
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
2
oh_croft_InD.indd 220/05/2004 07:58:39ProCarManuals.com

Engine Compartment Fuses ...................................137
Footwell Sited Fuses ...............................................
138
Headlamp Alignment .....................................................
139
Bulb Replacement ........................................................
142
Headlamp Bulb ........................................................
142
Front Turn Indicator Lamp Bulb ...............................
143
Side Repeater Lamp Bulb .......................................
144
Rear Lamp Cluster Bulb ..........................................
144
High Mounted Stoplamp Bulb .................................
144
Licence Plate Lamp Bulb ........................................
144
Interior Lamp Bulb ...................................................
145
Side Marker Lamp Bulb ...........................................
145
16. LIFTING & TOWING
Towing Eye ...............................................................146
Towing a Trailer .............................................................147
Car Tie-Down ...............................................................
147
Lifting Your Car .............................................................148
Fuel Tank Undershi
eld ..................................................149
17. A
CCESSORIES
Accessories & Modifications .........................................150
Storing Your Elise .........................................................
152
18. RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS
Engine ...............................................................
153
Transmission ...............................................................
154
Br
akes & Clutch ............................................................154
Engine Coolant Additive ................................................
154
19. TECHNICAL DATA .......................................................155
20. WARRANTY INDEX .....................................................161
21. ALPHABETICAL INDEX ..............................................188
Contents
5
oh_croft_InD.indd 520/05/2004 07:58:40ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE: DO NOT push or tow start the car; or turn off the igni-
tion at engine speeds above idle; or run the fuel tank dry: Any of these actions may damage the catalytic converter.
Before driving the car:
• Check tires for damage, wear and proper inflation.
Under-infla-
tion causes increased rolling resistance and uses more fuel.
(Please refer to the section in this handbook on tires, page 115).
• Check all windows, mirrors and lights are clear and unob
-
structed and all lights are correctly working.
• Check that the engine cover and front body access panels
are correctly latched;
• Adjust the seat and mirrors, and familiarise yourself with
the controls.
• Check all instruments and warning lamps (‘tell tales’) are reading correctly.
• Ensure that both driver and passenger are properly restrained
by their seat belts.
Care of the Environment By virtue of its light weight, simple content, constructional
process and fuel efficiency, the Elise has a low environmental im
-
pact compared with many road cars. All drivers should, however,
be aware of the effect of motor car exhaust emissions on the
environment and drive in a way which minimises pollution by:
• Anticipating traffic flow to avoid needless acceleration
and braking.
• Using the highest suitable gear.
• Switching off rather than idling for long periods.
• Driving off as soon as it is safe to do so; it is not necessary or beneficial to the engine to allow extended idling from cold.
• Having the car serviced regularly as a poorly maintained car will use more fuel; have any engine faults attended to imme
-
diately.
• Considering the need to use the car for very short journeys.
The emissions produced by an engine are many times greater
when cold than when warm.
Safety Information
14
oh_croft_InD.indd 1420/05/2004 07:58:42ProCarManuals.com

CAR IDENTIFICATIONThe Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) is a unique 17-digit
number used to identify the car for warranty, spares order
-
ing and administrative purposes. For reference, the number may be viewed from outside the car at the left hand bottom
corner of the windscreen. The number is also printed on
a label stuck to the inside of the chassis sideframe alongside
the driver’s seat. It is repeated on the certification label on the
driver’s door jamb. This label contains tire pressure information.
The chassis frame is stamped with the V.I.N. in the right hand front wheelarch area, viewable with the front wheels turned to right full lock.
It is essential that the complete V.I.N. is quoted in any corre
-
spondence concerning the car, or when ordering spare parts.
VIN LABEL ON DOOR JAMB VIN LABEL ON CHASSIS
Car Identification
15
ohs119a
ohs149
oh_croft_InD.indd 1520/05/2004 07:58:42ProCarManuals.com

• Drivers airbag circuit;
• Passenger airbag circuit;
• Seatbelts pre-tensioner circuit;
• Internal componentry of the sensor and diagnostic module.
As a bulb and circuit check, the tell tale will light briefly when
the ignition is switched on, and then go out. If the lamp lights at any other time, a fault in the airbag system is indicated, which
should be rectified without delay by your Lotus dealer.
WARNING: If the airbag tell tale does not light up as the ignition is
turned on, or remains lit for more than a few seconds, have
the fault rectified immediately by your dealer. Ignoring the
tell tale can result in serious injury or death if the airbags do not inflate when needed.
Airbag Deployment If a crash or collision causes the airbags to inflate, you may
see what looks like smoke, but is actually powder from the airbag
surface used to aid smooth deployment. Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problems may experience
some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the car if possible as soon as it is safe to do so. After airbag deployment, the airbags, seat belt tensioners
and electronic control unit must be replaced by a Lotus dealer
or other suitably qualified organisation. Component parts of the airbag system are located in various
sites around the car. Any technician working on the car should be advised that the car is fitted with airbags to allow suitable
precautions to be taken.
WARNING:
• For up to 20 seconds after the ignition has been turned off and the battery disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate if improper servicing occurs. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates.
• Airbag system components should be serviced only by an authorised Lotus dealer. Do not work on the airbag
system yourself.
• The disposal of used airbag units is subject to stringent
Seating & Safety Restraints
24
oh_croft_InD.indd 2420/05/2004 07:58:45ProCarManuals.com

Disarming the AlarmTo disarm the alarm, press once, and for a full second, the
larger button on the transmitter fob. This command will be
acknowledged by:
- 1 flash of the hazard warning lamps;
- Extinguishing of the security tell tale. If the alarm had been triggered during the last armed period,
the disarm command will be acknowledged by the hazard lamps
flashing 4 times, and the buzzer sounding 4 times. The security tell tale will then flash a code to indicate the triggering source:
- 1 pulse flashing: door, engine cover/boot lid or body front access panel.
- 2 pulse flashing: movement detected in cabin by microwave sensor.
- 4 pulse flashing: tampering with ignition circuit.
- 6 pulse flashing: interruption of battery supply.
The coding will be deleted when the ignition is next turned
on.
Emergency disarming /mobilising If the transmitter fobs are lost or damaged, the alarm system
owner’s unique PIN may be used to disarm the alarm and/or
mobilise the engine provided that access is available to the
cabin. Follow the transmitter fob programming instructions (see
page 18) from step 3.
Keys & Car Security Alarm
33
oh_croft_InD.indd 3320/05/2004 07:58:47ProCarManuals.com

Intrusion SensingA microwave sensor is mounted behind the cabin rear
bulkhead trim panel, and is able to detect substantial physical
movement within the cockpit, and trigger the alarm. Microwave
transmissions are blocked by metal objects, so it is important not to shield the signal by placing such items on the bulkhead ledge.
If desired, the alarm may be armed without the intrusion
sensor or battery interruption circuits being active by arming the
system in the usual way with the transmitter larger button, and
within 20 seconds, pressing the smaller button twice.
Manual Activation of Siren To enhance personal security, with the system in a fully armed
state (after 45 second arming period), the siren may be manually
triggered by pressing the transmitter smaller button. The siren
will sound and the turn lamps flash for 15 seconds. To stop the siren, press either of the two transmitter buttons.
ohs120
Keys & Car Security Alarm
34
Microwave sensor
oh_croft_InD.indd 3420/05/2004 07:58:47ProCarManuals.com

- Release both buttons; the fob tell tale should come on con-
stantly.
- Press the larger button for one second (the fob tell tale will
flash). Synchronisation is complete.
Programming Additional Transmitter Fobs Two transmitter fobs are provided with the new car. If one
transmitter is lost or damaged, a replacement should be ob
-
tained immediately from your dealer, and programmed to the car alarm controller using a functioning transmitter fob and the
system owner’s unique Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Up to 4 transmitter fobs can be matched with the alarm system, but all fobs must collectively undergo the single programming
operation:
1. Press, simultaneously, both buttons on a transmitter fob until the fob tell tale stops flashing (approx. 10 seconds).
On release of the buttons, the fob tell tale will light.
2. Repeat operation (1) for ALL the transmitter fobs required to
operate the system.
3. Turn the ignition on and off 3 times within 7 seconds; the
security tell tale in the tachometer will light for 3 seconds.
4. Enter the PIN: Immediately the tell tale goes out, switch ON the ignition and count the number of security tell tale flashes
until equal to the first number of the PIN, then turn the ignition
OFF, then back ON again.
5. Repeat operation (4) for the remaining 3 digits of the PIN, remembering to turn the ignition OFF and back ON after each
code number.
Note: If at any time a mistake is made when entering the
PIN, turn the ignition OFF for 10 seconds and re-commence entering the PIN.
6. If the PIN is correct, the security tell tale will be lit. Test op
-
eration of each transmitter fob.
Disconnecting the Car Battery If the battery is to be disconnected, refer to the ‘Battery’
section later in this handbook which includes the following precaution:
- Before disconnecting the battery, ensure that the alarm system
is disarmed and mobilised.
Keys & Car Security Alarm
36
oh_croft_InD.indd 3620/05/2004 07:58:48ProCarManuals.com