2005 LOTUS ELISE coolant level

8. INSTRUMENTS & SWITCHES
Ignition Switch/Steering Lock ..........................................
44
Engine Start Button .........................................................
45
Warning ‘Tell Tale’ Lamps ...............................................
46
Bulb Check ................................................................
46
Turn Tell Tale .............................................................
46
Seat Belt Tell Tale ......................................................
47
Brake Tell Tale ...........................................................
47
Oil Pressure Tell Tale ................................................
47
Low Fuel Level Tell Tale ............................................
48
ABS Tell Tale ............................................................
48
High Beam Tell Tale ..................................................
48
Airbag Tell Tale ..........................................................
48
Battery Charging Tell Tale .........................................
48
Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...........................
49
Security/RPM Tell Tale ..............................................
49
Instruments .................................................................
51
Speedometer .............................................................
51
Tachometer ...............................................................
51
LCD Display Panel ....................................................
52
Fuel Level Display ...............................................
52
Coolant Temperature Display ..............................
53
Odometer ............................................................
53
Trip Recorder .......................................................
53
Dashboard Switches .......................................................
54
Parking Lamp Switch ................................................
54
Headlamp Switch ......................................................
54
Lights-on Buzzer .......................................................
55
Hazard Warning Lamps Switch .................................
55
Instrument Illumination ..............................................
56
Auxiliary Power Socket .............................................
57
Column Switches & Horn ................................................
58
Headlamp High/Low Beam/Flasher/Turn Indicators .
58
Windscreen Wiper/Washer .......................................
59
Horn .................................................................
60
Audio Equipment ............................................................
60
9. HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING
Air Conditioning ..............................................................
61
Air Re-circulation ............................................................
62
Heater Temperature ........................................................
62
Fan Speed .................................................................
62
Air Distribution ................................................................
63
Engine Bay Ventilation ....................................................
65
Contents
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engine speed is being approached. When exploiting full accel-
eration, gearchange upshifts should be made immediately the
tell tale comes on.
Note that this lamp also functions as a security system tell
tale (see ‘Car Security’). Recalibration of the speedo and tacho needle zero positions
will occur during a 3 second period following ignition switch on,
but if a needle becomes ‘stranded‘ outside of the re-calibration
range, the following procedure should be followed:
With the car stationary;
• Open driver‘s door;
• Press and hold trip reset button on steering column shroud;
• Turn on ignition.
LCD DISPLAY PANEL A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is provided below the
instruments in order to display fuel level, coolant temperature,
total mileage and trip functions. The panel is blank until the ignition is switched on.
Fuel Level Display An indication of the level of fuel in the tank is displayed in
the form of a bar graph at the right hand top of the LCD panel in the instrument cluster. When completely full (approximately
10.6 U.S. gall. {40 litres}), the display will show 6 black segments. As the fuel level falls, a white band will extend from the right to represent the empty proportion.
Instruments & Switches
52
m253
Trip distanceProportion of fuel remaining
Odometer Coolant temperaure

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When only a single segment remains, representing approxi-
mately 1.3 U.S. gall. (5 litres), the amber low fuel tell tale will
flash. Refuel at the next opportunity.
NOTICE: Do not allow the tank to run completely dry, as this may damage the catalytic converter and fuel pump. This may
affect the terms of your warranty.
Coolant Temperature Display The engine coolant temperature will be displayed at the bot
-
tom right hand corner of the panel as soon as the temperature reaches 162°F. The running temperature will fluctuate a cer
-
tain amount as the operating conditions change, and during periods of idling or in heavy traffic, the temperature may rise to
over 212°F, with the cooling fans switching on at half speed at
approximately 208°F and at full speed at approximately 217°F.
The temperature display will flash at temperatures over 226°F to prompt closer monitoring by the driver of high temperatures.
The pressurised cooling system has a boiling point of over 248°F.

If the temperature approaches this level then the driver should be concerned. If this should occur, allow the engine to idle for a
few minutes whilst monitoring the temperature, and if it continues to rise, switch off and seek qualified assistance.
NOTICE: After a heavy snowfall, ensure that the radiator cooling
outlet grilles in the front body are cleared of snow before driving
the car, or overheating may occur.
Odometer An odometer (total distance recorder) reading is displayed at
the bottom left hand corner of the panel.
Trip Recorder A trip distance recorder is provided at the top left hand corner
of the panel. In order to zero the trip display, switch on the ignition, and
press for a moment (less than 1 second), the small button
on the steering column shroud ahead of the ignition switch.

This dual function button also controls the panel illumination
- see ‘Instrument & Switch Illumination’.
Instruments & Switches
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Cooling SystemThe engine cooling system uses a header tank to ensure that
the system remains completely filled, and also to accommodate
expansion of the coolant with increasing engine temperature.
The tank is mounted at the left hand side of the engine bay, and is fitted with a 108 kPa (15 psi) pressure cap to raise the boiling point of the coolant to over 120°C (250°F).
WARNING:
• Do NOT attempt to remove the pressure cap or air bleed plug from the header tank when the engine is warm
as serious scalding could result from boiling water

and/or steam.
• Coolant is hazardous to your health and may be fatal

if swallowed.
• Keep coolant out of reach of children.
• Coolant is hazardous to animals and may be fatal if

swallowed. Clean up spilled coolant and do not leave in
open containers.
The level of coolant in the translucent header tank will rise
as the engine warms up, and fall as it cools down, and under
normal circumstances it should not be necessary to add any
coolant to the system between services. If overfilled, the excess
coolant will be ejected when the engine is warm. If under filled, overheating may result.
Servicing & Maintenance
106
ohs130
Air bleed plugCoolant header tank cap

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As a precaution, every week when the engine is completely
COLD, and without disturbing the filler cap, check that the level of coolant in the translucent tank is between the ‘FULL’
and ‘LOW’ marks moulded on the front of the tank. If topping
up is required, wait until the coolant has fully cooled before
turning the cap a quarter turn counterclockwise and allowing any remaining pressure to escape. Only then may the cap be
completely unscrewed. In order to maintain protection from freezing damage and
metal corrosion, use only an approved coolant mixture (see below) to top up the tank to the ‘FULL’ mark. Refit the cap, and
turn clockwise until the leg on the cap locates in the slot at the
front of the tank.
NOTICE: If the cap is removed when the engine is warm, the coolant may boil and a small coolant loss may occur. The com
-
pletely cold header tank level should be checked at the first subsequent opportunity.
Cooling Fans
: Two cooling fans are fitted below the radiator in
the air intake duct. The fans are energised at high coolant tem
-
peratures, or when the air conditioning (if fitted) is selected. The
fans will also run if certain types of engine fault are detected, and
may operate during a 20 minute period following ignition switch off to prevent ‘hot soak’ boiling. An electric coolant circulation pump may also be heard running during this period.
WARNING: Keep hands, tools and clothing away from the radiator
cooling fan area, as personal injury could result from the
fans starting up without warning.
At service intervals, the air duct and matrices of the engine
cooling radiator, a.c. condenser and oil coolers, should be
checked externally for clogging by insects, leaves or other debris,
and if necessary, a water jet used to clear the finning. Take care not to damage or distort the delicate finning of the radiator or
the cooling performance will be degraded.
Anti-Freeze/Corrosion Inhibitor It is most important that the correct coolant specification is
used in order to inhibit boiling and protect the engine and heat
Servicing & Maintenance
107

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exchangers from both frost damage, and metal corrosion. The
Elise is factory filled with a 50% concentration of Havoline XLC
Extended Life Coolant, which contains Organic Acid Technology
(OAT) based corrosion inhibitors to provide long coolant change intervals combined with freedom from environmentally damaging phosphates, silicates and nitrites.
NOTICE: No other type of coolant should be mixed with this
OAT coolant.
Havoline XLC may be identified by its orange colouration, and
by a label around the header tank filler neck. The 50% concen
-
tration provides freezing protection down to - 40°F (- 40°C), and is recommended to be maintained throughout the life of the car.
Stronger concentrations should not be used. In an emergency, if an OAT coolant is not available, the
cooling system should be topped up using water only, but the reduction in freezing protection should be recognised, and the
concentration corrected promptly. In areas where the tap water is extremely hard (exceeding 250 parts per million), distilled, de-ionised or filtered rain water should be used for the water
content of the coolant mix. The effective level of ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) in the sys
-
tem may be measured by your dealer using a hydrometer, but in order to ensure that the required level of corrosion protection is
maintained, the coolant should be renewed every 4 years. For coolant capacity, refer to ‘Recommended Lubricants‘
and ‘Technical Data’.
NOTICE: Using an incorrect coolant mixture may result in ex
-
pensive damage to your engine and/or other car parts caused by overheating, freezing or corrosion effects. This damage would
not be covered by your new car warranty.
Coolant Drain /Refill Procedure The cooling system of the Lotus Elise has been carefully
optimised to allow the required cooling performance using the
minimum volume of coolant. This provides for high cooling sys
-
tem efficiency, with quick engine warm up and interior heating. When refilling the cooling system, it is vital to ensure that
the correct bleeding procedure is followed, and that no air pockets remain. This operation should be entrusted to your
Lotus dealer.
Servicing & Maintenance
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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
-
mates); and/or frequent or prolonged idling.
• Track use, with repeated high rpm, wide throttle openings
and high oil temperatures. For appropriate maintenance, dis
-
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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INDEX
Access Panels, front service ................................................. 78
Accessories & Modifications, warnings .............................. 150
Air Cleaner Element ............................................................. 113
Air Conditioning ...................................................................... 61
Airbag Safety System ............................................................. 21
Alarm, car security ................................................................ 30
Alternator Belt ...................................................................... 114
Anti-freeze/Corrosion Inhibitor ............................................. 107
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............................................. 67
Audio Equipment ................................................................... 60
Auxiliary Power Socket .......................................................... 57
Battery ................................................................................. 129
Bodycare ............................................................................... 93
Brake Fluid Reservoir .......................................................... 110
Brake Pads ........................................................................... 111
Break-In, running-in .............................................................. 73
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 142
Central Door Locking ............................................................. 37
Child Restraints ..................................................................... 26
Cleaning, bodycare ............................................................... 93
Coolant Temperature Display ................................................ 53
Cooling System ................................................................... 106
Dipswitch ............................................................................... 58
Doors, keys ............................................................................ 37
Engine Cover/Trunk Lid ........................................................ 79
Environment, care of ............................................................. 14
Fuel Level Display ................................................................. 52
Fuel Filling ............................................................................. 76
Fuel Requirement .................................................................. 75
Fuses ................................................................................... 135
Gear Lever ............................................................................. 71
Hazard Warning Lamps Switch ............................................ 55
Headlamp Alignment ........................................................... 139
Index
188

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