recommended LOTUS ELISE 2005 Owners Manual

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
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Safety InformationTo help you make informed decisions about safety, important
safety information is provided in forms including:
• Safety labels on the car
• Safety messages in this handbook are shown as follows:
WARNING: The hazard and instructions to avoid the hazard are
given. If you do not take these instructions you and /or
others can be KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Messages prefac ed by
‘NOTICE’ are intended to help
y o u a v o i d d a m a g e t o y o u r c a r, o t h e r p r o p e r t y o r t h e

environment.
Important Safety Precautions You’ll find many safety recommendations throughout this sec
-
tion, and throughout this manual. The recommendations on this page are the ones we consider to be the most important.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt A seat belt is your best protection in accidents (including colli
-
sions). Airbags supplement seat belts, but airbags are designed
to inflate only in a moderate to severe frontal collision. So even
though your car is equipped with airbags, make sure you and
your passenger always wear your seat belts, and wear them properly. (See page 18).
Your Car is Not Recommended for Child Passengers Since all children are safest in the back seat of a car, and
your car does not have a back seat, we strongly recommend that you do not carry a child passenger. Children should be
carried in the Elise only if they are large enough to be able to
use the standard seat belt (see page 26). You should never
carry an infant in a rear-facing child seat in this car because
the Elise has a passenger airbag which cannot be switched off or disabled (see page 26).
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or
fatal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them, or are not
Safety Information
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Transmitter Fob Battery ReplacementThe transmitter fobs will normally operate within a range of 5
metres from the car, but this may be reduced by the presence
of other radio signals in the vicinity. A small LED tell tale on the
transmitter fob will flash whilst the button is held down to indicate correct operation, but if the lamp flashes irregularly or only once,
transmitter battery replacement is required.
The transmitters are powered by a long life 3V Lithium battery,
type CR2032, which with normal use should last for 3 years. To ensure continuity of operation, it is recommended to renew the batteries every 12 months:
- Using a small screwdriver, prise open the case in the areas
marked ‘open’.
- Remove the old battery and wait for 10 seconds before insert
-
ing the new battery with +ve sign uppermost, and holding the battery only by the periphery.
- Align the locating studs, and firmly press the case together.
- The transmitter should now operate normally, but may require
re-synchronisation with the control unit.
Transmitter Re-synchronisation If at any time the transmitter does not function, and the battery
is known to be good, carry out the following re-synchronisation procedure:
- Stand close to the car and hold down both buttons on the
transmitter until the LED on the fob is extinguished (approx.
10 seconds).
ohs102
Keys & Car Security Alarm
35
Transmitter casing
Transmitter body
Batter y

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EXTERNAL OPERATIONS
Fuel Requirement USE UNLEADED PREMIUM GR ADE GASOLINE.
Use only unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM specifications.
Use of fuels not meeting ASTM specifications could cause poor performance and increase emissions.
For optimum car performance and fuel economy, the use
of super or premium unleaded gasoline, with a minimum
octane rating of 91 (RON+MON)/2 is recommended. Where
super or premium fuel is not available, the Elise will operate
satisfactorily on unleaded gasoline having a minimum rating
of 87 (RON+MON)/2, but car performance and economy will be reduced. Using fuel with a lower octane rating may cause knocking
(pinking) which, if severe, can cause serious engine damage.
Light knocking may occasionally be heard for short periods when accelerating or driving up hills, and this should cause no concern,
although using a lower gear would be advised. If, however, you hear persistent heavy knocking when using the specified fuel,
consult your dealer without delay.
The use of good quality fuels containing proper detergent ad
-
ditives is advised for good performance and emission control.
NOTICE: Do NOT use leaded fuel: damage caused by the use of leaded or other improper fuel is not covered by the New Car
or Emission Control System Warranty. The effectiveness of
the catalytic converter decreases after as little as one tankful
of leaded fuel. Also, the car is fitted with a fuel injection system
which includes an oxygen sensor. Leaded fuel will damage the sensor, and cause emission control to deteriorate.
Gasolines Containing Alcohol - Some gasolines sold at service stations contain alcohol although they may not be so identified.
Use of fuels containing alcohol is not recommended, unless the nature of the blend can be determined as being satisfactory.
Gasohol - A mixture of 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) and 90% unleaded gasoline may be used in the Lotus Elise. If driveabil
-
ity problems are experienced as a result of using gasohol, it is recommended that the car is operated on gasoline.
External Operations
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Methanol - Do not use gasolines containing methanol (wood
alcohol). Use of this type of alcohol can result in car performance deterioration and damage to critical parts in the fuel system. Fuel
system damage and car performance problems, resulting from
the use of gasolines containing methanol, may not be covered by your car warranty.
Fuels Containing MMT - Some North American fuels contain methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), which
is an octane enhancing additive. Such fuels may damage the
emission control system and are NOT recommended.
Diesel
- The Lotus Elise will not operate on diesel fuel.
Fuel Filling
WARNING:
• Gasoline and its attendant fumes are highly explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling
fuel. Before stopping at a filling station, switch off mobile phones and other electronic equipment, ensure that all
cigarettes are extinguished and that no naked flames or
other potential ignition sources are present. Switch off
the engine before refuelling.
• Remove the filler cap slowly to allow any pressure to bleed off gradually. Hasty removal may result in a small amount
of fuel spray with a possible health or fire hazard. External Operations
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It is not recommended to store a wet car in a poorly ventilated
garage. If good ventilation cannot be provided, storage outside
on a hard standing or under a carport is to be preferred.
Paintwork Polishing Eventually some loss of gloss, and an accumulation of traffic
film, will occur. At this stage, after normal washing, the appli
-
cation of a good quality liquid polish will restore the original lustre of the paint film.
Higher gloss of the paint finish, and added protection against
contamination, can be obtained by the use of a wax polish.
However, this can only be used successfully on a clean surface,
from which the previous application has been removed with white
spirit or a liquid polish cleaner.
Washing NOTICE: Lotus recommends hand washing of the painted
bodywork. The car is a speciality sports vehicle not intended
to go through an automatic car wash. Automatic car washing machines and jet wash facilities may have a detrimental effect on the paint film and the soft top. Use of automatic car washes
will invalidate the terms of the Limited Warranty.
Many contaminants are water soluble and can be removed
before any harm occurs by thorough washing with plenty of
lukewarm water, together with a proprietary car wash additive
(Household detergent and washing up liquid can contain cor
-
rosive salts, and will remove wax and accelerate oxidation).
Frequent washing is the best safeguard against both seen and
invisible contaminants. Wash in the shade, and use a cotton chenille wash mitt or a
sponge rinsed frequently to minimise the retension of dirt parti
-
cles in the mitt or sponge. Use a straight back and forth washing motion to avoid swirled micro scratches, and rinse thoroughly.
In order to minimise degradation from road salt, the underside
of the chassis should be rinsed with clean water as soon as possible after driving on treated roads. Many fuel filling stations
offer pressure washing facilities ideal for this purpose, but do
not use on the painted bodywork or soft top roof.
Servicing & Maintenance
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Soft Top Roof
1. Careful vacuuming of the soft top before washing may be
helpful in removing excess dust and other foreign particles.
2. Wash in partial shade rather than strong sunlight.
3. Using only clean lukewarm water and a sponge (a chamois or
cloth will leave lint, and a brush may abrade the threads), wash
the entire soft top uniformly. Do NOT use a detergent, which may
affect the waterproofing properties of the material.
4. Rinse the whole car to prevent streaking on the paintwork. 5. Remove surface water with a sponge and allow to air dry in direct sunlight. Ensure that the roof is fully dry before stow
-
ing, as prolonged stowage of a wet or damp roof will promote
rotting of the fabric.
Keeping the soft top clean by regular washing will enhance
the life and maintain the appearance of the roof, and facilitate subsequent cleaning. The use of stronger cleansers should be left to professionals experienced in handling this type of fabric
as discoloration and degradation of the material may result.
The application of wax finishes, dressings or preservatives may cause stains, and should be avoided. Your dealer will be able to advise on current Lotus approved soft top care products.
Windscreen Cleaning When washing the windscreen, take care to lift the wiper
blade only a small distance from the glass in order not to dam
-
age the wiper arm mechanism. Wash the wiper blade with

clean water.
Alloy Road Wheels It is recommended that the aluminium alloy road wheels
are washed with the same preparation as is used to wash the bodywork. Use a brush having only nylon bristles. During the
winter months, particularly when salt has been used on the
roads for the dispersal of snow and ice, remove all the wheels,
and wash thoroughly to remove all accumulated road filth from
the wheels and Tires. Be aware that on cars fitted with optional clear anodised
forged alloy wheels (with 7 twin-spokes), the anodised surface
finish may be attacked by some proprietary wheel cleaning products. Wash only using hot soapy water or car bodywork
shampoo. Advise tire fitting companies accordingly.
Servicing & Maintenance
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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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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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