New S240, several questions

[Scrumpot]

Originally Posted by AustinP

Thanks RD, that makes sense. I plan to use my Sears battery charger in the winter (direct to the battery), it has a "maintenance" mode that worked fine on a former car.

So sorry for my earlier confusion, and apparent ERROR on that previous one! Interestingly enough, I had someone else looking at this in person (wasn't the green/black wire) - which WAS the battery charger accessory wire for his, (as it was for mine) which it turns out the dealership simply forgot to provide him with, after installing it is all. It has a very distinctive connector type to it anyway, so doubt you could have "screwed anything up" by that little bit of earlier bad advice - but my apologies none the less for not better understanding what you were specifically looking at previously, and getting this one wrong. Thanks to Road Dad for catching this and correcting, accordingly!

Cheers,
-Grant

[apk919]

Originally Posted by Scrumpot

I've found that for me, the easiest and surest way to accurately adjust these is: To start by clicking the adjustment ALL THE WAY TO 0. Then simply count the clicks back up the dial, to your desired setting, and you thereby "know" you've gotten it right.

Supported by visual comparison for comparability, again at least for me, has seemed to have worked well.

+1

Also, the ring gets harder to turn as you get to the firmer settings... so it's easier to start low and count up.

[Vishus_1]

Originally Posted by apk919

+1

Also, the ring gets harder to turn as you get to the firmer settings... so it's easier to start low and count up.

So are you guys getting your car realigned after changing these settings?

I have an 07 with track pack and haven't even tried to change or adjust it because I heard the car has to be realigned after each change.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

So are you guys getting your car realigned after changing these settings?

I have an 07 with track pack and haven't even tried to change or adjust it because I heard the car has to be realigned after each change.

You have to realign if you change the ride height, not the shock settings. So far I've just changed the shock settings, so I haven't had the car realigned.

[Scrumpot]

^^^ What he said.

Cheers,
-Grant

[AustinP]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

So are you guys getting your car realigned after changing these settings?

I have an 07 with track pack and haven't even tried to change or adjust it because I heard the car has to be realigned after each change.

Best approach, if you do any track days, is to have the car aligned at a shop that can do corner weights. Any car that sees the track should get an alignment once a year anyway, IMHO. Use the height adjustment to get equal cross-corner weights [(frontLeft + rearRight) = (frontRight) + (rearLeft)]. If you want the car generally raised or lowered some amount (say, you want to lower it 8mm), you do that first, but then you fine-tune the heights to get the equal cross-corner weights. And make sure the car is loaded the way it will be when on-track (sit in the driver's seat, if the tech will let you, or use ballast in your place). Fine tuning corner weights is the main reason to have a height adjustable suspension.

HTH, -Ed

[Stormy320]

Mine came with Bliston wrenches. Is that for adjusting the height.

I had an 06 Exige that sat a good 1 inch lower than the 240 and the 06 did not have track pack.

Can someone explain why the difference in height between the two?

[AustinP]

Originally Posted by Stormy320

Mine came with Bliston wrenches. Is that for adjusting the height.

I had an 06 Exige that sat a good 1 inch lower than the 240 and the 06 did not have track pack.

Can someone explain why the difference in height between the two?

Yes, the Bilstein wrenches are for adjusting the height. My advice would be to measure the corner weights when you adjust the height (with the goal being equal cross-corner weights). Sorry, I have no idea why your '06 Exige would have had a lower ride height.

[lwein]

Originally Posted by AustinP

Yes, the Bilstein wrenches are for adjusting the height. My advice would be to measure the corner weights when you adjust the height (with the goal being equal cross-corner weights). Sorry, I have no idea why your '06 Exige would have had a lower ride height.

I would assume that your 06 did not have the track pac,which means it had non adjustable,lss spring/damper units,they are Bilstein and have a fixed ride height-Lower,I think. My 07 Exige S had this setup,worked well on the track,but not so hot on the street. My 08 S240 has the trac-pac(which consists of solely the Adj height and adj rate Bilsteins. It rides better,and in my experience will have more body roll that the lss setup,which I still have and may even in fact switch back to in the interim,as it lowers the car 10 mm( I think ) The adj trac-pac NEEDS to be adjusted,as to initial setup and ride height,along with corner weights,to be really effective. I will go back to it,once I have the time to get the car corner weighted. I will miss the ground clearance that the trac-pac (unadjusted) allows----NJ roads are not the best.............and sometimes having everything adjustable is not the best thing..BTW-does anyone know the spring rates------Lss/ Bilsteins as opposed to Trac-pac(adjustable Bilsteins)
The above are my personal observations and not backed by empirical data.

[Monsi]

factory settings on S240 track pack is at 3 I believe.
the non track pack suspension is said to be equivalent to a setting of 5, and suggested settings for the track is like 8 and 7 I think

so unless you adjust your track pack dampeners it will be softer and roll more than a non track pack setup

so I'm told...

[CertifiedCC]

any pics??

[Stormy320]

Really helpful.

I'm not much of a track guy, so that is why on my 06 I didn't get the track pack. I don't like to mess with stuff.

I guess I will play around with it, but would like some help.

I'm going to change the setting to 6 and see how that feels.

[ocelot27]

The instrument panel lighting adjustment has to be done with the ignition on and all the lights on. You have to press and hold the button FOR A LONG TIME - like ten secs or so - just hold it in until you see the lights start dimming - john.

There should be two supplements with the big manual - one for late model Elises and Exiges and one for the S240 - the little booklet supplement has all the stuff for using the electronic goodies - instrument panel, TC, Launch etc etc. There's another 8.5x11 supplement that your dealer can print from the Lotus website that has stuff about the new alarm system and the brakes as well as a list of all the changes in the 08 models. The changes don't end there though - when my tech had mine on the lift for it's 1000mi check he noted a lot of changes to the mechanical parts of the car - for example, there are new rubber boots over some of the suspension joints that were previously known to wear out prematurely and the rear cross bar has been beefed up and the mounting points are different... john.

[lwein]

Originally Posted by Monsi

factory settings on S240 track pack is at 3 I believe.
the non track pack suspension is said to be equivalent to a setting of 5, and suggested settings for the track is like 8 and 7 I think

so unless you adjust your track pack dampeners it will be softer and roll more than a non track pack setup

so I'm told...

hi-you are correct about the damper settings,but I was concerned with the spring rates-------LSS as opposed to Trac Pac-------they sure don't feel the same----anybody

[glb]

Svce Manual

Many of us downloaded from the lotus usa web site for $25 or so. If you want hard copy, print on both sides of the paper; it's big. I assume one can still do this.

[pete k]

Originally Posted by lwein

hi-you are correct about the damper settings,but I was concerned with the spring rates-------LSS as opposed to Trac Pac-------they sure don't feel the same----anybody

I don't know what the spring rates are, but I suspect they are close to the same. However, the Track Pack springs are progressive, and I think that is the reason for the better ride, and the different feel.

[Stormy320]

Adjusting the suspension looks to be a challenge and I think the wheels will have to come off???

[shay2nak]

Jason, I forgot to mention to you...
after I lowered the car I increased the shocks again, I think 7 & 6 from 5 & 4. It was really nice on smooth roads and on canyons, but the car rattled like a mother...It was way to stiff for commuting. I would suggest trying 5 & 4 first.

[Stormy320]

Any of you guys have a foam molding piece that is stuck between the removable roof and the back of the cockpit?

Mine is starting to come undone and I can here some wind noise when I play around with it.

I don't think my 06 had this foam strip.

[AustinP]

Originally Posted by Stormy320

Any of you guys have a foam molding piece that is stuck between the removable roof and the back of the cockpit?

Mine is starting to come undone and I can here some wind noise when I play around with it.

I don't think my 06 had this foam strip.

Yes, my car has it, but no, it's not coming loose. Is it only held in place by pressure?