ECU LOTUS ELISE 2005 Owner's Guide

pressing firmly to ensure that the handle is fully seated. With-
draw the dipstick again to inspect the oil level, which should lie between the two dimples on the end of the stick. The oil level
should be maintained at the upper of these two marks in order
to provide optimum engine protection.
Topping Up
: If topping up is necessary, unscrew the oil filler cap
from the left hand end of the cam cover. Add a suitable quantity of the recommended engine oil (see ‘Recommended Lubricants’)
taking care not to spill any oil onto engine or electrical compo
-
nents; use a funnel if necessary. The difference between high and low dipstick marks is equiv
-
alent to 1.6 U.S. quarts (1.5 litre). Allow several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before re-checking the oil level.
Do NOT over fill, or lubrication will be degraded and consump
-
tion increased as the oil becomes aerated. Refit the filler cap,
turning clockwise until secure.
Engine Oil Change The use of high quality oil, renewed at the specified intervals,
is the key to engine longevity and sustained performance. Ad
-
here strictly to the engine oil and filter change intervals specified
in the Maintenance Schedule.
For access to the engine sump and filter, the engine bay
undertray must first be removed. This is most easily achieved
with the car raised on a garage hydraulic lift, or alternatively, parked over an inspection pit.
The drain plug is located at the rear of the sump, and should
be removed to drain the sump immediately after a run when
the oil is warm and the impurities are still held in suspension.
On cars fitted with front mounted oil coolers, it is not necessary routinely to attempt to drain the cooler circuit. Servicing & Maintenance
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WARNING:
• Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal
if swallowed.
• Take all suitable precautions to guard against scalding
from the hot oil.
• Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause serious skin disorders, including dermatitis

and cancer.
• Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far
as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact.
• Keep out of reach of children.
Allow the oil to drain completely before cleaning the drain
plug, fitting a new sealing washer, and tightening securely. Refit
the undertray. Refill with the recommended lubricant (see page 153) via the
oil filler on the camshaft cover, to the top mark on the dipstick,
allowing several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before checking the level. Take care not to over fill. Refit the oil
filler cap securely, and check the oil level again when the engine is fully warm (see above).
Servicing & Maintenance
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a small amount of clean engine oil into the filter, screw onto its
spigot and tighten BY HAND sufficiently to make a secure seal,
typically 2/3 to 3/4 of a turn after the sealing faces have made
contact. Overtightening using a filter wrench may damage the
canister and/or complicate subsequent removal. Before refitting the undertray, start the engine and check for
oil leaks. Re-check the security of the filter, further tightening
by hand if necessary. Check the oil level (see above) when the
engine is fully warm.
Used Engine Oil NOTICE: PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: Do not pollute
drains, water courses or land with oil. Use only authorised waste
collection facilities, including civic amenity sites and garages providing facilities for disposal of used oil and used oil filters. If
in doubt, contact your local authority for advice on disposal.
Transmission Oil The transmission should be checked for oil leaks, for the cor
-
rect oil level, and the oil renewed, at intervals specified in the
Maintenance Schedule.
To check the oil level:
- A garage lift or inspection pit must be used.
- Remove the engine bay undertray.
- Wipe clean the area around the socket headed level plug on
the front face of the transmission end casing.
Servicing & Maintenance
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- Remove the plug, and check that the oil is level with the bottom of the hole. Note that the release of oil trapped
by the plug, should not be confused with an indication of

correct oil level.
- If necessary, add only the specified lubricant (see ‘Recom
-
mended Lubricants’) via the level plug hole until the oil level
stabilises at the bottom of the plug hole.
- Refit the level plug with a new sealing washer, and tighten securely. Refit the undertray.
To renew transmission oil:
WARNING:
• Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal
if swallowed.
• Take all suitable precautions to guard against scalding
from the hot oil.
• Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause serious skin disorders, including dermatitis and
cancer.
• Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact.
• Keep out of reach of children.
Servicing & Maintenance
104
f131
Transmission
filler/level plug
Drain plug

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- The hexagon headed drain plug located at the bottom of the final drive casing, should be removed immediately after a run when the oil is warm, taking suitable precautions against
scalding.
- Clean the plug, fit a new sealing washer and refit securely.
- Refill to the level plug hole as detailed above.
Servicing & Maintenance
105
f131
Transmission
filler/level plug
Drain plug

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Use only a non-mineral type DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed
container marked with a yellow and black (non-mineral) symbol.
Do not use DOT 5 silicone fluid, or any fluid which has been
exposed to the atmosphere for more than a brief period, or
any fluid suspected of being wet, dirty or contaminated. Do not over fill, and replace the cap securely. Brake fluid, being hygroscopic, absorbs water from the atmos
-
phere over a period of time, resulting in a lowering of the boiling
point of the fluid, and corrosion of the hydraulic system. For
optimum safety and brake performance, the brake fluid should be renewed every twelve months by your Lotus Dealer.
WARNING:
• Brake fluid is hazardous to health and may be fatal if swallowed. Keep out of children’s reach.
• Using the wrong type of brake fluid can damage brake system components and result in brake failure causing a
crash in which you and others could be killed or seriously
injured. See ‘Recommended Lubricants’.
Brake Pads The thickness of the brake pad lining material should be
checked at every service, and under no circumstances be al
-
lowed to fall below 0.1 inch (2.5 mm). If the brakes are in very frequent or arduous use, as when driving in mountainous terrain,
or on race circuits, it is recommended that they be examined
more frequently. The pads should be renewed if of insufficient
thickness to ensure safe braking until the next scheduled service.
Note that in order to ensure that brake pads with the correct
material specification are used, only genuine Lotus replacement parts should be fitted, and in the interests of safety, pad renewal
should be entrusted to your Lotus dealer.
WARNING: Using incorrect brake pads, or pads below 0.1 inch
(2.5mm) thickness, may cause a crash in which you or
others could be killed or seriously injured. With a new car, or new brake system components, maxi
-
mum braking efficiency will be achieved if, for the first few
hundred miles, needless heavy braking is avoided, and the
brake pads and discs are allowed to ‘bed in’ fully before
being used to their full potential (see also ‘Footbrake’).
Servicing & Maintenance
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Air Cleaner ElementThe air filter should be inspected at intervals dependent on
the operating conditions. When the car is operated in a relatively
clean environment, the element should be renewed at intervals
specified in the Maintenance Schedule, but where a dusty or
smog laden atmosphere prevails, or other factors contribute to
filter contamination, more frequent replacement will be required
dependent on the level of pollution. A disposable folded paper type air cleaner element is fitted in
a housing at the left hand front of the engine bay. For access to
the element, the left hand rear wheel and wheelarch liner must
first be removed so this operation is best entrusted to your dealer.
Before opening the air cleaner housing, the wheelarch area
should be cleaned to reduce the possibility of filter or housing contamination with road dirt. To open the filter housing, release the two spring clips at the
outboard end of the housing, and hinge open sufficiently to allow
the element to be removed. If necessary, remove the air intake scroll for improved access. Clean the inside of the housing, including the joint faces,
taking care not to contaminate the ‘clean’ engine side of the as
-
sembly. Fit the new filter element into position with the shallow
side towards the engine, and taking care to ensure that the two
hinges of the filter housing are properly mated, and that the filter
is seated correctly, close the housing and secure with the two
spring clips. Refit the wheelarch liner and rear wheel.
ohs146
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
Servicing & Maintenance
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard: Example; Tread-
wear 60 Traction A A Temperature A. See page 120
Other tire markings are self explanatory.
Tire Inflator Aerosol (if fitted) 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
which is mounted in spring clips at the extreme right hand front corner of the rear luggage compartment. If possible avoid driving on a deflated tire, or irreparable damage to
the tire may be caused. When the aerosol is connected to the tire valve, and the
button pressed, a mixture of liquid latex and propellant is
injected into the tire, such that the solidifying latex is forced
into the puncture site at the same time as the tire is inflated, effecting a temporary repair and enabling the car to be driven at low speed to the nearest tire repair facility.
WARNING:
• Use of the aerosol does not constitute a permanent repair, but is designed to allow the car to be driven
to the nearest tire repair facility. At the earliest op
-
portunity, the tire should be either professionally repaired or replaced dependent on the severity of
the damage.
• Until the tire is repaired or replaced, the car should be driven in a moderate manner, not exceeding 30
mph (45 km/h).
• Do not use the aerosol for large holes or repairs, or when the tire sidewall has been damaged, or if the
tire has been displaced from the rim.
• For safety reasons, the aerosol should at all times be carried only in the designated secure stowage
position. Never carry loose in the passenger com
-
partment.
Tires & Wheels
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WheelsEnsure that only original equipment, or Lotus approved wheel
and tire combinations are fitted. After the car has been used
on track, or in competition conditions, the wheels should be removed and thoroughly inspected for damage.
WARNING: After striking a pothole or kerb, the wheels should be
removed and the wheel and tire thoroughly inspected for
damage. Renew the wheel and /or tire if necessary. Safety
considerations should always be paramount and new parts
fitted in any cases of doubt.
Wheel Bolts The wheel bolts used on the Elise are of a special design to
suit the small diameter fixing tunnels in the wheel centres. The bolts have a 10 spline socket head, for which a special extension
tool is supplied with the car. A 17mm a/f deep socket and 1/2
inch square drive wrench should be applied to the extension tool,
with a tightening torque of 77 lbf.ft (105 Nm) required. To protect against wheel theft, one of the four bolts securing
each wheel is key coded, and requires a corresponding coded
socket wrench and 1/2 inch square drive extension. Rotate the coded socket until full engagement with the bolt head is ensured and take care to maintain the extension tool perpendicular to
the wheel face before applying release torque.
NOTICE: It is not recommended to use hammer action air tools on the coded bolts - use only manual tools.
Both the standard extension and coded socket tools are
stowed in the car tool kit, and should remain with the car at all
times to ensure that servicing may be performed. The key code
included in the tool kit should be recorded and kept safely with
the car documents, in case a replacement socket tool needs
to be ordered.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The wheels on your car were aligned and balanced carefully
during the manufacture of your car to give you the longest tire
life and best overall performance.
Tires & Wheels
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ELECTRICAL
BATTERY
WARNING:
POISON/DANGER - CAUSES SEVERE BURNS KEEP OUT
OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Contains sulphuric acid - avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. If in contact with skin or eyes; flush with copious amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek
immediate medical attention. If ingested; seek immediate
medical attention. Do not induce vomiting or give fluids
to drink.
• Batteries produce explosive gases. Keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away. Ventilate when charging or using in
enclosed space. Always shield eyes when working near
batteries.
RISK OF SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE
• Observe all warning notes on the battery.
• Disconnect the battery during all work on the electrical system.
• Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the battery as they could cause a short circuit across the battery
terminals.
Battery Access The ‘maintenance free’ battery is located at the left hand
front of the rear luggage compartment. No routine inspection or topping up of the electrolyte is required, but at inter vals
specified in the Maintenance Schedule, the battery terminals
should be checked for security and condition, and protected
with petroleum jelly. For access to the terminals, first unclip the battery cover
from the floor and ease the cover from around the left hand rear corner of the battery.
Disconnecting the Battery
WARNING: Failure to follow the correct battery disconnection pro
-
cedure detailed below could result in serious burns.
Electrical
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