Lotus Evora, Service Notes

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Lotus Service Notes Section MR
MR.8 - BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES & EARTHING POINTS
Battery
WARNING: POISON/DANGER - CAUSES SEVERE BURNS - KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Contains sulphuric acid - avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. If in contact with skin or eyes; flush
with copious amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek immediate medical attention. If
ingested; seek immediate medical attention . Do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink.
Batteries produce explosive gases. Keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away. Ventilate when charging
or using in enclosed space. Always shield eyes when working near batteries.
Battery Access
The 72 Ah VARTA BLUE dynamic battery is located at the left hand front of the rear luggage compartment,
protected by a plastic cover. No routine inspection or topping up of the electrolyte is required, but at intervals
specified in the Maintenance Schedule, the battery terminals should be checked for security and condition,
and protected with petroleum jelly.
To remove the battery, release the three
thumbscrews and remove the plastic cover.
Release the two screws and remove the
retaining clamp from the base of the battery.
Withdraw the battery sufficiently to allow the
cables to be disconnected (see below).
When lifting out the battery, be aware
of the considerable weight, and take all ap-
propriate precautions to safeguard personal
health.
Refit the battery, with its terminals to
the rear, by reversing the above procedure.
Remember to push on the breather pipe (if
applicable).
Disconnecting the Battery
If the battery is to be disconnected, the following precautions should be taken:
i) If the vehicle is fitted with security coded audio equipment, check that the code is available for entering
after battery reconnection.
ii) Wait for at least ten seconds after switching off the ignition to allow the engine management system to
adjust the setting of some components ready for re-starting.
iii) Ensure that all electrical loads (e.g. lights) are switched off.
iiv) Check that the security alarm is disarmed. If the battery is disconnected when armed, the alarm will be
triggered.
v) Disconnect the
negative
(earth; black; ‘-’) battery cable first, and re-connect last. 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.
Battery Reconnection
i) Check again that all electrical loads are switched off.
ii) Connect the positive battery cable first, followed by the negative (earth) cable.
iii) Be aware that the vehicle security alarm may be triggered by the action of battery re-connection. Have
the alarm transmitter key ready to disarm the alarm (see ‘Vehicle Security Alarm’).
iv) After reconnection, a change in the engine performance characteristics may be noted for a period whilst
the computer controlled engine management system ‘re-learns’ some of its settings.
v) If necessary, enter the security code into audio equipment.
Battery Charging
Under conditions of normal daily use, it should not be necessary to use external battery charging equip-
ment. In a low usage regime, however, it is important to maintain the charge state of the battery using a trickle
charger, or an automatic battery management conditioner such as that available through Lotus After Sales.
Check battery terminal symbols;
Orientation may
differ Positive
terminal
Negative
terminal
Retaining
clamp
plate
BATTERY ACCESS (cover removed)
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