[biffster10]

I've had my Elise for 2 months now. While I am generally loving it, I find that it doesn't roll on slight inclines that other cars do. There is a noticeable difference in the rolling resistance compared to other cars. The tires are at the correct pressure and the wheels don't seem to warm up abnormally. I am wondering if this is due to the sticky tires and low weight, or whether I'm sensing a problem. I have 2 weeks of warranty left and the dealer says its fine.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Bane]

Mine is like that too... it's much easier to push my BMW in the garage versus the Lotus which I find funny.

The tires at their operating pressure (26/29) have a lot to do with it.

 

[alil'britdifferent]

Huh weird - I've always wondered the same with mine when sitting at a traffic light in neutral without my foot on the brake - generally does not have a tendency to roll.

 

[cawdor]

Huh weird - I've always wondered the same with mine when sitting at a traffic light in neutral without my foot on the brake - generally does not have a tendency to roll.

I always thought it was the Lotus tire footprint vs my other car. Two 195/16s and two 225/17s have a lot more surface area than four 155/12s.

 

[Bane]

I always thought it was the Lotus tire footprint vs my other car. Two 195/16s and two 225/17s have a lot more surface area than four 155/12s.

lol I don't think so... my BMW has 245/35-19 up front and 275/30-19 in the rear and still is much easier to roll than the Lotus.

 

[fpitas]

Mine rolls quite easily, so you might want to check that your brakes are releasing properly.

 

[alil'britdifferent]

Mine rolls quite easily, so you might want to check that your brakes are releasing properly.

Nah that's not it - they definitely fully released.

 

[doug_porsche]

Very sticky tires!

 

[QuadCamSix]

Same here. I have noticed I dont need to hold the pedal on very slight inclines sometimes. I have also noticed that it differs from day to day. I think the pads drag sometimes. The car has done it since new and I cant find any abnormal pad usage.

 

[6_speed]

Same here - no roll even on slight inclines.

There is an off-ramp that I use everyday coming back from work which 99% of the time is red (stop light). My BMW would roll (back) but not my Elise TADTS

 

[mrcarcrazy]

difference in bearings?

I find it easy to push my lotus...but the last car I pushed weighed about 2.5x as much...

however @ most inclined red lights the car doesn't roll back.

 

[alil'britdifferent]

Maybe it's the "anti-gravity package".

Wonder if you can re-program the ECU to disengage it? CharlieX??

 

[doug_porsche]

I know when I park my car over night, when I back the car out the next time the brakes will pop and then the car will roll.
I dont think the brakes are hanging up while I drive because rooter is not unreachable. I bet that its firm break seals just are not letting the break pucks retract.

 

[Hello Kitty]

Mine also doesnt roll when you would expect it to, however, when it does roll at a stoplight it is very stealthy. Before you know whats happening, the guy behind you is honking. So you do need to have your foot on the brake when stopped at the light.

 

[111ltwt]

Low mass; low center of gravity; sticky tires with low pressure

It all adds up to a bit of reluctance to roll without an urge.

Low mass - less momentum, or any force, for that matter
Low CG- less of a polar moment of inertia on a hill (and add the low car mass into that equation)
Tires- low pressure and sticky footprint - more rolling resistance

And there is certainly less momentum than your typical luxo barge BMW M3 rotfl once moving; so the car will stop quicker than most just coasting.

Physics is Phun

 

[Me!]

I have been noticing the same thing. It is easier to push our Miata out of the garage also the miata has 205's all around and weighs over 300 pounds more.:shrug:

 

[EastCityBoy]

I find that mine rolls very easily. In fact I have demonstrated that with the boot open, I can pull the car back with one finger curled under the edge of the rear clam. If I want the car just out in the laneway and don't want to start it, I just put one foot out the door and push it forwards enough so the front wheels roll past the edge of the garage door, and the slope on my laneway does the rest.
My BMW never rolls because the brakes are usually frozen to the calipers if I have left it sitting for more than a few days. Standard BMW brakes suck (I'm sure the M brakes are much better).

 

[XHILR8N!]

Mine rolls incredibly easily. As EastCityBoy says, just one finger, properly placed. When I put her in the garage I only look for a proper lateral placement, then just lean a bit for fore-aft position. When washing, it's easy to roll to get to rest of wheels.

 

[sleepe]

My 2006 Elise rolls very easily. Check the brake pads and rotors.
pads will stick to rusted over rotors until you get moving

 

[macdady2424]

My car rolls very easily when pushed, but when standing still on a slight incline in won't roll, but my Audi would.

I believe it's due to it's lower mass, ie less potential gravity when on a hill due to gravity and also, I think the wheel camber has something to do with it. Since it rolls easily when you get it going, it's the static coefficient of friction that's high and I guess it's due to the tire camber. But once you over come that, it rolls very easily.