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Methanol - Do not use gasolines containing methanol (wood
alcohol). Use of this type of alcohol can result in car performance deterioration and damage to critical parts in the fuel system. Fuel
system damage and car performance problems, resulting from
the use of gasolines containing methanol, may not be covered by your car warranty.
Fuels Containing MMT - Some North American fuels contain methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), which
is an octane enhancing additive. Such fuels may damage the
emission control system and are NOT recommended.
Diesel
- The Lotus Elise will not operate on diesel fuel.
Fuel Filling
WARNING:
• Gasoline and its attendant fumes are highly explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling
fuel. Before stopping at a filling station, switch off mobile phones and other electronic equipment, ensure that all
cigarettes are extinguished and that no naked flames or
other potential ignition sources are present. Switch off
the engine before refuelling.
• Remove the filler cap slowly to allow any pressure to bleed off gradually. Hasty removal may result in a small amount
of fuel spray with a possible health or fire hazard. External Operations
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Filler Cap: The fuel filler cap is located in the right hand rear
quarter panel, concealed beneath a spring loaded flap. To remove, pull open the flap and turn the cap anticlockwise.
As the cap is turned, any slight pressure differential between the tank and atmosphere will be released, and a brief hiss may be heard, which is completely normal. Note that the cap is tethered by a short strap to protect against loss.
To refit, place the cap into the filler neck and turn clockwise
until the ratchet mechanism clicks several times. Push the flap closed.
Filling Procedure:
Insert the pump nozzle fully into the neck, and
fill until the auto-shut off mechanism is triggered. Do not attempt to ‘brim’ the tank to the top of the filler neck, as expansion of the
fuel due to temperature change (cold underground fuel storage) may cause flooding of the fuel tank breather system charcoal
canister, or spillage of fuel. The useable fuel tank capacity is 10.6 U.S. gall. (40 litres).
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FUEL FILLER FLAP & CAP
External Operations
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REMOVING ACCESS PANEL
Front Service Access PanelsThe front body has two removable access panels to allow
servicing of the brake/clutch fluid reservoir and main fusebox.
To remove an access panel:
Use the hexagonal key supplied
in the car tool kit (in the battery cover rear pocket), to release
the single threaded fastener securing the outboard corner of
the panel, and withdraw the panel from the two locating holes in the front body spine. Guard against the lightweight panel being blown away and
damaged by a strong wind.
To refit a panel: Hook the extended lip on the front edge of the panel beneath the rear edge of the louvre panel before engaging
the two locating pegs on the inboard side of the access panel
with the holes in the front body spine. Fit the single screw at
the outboard corner of the panel into the captive nut in the body,
taking care not to cross-thread or overtighten the screw. Re-stow
the hexagonal key in the tool kit.
WARNING: Ensure the access panels are refitted and properly se
-
cured before driving.
External Operations
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REMOVABLE ROOF CONCEPTThe Lotus Elise has been designed to exploit the pleasures
of open top motoring, the better to enjoy exposure to the natu
-
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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RELEASING ROOF SIDE RAIL
Soft Top - Removal
WARNING:Do not attempt to remove the soft top roof whilst the
car is in motion. This could cause a crash in which you or
others could be killed or seriously injured.
1. With the car stationary, open both doors or lower both door windows.
2. On the inside face of the right hand roof side rail, locate the
two latch release levers: Pull the two lever handles towards each other to release the side rail latches (press down on the
side rail if necessary to relieve the load on the latch pins), and rotate the rail upwards to release the canopy tension.
3. Repeat step (2) for the
left hand side rail.
NOTICE: Releasing the right hand roof side rail first, will minimise
the possibility of the canopy tensioning cable adjusters causing damage to the roof seals.
4. Free the front and rear tensioning cables from the gutters be
-
fore carefully rolling up each side of the roof canopy towards the centre. Lift the roof assembly off the car, and pack in the
roof bag.
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REAR CORNER COVER PANEL
7. Fit the trimmed cover panels to each rear corner of the roof, noting that the panels are handed for left and right sides. Press
the panels firmly into position fully to engage the ‘Velcro’ fixing
patches.
WARNING: Do not drive the car with the cover panels removed.
Injury could result from contact with the roof brackets in
a car collision.
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8. Using the special tool provided, install the windscreen header
cover panel by locating first with the central screw, and then by the outer screws before tightening in the same order.
WARNING:
• Do not drive the car with the trim cover panels removed. Injury could result from contact with the roof brackets in
a car collision.
• Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling upwards on each corner in turn. If any upward movement
is evident, check the correct fitment of all mounting brack
-
ets. An insecure or incorrectly fitted roof could cause
death or serious injury to other road users or a crash in
which you or others could be killed or seriously injured.
WINDSCREEN HEADER TRIM
External Operations
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WINDSCREEN HEADER TRIM
Hard Top - Removal
WARNING:Do not attempt to remove the hard top roof whilst the
car is moving. Serious injury or death could result from an
unsecured roof panel.
1. Open both doors.
2. Using the special tool supplied, release the three Torx screws securing the windscreen header trim panel, and remove the
panel.
External Operations
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