2005 LOTUS ELISE lock

stopping distance, a locked wheel provides little or no steering
force, such that with both front wheels locked, movement of the steering wheel has no effect on car direction. With the anti-lock
system, even panic braking results in controlled deceleration and the retention of steering response. ABS is especially ad
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vantageous when braking on slippery road surfaces and in bad driving conditions, but it is important to realise that the ABS
cannot increase the friction level at the road surface, but can only make optimum use of the grip available.
WARNING: When driving in adverse weather, or on poor road sur
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faces, always be alert to the possibility of slippery condi
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tions and make the necessary allowance for increased stop
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ping distances. Failure to do so may result in an accident in which you or others may be killed or seriously injured.
Normal braking, controlled by the pressure applied to the
brake pedal, occurs when the road conditions allow for decel
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eration to be achieved without danger of wheel lock. The relative
speeds of the four wheels are continuously monitored by the
ABS when the brakes are applied, and if one or more wheels begin to lock, the brake pressure to that wheel(s) is modulated
by the ABS to help keep the wheel rotating and provide the
maximum controlled braking force. The wheels may appear
to lock momentarily as the wheel speed rapidly changes, and some tire noise (intermittent screeching) may be heard which is normal and will vary with road and tire conditions. Note that the
ABS does not function at speeds below 5 mph (7 km/h). When the ABS is activated, the driver is will feel a ‘pulsing’
sensation at the brake pedal as the fluid pressure is modulated, and also by audible clicking sounds. These signals indicate to
the driver that maximum braking is occuring, and that driving style should be modified to suit the conditions.
The minimum stopping distance is achieved by applying the
brakes firmly and steadily, and allowing the ABS to modulate
hydraulic pressure. The driver should not attempt to emulate
this process by ‘pumping’ the brake pedal, as modulation at the pedal will treat all four wheels similarly, rather than the individual
wheel control allowed by the electronics. An ABS tell tale lamp in the instrument panel is provided
to warn of any problems in the system and to indicate that the
Driving Controls
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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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STARTING PROCEDURE & ENGINE BREAK-IN
WARNING:CARBON MONOXIDE - Be aware of the danger of carbon
monoxide! Never run the engine in an enclosed space. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a deadly gas
which is particularly dangerous, as being colourless odour
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less and tasteless, its presence is very difficult to detect.
Before starting the engine, always check that the parking
brake is firmly applied, the transmission is in neutral, and as
an extra precaution, depress the clutch pedal. Switch off any
unnecessary electrical loads.
Starting a Cold or Warm Engine
The fuel injection and engine management system controls fuel delivery and engine settings under all normal operating conditions.
i) Insert the key into the steering lock/ignition switch and turn to
position ‘l’ to unlock the column. Before turning on the igni
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tion; if the security tell tale in the tachometer face is flashing, mobilise the engine by pressing once, and for a full second,
the larger of the two buttons on the transmitter fob.
ii) Turn the key to position ‘II’ to switch on the ignition, and pause
for a moment to allow the fuel system to prime.
iii) Depress the clutch pedal as a precaution, and without moving
the accelerator, press the ‘Start’ button at the left hand end of
the dashboard to engage the starter motor. Release the button
as soon as the engine starts. Allow a cold engine to idle for
10 seconds before driving off, but if ambient temperatures are below freezing, allow the engine and screen heating systems
to warm up for a few minutes before driving.
iv) If the engine fails to start within 15 seconds, stop cranking
and pause for 10 seconds before a second attempt.
v) If further efforts are unsuccessful, contact your dealer or seek
other expert help.
WARNING:
An unattended car with a running engine is potentially
hazardous. Turn off the engine before leaving the car.
Starting & Engine Break-In
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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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Engine Cover/Trunk LidThe engine cover/trunk lid provides access to the engine and
rear luggage compartment.
To open the lid: Insert the key into the lock and turn clockwise. When released, a spring plunger will lift the lid sufficiently to allow it to be raised fully by hand. Support the lid by engaging
the prop provided on the trunk bulkhead, in the slotted plate adjacent to the latch mechanism.
WARNING:
• When using the rear luggage compartment, beware of any hot surfaces exposed in the engine bay. Touching hot

surfaces could cause serious burns.
• Before closing the lid, ensure that no persons or objects
will be trapped.
• If necessary, protect and/or secure heavy objects as required.
To close: Stow the support prop in its bulkhead clip, and, keeping
fingers well clear of entrapment, and ensuring that no obstruction is present, lower the lid. Fully engage the latch mechanism by pressing down on the lid just forward of the key lock, NOT at
the extreme rear end of the panel.
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REAR LID RELEASE
External Operations
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4. Roll out the left hand side of the roof, and engage the spigot
pin on the front and rear end of the rail, into the uppermost slot
in the latch blocks at the front and rear of the roof aperture.
5. Ensure that the tensioning cables at the front and rear edges of the roof canopy are correctly located in the channels be
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tween the seal and body before rotating the left hand side rail downwards. Ensure that both spring loaded pins ‘click’ into
their ramped slots indicating that latching is complete. Pull up on the side rail to check security.
6. On the right hand side of the car, repeat steps (4) and (5) for
the second side rail.
NOTICE: Engaging the left hand roof side rail first, will minimise
the possibility of the canopy tensioning cable adjusters causing damage to the roof seals.
WARNING: Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling
upwards on each end of both side rails. An inproperly fitted
or insecure roof could cause serious injury or death to car
occupants or other road users.
External Operations
83
ohs111
FITTING SIDERAIL
Spigot pin
Spring
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pressing firmly to ensure that the handle is fully seated. With-
draw the dipstick again to inspect the oil level, which should lie between the two dimples on the end of the stick. The oil level
should be maintained at the upper of these two marks in order
to provide optimum engine protection.
Topping Up
: If topping up is necessary, unscrew the oil filler cap
from the left hand end of the cam cover. Add a suitable quantity of the recommended engine oil (see ‘Recommended Lubricants’)
taking care not to spill any oil onto engine or electrical compo
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nents; use a funnel if necessary. The difference between high and low dipstick marks is equiv
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alent to 1.6 U.S. quarts (1.5 litre). Allow several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before re-checking the oil level.
Do NOT over fill, or lubrication will be degraded and consump
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tion increased as the oil becomes aerated. Refit the filler cap,
turning clockwise until secure.
Engine Oil Change The use of high quality oil, renewed at the specified intervals,
is the key to engine longevity and sustained performance. Ad
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here strictly to the engine oil and filter change intervals specified
in the Maintenance Schedule.
For access to the engine sump and filter, the engine bay
undertray must first be removed. This is most easily achieved
with the car raised on a garage hydraulic lift, or alternatively, parked over an inspection pit.
The drain plug is located at the rear of the sump, and should
be removed to drain the sump immediately after a run when
the oil is warm and the impurities are still held in suspension.
On cars fitted with front mounted oil coolers, it is not necessary routinely to attempt to drain the cooler circuit. Servicing & Maintenance
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Oil FilterThe canister type oil filter is vertically mounted at the front
of the engine, and is accessible from beneath after removal of
the engine bay undertray. The filter should be renewed along
with the engine oil, at intervals specified in the Maintenance
Schedule.
WARNING:
• Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal
if swallowed.
• Take all suitable precautions to guard against scalding
from the hot oil.
• Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause serious skin disorders, including dermatitis

and cancer.
• Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far
as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact.
• Keep out of reach of children.
Remove the filter by turning in a counterclockwise direction,
if necessary using an oil filter wrench, and dispose of safely
(see ‘Used Engine Oil’). Ensure that only a Lotus specified filter is fitted, as parts with
identical outward appearance can contain different internal
features. Before fitting a new filter, clean the mating face on the engine, and smear the new seal on the filter with clean oil. Add
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ohs135
SUMP DRAIN PLUG
OIL FILTER
Servicing & Maintenance
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