Odd.. Maintenance work under warranty?? Must be an USA thing
If the Fed-Elise is like the euro versions then it probably has a maintenance schedule based on 15.000km/10.000miles intervals.
Lotus usually defines service types as 'A', 'B' or 'C'.
'A' service is a minor service at each interval or *at least* once a year. Basically an oil and filter change, 'spanner check' of bolts, check of fluids, brakes, etc.
'B' service is a large service and usually includes spark plugs, air filter, flushing brake fluid and in some cases flushing and re-filling the coolant system. Also a larger checklist for wear items.
'C' service on the Rover engine includes the cam belt change.
The schedule normally runs A-A-B-A-A-C-etc.etc..
There are, however, some items on the Elise which are considered 'wear' parts that are uncommon to wear out on 'regular' cars.
This includes things like balljoints (some people manage to destroy them in 30k miles), track rod ends, wishbon bushings, etc.
Part of this is caused by the design of the car (lower balljoints for instance are under much greater stresses than when used in a McPherson suspension and as a result wear much quicker) and others because you notice any 'slop' in parts so quickly in this car.
Eg. a 'little play' in the steering rack rod ends is hardly noticable on most other cars, but on the Elise you start to wonder why it's handling so strange...
Not even going to mention real consumables like brake pads and discs.. Their lifespan is inversely proportional to the amount of fun you're having
Bye, Arno.