Page 41 of 205

Notes:
• In the event of a flat car battery, the CDL will not operate. The
doors can be unlocked from outside only after opening the
engine cover and restoring power to the battery by substitution,
re-charging or ‘jumping’ to a second battery. The doors cannot
be unlocked using the mechanical key if the CDL was used
to lock the car.
• To lock the car with a flat or disconnected car battery, or if
the transmitter fob is disabled, use the mechanical key in each exterior door lock button and turn anticlockwise to the
vertical position to disconnect each release button from the latch. This technique does not ‘deadlock‘ the interior release
handles, but does allow continued key access to the car until restoration of battery power.
Note that a door locked with the mechanical key cannot be
unlocked using only the transmitter fob.
• To deadlock the car i.e. disable interior release handles, with
a flat car battery, or without the use of the transmitter fob or mechanical key, close and lock one door using the sill but
-
ton, and for the second door, hold the exterior release button pressed in and depress the sill button before closing the door.
Access is now available only by using the transmitter fob after restoration of car electrical power.
ohs97b
ohs103
Mechanical locking Interior release handle
Entry & Comfort
39
LockUnlock
oh_croft_InD.indd 3920/05/2004 07:58:49ProCarManuals.com
Page 42 of 205

ohs149
NightDay
‘Lights On’ Buzzer
A ‘lights on’ reminder buzzer will sound if the lights are on, the
ignition is switched off, and the driver’s door is then opened.
Interior Rear View Mirror The mirror can be dimmed to reduce headlamp glare from
following cars by turning the lever on the underside of the mirror
towards the left. Turn towards the right for daytime use.
Door Mirrors Rear view mirrors are fitted on both driver’s and passenger’s
doors, and may be adjusted manually by direct manipulation of
the mirror housing. Note that the passenger side mirror glass is convex to provide a wider field of vision. A spring detent mechanism allows the complete mirror to
swing forwards or backwards on accidental contact to reduce
possible damage.
WARNING: The passenger side convex mirror makes objects seem
smaller and farther away than when viewed through a flat
mirror. Take care to judge distances and speeds correctly.
If you move into a lane on your right when the car behind is
too close, you could cause a collision and a crash. Check
your interior mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Entry & Comfort
40
MIRROR DIMMER
oh_croft_InD.indd 4020/05/2004 07:58:49ProCarManuals.com
Page 43 of 205

ohs99
Interior LampThe interior lamp is located centrally in the rear bulkhead trim
panel, and incorporates a three position rocking lens:
• Lens rocked upwards; lamp is switched off.
NOTICE:
Use this position only temporarily as required. Arm-
ing the security alarm system with the lamp switched off may
exclude the doors from activating the alarm.
• Lens central; lamp is switched on with or without ignition.
NOTICE: To guard against flattening the battery, take care
not to leave the lamp on when parking the car, or to switch
it on accidentally when using the storage space behind the
seats.
• Lens rocked downwards; a courtesy mode applies, where the
lamp is switched on whenever a door is opened, and goes out when both doors are closed. This is the normal position
and should be used whenever leaving the car.
Sun Visors To help reduce sun glare, pivoted visors are provided for both
driver and passenger. Swing down the visor from the windscreen
header rail as required.
Entry & Comfort
41
INTERIOR LAMP SWITCHING
oh_croft_InD.indd 4120/05/2004 07:58:50ProCarManuals.com
Page 44 of 205

Door WindowsIn frosty or icy weather conditions, the windows may become
frozen to the weatherstrip seals. Use a windscreen de-icer spray
to free the glass before operating the windows.
WARNING:
• Before closing a window, always check that no persons or objects will be trapped; incautious window operation
could be dangerous, especially to children. Ensure that any passenger is also made aware of this danger.
• To guard against incautious electric window operation, do not leave small children unattended in the car with
the ignition key in position.
• Do not leave children or animals in a parked car with the roof and windows closed, in hot weather conditions as
they may suffocate and/or experience heat exhaustion.
Manual Winders: Each door window may be raised or lowered by the winder
handle near the front of the door.
Electric Windows: On cars so equipped, switches for the electric window op
-
eration are mounted in the front of the door trim panels, and are operative only with the ignition switched on. To help locate the
switches in the dark, an illuminated dot is provided in the ‘up’
Entry & Comfort
42
ohs124
Illuminated
dot
Window up
Window down
oh_croft_InD.indd 4220/05/2004 07:58:50ProCarManuals.com
Page 45 of 205
button which glows amber when the lights are switched on.To lower a window, switch on the ignition and press the lower,
domed end of the switch in the relevant door. Release the switch
to stop window movement. To raise a window, press the upper, dished end of the switch.
Entry & Comfort
43
oh_croft_InD.indd 4320/05/2004 07:58:50ProCarManuals.com
Page 46 of 205

oh33e
Key insert /removeColumn unlocked
Ignition auxilliaries
Position not used
INSTRUMENTS & SWITCHES
Ignition Switch /Steering LockThe switch/lock is located on the right hand side of the steer
-
ing column.
I Insert the key into the slot, and turn clockwise to position ‘I’ to unlock the steering column. If the key is reluctant to turn,
wiggle the steering wheel to ease the load on the steering
lock.
II Turn to position ‘II’ to switch on the ignition and operate aux-
iliary equipment.
III This spring loaded position is not used on the Elise. The engine
start function is controlled by a ‘Start’ button at the left hand
end of the dashboard (see below).
B To remove the key, turn fully counterclockwise to ‘B’ and withdraw. The steering column lock will be activated when the key is withdrawn but may not engage until the steering is
turned and the mechanism is aligned.
NOTICE: DO NOT leave the ignition switched on for long periods
without the engine running. Although the engine ignition system itself draws no current when the engine is stopped, a battery drain will occur through other circuits even when auxiliary equip
-
ment is not being used. For security reasons, and to guard against battery drain,
always remove the key when leaving the car.
Instruments & Switches
44
oh_croft_InD.indd 4420/05/2004 07:58:50ProCarManuals.com
Page 47 of 205

WARNING:
• Do not push or tow the car unless the key is first used to unlock the column and is then left in the lock. With
-
drawing the key will cause the steering to lock.
• Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition while the car is moving. Withdrawing the key
will cause the steering to lock and may cause an accident
resulting in serious injury or death.
• To reduce the risk of theft, or danger to a child remaining in the car, always remove the key when leaving a parked
car.
Engine Start Button An engine start button is located at the left hand end of the
dashboard, alongside the lighting switches, and is backlit when
the ignition is turned on. The button is operative only with the ignition on, and engages
the engine starter motor for as long as the button is pressed. Release the button to stop engine cranking.
For the correct engine starting procedure, refer to later sec
-
tion ‘Starting Procedure’.
NOTICE: Pressing the start button when the engine is running may damage the starter mecha
ohs147Engine start button
Instruments & Switches
45
oh_croft_InD.indd 4520/05/2004 07:58:51ProCarManuals.com
Page 48 of 205

Passive Ilisation: The start button will operate only when the
security tell tale in the tachometer face is out. If the tell tale is
flashing, the engine is immobilised; Press once,
and for a full second, the larger of the two buttons on the trans
-
mitter fob. The security tell tale will be extinguished. For further
information see ‘Car Security Alarm’.
WARNING ‘TELL TALE’ LAMPS A block of tell tale lamps is incorporated into the instrument
cluster to provide you with important information concerning the
operation of your Elise.
Bulb Check In order to check that the warning systems are operative, all
the tell tale lamps (except the ‘security’ tell tale; see Car Se
-
curity Alarm section) should light for about 6 seconds following ignition switch on. If any lamp should fail to light, it is possible
that the bulb or warning circuit may be faulty; see your dealer
without delay.
Turn Tell Tale
When the left hand or right hand turn indicators are operating,
this green tell tale flashes in unison. A clicking sound may also be heard. If the tell tale fails to light, or flashes at an unusual or
irregular rate, check the operation of the turn indicator lamps
immediately.
m252a
Instruments & Switches
46
TELL TALE LAMPS
oh_croft_InD.indd 4620/05/2004 07:58:51ProCarManuals.com