2005 LOTUS ELISE maintenance

Brake Pipes & HosesAt the recommended service intervals, the brake pipes and
flexible hoses should be carefully examined for signs of dam
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age, corrosion or perishing, especially in territories where salt is used on the road surface in the winter months.
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
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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.
ohs146
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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WARRANTY INDEXLimited Warranty ................................................................. 162
Warranty Periods ........................................................... 162
Limitations ..................................................................... 163
Exclusive Remedies ...................................................... 163
Extent of Company Obligations ..................................... 163
Exclusions From Warranty Coverage ............................ 164
Obligations of Owners ................................................... 167
Exclusive Warranty ....................................................... 168
Customer Assistance .................................................... 168
Lotus Federal Emission Control System Warranties ........... 171
Emissions Defects Warranty .......................................... 171
Emissions Performance Warranty .................................. 172
Required Maintenance .................................................. 173
What is Not Covered ...................................................... 174
Improper Maintenance and Use ..................................... 175
Warranty Claim Procedure ............................................ 176
Further Information ........................................................ 178
Emissions Warranty Parts List ...................................... 178
California Emission Control Warranty Statement ............... 180
Lotus California Emission Control Sys tem Warranties ....182
California Emission Control System Defects Warranty ...182
California Emissions Performance Warranty ................
1 85
What Is Not Covered By The California Emission Warrant
y 186
Customer Assistance ..................................................... 187
7 Year/70,000 Mile Emissions Defects Warranty Parts List
187
Warranty
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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
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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
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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
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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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