NOTICE: The use of wide throttle openings and/or high rpm before the engine has reached normal running temperature will
result in premature wear, and should be avoided.
Idle Speed Engine idle speed is controlled electronically by the engine
management computer, and is normally about 850 rpm. A
raised idle speed is required under certain operating conditions
including the engine warm up phase, when the increased speed helps the catalytic converter to reach operating temperature, as
well as inhibiting engine stall. Idle speed will return to normal automatically when the engine has warmed sufficiently.
Engine Break-In Although the Elise powertrain is built to close tolerances
using modern technology, the progressive and sympathetic
breaking-in (or bedding-in) of a new engine and transmission
remains a major factor in attaining ef ficient operation with
smooth, durable and economic performance to last throughout
the life of the car.
NOTICE: Failure to comply with the following break-in provi
-
sions could invalidate the terms of the car warranty:
It is important during the car’s early life to limit the workload on
the engine and thus control the heat generated within it, which is primarily a function of throttle opening and rpm. However, being
too sympathetic on the car will not allow the piston rings to bed in
satisfactorily, so a balance of spirited and gentle use is required.
For the first 600 miles (1,000 km), use no more than moderate
throttle openings (about half of the available accelerator pedal
travel) and do not run the engine continuously at engine speeds over 4,500 rpm. Occasional short bursts at wider throttle and
higher rpm will be beneficial, as will a constantly changing cruis
-
ing speed and making full use of the gearbox. Do not allow the
engine to labour in too high a gear ratio, but change down and
let the engine operate in its natural power band. When changing gear, use only a light touch on the gear lever.
Forcing the change will cause unnecessary wear on the system components and result in higher shift efforts being required. Al
-
low the brakes to bed-in by avoiding needless heavy braking for
the first 100 miles (160 km). Both gearchange and brake pedal
Starting & Engine Break-In
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efforts are likely to reduce during the break-in process.After 600 miles (1,000 km) have been covered, full throttle
and/or maximum rpm may be used for short periods, but not
until the first ‘After Sales’ service has been carried out should
full car performance be exploited. Note that various operating parameters are continuously
monitored and recorded in the engine electronic controller. This
data may be downloaded by Lotus dealers on demand to assist
fault diagnosis and identify vehicle misuse.
Tires:
New tires also require a short ‘break-in’ period before
providing optimum grip.
Engine Special Features The engine of the Elise is designated V VTL-i for ‘Variable
Valve Timing and Lift - intelligent’. Using microprocessor control, the inlet camshaft timing is advanced or retarded according to
immediate operating conditions, and the lift of both inlet and
exhaust valves is increased at high engine speed. This technol
-
ogy is used to provide high power output whilst retaining good
low speed response.
Starting & Engine Break-In
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCEBODYCARE
Body Features Lotus are among the world leaders in the field of automotive
composite moulding design and manufacturing techniques.
Composite materials have major advantages for specialist car bodies, and these brief notes introduce some features of the
construction and service properties of automotive composite bodies. The manufacturing process enables the thickness of com
-
posite mouldings to be varied in order to provide ef ficient structures of high strength and low weight. Composites will not
corrode, so the strength of composite components is retained regardless of age, unless physical damage is sustained. On
the Elise, the body construction utilises several mouldings to
form a single unit for the whole of the nose and front wings, and
a second unit for the whole of the rear body aft of the doors.
These two moulded assemblies are fixed using threaded fasten
-
ers to permit easy removal for access to chassis or powertrain
components, or to allow simple and economic accident repair.
Other composite mouldings include the door shells, sills, front access panels, windscreen frame and rear bulkhead, some panels being bonded to the aluminium alloy chassis with an
elastomeric adhesive.
Several different processes are used to manufacture the
various panels depending on the functional requirements, with the main outer panels using an injection compression mould
-
ing technique which eliminates the ‘gelcoat’ used on the outer
surface of conventionally manufactured composite panels. This
process provides considerably increased resistance to surface
damage from minor knocks, where a conventional composite panel would suffer cracking of the gel coat, or a steel panel be
-
come dented. If severe damage is caused to a composite panel
where the underlying structure is broken, repairs may take the
form of panel replacement, or of panel repair using techniques
where new composite material is integrated with the old to result in undiminished panel strength.
Servicing & Maintenance
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ACCESSORIES
Accessories and ModificationsModifying your car, or installing some non-Lotus accessories,
can make your car unsafe. Before you make any modifications or add any accessories, be sure to read the following information
and confer with your dealer:
Accessories:
Your dealer has genuine Lotus accessories that allow you to
personalise your car. These accessories have been designed
and approved for your car, and are covered by warranty.
Non-Lotus accessories may be designed for universal ap
-
plication, and although they may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could adversely affect your
car’s handling and stability.
WARNING: Improper accessories or modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability and per formance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed. Follow all instruc
-
tions in this owner’s manual regarding accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular phones, alarms, two-way
radios, and low powered audio systems should not interfere with
your car’s computer-controlled systems, such as the airbag and anti-lock brake system.
However, if such or similar electronic accessories are im
-
properly installed, or exceed your car’s electrical system ca
-
pacity, they can interfere with the operation of your car, cause the airbags to deploy, or damage the car.
Before installing any accessory:
• Ensure the accessory does not obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper car operation or performance.
• Ensure electronic accessories do not overload electrical
circuits.
• Have the installer contact your Lotus dealer for assistance
before installing any electronic accessory.
• If possible, have your Lotus dealer inspect the final instal-
lation.
Accessories
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Camber - optimum - 1.8°
- tolerance range - 1.6° to - 2.0°
max.side/side 0.2°
Alignment - optimum 1.5 mm toe-in each side - tolerance range 1.2 to 1.8 mm toe-in each
side
max.side/side 0.3 mm
Electrical
Light Bulbs Watt. Type
Headlamps 55 H1 & H7
Front side/parking lamps 5 W5W
Front turn indicators 21 PY21w amber
Rear turn indicators 21 H21
Side repeater lamps 5 W Y5W amber
Stop lamps 21 H21
Tail/stop lamps 4/21 P21/4w
Tail/turn lamps 4/21 P21/4w
High mounted stop lamp 2.5 16 x LED
Reversing lamp 21 H21
Licence plate lamps 5 C5W
Interior lamp 5 W5W
System voltage/polarity 12V negative earth
Alternator 85A
Battery (service replacement)
- type Delco 19001598
- BCI code 26R- 6YR
- cranking power 550 amps @ -18°C
- reserve capacity 80 minutes
Engine
Type designation 2ZZ-GE
Cylinder configuration in-line 4
Capacity 1796 cm
3
Bore 82.0 mm
Stroke 85.0 mm
Camshafts Chain driven DOHC 4VPC
Valve actuation - inlet Variable timing and lift
- exhaust Variable lift
Compression ratio 11.5:1
Firing order 1,3,4,2
Technical Data
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Spark plugs NGK IFR6A11
DensoSK20R11
Spark plug gap 1.1 mm
Max. continuous engine speed 8000 rpm (8500 transient)
Fuel requirement Unleaded
Minimum octane 91 (RON+MON)/2
Fuel system Multi-point fully sequential
fuel injection with Lotus T4
controller.
Peak power (SAE DIN 70020) 190 bhp (141.7 kW) @
7,800 rpm
Peak torque (SAE DIN 70020) 138 lbf.ft (187 Nm) @
6,800 rpm
Transmission
Type 6 speed manual transaxle.
Bevel gear differential.
Gear Ratio Final Drive mph/1000 rpm First 3.17:1 ) 5.1
Second 2.05:1 ) 7.7
Third 1.48:1 ) 4.53:1 10.7
Fourth 1.17:1 ) 13.6
Fifth 0.92:1 ) 17.3
Sixth 0.81:1 ) 19.4
Reverse 3.25:1 )
Brakes
Type Front and rear discs with
curved vane ventilation
and cross drilling.
AP Racing aluminium op
posed piston front calipers.
Single piston sliding rear
calipers.
Disc Size - front and rear 288mm
Operation Tandem master cylinder
with vacuum servo and
ABS
Parking Brake Cable operation of rear
calipers, self adjusting for
pad wear.
Technical Data
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INDEX
Access Panels, front service ................................................. 78
Accessories & Modifications, warnings .............................. 150
Air Cleaner Element ............................................................. 113
Air Conditioning ...................................................................... 61
Airbag Safety System ............................................................. 21
Alarm, car security ................................................................ 30
Alternator Belt ...................................................................... 114
Anti-freeze/Corrosion Inhibitor ............................................. 107
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............................................. 67
Audio Equipment ................................................................... 60
Auxiliary Power Socket .......................................................... 57
Battery ................................................................................. 129
Bodycare ............................................................................... 93
Brake Fluid Reservoir .......................................................... 110
Brake Pads ........................................................................... 111
Break-In, running-in .............................................................. 73
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 142
Central Door Locking ............................................................. 37
Child Restraints ..................................................................... 26
Cleaning, bodycare ............................................................... 93
Coolant Temperature Display ................................................ 53
Cooling System ................................................................... 106
Dipswitch ............................................................................... 58
Doors, keys ............................................................................ 37
Engine Cover/Trunk Lid ........................................................ 79
Environment, care of ............................................................. 14
Fuel Level Display ................................................................. 52
Fuel Filling ............................................................................. 76
Fuel Requirement .................................................................. 75
Fuses ................................................................................... 135
Gear Lever ............................................................................. 71
Hazard Warning Lamps Switch ............................................ 55
Headlamp Alignment ........................................................... 139
Index
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