What exactly do I have to do to keep my warranty intact

[evilfij]

I do not let other people service my vehicles. I am extremely anal about servicing, would reciepts for the oil and filters be sufficient? Do I have to take her in to get the ecu dump all the time?

[fishguy]

the car was designed for track use, but taking it to the track voids the warranty, so just dont "drive" the car, and you can keep the lotus subjective(case by case) warranty intact.

[LARRY]

Originally Posted by evilfij

I do not let other people service my vehicles. I am extremely anal about servicing, would reciepts for the oil and filters be sufficient? Do I have to take her in to get the ecu dump all the time?

Sounds fine. No ecu dump all the time.

[evilfij]

Do I ever have to take it in for the ecu dump? The first two services have been done.

[MattG]

Take it to a dealer for the 1k service, after that keep receipts for oil changes, but also keep a log showing that you've done the other maintenance required (check condition of 'x', check torque, etc). Note too that the brake fluid is supposed to be flushed every 12 months, that's a key maintenance item I think a lot of people overlook.

[evilfij]

I print out a little tick list for my other cars. Any problem with Castrol GTLMA for the brake fluid? I mean, the car is british and all.

Ron

[ace10]

organizers of track days frequently require a recent brake fluid drain and fill... as in within the past couple of months.

[evilfij]

No plans on tracking, but thanks for the tip.

Any imput on GTLMA fluid--or am I the only really old school british car guy who remembers girling crimson and switched to GTLMA?

[Allan Gibbs]

I think it's pretty easy:

1) No aftermarket modifications;
2) Have dealer do all services (first, 7,500, 15,000, etc.) or at intervals stated in the manual.
3) Keep receipts.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by fishguyAZ

but taking it to the track voids the warranty

No, taking it to a timed event voids the warranty. There's a difference.

From the manual:

Lotus models are designed as road going sports cars. It is recognised that owners may wish to use their car occasionally on closed circuits or private test tracks in order to experience the car’s full range of dynamic capabilities. However, use of the car in a competitive manner, including timed runs or laps, is not endorsed by Lotus, and the greater degree of wear and tear and the effects of increased stress on parts and components will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. For further information open the pdf.

[ace10]

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

...
2) Have dealer do all services (first, 7,500, 15,000, etc.) or at intervals stated in the manual...

not true.
http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm#11

[andykeck]

From Ace10's link:

Are Dealers the Only Persons Allowed to Perform Scheduled Maintenance Recommended by the Manufacturer?

No. Scheduled maintenance may be performed by anyone who has the knowledge and ability to perform the maintenance and repair. You may even maintain the vehicle yourself, as long as the maintenance is performed according to the manufacturer's instructions provided with the vehicle.

For your protection, before taking your vehicle to a repair facility to have any maintenance performed, check your maintenance booklet and make a list of the scheduled maintenance to be performed at that time. We suggest that you present this list to your auto technician as opposed to merely asking for a "tune-up" or a "12,000 miles servicing." Your receipt should list all the maintenance performed and should be kept for your records.

If you maintain the vehicle yourself, you should keep receipts for parts and a maintenance log to verify your work.

[evilfij]

"If you maintain the vehicle yourself, you should keep receipts for parts and a maintenance log to verify your work."

That was my plan, I just wanted to make sure I did not have to show up at the dealer for every service and have them run the ecu dump.

My cars are obsessively maintained--3k oil changes with full synthetic etc. etc. etc. etc. even though all I do is drive 60 miles round trip to work on the highway cruising at around the speed limit.

I also plan to change the trans fluid to redline (what? MTL? MTF? ATF?) when I go out of warranty.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by evilfij

I print out a little tick list for my other cars. Any problem with Castrol GTLMA for the brake fluid? I mean, the car is british and all.

I use Castrol LMA in all my cars, and it works just fine. For those that don't know, the LMA stands for Low Moisture Absorption - it stays fresher longer as it doesn't absorb water as much as other fluids. I do remember the old Castrol/Girling brake fluid - you had to use that stuff on old British cars from the '60s or the brake seals would turn to silly putty...

And you still need to flush it every year. Don't forget to flush the clutch system at the same time as the brake and clutch share the fluid reservoir.

Originally Posted by evilfij

My cars are obsessively maintained--3k oil changes with full synthetic etc. etc. etc. etc. even though all I do is drive 60 miles round trip to work on the highway cruising at around the speed limit.

3,000 mile oil changes are a bit excessive, especially if it's highway miles.

Originally Posted by evilfij

I also plan to change the trans fluid to redline (what? MTL? MTF? ATF?) when I go out of warranty.

You would want to use MT-90 if you insist on RedLine. I expect to change mine to Mobil 1 gear lube at it's next change. I'm not a fan of RedLine's transmission fluid...

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by andykeck

No, taking it to a timed event voids the warranty. There's a difference.

From the manual:

That may be what they say, but when the word track gets mentioned, it can be, and is a method being used to deny claims and void the warranty. They don't ask if it's timed.

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by ace10

not true.
http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm#11

Now does this apply to emission parts of the car or the whole car?

Federally required emission control warranties protect you, the vehicle owner, from the cost of repairs for certain emission related failures that result from manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship or that cause your vehicle to exceed federal emission standards.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by MikeW

That may be what they say, but when the word track gets mentioned, it can be, and is a method being used to deny claims and void the warranty.

The reality is that only a very small number of cars have been denied warranty by Lotus. The local dealer may try to claim that the warranty is "void", but it's not really a policy, and in reality, it's not really a problem (although it is for those few).

There have been a couple of people who have had their warranty denied, (and it's really not a good thing for them), but this perception of Lotus voiding warranties has really gotten out of hand. I'm sure that every other manufacturer out there denies a higher percentage of claims than Lotus does...

[ace10]

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

Now does this apply to emission parts of the car or the whole car?

basically any consumer warranty for any good with a price of at least $15.

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dumm...e/id-2669.html

in reference to the magnuson moss warranty act

"Specifically, the rules and regulations adopted by the FTC to govern the interpretation and enforcement of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16 - Commercial Practices, Chapter I - Federal Trade Commission, Subchapter G - Rules, Regulations, Statements and Interpretations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Part 700 - Interpretations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Contained within these rules and regulations is Section 700.10, which states:
No warrantor may condition the continued validity of a warranty on the use of only authorized repair service and/or authorized replacement parts for non-warranty service and maintenance. For example, provisions such as, "This warranty is void if service is performed by anyone other than an authorized 'ABC' dealer and all replacement parts must be genuine 'ABC' parts," and the like, are prohibited where the service or parts are not covered by the warranty. These provisions violate the Act in two ways. First, they violate the section 102(c) ban against tying arrangements. Second, such provisions are deceptive under section 110 of the Act, because a warrantor cannot, as a matter of law, avoid liability under a written warranty where a defect is unrelated to the use by a consumer of "unauthorized" articles or service. This does not preclude a warrantor from expressly excluding liability for defects or damage caused by such "unauthorized" articles or service; nor does it preclude the warrantor from denying liability where the warrantor can demonstrate that the defect or damage was so caused."

[Jim Itin]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I use Castrol LMA in all my cars, and it works just fine. For those that don't know, the LMA stands for Low Moisture Absorption - it stays fresher longer as it doesn't absorb water as much as other fluids. I do remember the old Castrol/Girling brake fluid - you had to use that stuff on old British cars from the '60s or the brake seals would turn to silly putty...

And you still need to flush it every year. Don't forget to flush the clutch system at the same time as the brake and clutch share the fluid reservoir.

3,000 mile oil changes are a bit excessive, especially if it's highway miles.

You would want to use MT-90 if you insist on RedLine. I expect to change mine to Mobil 1 gear lube at it's next change. I'm not a fan of RedLine's transmission fluid...

evilfij,
Yeah, what Tim M. said (although I am a fan of Red Line (it's in my trans), but I don't have any problem with Mobil 1 either). Caveat: Tim and I are both old school, so watch out for trusting the over 30 (or so) crowd Jim

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

The reality is that only a very small number of cars have been denied warranty by Lotus. The local dealer may try to claim that the warranty is "void", but it's not really a policy, and in reality, it's not really a problem (although it is for those few).

There have been a couple of people who have had their warranty denied, (and it's really not a good thing for them), but this perception of Lotus voiding warranties has really gotten out of hand. I'm sure that every other manufacturer out there denies a higher percentage of claims than Lotus does...

Tim, what can I say? When My clutch disc blew, the dealer said "they won't warranty it, you went to the track". I said I didn't wear the c;utch out, the disc blew up, it shouldn't happen if the component was properly designed for the expected rpms". They said "Mike, let me make this clear, we WANT to do the warranty, we'll call Lotus. and we're going to try to get this warranteed". The next answer was: "they won't warranty it, because it went to the track".

Later, second gear synchro went out. The questionwas: "were did this happen?
My answer: "believe it or not, I was on my way to the track and I downshifted to get on a freeway ramp". That was the truth. The dealer said "I can't do anything, it's been on the track". He knows my car has been on the track because I have told him.

I called a dealer out of state and he said that Lotus had sent information about their recent attitude change as far as rejecting warranty claims on cars that have been to the track. He said Lotus used to be friendlier but they were clamping down now on cars that go to the track. He said "don't say the car has been to the track".

Now before I bought my car, I went in to a dealer and asked them specifically about warranty issues if the car should go to the track. I have experience with Chevrolet through my Vette friends that race. They seem to get treated fairly well with issues. I had certain expectations. The dealer said that Lotus understands the likely use of the car and doesn't cause any problems. If you look at an Elise or especially an Exige, and all the magazine tests and hype, one would tend to believe the manufacturer was pretty much making a street legal car for the track and knew it. Not a car to deliver pizzas with or drive to church on Sunday. I expected not to have the door slammed in my face from warranty issues.

The clutch job was not cheap and the transmission repair was worse. Lotus dealers quoted $6200.00 to $6800.00 for a transaxle alone, Add labor and you can blow 8 grand.

You have to understand that a lot of owners will not post here about problems if they track their cars. They don't want to be blacklisted by Lotus.
So I will assume there are more claims rejected that don't get reported here.
Due to the financial status of Lotus, I think they trying to wiggle out when they could do more. I know of a few people with 2nd gear and clutch problems that got turned away. I won't drag their name in. Most people will avoid taking further action if rejected. They'll just pass the word along. So my experiences haven't been expecially rosey and that's my story. I'm glad yours is better. My advice, stay off the track, don't say the "T" word, or raise your Mastercard limit.