oil dipstick LOTUS ELISE 2005 Owners Manual

ohs149
OIL FILLER CAPohs131
DIPSTICK
Engine Oil Level Check
WARNING:
• Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal
if swallowed.
• Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact.
The engine oil level should be checked regularly, such as
every two or three fuel stops, and the oil level maintained near
the top mark on the dipstick. It is especially important to keep a check on the oil level during the car’s first 1,000 miles (1,600
km), as both the fuel and oil consumption will be prone to some
variance until the engine components have bedded in. The best time to check the level is when the oil is warm, such
as during a fuel stop. Ensure that the car is parked on a level
surface and that a few minutes have elapsed since stopping
the engine to allow oil to drain back into the sump. If the engine is stopped before reaching normal running temperature, the oil
will not drain back so readily, and the dipstick will display an artificially low reading.
Dipstick: The dipstick is identifiable by its yellow loop handle,
and is located at the right hand front of the engine. Withdraw
the dipstick, and wipe with a paper towel. Replace the dipstick, if necessary feeding the blade into the tube with the towel, before
Servicing & Maintenance
99

oh_croft_InD.indd 9920/05/2004 07:59:05ProCarManuals.com

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
100

oh_croft_InD.indd 10020/05/2004 07:59:05ProCarManuals.com

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
101

oh_croft_InD.indd 10120/05/2004 07:59:05ProCarManuals.com

RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS
EngineIn order to enhance the longevity and reliability of the car, it
is most important that only the specified lubricants are used. It
is an entirely false economy to try to save money by using lower quality oils, which may break down before the next change in
-
terval and provide inadequate protection before the end of the
term. High oil consumption may also result.
For topping up purposes during the running-in period prior to
the First After Sales Service, a top quality mineral or semi-syn
-
thetic 5W/40 oil should be used. At the First After Sales Service and completion of the running-in period, a fully synthetic 5W/40
oil such as Texaco Havoline Synthetic should be used. This oil
has been tested in all climatic conditions likely to be encountered,
and offers advantages in ease of cranking, smooth cold running
and fuel economy at low temperatures, in combination with good
wear protection at elevated temperatures and at high engine speeds. If Texaco/Havoline products are not available, an oil meeting the following specification should be used.
NOTICE: Note that Lotus does not recommend the use of any oil additives and use of such additives may invalidate the terms
of your car’s warranty.
Viscosity: 5W/40
Quality Standard: API SJEC; ILSAC; ACEA A3
Capacity - refill inc. filter 4.4 litre
(Cars fitted with front mounted oil coolers contain an additional
3.5 litres, but this oil is not drained during routine servicing) Difference between high & low dipstick marks
1.5 litre
Oil change interval Refer to Maintenance Schedule
‘Severe Service’ Conditions Certain operating conditions can cause rapid degradation of
the oil quality, either by the accumulation of dirt particles, or by
the absorption of water from condensation. If any of the ‘severe
service’ conditions described below apply, it is recommended
that the oil and filter be changed twice as frequently as is listed in the Maintenance Schedule.
Recommended Lubricants
153

oh_croft_InD.indd 15320/05/2004 07:59:19ProCarManuals.com

Unladen weight - total 912 kg ) inc.
(heaviest) - front 344 kg ) full fuel
- rear 568 kg ) tank
Max. weight - total 1162 kg > incl.
- front 441 kg > occupants
- rear 721 kg > & luggage
Trailer towing Not permissible
Capacities Engine oil (refill inc. filter) 4.7 U.S. qt. (4.4 litre)
(+3.7 U.S. qt (3.5) litre if front mounted oil coolers are drained) High/low dipstick mark difference 1.6 U.S. qt. (1.5 litre)
Transmission oil 2.4 U.S. qt. (2.3 litre)
Fuel tank 10.6 U.S. gall. (40 litre)
Cooling system 12.7 U.S. qt. (12 litre)
A.C. refrigerant (R134a) 1.2 lb (0.55 kg)
Front Suspension

T ype Independent. Upper and
lower wishbone co-axial
coil spring/telescopic
damper unit; anti-roll bar
Steering axis inclination 12° nominal
Geometry specification - Standard: Mid-laden ride height (reference height for geometry check)
- front 135 mm below front end
of chassis siderail
- rear 135 mm below rear end
of chassis siderail
Castor - optimum + 3.8°
- tolerance range + 3.5° to + 4.1°;
max. side/side 0.35°
Camber - optimum - 0.1°
- tolerance range + 0.1° to - 0.3°
max. side/side 0.2°
Alignment - optimum Zero - tolerance range 0.5 mm toe-out, to
0.7mm toe-in overall
Technical Data
156

oh_croft_InD.indd 15620/05/2004 07:59:19ProCarManuals.com

Headlamp Flasher .................................................................58
Heating & Ventilation .............................................................. 61
Horn ...................................................................................... 60
Idle Speed ............................................................................. 73
Ignition Switch ....................................................................... 44
Immobiliser, engine ................................................................ 31
Inertia Switch ...................................................................... 135
Instrument Illumination .......................................................... 56
Interior Lamp .......................................................................... 41
Jacking Points, lifting you car .............................................. 148
‘Jump’ Starting ..................................................................... 133
Keys ...................................................................................... 29
Lighting Switches .................................................................. 54
Lights On Buzzer .............................................................. 40,55
Lubrication - Dipstick, engine oil level check ....................................... 99
- Engine Oil Change ........................................................ 100
- Oil Filter ......................................................................... 102
- Recommended Lubricants ............................................ 153
- Tran smission Oil ............................................................ 103
Mirrors ................................................................................... 40
Odometer .............................................................................. 53
Parking Brake ........................................................................ 70
Pedals ................................................................................... 66
Queen’s Award ..................................................................... 191
Roof, Hard Top ...................................................................... 85
Roof, Soft Top ....................................................................... 82
Safety Information ....................................................................
7
Seat Be lts .............................................................................. 18
Seats ...................................................................................... 17
Servicing ............... see separate Maintenance Record booklet
Sparking Plugs ..................................................................... 114
Speedometer .......................................................................... 51
Start Button, engine .............................................................. 45
Starting Procedure ................................................................ 72
Index
189

oh_croft_InD.indd 18920/05/2004 07:59:26ProCarManuals.com