter months Servicing Maintenance 112 oh_croft_InD indd 112 20 05 2004 07 59 08 ...

Page 115: ...fore opening the air cleaner housing the wheelarch area should be cleaned to reduce the possibility of filter or housing contamination with road dirt To open the filter housing release the two spring clips at the outboard end of the housing and hinge open sufficiently to allow the element to be removed If necessary remove the air intake scroll for improved access Clean the inside of the housing inclu...

Page 116: ...egreased before the new belt is fitted It is recommended that auxiliary belt replacement be en trusted to your Lotus dealer Sparking Plugs The Elise uses a direct ignition system with an individual high tension coil mounted atop each of the four spark plugs and protected by a plastic cover screw fixed to the engine WARNING The voltages produced with this ignition system can cause serious and potenti...

Page 117: ... performance on both road and track To ensure that any replacement tires are to the correct Lotus specification always refer to your Lotus dealer who will have the latest recommendations WARNING In order to achieve the optimum handling char acteristics the wheel and tire sizes on the Elise are different front and rear This means that interchanging of wheels and tires between axles is not permissibl...

Page 118: ...hen assessing tire condition and serviceability and the tires replaced if any doubt exists or if the legal tread depth limits are approached Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much friction You could have a blow out and a serious accident in which you could be killed or seriously injured See Tire Placard La bel ...

Page 119: ...se weather conditions Tire Care Wear indicators are moulded into the bottom of the tread grooves at intervals around the tire indicated by small pointers on the outer tread blocks The tires should be replaced before being worn to this minimum legal tread depth The cold tire pressures should be checked every week or every 1 000 miles 1 700 km whichever is the sooner and corrections made as necessar...

Page 120: ...nical Data sec tion in this handbook or consult your dealer to check the current Lotus specification and recommendations Do not use tires which differ from these specifications WARNING Note that some tread patterns are directional so that the tire must be fitted onto the wheel with regard to which side of the car the wheel is to be used In these cases a direction of rotation arrow is included in the ...

Page 121: ...ed in sports use However tire performance will decrease at low ambi ent temperatures resulting in reduced levels of grip and an increased susceptibility to damage from impacts In these conditions especially below 15 F 10 C it is recommended to fit a car set of the recommended winter Tires see below Winter Tires If the car is to be used in very cold territories or driven on snow covered roads it is ...

Page 122: ...d States The grades are moulded on the sidewalls of most passenger car Tires The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not apply to deep tread winter type snow Tires space saver or temporary use spare Tires Tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches 25 to 30 cm or to some limited production Tires While the Tires available on Lotus cars may vary with respect to these grades they must al...

Page 123: ...can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail ure The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car Tires must meet under Federal Motor Car Safety Standard No 109 Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law WARNING The temper...

Page 124: ...d cause a crash in which you or others could be seriously injured or killed The Elise should never be used to tow a trailer Federal Motor Car Safety Standards require Lotus to in clude the following verbatim statement in this handbook Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1 Locate the statement The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds on your car s placard 2 Det...

Page 125: ...okohama Advan A048 195 50 R16 84W Yokohama manufacturer Advan A048 tire model 195 nominal section width in mm 50 height of tire cross section expressed as percentage of width R radial construction 16 rim diameter in inches 84 load capacity index indicating the load in kg the tire can carry at the speed corresponding to the speed rating W speed rating indicating the speed in this case 168 mph at wh...

Page 126: ...the solidifying latex is forced into the puncture site at the same time as the tire is inflated effecting a temporary repair and enabling the car to be driven at low speed to the nearest tire repair facility WARNING Use of the aerosol does not constitute a permanent repair but is designed to allow the car to be driven to the nearest tire repair facility At the earliest op portunity the tire should ...

Page 127: ...ess the button until the tire is firmly inflated 4 Immediately drive for 6 12 miles 10 20 km or to the tire repair facility if nearer in a moderate manner and not exceeding 30 mph 45 km h to allow the sealant to spread Then check and adjust the tire pressure as necessary 5 Have the tire professionally repaired or replaced at the earliest opportunity and until such time limit speed to 30 mph 45 km h ...

Page 128: ... lbf ft 105 Nm required To protect against wheel theft one of the four bolts securing each wheel is key coded and requires a corresponding coded socket wrench and 1 2 inch square drive extension Rotate the coded socket until full engagement with the bolt head is ensured and take care to maintain the extension tool perpendicular to the wheel face before applying release torque NOTICE It is not reco...

Page 129: ...s should arise Ensure that only Lotus approved wheels and wheel bolts are used WARNING Using incorrect or non approved replacement wheels or wheel bolts could be dangerous It could affect the brak ing and handling of your car or cause tire deflation and result in a crash in which you or others could be killed or seriously injured Always use Lotus approved wheels and wheel bolts Putting a used wheel...

Page 130: ...he wheel could come off causing a crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously injured Using incorrect wheel bolts or the wrong tightening torque could cause the bolts to come loose and the wheel to come off resulting in a crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously injured Use only the correct Lotus approved wheel bolts tightened to 77 lbf ft 105 Nm NOTICE Improperly ...

Page 131: ...ry during all work on the electrical system Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the battery as they could cause a short circuit across the battery terminals Battery Access The maintenance free battery is located at the left hand front of the rear luggage compartment No routine inspection or topping up of the electrolyte is required but at intervals specified in the Maintenance Schedule the b...

Page 132: ...is disarmed If the battery is disconnected when armed the alarm will be triggered iv Disconnect the negative earth black battery cable first and re connect last WARNING If the battery positive terminal is inadvertently earthed e g when using a spanner whilst the negative terminal is still connected the resultant short circuit with heavy sparking and current flow could cause serious burns To remove t...

Page 133: ... may be noted for a period whilst the computer controlled engine management system re learns some of its settings iv If necessary enter the security code into audio equipment Battery Charging Under conditions of normal daily use it should not be nec essary to use external battery charging equipment In a low usage regime however it is important to maintain the charge state of the battery using a tr...

Page 134: ...rolyte which is an acid in your eyes or on your skin immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and call a doctor Unless you are using an automatic battery management conditioner the battery should be removed from the car for recharging to a well ventilated area to avoid a build up of fumes in the luggage compartment and to prevent damage to the car s electrical system Observe the safet...

Page 135: ...st idle use one jumper cable red to connect the positive terminal of one battery to the positive terminal of the other battery Take care during this process to avoid inadvertently earthing a free end of this cable to the metal body or chassis of either car ii Connect one end of the other jumper cable black to the negative terminal of the discharged battery iii A spark will occur when the other end...

Page 136: ... keep them away from engine moving parts The two cars must not contact each other or current could flow as soon as the positive terminals are connected When the first clamp on each cable is connected the other clamp on that cable must be held carefully to make sure it does not come into contact with either another cable clamp or either car Ensure that tools or metal watches or jewellery do not conta...

Page 137: ...m between the coolant header tank and windscreen washer reservoir The switch is reset by pressing the rubber diaphragm button on the top of the unit Fuses The main fusebox is located in the front services compartment on the passenger side and is protected by a plastic cover For access remove the passenger side front body access panel and unclip the fusebox lid Twenty two slots are provided for Lit...

Page 138: ...ition 3 20A Driver s window 14 20A Rad fans 4 20A Pass window 1 2 slow 1 fast 5 10A Stoplamps 15 7 5A Radio switch 6 7 5A Turn indicators pack module 7 10A Ignition services 16 10A Parking lamps 8 7 5A Battery services 17 10A Dip beam LH 9 15A Hazard lamps 18 10A Dip beam RH 10 7 5A Horn 19 20A A C comp relay 11 10A Alarm pwr rad fan 2 fast interior lamp 20 15A Main beam LH 21 15A Main beam RH 22 ...

Page 139: ...ry feed R5 5A O2 heaters R6 7 5A VSV s VVT VVL IAC R7 10A Injectors ignition coils R8 5A Re circ pump WARNING To avoid injury beware of rotating engine components and guard against entrapment of body parts tools and loose clothing Stop engine before servicing fuses Beware of hot surfaces in the engine bay You could be seriously burned if you touch a hot engine part Take great care not to drop flamm...

Page 140: ...ust ahead of the scuttle beam and accessible from the passenger footwell Fuse Rating Circuit C1 20A Interior fan C2 15A Wiper motor C3 7 5A Audio key in C4 7 5A A C compressor m248a Front Viewed from beneath Fusebox C Electrical 138 oh_croft_InD indd 138 20 05 2004 07 59 15 ...

Page 141: ...th this procedure 1 Using beam setting equipment compatible with local regu lations position the machine between 300 and 700mm in front of the LH headlamp and parallel with the two headlamp units using the sight bar or similar device dependent on the machine design to ensure cross car match Use the guides provided on the machine to ensure the correct height and lateral setting 2 Switch on the head...

Page 142: ...crew at the upper inboard side of the low beam uppermost lamp accessed from the front of the lamp Turn clockwise to adjust the beam to the right Optimum setting is 0 To adjust the vertical aim of the low beam adjust the dome headed screw at the lower outboard side of the lamp accessed from the front of the lamp Turn clockwise to raise the beam Optimum setting is 1 5 5 Repeat for the RH lamp 6 Cent...

Page 143: ...ew at the lower outboard side of the lamp ac cessed from behind the lamp Turn clockwise to raise the beam 7 Repeat for the RH lamp 8 Re fit the cover mask assemblies complete with edge seal to the body and secure with the three socket head screws and washers Refit the wheelarch access panel m257 Vertical adjuster Lateral adjuster Lateral adjuster High beam lamp Vertical adjuster Low beam lamp Electr...

Page 144: ...have pressurised gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb You or others could be injured Be sure to read and follow instructions on the bulb packaging NOTICE Do not touch a halogen bulb glass envelope with the fingers as the greasy deposit left behind will greatly reduce bulb life Use a paper tissue to handle the bulb Low beam bulb Disconnect the single cable release the spring wire...

Page 145: ...ont end of the lamp and withdraw the lamp from the body Twist the bulb holder counterclockwise to release from the lamp and replace the bayonet fitting amber bulb After replacing the bulb and holder ensure the rubber seal is correctly positioned around the lamp Engage the tongue at the rear end of the lamp unit with the body flange and press the front end of the lamp firmly down until a distinct clic...

Page 146: ...m within the rear luggage compartment Twist the bulbholder counterclock wise to remove replace the bayonet fitting bulb and refit the bulbholder High Mounted Stoplamp The high mounted stoplamp mounted beneath the rear window shroud uses light emitting diodes LED for optimum visibility This is a self contained unit which may be replaced after releasing the two screws securing the housing to the body ...

Page 147: ...khead first ease one end of the lamp from its aperture Twist the bulbholder to release from the lamp body and pull out the capless bulb Side Marker Lamps The side marker lamps fitted to the front and rear wheelarch lips use light emitting diodes LEDs housed in a sealed lamp body Replacement of a lamp assembly should be entrusted to your dealer ohs127 INTERIOR LAMP BULB Electrical 145 oh_croft_InD in...

Page 148: ... during which time the fol lowing precautions must be taken WARNING Use only towing equipment designed specifically for this purpose or damage to the car may be caused or you could be killed or seriously injured Ensure that the key is used to unlock the steering column and is then left in the lock Never withdraw the key until the car is stationary The steering column will lock when the key is withd...

Page 149: ...own When moving a car by transporter or trailer the car should be secured only by chocking and strapping around the road wheels Attaching restraints around suspension linkages or chassis or body components may cause damage Lifting Towing 147 oh_croft_InD indd 147 20 05 2004 07 59 17 ...

Page 150: ...roperly positioned may damage the chassis or body structure and or jeopardise safety Care must be taken when using a lifting jack or hoist to po sition the device only in one of the areas shown in the illustration Use a suitable rubber or timber pad to protect the chassis from surface damage A Identified by a blue sticker Beneath crossmember ahead of fuel tank bay To be used one side at a time for ...

Page 151: ...e to the lower wishbone rearmost mountings NOTICE In order fully to exploit the benefits of light weight and to maximise stowage space the Elise has no provision for spare wheel carriage or lifting jack A temporary puncture repair facility is provided in the form of a tire inflator aerosol see page 124 Fuel Tank Undershield WARNING The perforated panel enclosing the underside of the fuel tank bay co...

Page 152: ...ch you can be hurt or killed Follow all instruc tions in this owner s manual regarding accessories and modifications When properly installed cellular phones alarms two way radios and low powered audio systems should not interfere with your car s computer controlled systems such as the airbag and anti lock brake system However if such or similar electronic accessories are im properly installed or ex...

Page 153: ...al increase the chance of undercarriage parts striking a kerb speed bump or other raised object which could cause your airbags to deploy as well as damaging the chassis and body underside Do not modify your steering wheel or any other part of your air bag system Modifications could make the system ineffective WARNING Do not attach or place objects on the airbag covers Any object attached to or plac...

Page 154: ...ck the road wheels leave off the parking brake and engage reverse gear Increase the tire pressures to 60 psi 4 bar If possible move the car slightly every month to help avoid flat spots on the Tires Either leave the battery in the car and connect a battery management conditioner type of charger or remove the battery and trickle charge every two months Note that with the battery disconnected or remo...

Page 155: ...n with good wear protection at elevated temperatures and at high engine speeds If Texaco Havoline products are not available an oil meeting the following specification should be used NOTICE Note that Lotus does not recommend the use of any oil additives and use of such additives may invalidate the terms of your car s warranty Viscosity 5W 40 Quality Standard API SJEC ILSAC ACEA A3 Capacity refill in...

Page 156: ...uding timed runs or laps will invalidate warranty and require appropriate levels of expert car preparation and servicing Transmission gearbox final drive Viscosity SAE 75W 90 Quality Standard API GL 4 or GL 5 Capacity 2 3 litre 2 4 US qt Oil change interval Refer to Maintenance Schedule Brake Clutch System Type Non mineral non petroleum hydraulic fluid Specification DOT 4 Capacity brake 1 5 litre clu...

Page 157: ...190kPa 27 5 psi Wheels Type std Cast alloy 8 spoke sport option Forged alloy 7 twin spoke Size front std 5 5J x 16 sport option 6 5J x 16 rear 7 5J x 17 Wheel bolt torque 105 Nm 77 lbf ft Dimensions Overall length 3785 mm Overall width excl mirrors 1719 mm incl mirrors 1850 mm approx Overall height at kerb weight 1117 mm Wheelbase 2300 mm Track front 1457 mm rear 1503 mm Ground clearance mid laden...

Page 158: ... qt 12 litre A C refrigerant R134a 1 2 lb 0 55 kg Front Suspension Type Independent Upper and lower wishbone co axial coil spring telescopic damper unit anti roll bar Steering axis inclination 12 nominal Geometry specification Standard Mid laden ride height reference height for geometry check front 135 mm below front end of chassis siderail rear 135 mm below rear end of chassis siderail Castor opti...

Page 159: ...bone co axial coil spring telescopic damper Geometry specification Standard Mid laden ride height reference height for geometry check front 135 mm below front end of chassis siderail rear 135 mm below rear end of chassis siderail Camber optimum 1 8 tolerance range 1 6 to 2 0 max side side 0 2 Alignment optimum 1 2 mm toe in each side tolerance range 1 2 to 1 8mm toe in each side max side side 0 3 m...

Page 160: ...ps 4 21 P21 4w High mounted stop lamp 2 5 16 x LED Reversing lamp 21 H21 Licence plate lamps 5 C5W Interior lamp 5 W5W System voltage polarity 12V negative earth Alternator 85A Battery service replacement type Delco 19001598 BCI code 26R 6YR cranking power 550 amps 18 C reserve capacity 80 minutes Engine Type designation 2ZZ GE Cylinder configuration in line 4 Capacity 1796 cm3 Bore 82 0 mm Stroke ...

Page 161: ...nsaxle Bevel gear differential Gear Ratio Final Drive mph 1000 rpm First 3 17 1 5 1 Second 2 05 1 7 7 Third 1 48 1 4 53 1 10 7 Fourth 1 17 1 13 6 Fifth 0 92 1 17 3 Sixth 0 81 1 19 4 Reverse 3 25 1 Brakes Type Front and rear discs with curved vane ventilation and cross drilling AP Racing aluminium op posed piston front calipers Single piston sliding rear calipers Disc Size front and rear 288mm Oper...

Page 162: ...Technical Data 160 oh_croft_InD indd 160 20 05 2004 07 59 20 ...

Page 163: ... Maintenance 173 What is Not Covered 174 Improper Maintenance and Use 175 Warranty Claim Procedure 176 Further Information 178 Emissions Warranty Parts List 178 California Emission Control Warranty Statement 180 Lotus California Emission Control System Warranties 182 California Emission Control System Defects Warranty 182 California Emissions Performance Warranty 185 What Is Not Covered By The Cal...

Page 164: ...cludes certain parts and sets of circumstances which are set out in section 4 below 1 WARRANTY PERIODS a LIMITED WARRANTY Cars The Company warrants each new car to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of thirty six 36 months or 36 000 miles whichever first occurs after the first occurring of the following dates i date of delivery of the car to the retail original owner ii re...

Page 165: ...RRANTY SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSE QUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU 4 EXTENT OF COMPANY OBLIGATIONS a LIMITED WARRANTY Car This warranty extends to each original and subsequent owner of a Lotus motor car within the warranty period expressed in Paragraph 1...

Page 166: ... has been used and maintained in a normal and reasonable manner c corrosion perforation is not due to any or all of the follow ing an accident abuse damage installation of an accessory chemical substance an act of nature fire or salvaged car d OBTAINING REPAIRS All warranted repairs will be effected at Lotus Dealers upon presentation of suitable evidence of eligibility A reasonable time must be all...

Page 167: ...ry see para 5n or any other part assembly or component as a consequence of normal wear and tear or exposure to the elements including airborne fallout chemicals tree sap etc vi body panel glass and trim adjustments may intermittently be required to prevent excessive water ingress or noise and vibration and so should be considered as routine mainte nance d INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNLES...

Page 168: ...any warranty which accompanies the sale of that particular part Defects arising from track use will not be covered by your Limited Warranty Any original part affected or damaged by the fitment of any off road or track part may not be covered by your Limited Warranty k Minor wind noise and minor water ingress from the hard or soft top roofs NOTICE The car is a speciality sports car not intended to g...

Page 169: ...nces If the car has not been driven in accordance with the Break in instructions detailed in the Owner s Handbook if the maintenance services and maintenance instructions specified in this Handbook are not performed and followed at the prescribed intervals Car owners must keep up to date and accurate records of car service and maintenance in order for any warranty claim to be considered if the moto...

Page 170: ...warranties representa tions promises or statements shall be of no force or effect as regards the Company or the manufacturer of the car If any provision of this warranty is declared or made ineffective or unenforceable by law adjudication or otherwise such ineffectiveness or unenforceability shall not affect any of the other terms and conditions of this warranty No person is authorised to change o...

Page 171: ...rmity In this way Lotus Cars USA will be afforded an opportunity to perform any necessary repairs Where ap propriate an additional lemon law information sheet is provided with this owner s manual Arbitration Programs Some states have state run arbitration programs that you can use to pursue lemon law remedies These programs are oper ated by state agencies and such agencies may be contacted for add...

Page 172: ...Limited Warranty 170 oh_croft_InD indd 170 20 05 2004 07 59 22 ...

Page 173: ...is sion Related Components which could cause the car to fail to conform with these requirements for a period of 2 years or 24 000 miles whichever first occurs provided however that in the case of specified Major Emission Control Components the warranty period shall be 8 years or 80 000 miles whichever first occurs A list of the Emissions Related Components to which this Defects Warranty applies appea...

Page 174: ...rdance with the written instructions for proper maintenance and use 2 the car fails to conform to the applicable emission standards as judged by an EPA approved emission test and 3 such non conformity results or will result in the car owner having to bear any penalty or other sanction including denial or the right to use the car under local State or Federal law then Lotus shall remedy the non conf...

Page 175: ...No emission performance warranty claim will be denied on the basis of the use of a properly certified part in the maintenance or repair of a car In no case will Lotus deny an emission performance warranty claim on the basis of i warranty work or pre delivery service performed by any Lotus Dealer or ii work performed in an emergency situation to rectify an unsafe condition including an unsafe drivea...

Page 176: ...r to the short test failure and non compliance with that instruc tion caused the failure of another car component relevant to the non conformity This warranty does not cover failures caused by abuse neglect collision accidents improper maintenance un authorised modification nor does it cover loss of time inconvenience loss of use of the car or incidental or con sequential damages ANY IMPLIED WARRAN...

Page 177: ...vant maintenance instruction s or 2 a showing that the car has been submitted for scheduled maintenance servicing at the approximate time or mileage intervals specified for service to someone who regularly en gages in the business of servicing automobiles for the purpose of performing the relevant maintenance or 3 a statement by the car owner that he or she performed the maintenance at the appropri...

Page 178: ...ny component affecting the car s emissions Warranty Claim Procedure a A claim under the emission performance warranty may be raised immediately upon the failure of an EPA approved emission short test if as a result of that failure an owner is required to take action of any kind in order to avoid imposition of a penalty or sanction An owner need not suffer the loss of the right to use a car be fined...

Page 179: ...or repair is unable for any reason to honour the particular claim then unless this requirement is waived in writing by the car owner the repair facility shall forward the claim to Lotus Cars U S A Inc 2236 Northmont Parkway Duluth Georgia 30096 in order for a decision to be made e Within the time period specified in paragraph d of this sec tion Lotus shall 1 notify the owner that it will honour the...

Page 180: ... WARRANTY PARTS LIST Air Induction System air inlet trunking intake manifold Fuel Injection System fuel pressure regulator fuel injectors fuel delivery line throttle body Ignition System spark plugs direct ignition coils Positive Crankcase Ventilation System non return valve oil filler cap Evaporative Emissions Control System EECS charcoal canister assembly fuel tank fuel level sender and seal fuel...

Page 181: ...rs throttle position sensor TPS knock sensor oxygen sensors oil control valves for VVTL i oil pressure switch for VVTL i camshaft position sensor coolant thermostat On Board Diagnostics OBD malfunction indicator lamp MIL data link connector and harness Miscellaneous Parts used in the Above Systems hoses switches sensors and solenoids gaskets and seals wires harnesses and connectors major emission ...

Page 182: ...d assemblies Where a warrantable condition exists Lotus will repair your car at no cost to you including diagnosis parts and labour MANUFACTURER S WARRANTY COVERAGE For 3 years or 50 000 miles whichever first occurs 1 If your car fails a Smog Check inspection all necessary repairs and adjustments will be made by Lotus to ensure that your car passes the inspection This is your emission control syste...

Page 183: ...r as soon as a problem exists The warranty repairs should be completed in a reasonable amount of time not to exceed 30 days As the car owner you should also be aware that Lotus may deny you warranty coverage if your car or a part has failed due to abuse neglect improper maintenance or unapproved modifications If you have any questions regarding your warranty rights and responsibilities you should c...

Page 184: ... emissions is broken or does not function as designed including adjust ments provided the car does not qualify for an exclusion as described on page 186 Lotus shall be responsible for repair or replacement of any such part or parts including diagnosis and labour charges ii if during a period of 7 years or 70 000 miles whichever first occurs one or more of a certain group of emission related parts l...

Page 185: ...facturer to be equivalent to genuine Lotus parts in performance and durability Lotus however assumes no liability under this warranty with respect to failure of such parts other than Lotus Service Parts or Authorized Remanufactured Parts However the use of non Lotus replacement parts does not invalidate the warranty on other components If a non Lotus emission related part causes damage to other co...

Page 186: ...e or repairs on your new USA specification Lotus Elise You are responsible for the performance of the required maintenance Lotus will not deny a warranty claim solely because you have no record of maintenance however Lotus may deny a warranty claim if your failure to perform required maintenance resulted in the failure of a warranted part Receipts and maintenance records covering the performance of...

Page 187: ...hout charge You will have to pay for diagnostic costs and repairs if performed at another service facility except in the case of emergency repairs see page 164 If your car fails a Smog Check test or a Federal Emissions Short test after the 3 year 50 000 mile performance warranty period has expired but before 7 years 70 000 miles is reached those parts listed on page 168 are still covered by the de...

Page 188: ...ed maintenance services Incidental and consequential damages such as loss of time inconvenience loss of use of the car or commercial loss Any car on which odometer mileage has been changed so that mileage cannot be readily determined ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE APPLICABLE TO A Car OR PART IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN THIS W...

Page 189: ...236 Northmont Parkway Duluth Georgia 30096 If you cannot obtain satisfaction you may contact Air Re sources Board Mobile Source Division 9528 Telstar Avenue El Monte CA 91731 7 YEAR 70 000 MILE EMISSIONS DEFECTS WARRANTY PARTS LIST Catalytic Converter Engine Management Electronic Control Module Throttle Body Exhaust Manifold Fuel Tank Fuel Level Sender and Seal IAC Valve Knock Sensor Intake Manifo...

Page 190: ...t 57 Battery 129 Bodycare 93 Brake Fluid Reservoir 110 Brake Pads 111 Break In running in 73 Bulb Replacement 142 Central Door Locking 37 Child Restraints 26 Cleaning bodycare 93 Coolant Temperature Display 53 Cooling System 106 Dipswitch 58 Doors keys 37 Engine Cover Trunk Lid 79 Environment care of 14 Fuel Level Display 52 Fuel Filling 76 Fuel Requirement 75 Fuses 135 Gear Lever 71 Hazard Warnin...

Page 191: ...er 40 55 Lubrication Dipstick engine oil level check 99 Engine Oil Change 100 Oil Filter 102 Recommended Lubricants 153 Transmission Oil 103 Mirrors 40 Odometer 53 Parking Brake 70 Pedals 66 Queen s Award 191 Roof Hard Top 85 Roof Soft Top 82 Safety Information 7 Seat Belts 18 Seats 17 Servicing see separate Maintenance Record booklet Sparking Plugs 114 Speedometer 51 Start Button engine 45 Starti...

Page 192: ...146 Trip Recorder 53 Turn Indicators Switch 58 Tires 115 Tire Inflator Aerosol 124 Tire Chains 120 Identification car 15 Warning Tell Tale Lamps 46 Warranty 161 Washer Reservoir 109 Washing bodycare 93 Wheelbolts 126 Wheels 126 Windows door 42 Windscreen Wiper Washer Control 59 Wiper Blade 109 Index 190 oh_croft_InD indd 190 20 05 2004 07 59 26 ...

Page 193: ...ng engineering consultancy groups The Lotus Elise now proudly displays The Queen s Award logo on the rear window This logo symbolises the achieve ments of Group Lotus over the last few years culminating in the company being given the Award in 2002 the year of The Queen s Golden Jubilee The Queen s Award scheme was introduced in 1966 originally as The Queen s Award to Industry before becoming known...

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