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Ghostcloak · 07-23-2008, 10:33 AM

I thought I would just summarize the first 7 pages and hopefully this'll help someone else. (I've simply copied and pasted these directly from what other's have posted). I've broken it up between just caring for your car and things you should remember while operating your vehicle. Please add/comment as necessary if I've missed anything or have anything incorrect. Thanks guys!

Car Care:

*Be careful when you get in an out of the car. Your shoes can scuff or scratch the paint or leather trim. Work on a technique to get in and out of the car. Eventually, your muscles will strengthen and getting in and out will be easier.

*Be careful when you let go of your seat belt. It's possible it could scratch parts of the door's paint section.

*When you open the trunk, watch out for belt buckles which may scratch the rear clam shell. Watch the key and key chain because it could scratch the deck lid. Be careful not to over extend the Boot lid when opening the trunk, it will hit the roll bar cover chipping the paint.

*Gently press the engine cover lid down at the lock to latch it; don't slam it

*Carry a soft rag with me in the car and put it in between the handle of the fuel nozzle and the car. It's fine on some nozzles, but on others the handle will rest on your car and scratch the paint.

I've used an OEM rubber gas flap for 911s for a long time. It is a rectangular rubber sheet that clips around the filler and rolls out of the fender. A rag underneath it may be a good idea on the Elise due to the fender contour. $ 6; p/n 9732 at: Porsche® Parts and Accessories or Gas Bib

*Do not wash the car with the nose pointing in an upward position such as an inclined driveway. This will cause the water to run in to the rear storage area. I washed it again with the nose pointing down and had no problems.

*The dealer should bring it down to the recommend 26/29 (LSS) during PDI but might forget. (TIRE PRESSURE). 28/31 is perfect for the street and 22f/24r is great for the track.

*WD-40 does a great job getting rid of scuff marks/debris/tar marks from the rear diffuser.

*Tell your friends not to hold on to the windshield frame when getting in the car. They usually get in without holding on to it, but they are grabbing it trying to get out faster than you can say something.

*Another item to check upon vehicle delivery and to perdiocally check is the secureness of the battery mount. One of elisetalk's members suffered a lot of rear clam damage due to a loose battery rolling about in the trunk area while the vehicle was being driven.

Car Operation:

*Brake lights don't light up immediately when you press them. The dealer can make adjustments.

*It is easier getting in/out of the car by places the seat all the way back. First time I have ever had to do that. Passenger seat is fixed all the way back already.

*It may take some time to get use to your point of view, especially when pulling up to larger cars in traffic.

*Take step inclines or speed bumps either slowly or at an angle. If you scratch the clam shell, it could be very costly.

*Don't leave your key in the ignition or leave it in the accessory position for too long. It may drain the battery.

*The Elise has a short wheel base and little steering inputs translate to large directional changes. The Elise steers very quickly.

*Let the car warm up adequately (until a temperature number reads in the digital display) before getting on the car and going into the second cam.

Until the car is warmed up the red shift light has a lower RPM limit (varies 5000-6000 RPM) for each gear. So try not operate the engine at RPMs higher than when the light comes on. This will restrict operation into the second cam.

I would not get into the second cam until at normal operational temperature which seems to be 186 degrees in my car with ambient temps in the 40s and 50s.

*Idling. The Elise's ECU needs to "learn" the atmosphere. So, you should let the engine idle (about 10 to 15 seconds) when you start and stop the engine.

This helps reduce or eliminate an unstable idle because the engine learns how to adjust to standing still (as opposed to being in the driving rpm range).

*And, on corners, DON'T LIFT, DON'T LIFT, DON'T LIFT

*Adjust your headlights upwards, both beams. Everyone I know had to do this and it makes a significant diff.

*Drive with your finger on the horn button in traffic. Yes, you will inadvertently honk once or twice.

*Get a better horn; do a search.

*Notice how often you can't see the faces of large truck, SUV, semi drivers. You know that means they cannot see you. Get multivex mirrors and eliminate the blind spot. In the meantime, adjust your mirrors to angle behind the pass seat, i.e. so you can't see any of yourself. Do not count on other drivers seeing you - think ahead and take into account that they might not see you, be distracted; don't expect you to stop that quickly etc.

*As with any car with great brakes...make sure you KNOW how close the guy behind you is...because, odds are...his car cant ''break'' nearly as fast as yours...

07-23-2008, 10:33 AM	#129 (permalink)
Ghostcloak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1	I thought I would just summarize the first 7 pages and hopefully this'll help someone else. (I've simply copied and pasted these directly from what other's have posted). I've broken it up between just caring for your car and things you should remember while operating your vehicle. Please add/comment as necessary if I've missed anything or have anything incorrect. Thanks guys! Car Care: Be careful when you get in an out of the car. Your shoes can scuff or scratch the paint or leather trim. Work on a technique to get in and out of the car. Eventually, your muscles will strengthen and getting in and out will be easier. Be careful when you let go of your seat belt. It's possible it could scratch parts of the door's paint section. When you open the trunk, watch out for belt buckles which may scratch the rear clam shell. Watch the key and key chain because it could scratch the deck lid. Be careful not to over extend the Boot lid when opening the trunk, it will hit the roll bar cover chipping the paint. Gently press the engine cover lid down at the lock to latch it; don't slam it Carry a soft rag with me in the car and put it in between the handle of the fuel nozzle and the car. It's fine on some nozzles, but on others the handle will rest on your car and scratch the paint. I've used an OEM rubber gas flap for 911s for a long time. It is a rectangular rubber sheet that clips around the filler and rolls out of the fender. A rag underneath it may be a good idea on the Elise due to the fender contour. $ 6; p/n 9732 at: Porsche® Parts and Accessories or Gas Bib Do not wash the car with the nose pointing in an upward position such as an inclined driveway. This will cause the water to run in to the rear storage area. I washed it again with the nose pointing down and had no problems. The dealer should bring it down to the recommend 26/29 (LSS) during PDI but might forget. (TIRE PRESSURE). 28/31 is perfect for the street and 22f/24r is great for the track. WD-40 does a great job getting rid of scuff marks/debris/tar marks from the rear diffuser. Tell your friends not to hold on to the windshield frame when getting in the car. They usually get in without holding on to it, but they are grabbing it trying to get out faster than you can say something. Another item to check upon vehicle delivery and to perdiocally check is the secureness of the battery mount. One of elisetalk's members suffered a lot of rear clam damage due to a loose battery rolling about in the trunk area while the vehicle was being driven. Car Operation: Brake lights don't light up immediately when you press them. The dealer can make adjustments. It is easier getting in/out of the car by places the seat all the way back. First time I have ever had to do that. Passenger seat is fixed all the way back already. It may take some time to get use to your point of view, especially when pulling up to larger cars in traffic. Take step inclines or speed bumps either slowly or at an angle. If you scratch the clam shell, it could be very costly. Don't leave your key in the ignition or leave it in the accessory position for too long. It may drain the battery. The Elise has a short wheel base and little steering inputs translate to large directional changes. The Elise steers very quickly. Let the car warm up adequately (until a temperature number reads in the digital display) before getting on the car and going into the second cam. Until the car is warmed up the red shift light has a lower RPM limit (varies 5000-6000 RPM) for each gear. So try not operate the engine at RPMs higher than when the light comes on. This will restrict operation into the second cam. I would not get into the second cam until at normal operational temperature which seems to be 186 degrees in my car with ambient temps in the 40s and 50s. Idling. The Elise's ECU needs to "learn" the atmosphere. So, you should let the engine idle (about 10 to 15 seconds) when you start and stop the engine. This helps reduce or eliminate an unstable idle because the engine learns how to adjust to standing still (as opposed to being in the driving rpm range). And, on corners, DON'T LIFT, DON'T LIFT, DON'T LIFT Adjust your headlights upwards, both beams. Everyone I know had to do this and it makes a significant diff. Drive with your finger on the horn button in traffic. Yes, you will inadvertently honk once or twice. Get a better horn; do a search. Notice how often you can't see the faces of large truck, SUV, semi drivers. You know that means they cannot see you. Get multivex mirrors and eliminate the blind spot. In the meantime, adjust your mirrors to angle behind the pass seat, i.e. so you can't see any of yourself. Do not count on other drivers seeing you - think ahead and take into account that they might not see you, be distracted; don't expect you to stop that quickly etc. As with any car with great brakes...make sure you KNOW how close the guy behind you is...because, odds are...his car cant ''break'' nearly as fast as yours... Last edited by Ghostcloak : 07-23-2008 at 10:41 AM. Reason: .