2005 LOTUS ELISE maintenance schedule

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
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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
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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
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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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ELECTRICAL
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.
RISK OF SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE
• Observe all warning notes on the battery.
• Disconnect the battery 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 inter vals
specified in the Maintenance Schedule, the battery terminals
should be checked for security and condition, and protected
with petroleum jelly. For access to the terminals, first unclip the battery cover
from the floor and ease the cover from around the left hand rear corner of the battery.
Disconnecting the Battery
WARNING: Failure to follow the correct battery disconnection pro
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cedure detailed below could result in serious burns.
Electrical
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RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS
EngineIn order to enhance the longevity and reliability of the car, it
is most important that only the specified lubricants are used. It
is an entirely false economy to try to save money by using lower quality oils, which may break down before the next change in
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terval and provide inadequate protection before the end of the
term. High oil consumption may also result.
For topping up purposes during the running-in period prior to
the First After Sales Service, a top quality mineral or semi-syn
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thetic 5W/40 oil should be used. At the First After Sales Service and completion of the running-in period, a fully synthetic 5W/40
oil such as Texaco Havoline Synthetic should be used. This oil
has been tested in all climatic conditions likely to be encountered,
and offers advantages in ease of cranking, smooth cold running
and fuel economy at low temperatures, in combination 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 inc. filter 4.4 litre
(Cars fitted with front mounted oil coolers contain an additional
3.5 litres, but this oil is not drained during routine servicing) Difference between high & low dipstick marks
1.5 litre
Oil change interval Refer to Maintenance Schedule
‘Severe Service’ Conditions Certain operating conditions can cause rapid degradation of
the oil quality, either by the accumulation of dirt particles, or by
the absorption of water from condensation. If any of the ‘severe
service’ conditions described below apply, it is recommended
that the oil and filter be changed twice as frequently as is listed in the Maintenance Schedule.
Recommended Lubricants
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• Driving in dusty areas (e.g. on unmetalled roads); Change
the oil and filter as soon as possible after driving in a dust
storm.
• Stop/start driving with frequent short trips where the engine
rarely warms up thoroughly (especially in cold weather/cli
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mates); and/or frequent or prolonged idling.
• Track use, with repeated high rpm, wide throttle openings
and high oil temperatures. For appropriate maintenance, dis
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cusswith your Lotus dealer. Note that use of the car off road or in a competitive manner, including 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
- clutch 0.5 litre
Fluid change interval 12 months
Engine Coolant Additive
Only approved product Havoline XLC
Type Ethylene glycol antifreeze with
OAT corrosion inhibitors
Colour Orange
Concentration 50%
Quantity reqd. @ 50% 6 litres
Recommended Lubricants
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Required MaintenanceThe operations in the Maintenance Schedule (included
in the Owner’s Handbook package) must be undertaken at the mileages or time intervals specified to ensure the
continued proper functioning of the emission control system, and to provide optimum car per formance and
reliability. More frequent maintenance may be needed for
cars operating in dusty areas, on short trip driving, or in
other severe conditions. Inspection and service should also be performed any
time a malfunction is suspected.
M A I NTENA NCE , REPL ACEMENT OR REPA I R OF THE
EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS MAY BE
PERFORMED BY ANY AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR ESTABLISH
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MENT OR INDIVIDUAL USING ANY CERTIFIED PART.
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 driveability condition attrib
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utable to Lotus provided the car owner has taken steps to put
the car back in a conforming condition in a timely manner or
iii) the use of any uncertified part or non compliance with the maintenance schedule or instruction for use (Owner’s Hand
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book) which is not relevant to the reason that the car failed
to comply with applicable emission standards or
iv) any cause attributable to Lotus.
Federal Emission Warranty
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What Is Not CoveredLotus may deny an emission per formance warranty
claim on the basis of an uncertified replacement part used in the maintenance or repair of a car if Lotus presents evidence that the uncertified replacement part is either
defective in materials or workmanship, or not equivalent
from an emission standpoint to the original equipment part, and the owner is unable to rebut the evidence. A part not required to be replaced at a definite service
interval (see Maintenance Schedule) shall be warranted for
the applicable warranty period. Instructions to replace a
component only if checked and found to be operating below specification shall have no bearing on warranty coverage
unless the owner did not follow such an instruction prior to
the short test failure and non compliance with that instruc
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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
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authorised modification; nor does it cover loss of time, inconvenience, loss of use of the car or incidental or con
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sequential damages.
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 WARRANTY. LOTUS SHALL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF ANY WAR
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RANTY. S O M E S TAT E S D O N OT A L LO W L I M I TAT I O N S O N
HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARR ANT Y L ASTS, OR THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSE
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QUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Federal Emission Warranty
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Improper Maintenance and Usea) An emission performance warranty claim may be denied on the basis of non-compliance by a car owner with the Service
Schedule or Owner’s Handbook instructions for proper use.
b) When determining whether an owner has complied with the written instructions for proper maintenance and use, Lotus may require an owner to submit evidence of compliance with
those written maintenance instructions for which Lotus has an objective reason for believing:
1. were not performed; and
2. if not performed could be the cause of the particular car’s
exceeding applicable emission standards.
c) Evidence of compliance with a maintenance instruction may
consist of:
1. a maintenance log book which has been validated at the appropriate time or mileage intervals specified for service by
someone who regularly engages in the business of servicing automobiles for the relevant 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
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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 appropriate time or mileage interval specified, including a showing i) that the owner purchased and used proper parts, and
ii) upon request by Lotus, that the owner is able to perform
the maintenance properly.
d) The time/mileage interval for scheduled maintenance serv
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ices shall be the service interval specified for that part in the Maintenance Schedule or Owner’s Handbook.
e) For certified parts having a maintenance or replacement inter
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val different from that specified in the written instructions for proper maintenance and use, the time/mileage interval shall
be the service interval for which the part was certified.
Federal Emission Warranty
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