Lotus 2005 Elise, Owner'S Handbook Manual

Page: 70 / 205

stopping distance, a locked wheel provides little or no steering
force, such that with both front wheels locked, movement of the
steering wheel has no effect on car direction. With the anti-lock
system, even panic braking results in controlled deceleration
and the retention of steering response. ABS is especially ad-
vantageous when braking on slippery road surfaces and in bad
driving conditions, but it is important to realise that the ABS
cannot increase the friction level at the road surface, but can
only make optimum use of the grip available.
WARNING:
When driving in adverse weather, or on poor road sur-
faces, always be alert to the possibility of slippery condi-
tions and make the necessary allowance for increased stop-
ping distances. Failure to do so may result in an accident in
which you or others may be killed or seriously injured.
Normal braking, controlled by the pressure applied to the
brake pedal, occurs when the road conditions allow for decel-
eration to be achieved without danger of wheel lock. The relative
speeds of the four wheels are continuously monitored by the
ABS when 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. Note that the
ABS does not function at speeds below 5 mph (7 km/h).
When the ABS is activated, the driver is will feel a ‘pulsing’
sensation at the brake pedal as the fluid pressure is modulated,
and also by audible clicking sounds. These signals indicate to
the driver that maximum braking is occuring, and that driving
style should be modified to suit the conditions.
The minimum stopping distance is achieved by applying the
brakes firmly and steadily, and allowing the ABS to modulate
hydraulic pressure. The driver should not attempt to emulate
this process by ‘pumping’ the brake pedal, as modulation at the
pedal will treat all four wheels similarly, rather than the individual
wheel control allowed by the electronics.
An ABS tell tale lamp in the instrument panel is provided
to warn of any problems in the system and to indicate that the
D
r
iv
in
g C
o
n
tr
o
ls
68
oh_croft_InD.indd 68 20/05/2004 07:58:57