LOTUS ELISE 2005 Owners Manual
Page 181 of 205
-  fuel vapour pressure sensor
Exhaust System
-  exhaust manifold
-  catalytic converter, heat shields, gaskets and fasteners*
Engine Emission Control System Sensors
-  electronic control module (ECM)*
-  engine coolant temperature sensor (ECTS)
-  air flow meter
-  crankshaft sensor
-  idle air control valve (IACV)
-  wheel speed sensors
-  throttle position sensor (TPS)
-  knock sensor
-  oxygen sensors
-  oil control valves for VVTL-i
-  oil pressure switch for VVTL-i
-  camshaft position sensor
-    coolant thermostat
On Board Diagnostics (OBD)
-  malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
-  data link connector and harness
Miscellaneous Parts used in the Above Systems
-  hoses
-  switches, sensors and solenoids
-  gaskets and seals
-  wires, harnesses and connectors
* major emission control components - see page 171
Federal Emission Warranty
179
oh_croft_InD.indd   17920/05/2004   07:59:24ProCarManuals.com 
Page 182 of 205
CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT
YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS The  California  Air  Resources  Board  and  Lotus  Cars 
Limited are pleased to explain the emission control system 
warranty  on  your  new,  USA  specification,  Lotus  Elise.  In 
California,  new  motor  cars  must  be  designed,  built  and  equipped to meet the State’s stringent anti-smog standards. 
Lotus must warrant the emission control system on your 
Elise  for  the  periods  of  time  listed  below  provided  there  has  been  no  abuse,  neglect  or  improper  maintenance  of 
your car. Your emission control system may include parts  such as the carburettor or fuel injection system, the igni
-
tion  system,  catalytic  conver tor,  and  engine  computer. 
Also included may be hoses, belts, connectors and other 
emission-related assemblies. Where a warrantable condition exists, Lotus will repair 
your car at no cost to you including diagnosis, parts and  labour. 
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY COVERAGE
-  For 
3 years or 50,000 miles  (whichever first occurs):
  1)  If  your  car  fails  a  Smog  Check  inspection,  all  necessary  repairs and adjustments will be made by Lotus to ensure that 
your car passes the inspection. This is your emission control 
system PERFORMANCE WARRANTY. 
  2 )   I f   a n y   e m i s s i o n   r e l a t e d   p a r t   o n   y o u r   c a r   i s   d e f e c-
t i v e ,   t h e   p a r t   w i l l   b e   r e p a i r e d   o r   r e p l a c e d   b y   L o t u s .
 
This  is  your  short-term  emission  control  system 
DEFECTS 
WARRANTY.
-  For 
7 years or 70,000 miles  (whichever first occurs):
  1)  If  an  emission  related  part  listed  in  this  warranty  booklet  specially  noted  with  coverage  for  7  years  or  70,000  miles 
is  defective,  the  part  will  be  repaired  or  replaced  by  Lotus.
 
This  is  your  long  term  emission  control  system  DEFECTS 
WARRANTY.
California Emission Warranty
180
oh_croft_InD.indd   18020/05/2004   07:59:24ProCarManuals.com 
Page 183 of 205
OWNER’S WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITIES:
-   As the car owner, you are responsible for the performance of  the required maintenance listed in your owner’s manual. Lotus recommends that you retain all receipts covering maintenance 
on your car, but Lotus cannot deny warranty solely for the lack 
of receipts or for your failure to ensure the performance of all 
scheduled maintenance.
-  You are responsible for presenting your car to a Lotus dealer  as soon as a problem exists. The warranty repairs should be 
completed in a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed  30 
days.
-   As the car owner, you should also be aware that Lotus may  deny  you  warranty  coverage  if  your  car  or  a  part  has  failed 
due to abuse, neglect, improper maintenance or unapproved 
modifications.
If you have any questions regarding your warranty rights 
and responsibilities, you should contact: Lotus Cars U.S.A. 
Inc., at 2236 Northmont Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30096, or 
the California Air Resources Board at 9528 Telstar Avenue,  El Monte CA 91731.
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
181
oh_croft_InD.indd   18120/05/2004   07:59:24ProCarManuals.com 
Page 184 of 205
LOTUS CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMWARRANTIES
The  Lotus  California  Emission  Control  System  Warranties 
comprise the California Emissions Performance Warranty, and 
two  levels  of  the  California  Emission  Control  System  Defects 
Warranty.
Your car may also be eligible for additional warranty coverage 
under the Federal Emissions warranty (see previous section).
CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM DEFECTS 
WARRANTY
Lotus Cars Ltd. (Lotus) warrants to the owner of any new, USA 
specification, Lotus Elise, that the car was designed, built and  equipped so as to conform with requirements of the California 
Air Resources Board (CARB), and that if the car is maintained  and  operated  in  accordance  with  the  written  instructions  for proper maintenance and use, then:
i)  if, during a period of 3 years or 50,000 miles, whichever first  occurs,  any  part  of  the  car  which  could  affect  emissions  is broken  or  does  not  function  as  designed  (including  adjust
-
ments), provided the car does not qualify for an exclusion as  described on page 186, Lotus shall be responsible for repair 
or replacement of any such part or parts, including diagnosis 
and labour charges.
ii) if, during a period of 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever first  occurs,  one  or  more  of  a  certain  group  of  emission  related parts  listed  on  page  187  is  broken  or  does  not  function  as 
designed (including adjustments), provided the car does not 
qualify for an exclusion as described on page 186, Lotus shall 
be responsible for repair or replacement of any such part or 
parts, including diagnosis and labour charges.
The warranty period shall begin on the date the car is deliv
-
ered to the first retail purchaser, or, if the car is first placed in 
service as a demonstrator or company car prior to sale at retail, 
on the date the car is first placed in such service. The emission control systems of your new, USA specification, 
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
182
oh_croft_InD.indd   18220/05/2004   07:59:24ProCarManuals.com 
Page 185 of 205
Lotus Elise, were designed, built and tested using genuine Lotus 
Service Parts and the car is certified as being in conformity with  Federal and California emission control requirements. Accord
-
ingly,  it  is  recommended  that  any  replacement  parts  used  for  maintenance, repair or replacement of emission control systems 
be  Lotus  Service  Parts  or  Lotus  Authorized  Remanufactured 
Parts. The owner may elect to have maintenance, replacement  or repair of the emission control devices and systems performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual, and may 
elect  to  use  parts  other  than  Lotus  Service  or  Authorized  Re
-
manufactured Parts for such maintenance, replacement or repair 
without  invalidating  this  warranty;  the  cost  of  such  service  or 
parts, however, will not be covered under the warranty, except 
in emergency situations. Use  of  replacement  parts  which  are  not  of  equivalent  qual
-
ity  may  impair  the  effectiveness  of  emission  control  systems.  If  other  than  Lotus  Service  Parts  or  Authorised  Remanufac
-
tured  Parts  are  used  for  maintenance,  replacement  or  repair  of  components  affecting  emission  control,  the  owner  should 
obtain assurances that such parts are warranted by their manu
-
facturer to be equivalent to genuine Lotus parts in performance  and  durability.  Lotus  however,  assumes  no  liability  under  this 
warranty with respect to failure of such parts other than Lotus 
Service  Parts  or  Authorized  Remanufactured  Parts.  However,  the use of non-Lotus replacement parts does not invalidate the 
warranty on other components. If a non-Lotus emission related 
part  causes  damage  to  other  components,  then  the  liability 
for the subsequent damage shall not be assumed by Lotus. If  however, a Lotus Service Part or Authorised Remanufactured 
Part causes damage to a non-Lotus part, such non-Lotus part 
will be repaired.
Repairs  and  service  covered  by  this  warranty  will  be  per
-
formed by any authorized Lotus Dealer at his place of business  with no charge for parts or labour (including diagnosis), using 
Lotus Service or Authorized Remanufactured Parts for any part of the emission control system covered by this warranty. In the 
case of an emergency, where an authorized Lotus dealer is not  available, or a Lotus part is not available within 30 days; repairs 
may be performed at any available service establishment or by 
any individual using any replacement part. Lotus will reimburse 
the owner for such repairs (including diagnosis) that are covered  under this warranty, but such reimbursement will not exceed the 
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
183
oh_croft_InD.indd   18320/05/2004   07:59:25ProCarManuals.com 
Page 186 of 205
Lotus suggested retail price for all warranted parts replaced, and labour charges based on Lotus’s recommended warranty repair 
times, and the geographically appropriate hourly rate. A repair 
not  being  complete  within  30  days  constitutes  an  emergency. 
Replaced  parts  and  paid  invoices  must  be  presented  at  a  Lo
-
tus dealership as a condition of reimbursement for emergency  repairs not performed at a Lotus dealer.
You are advised to perform all recommended maintenance 
or repairs on your new, USA specification, Lotus Elise. You are  responsible  for  the  performance  of  the  required  maintenance. 
Lotus will not deny a warranty claim solely because you have 
no record of maintenance; however, Lotus may deny a warranty 
claim  if  your  failure  to  perform  required  maintenance  resulted  in  the  failure  of  a  warranted  part.  Receipts  and  maintenance records  covering  the  per formance  of  regular  maintenance 
should  be  retained  in  the  event  questions  arise  concerning 
maintenance. The receipts and maintenance records should be 
transferred to each subsequent owner of this car.
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
184
oh_croft_InD.indd   18420/05/2004   07:59:25ProCarManuals.com 
Page 187 of 205
CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE WARRANTYLotus Cars Ltd. (Lotus) warrants to the owner of any new, USA 
specification, Lotus Elise, that if, during a period of 3 years or 
50,000 miles, whichever first occurs, the car should fail to pass  an  Inspection/Maintenance  test,  for  reasons  other  than  those detailed  on  page  167  (‘What  is  not  covered  by  the  Emission 
Warranty’), then the car will be repaired at no cost to the owner. 
The  car  is  to  be  repaired  so  that  it  will  pass  the  I/M  test,  and  these repairs shall include diagnosis, replacement, repair, and adjustment of those defective parts affecting emissions. The warranty period shall begin on the date the car is deliv
-
ered to the first retail purchaser, or, if the car is first placed in 
service as a demonstrator or company car prior to sale at retail, 
on the date the car is first placed in such service. If your car fails a Smog Check test or a Federal Emissions 
Short test, you may choose to have diagnosis of the failure and  repairs made at a Lotus dealer or at another service facility. You 
may  take  your  car  to  a  Lotus  dealer  for  warranty  repairs  and  diagnosis  without  charge.  You  will  have  to  pay  for  diagnostic 
costs and repairs if performed at another service facility except  in the case of emergency repairs (see page 164). If your car fails 
a Smog Check test or a Federal Emissions Short test after the 
3  year/50,000  mile  performance  warranty  period  has  expired,  but before 7 years/70,000 miles is reached, those parts listed 
on page 168 are still covered by the defects warranty.  If the warranty station demonstrates that the test failure was 
caused  by  one  or  more  of  the  conditions  excluded  from  war
-
ranty coverage (see below), the car owner shall be liable for all 
diagnostic and repair expenses. Such expenses shall not exceed 
the maximum repair costs permissible under the California Car 
Inspection  Programme.  Failure  to  notify  the  owner  within  30  days that a performance warranty claim is invalid, shall render 
Lotus liable for the repair costs. If the warranty station identifies 
that the test failure was caused by one or more defects covered  under  warranty,  and  in  combination  with  one  or  more  of  the conditions excluded from warranty coverage (see below), then 
the car owner shall be responsible only for that proportion of the  diagnostic and repair costs that is not covered by warranty.
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
185
oh_croft_InD.indd   18520/05/2004   07:59:25ProCarManuals.com 
Page 188 of 205
WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE CALIFORNIA EMISSION 
WARRANTIES
The warranty does not cover:
•  Malfunctions  in  any  part  caused  by  any  of  the  following: 
misuse,  abuse,  neglect,  improper  modification  or  alteration, 
tampering,  disconnection,  improper  or  inadequate  mainte
-
nance, or use of leaded gasoline.
•  Damage resulting from accident, acts of nature or other events 
beyond the control of Lotus.
• The  repair  or  replacement  of  warranted  parts  which  are 
scheduled  for  replacement  prior  to  50,000  miles  (such  as 
spark plugs, filters) once these parts have been replaced at 
the first recommended replacement interval as part of required 
maintenance services.
•  Incidental and consequential damages, such as loss of time, 
inconvenience, loss of use of the car, or commercial loss.
•  Any  car  on  which  odometer  mileage  has  been  changed  so 
that mileage cannot be readily determined. 
ANY  IMPLIED  WARR ANT Y  OF  MERCHANTABILIT Y  OR  FITNESS  FOR  A  PARTICUL AR  PURPOSE  APPLICABLE 
TO A Car OR PART IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE TIME  PERIODS SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY. THE COMPANY 
SHALL  NOT  BE  LIABLE  FOR  INCIDENTAL  OR  CONSE
-
QUENTIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF 
ANY WARRANTY.
SOME  STATES  DO  NOT  ALLOW  LIMITATIONS  ON  HOW LONG  AN  IMPLIED  WARRANTY  LASTS,  OR  THE  EXCLU
-
SION  OR  LIMITATION  OF  INCIDENTAL  OR  CONSEQUEN
-
TIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLU
-
SIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
186
oh_croft_InD.indd   18620/05/2004   07:59:26ProCarManuals.com 
Page 189 of 205
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCELotus  Cars  Ltd.  wishes  to  help  assure  that  the  Emission 
Control Systems Warranty is properly administered. In the event  that you do not receive the warranty service to which you believe 
you are entitled under the Emission Control Systems Warranty,  or if you need additional assistance or information concerning 
this warranty, you should contact: Lotus Cars U.S.A. Inc., 2236  Northmont Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30096. If  you  cannot  obtain  satisfaction,  you  may  contact:  Air  Re
-
sources  Board,  Mobile  Source  Division,  9528  Telstar  Avenue,  El Monte, CA. 91731.
7 YEAR/70,000 MILE EMISSIONS DEFECTS WARRANTY  PARTS LIST
-  Catalytic Converter
-  Engine Management Electronic Control Module
-  Throttle Body
-  Exhaust Manifold
-  Fuel Tank
-  Fuel Level Sender and Seal
-  IAC Valve
-  Knock Sensor
-  Intake Manifold and Gasket
-  Fuel Pressure Regulator Valve
-  Fuel Level Vent Valve
-  Roll Over Valve
-  Instrument Pack
-  Main Harness
Califo rnia Emission Warranty
187
oh_croft_InD.indd   18720/05/2004   07:59:26ProCarManuals.com 
Page 190 of 205
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
oh_croft_InD.indd   18820/05/2004   07:59:26ProCarManuals.com