2005 LOTUS ELISE water

REMOVABLE ROOF CONCEPTThe Lotus Elise has been designed to exploit the pleasures
of open top motoring, the better to enjoy exposure to the natu
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ral environment, without the restrictions and confinement of a
cockpit roof.
In order to provide some weather protection to the occupants
and car interior, and allow the continued enjoyment of the car in unfavourable weather conditions, a simple hard or soft top roof may be fitted. The constant changing of loads and strains
to which a car is subject to when driving on roads, and the
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 pressure water streams directed in areas which
would not apply in normal driving conditions.
WARNING: The soft or hard top roofs should be removed only whilst
the car is safely parked. Do not attempt to remove the soft
or hard top roof whilst the car is in motion.
External Operations
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NOTICE: The Elise is not equipped with conventional separate shock absorbing bumpers, so extra care should be taken when parking to guard against body damage. The Lotus Elise does
not offer the same kind and degree of impact resistance or
energy absorption afforded by conventional U.S. bumper sys
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tems. Care is also required, due to the low ground clearance, to guard against car underside damage caused by ramps, kerbs
and road humps.
Paint Care The acr ylic enamel finish of the Lotus Elise is extremely
resistant to all normal forms of atmospheric attack. Following
the simple maintenance procedure summarised below will help retain the gloss, colour and protective properties of the paint
throughout the life of the car. However, car finishes are not im
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mune to damage and amongst the more common causes of deterioration are:
- Atmospheric contaminants; dust, soot, ash, and acidic or
alkaline aerosol mist can chemically attack paint.
- Abrasion; blowing sand and 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 impact, and result in paint chips, especially around
the vulnerable frontal panels. Do not follow other cars too closely in such circumstances. For optimum paintwork pro
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tection, Lotus recommends the use of a self adhesive film kit
which your dealer will be pleased to supply and/or fit.
- Moisture entrapment; Long term use of a non-breathable car cover can trap moisture and/or induce condensation and promote water penetration of the paint film.
Ventilation Water lying on the paint surface for a lengthy period will even
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tually penetrate the paint film. Although the effects will not be
visible immediately, a deterioration in the protective properties
of the paint film will ultimately result.
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It is not recommended to store a wet car in a poorly ventilated
garage. If good ventilation cannot be provided, storage outside
on a hard standing or under a carport is to be preferred.
Paintwork Polishing Eventually some loss of gloss, and an accumulation of traffic
film, will occur. At this stage, after normal washing, the appli
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cation of a good quality liquid polish will restore the original lustre of the paint film.
Higher gloss of the paint finish, and added protection against
contamination, can be obtained by the use of a wax polish.
However, this can only be used successfully on a clean surface,
from which the previous application has been removed with white
spirit or a liquid polish cleaner.
Washing NOTICE: Lotus recommends hand washing of the painted
bodywork. The car is a speciality sports vehicle not intended
to go through an automatic car wash. Automatic car washing machines and jet wash facilities may have a detrimental 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
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rosive salts, and will remove wax and accelerate oxidation).
Frequent washing is the best safeguard against both seen and
invisible contaminants. Wash in the shade, and use a cotton chenille wash mitt or a
sponge rinsed frequently to minimise the retension of dirt parti
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cles in the mitt or sponge. Use a straight back and forth washing motion to avoid swirled micro scratches, and rinse thoroughly.
In order to minimise degradation from road salt, the underside
of the chassis should be rinsed with clean water as soon as possible after driving on treated roads. Many fuel filling stations
offer pressure washing facilities ideal for this purpose, but do
not use on the painted bodywork or soft top roof.
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Soft Top Roof
1. Careful vacuuming of the soft top before washing may be
helpful in removing excess dust and other foreign particles.
2. Wash in partial shade rather than strong sunlight.
3. Using only clean lukewarm water and a sponge (a chamois or
cloth will leave lint, and a brush may abrade the threads), wash
the entire soft top uniformly. Do NOT use a detergent, which may
affect the waterproofing properties of the material.
4. Rinse the whole car to prevent streaking on the paintwork. 5. Remove surface water with a sponge and allow to air dry in direct sunlight. Ensure that the roof is fully dry before stow
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ing, as prolonged stowage of a wet or damp roof will promote
rotting of the fabric.
Keeping the soft top clean by regular washing will enhance
the life and maintain the appearance of the roof, and facilitate subsequent cleaning. The use of stronger cleansers should be left to professionals experienced in handling this type of fabric
as discoloration and degradation 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
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age the wiper arm mechanism. Wash the wiper blade with

clean water.
Alloy Road Wheels It is recommended that the aluminium alloy road wheels
are washed with the same preparation as is used to wash the bodywork. Use a brush having only nylon bristles. During the
winter months, particularly when salt has been used on the
roads for the dispersal of snow and ice, remove all the wheels,
and wash thoroughly to remove all accumulated road filth from
the wheels and Tires. Be aware that on cars fitted with optional clear anodised
forged alloy wheels (with 7 twin-spokes), the anodised surface
finish may be attacked by some proprietary wheel cleaning products. Wash only using hot soapy water or car bodywork
shampoo. Advise tire fitting companies accordingly.
Servicing & Maintenance
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Upholstery Cleaning
Cloth Trim:
Normal cleaning consists of an occasional light wipe
over with a cloth dampened in a mild soap and water solution; it
is important that the cloth is only dampened, not soaked. Alter
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natively, a proprietary upholstery cleaner may be used.
Leather Trim:
The leather should be wiped over occasionally with
a cloth dampened in warm soapy water. Use a mild, non-caustic
toilet soap or soap flakes. Repeat the operation using a fresh
cloth and water only, but avoid flooding the leather. Finish by drying and polishing with a soft dry cloth. The manufacturers
of the leather do not recommend the use of any hide 'food',
and prohibit the use of petrol or detergents, furniture creams

and polishes.
NOTICE: Lotus cars are upholstered with premium quality
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 chemical
cleaners and never attempt to bleach or dye the webbing.
Footwell Cleaning Each time the car is washed, the footwell carpet mats should
be lifted and the floor surface cleaned and dried.
NOTICE: Use only correctly retained Lotus approved carpet mats in the footwells. Floor coverings made from plastic or other
non-breathable materials may trap moisture and initiate surface
corrosion of the footwell floors. Any damage caused by the use of incorrect mats will not be covered by your Limited Warranty.
Servicing & Maintenance
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oh48e
a small amount of clean engine oil into the filter, screw onto its
spigot and tighten BY HAND sufficiently to make a secure seal,
typically 2/3 to 3/4 of a turn after the sealing faces have made
contact. Overtightening using a filter wrench may damage the
canister and/or complicate subsequent removal. Before refitting the undertray, start the engine and check for
oil leaks. Re-check the security of the filter, further tightening
by hand if necessary. Check the oil level (see above) when the
engine is fully warm.
Used Engine Oil NOTICE: 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
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rect oil level, and the oil renewed, at intervals specified in the
Maintenance Schedule.
To check the oil level:
- A garage lift or inspection pit must be used.
- Remove the engine bay undertray.
- Wipe clean the area around the socket headed level plug on
the front face of the transmission end casing.
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Cooling SystemThe engine cooling system uses a header tank to ensure that
the system remains completely filled, and also to accommodate
expansion of the coolant with increasing engine temperature.
The tank is mounted at the left hand side of the engine bay, and is fitted with a 108 kPa (15 psi) pressure cap to raise the boiling point of the coolant to over 120°C (250°F).
WARNING:
• Do NOT attempt to remove the pressure cap or air bleed plug from the header tank when the engine is warm
as serious scalding could result 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 circumstances it should not be necessary to add any
coolant to the system between services. If overfilled, the excess
coolant will be ejected when the engine is warm. If under filled, overheating may result.
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Air bleed plugCoolant header tank cap

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As a precaution, every week when the engine is completely
COLD, and without disturbing the filler cap, check that the level of coolant in the translucent tank is between the ‘FULL’
and ‘LOW’ marks moulded on the front of the tank. If topping
up is required, wait until the coolant has fully cooled before
turning the cap a quarter turn counterclockwise and allowing any remaining pressure to escape. Only then may the cap be
completely unscrewed. In order to maintain protection from freezing damage and
metal corrosion, use only an approved coolant mixture (see below) to top up the tank to the ‘FULL’ mark. Refit the cap, and
turn clockwise until the leg on the cap locates in the slot at the
front of the tank.
NOTICE: If the cap is removed when the engine is warm, the coolant may boil and a small coolant loss may occur. The com
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pletely cold header tank level should be checked at the first subsequent opportunity.
Cooling Fans
: Two cooling fans are fitted below the radiator in
the air intake duct. The fans are energised at high coolant tem
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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.
WARNING: Keep hands, tools and clothing away from the radiator
cooling fan area, as personal injury could result from the
fans starting up without warning.
At service intervals, the air duct and matrices of the engine
cooling radiator, a.c. condenser and oil coolers, should be
checked externally for clogging by insects, leaves or other debris,
and if necessary, a water jet used to clear the finning. Take care not to damage or distort the delicate finning of the radiator or
the cooling performance will be degraded.
Anti-Freeze/Corrosion Inhibitor It is most important that the correct coolant specification is
used in order to inhibit boiling and protect the engine and heat
Servicing & Maintenance
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