integral self diagnostics have switched out the anti-lock function.
See ‘ABS tell tale lamp’.
WARNING:
• The increased control that ABS provides should not induce you to take more risks with your safety. ABS will
not prevent a skid caused by abrupt steering movements,
or attempting to corner too quickly.
• Always maintain a safe following distance from other cars relative to the road surface and weather conditions.
Obey all traffic laws.
• Risk of accidents due to inappropriate speed cannot be reduced even by ABS. The driver is responsible for the
judgement of safe speed.
• The control unit of the ABS is set for standard tire size. If non-standard Tires are fitted, the control unit may mis-
interpret the speed of the car, because of the variant data
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 normally,
but without ABS. The car can be driven but should be
checked and repaired at the earliest opportunity.
• Activation of the ABS will vary according to the level of grip available at the Tires. On dry surfaces, activation
will occur only with a high pedal pressure. On slippery
surfaces, only a low pressure will be needed.
• On loose or uneven surfaces, such as gravel or snow, a car with ABS may need a longer stopping distance. Allow
a greater distance between cars in these conditions.
Driving Controls
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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
-
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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Air Cleaner ElementThe air filter should be inspected at intervals dependent on
the operating conditions. When the car is operated in a relatively
clean environment, the element should be renewed at intervals
specified in the Maintenance Schedule, but where a dusty or
smog laden atmosphere prevails, or other factors contribute to
filter contamination, more frequent replacement will be required
dependent on the level of pollution. A disposable folded paper type air cleaner element is fitted in
a housing at the left hand front of the engine bay. For access to
the element, the left hand rear wheel and wheelarch liner must
first be removed so this operation is best entrusted to your dealer.
Before 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, including the joint faces,
taking care not to contaminate the ‘clean’ engine side of the as
-
sembly. Fit the new filter element into position with the shallow
side towards the engine, and taking care to ensure that the two
hinges of the filter housing are properly mated, and that the filter
is seated correctly, close the housing and secure with the two
spring clips. Refit the wheelarch liner and rear wheel.
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AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
Servicing & Maintenance
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Auxiliary Drive BeltA single, multi-rib type auxiliary belt is used to transmit drive
from the crankshaft to the alternator, water pump, and (if fitted)
air conditioning compressor. The belt is automatically tensioned,
and requires no periodic maintenance other than a visual check of its condition. If the belt exhibits any evidence of physical dam
-
age, cracking, fraying, perishing, abrasion or contamination, it
should be renewed. In the case of contamination, the cause
must be identified and rectified, and each of the pulleys must be thoroughly degreased 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 potentially fatal injur y. Never touch
any ignition components when the engine is running or being cranked.
The spark plugs should be renewed in accordance with the
Maintenance Schedule, with the gaps set to 0.043 in. (1.1 mm).
This operation should be entrusted to your Lotus dealer.
Servicing & Maintenance
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Directions for use of the aerosol: Before using, carefully read all the instructions on the canister, or on any literature
accompanying the product. The following instructions ap
-
ply to the use of Holts Tireweld:
1. Remove the object causing the puncture, and position the wheel with the puncture site lowermost. Deflate tire
fully.
2. Shake the can vigorously. In cold conditions, warm the
can using the car's heater outlets, or by body warmth.
3. Screw the aerosol tube onto the tire valve, remove the cap, hold the can upright and press 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) with a moderate driving manner. Note that some tire repairers may make an additional charge
for cleaning the sealant off the tire before repair, and
that any subsequent repairs may not be guaranteed.
6. Renew the puncture repair aerosol.
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TIRE INFLATOR AEROSOL
Tires & Wheels
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WheelsEnsure that only original equipment, or Lotus approved wheel
and tire combinations are fitted. After the car has been used
on track, or in competition conditions, the wheels should be removed and thoroughly inspected for damage.
WARNING: After striking a pothole or kerb, the wheels should be
removed and the wheel and tire thoroughly inspected for
damage. Renew the wheel and /or tire if necessary. Safety
considerations should always be paramount and new parts
fitted in any cases of doubt.
Wheel Bolts The wheel bolts used on the Elise are of a special design to
suit the small diameter fixing tunnels in the wheel centres. The bolts have a 10 spline socket head, for which a special extension
tool is supplied with the car. A 17mm a/f deep socket and 1/2
inch square drive wrench should be applied to the extension tool,
with a tightening torque of 77 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 recommended to use hammer action air tools on the coded bolts - use only manual tools.
Both the standard extension and coded socket tools are
stowed in the car tool kit, and should remain with the car at all
times to ensure that servicing may be performed. The key code
included in the tool kit should be recorded and kept safely with
the car documents, in case a replacement socket tool needs
to be ordered.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The wheels on your car were aligned and balanced carefully
during the manufacture of your car to give you the longest tire
life and best overall performance.
Tires & Wheels
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Scheduled wheel alignment and balancing are not required.
However, if you notice unusual tire wear or the car pulling to one side or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If
you notice the car or steering wheel vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the wheels may need to be re-balanced.
Wheel Replacement Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, badly corroded or
otherwise damaged. If the wheel bolts come loose after having been correctly fitted, the wheel and bolts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, have it replaced. See your Lotus dealer if any of these conditions 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 on your car is dangerous. It may have been subjected to a heavy impact and suffered
structural damage which cannot be seen. It could break
and cause a crash in which you and others could be killed
or seriously injured.
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Coded wheelbolt
Coded tool
17mm socket, extension & torque wrench
Standard wheelbolt
Standard tool
Tires & Wheels
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cars imported into the USA which are not manufactured to a
USA specification.
(c) MAINTENANCE; SERVICE ITEMS; WEAR & TEAR.
Maintenance services are not covered , these include (al-
though this list is not exhaustive):
i) maintenance services such as tune-ups, cleaning, polishing, lubrication, wheel balancing and alignment, brake, clutch, belt
and other normal adjustments,
ii) recharging or replacement of the battery where the car is not used for prolonged periods and a battery charger is not
used,
iii) the repair or replacement of service items such as lubri
-
cants, fluids, spark plugs, wiper blades, filters, belts, hoses, brake pads and linings clutch components, light bulbs or glass,
or,
iv) after the first three months of service (unless as part of a
warranty repair), the air conditioner refrigerant, or
v) the deterioration of paintwork, upholstery (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. UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED BY LAW
THIS WARRANTY NEITHER COVERS NOR EXTENDS TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OR EXPENSE. SUCH DAMAGE AND EXPENSE INCLUDES
(ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST) INCONVEN
-
IENCE, HOTEL OR RESTAURANT EXPENSES, TOWING
OR PARKING FEES, CAR RENTALS OR THE LOSS OF
TIME OR USE OF THE CAR.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM
-
AGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY.
(e) ACCIDENTS AND SIMILAR EVENTS.
Car’s malfunctions or damage resulting from accidents, col-
Limited Warranty
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