2005 LOTUS ELISE tire

Scheduled wheel alignment and balancing are not required.
However, if you notice unusual tire wear or the car pulling to one side or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If
you notice the car or steering wheel vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the wheels may need to be re-balanced.
Wheel Replacement Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, badly corroded or
otherwise damaged. If the wheel bolts come loose after having been correctly fitted, the wheel and bolts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, have it replaced. See your Lotus dealer if any of these conditions should arise.
Ensure that only Lotus approved wheels and wheel bolts
are used.
WARNING:
• Using incorrect, or non-approved replacement wheels or wheel bolts could be dangerous. It could affect the brak
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ing and handling of your car, or cause tire deflation, and result in a crash in which you or others could be killed
or seriously injured. Always use Lotus approved wheels
and wheel bolts.
• Putting a used wheel on your car is dangerous. It may have been subjected to a heavy impact and suffered
structural damage which cannot be seen. It could break
and cause a crash in which you and others could be killed
or seriously injured.
ohs114a
Coded wheelbolt
Coded tool
17mm socket, extension & torque wrench
Standard wheelbolt
Standard tool
Tires & Wheels
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NOTICE: Using incorrect wheel/tire equipment can also cause problems with wheel bearing life, brake cooling, speedo and
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, ground clearance and tire
clearance to the body.
WARNING: Dirt or corrosion on a wheel or hub mounting flange or
wheel bolts, can result in the wheel bolts coming loose.
The wheel could come off and cause a crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously injured. Thoroughly
clean these components or fit new Lotus approved replace
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ments before fitting a wheel. Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or hub threads.
If you do, the bolts could come loose and the wheel could
come off, causing a crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously injured. Using incorrect wheel bolts, or the wrong tightening
torque could cause the bolts to come loose and the wheel to come off, resulting in a crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously injured. Use only the correct Lotus
approved wheel bolts tightened to 77 lbf.ft (105 Nm).
NOTICE: Improperly tightened wheel bolts, or dirt on the wheel
to hub mounting face can cause brake pulsation and judder, and damage the brake discs. To avoid expensive brake repairs,
ensure complete cleanliness on assembly and tighten the wheel
bolts in a diagonal sequence to the correct torque.
For advice and information on lifting the Elise, refer to ‘Lifting
Points’ on page 148Tires & Wheels
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C; Garage use with 4-point lift. Do not use if the diffuser panel is
fitted. Beneath the outboard end of the chassis crossmember ahead of the rear wheelarches. Take care to position the jack
between the fixing screws for the fuel tank bay perforated
undershield. Avoid the fuel tank brackets.
D; Do not use if the diffuser panel is fitted. Beneath the rear
subframe, close to the lower wishbone rearmost mountings.
NOTICE: In order fully to exploit the benefits of light weight, and
to maximise stowage space, the Elise has no provision for spare
wheel carriage or lifting jack. A temporary puncture repair facility is provided in the form of a tire inflator aerosol (see page 124).
Fuel Tank Undershield
WARNING: The perforated panel enclosing the underside of the fuel
tank bay, contributes to the structural rigidity of the chassis
frame. Do not use the car with this panel removed.
Lifting & Towing
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Important Safety Information About ModificationsDo not remove any original equipment or modify your car
in any way that would alter its design or operation. This could
make your car unsafe or illegal to drive. For example, do not install wheels and tires with a differ
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ent overall diameter. Such modifications can adversely affect handling, and interfere with the operation of the car’s anti-lock
brakes and other systems. In addition, any modifications that decrease ground clearance
beyond Lotus approval, increase the chance of undercarriage
parts striking a kerb, speed bump, or other raised object, which
could cause your airbags to deploy as well as damaging the
chassis and body underside. Do not modify your steering wheel or any other part of your air
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bag system. Modifications could make the system ineffective.
WARNING: Do not attach or place objects on the airbag covers.
Any object attached to or placed on the covers marked
‘AIRBAG’, in the centre of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags inflate, the objects could be propelled inside the car and hurt someone.
Accessories
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Storing Your EliseIf you intend to store your Elise for a prolonged period, con
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sult your Lotus dealer who will be pleased to advise you. We recommend that the car is stored inside a secure garage. The
following guidelines are provided for your information:
• Ensure the engine oil and filter, coolant and brake fluid have recently been renewed. The a.c. system should be in good
working order and fully charged.
• Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the car, including the engine compartment. If necessary, use a ‘jet’ washer to remove dirt and salt deposits from the underside, but do not
use around bearings, hydraulic components, painted surfaces or the soft top roof. Allow to dry completely.
• Chock the road wheels, leave off the parking brake, and engage reverse gear.
• Increase the tire pressures to 60 psi (4 bar). If possible, move the car slightly every month to help avoid flat spots on the
Tires.
• Either leave the battery in the car and connect a battery management (conditioner) type of charger, or remove the battery and trickle charge every two months. Note that with
the battery disconnected or removed, the alarm system is
de-activated.
• Unless the garage is equipped with a de-humidifier, the use of drying agents (Silica-Gel) is recommended in cars with
leather upholstery and in conditions of high humidity.
• The use of unapproved car covers may have a detrimental effect on the car’s paint finish and such damage will not be
covered by your car’s warranty.
In general, the Elise will be kept in best operating condition
by regular use.
Accessories
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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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TECHNICAL DATA
Tires - Standard
Type - std. Yokohama Neova AD07
- sport option Yokohama A048
Size - front - std. 175/55 R16
- sport option 195/50 R16 84W
- rear 225/45 R17 90W
Pressure (cold) - front - std. 180kPa (26 psi)
- sport option 180kPa (26 psi)
- rear 200kPa (29psi)
Winter Tires
Type - front Pirelli 210 Snowsport
- rear Pirelli 240 Snowsport
Size - front 195/50 R16
- rear 215/45 R17
Pressure (cold) - front 180kPa (26 psi)
- rear 190kPa (27.5 psi)
Wheels
Type - std. Cast alloy, 8 spoke
- sport option Forged alloy, 7 twin-spoke
Size - front - std. 5.5J x 16
- sport option 6.5J x 16
- rear 7.5J x 17
Wheel bolt torque 105 Nm (77 lbf.ft)
Dimensions
Overall length 3785 mm
Overall width - excl. mirrors 1719 mm
- incl. mirrors 1850 mm (approx.)
Overall height (at kerb weight) 1117 mm
Wheelbase 2300 mm
Track - front 1457 mm
- rear 1503 mm
Ground clearance (mid laden)
- std. 135 mm
- sport 130 mm
Front overhang 783 mm
Rear overhang 702 mm
Approach angle (at kerb) (sport) 13.5° Departure angle (at kerb) (sport) 23°
Technical Data
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(b) LIMITED WARRANTY - Replacement Parts.
The obligations of the Company during the warranty term
are limited to the repair or, at its option, the replacement of
any genuine Lotus part determined to be defective in mate
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rial or workmanship during the warranty period expressed in
paragraph 1(b). All replaced parts shall become the property
of the Company.
(c) LIMITED WARRANTY - Corrosion Perforation.
The Company warrants to the original owner and each subse-
quent owner during the warranty period set forth in Paragraph
1(c), that if corrosion perforation occurs on the chassis or com
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posite body structure of a Lotus motor car, within the warranty
period expressed in Paragraph 1(c), the parts or components
affected by such perforation shall be repaired or replaced,
without charge for labour or parts. Provided, however, that:
a) the Lotus car must be brought to an authorised Lotus dealer
for inspection at least one time each year; and
b) the Lotus car has been used and maintained in a normal and reasonable manner.
c) corrosion perforation is not due to any or all of the follow
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ing: an accident; abuse; damage; installation of an accessory;
chemical substance; an act of nature; fire; or salvaged car.
(d) OBTAINING REPAIRS.
All warranted repairs will be effected at Lotus Dealers upon
presentation of suitable evidence of eligibility. A reasonable
time must be allowed for the dealership to perform necessary
repairs, and customers are requested to allow such a reason
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able amount of time. It is not Lotus Cars USA’s responsibility to
provide the customer with a loan car during these repairs. The
provision of a loan car should be discussed with the dealer.
5. EXCLUSIONS FROM WARRANTY COVERAGE (see also section 6)
(a) TIRES. The only provided warranty for tires is the written
warranty issued by the tire supplier and included with the owner literature supplied with your car.
(b) CAR SPECIFICATION. The obligations of the Company
under this Limited Warranty apply only to cars built by the manufacturer to USA specification for road use (i.e. not to
Limited Warranty
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