Recently picked up an 05 HRM Elise

1824 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Bavarian Motorist, Aug 8, 2009

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · Aug 6, 2009

2

Hi guys,

Just saying hi and introducing myself to the forums.

I've been on the fence about buying a Lotus for over 8 months, waiting for the right time and a good deal to come about and, thankfully, the patients really paid off.

I picked up an 05 HRM Elise about two weeks ago.

Being relatively new to Lotus, I was wondering if you guys could answer the questions I still have:

1) Where is a good place to get an owner's manual? How much is it?
2) What is the normal operating temperature/temperature range for these cars? I come from a 2002 Volkswagen GTI and the temperature stayed pegged at 190 F. However, I've noticed the Lotus sometimes rise to 207 F after idling for a bit and then drop back down. Is that considered normal for these cars?
3) I'm planning on going autocrossing this weekend. Are there specific things I should look out for? Specific things I should check on the car before going? (I've heard of batteries coming loose and destroying the rear clam. How are they bolted down?)
4) Any other advice/recommendations you may have for a new Lotus owner.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions in advance.

Lastly, some pictures (taken by the previous owner, but still looks just as good):

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Bavarian Motorist

· #2 · Aug 6, 2009

The temperature rise/fall is because the secondary fan is coming on at that temperature to cool things down. Elises go up in temp quickly. Try sitting in traffic in the summer and you'll see.

For AX, definitely make sure the battery is secured. No loose items in trunk either. Make sure the wheels are torqued properly too.

ENJOY THE HECK OUT OF IT!!!

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 6, 2009

Thanks for the reply. I actually forgot two other questions I had:

1) Where does redline start? (I see the red light on the tach come on at about 6000, but I figured these things have to be able to rev considerably higher...).
2) What's the factory recommended break in procedure (rpm limit at what mileage etc.).

And yes, driving the heck out of it is definitely on the to-do list.

Cardinal

· #4 · Aug 6, 2009

fonzi337 said:
Thanks for the reply. I actually forgot two other questions I had:

1) Where does redline start? (I see the red light on the tach come on at about 6000, but I figured these things have to be able to rev considerably higher...).
2) What's the factory recommended break in procedure (rpm limit at what mileage etc.).

And yes, driving the heck out of it is definitely on the to-do list.

The red light comes on at about 6000 rpm when the engine isn't up to temp. It comes on later after you get to 180 degrees or so.

The engine red lines at 8500 rpm.

If the car is "new," keep it under 6000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. Take it in for its first service, then you're good to go.

Gizmo3000

· #5 · Aug 6, 2009

fonzi337 said:
1) Where does redline start? (I see the red light on the tach come on at about 6000, but I figured these things have to be able to rev considerably higher...).

just wait'll the engine reaches sufficient temperate,
and THEN you're in for a real treat! :nanner:

...m...

· #6 · Aug 6, 2009 (Edited)

...if it's an '05, odds are it's already been broken in...cruising at speed (say 40+ MPH continuous airflow) your temperature should reach equilibrium somewhere around 190, hot summer stop-and-go traffic will raise it up to 200-220, hard track driving can easily reach 225, and the ECU doesn't consider it a high-temperature condition until 240...

...the shift light comes on perhaps 500 RPM before redline, to allow time to react before fuel cut...

(<165) Cold Redline = 6000 RPM
(165+) Warm Sustained Redline = 8000 RPM
(165+) Warm Burst Redline = 8500 RPM (2 Seconds Maximum)

HRM = Honduran Racing Mauve?

Bavarian Motorist

· #7 · Aug 6, 2009

Hunting Ridge Motors -poke- Lotus of Greenwich

Why are you worried about break in? Is the car not over the 1000 mile mark? Has the engine been replaced? :shrug:

Upon cold starts, be sure to feather the throttle and keep RPM low until the temps get high enough. Once the water temp reading reaches 159 degrees Fahrenheit, you can go all the way to 8500 RPM redline, but some recommend waiting longer until the oil reaches temperature because oil takes longer to heat up. No oil temp gauge built into the car

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 6, 2009

Thank you for all the replies regarding the redline. I was curious about break-in, as I picked up the car with 1,800 miles on it and wasn't sure if Lotus recommended a longer break in period than other cars. I'm glad they don't.

I was also wondering if it's normal to hear a regular clicking sound and see the battery light flash on the dash after turning the key to the on position and before pressing engine start (this occurs both before and after pressing the button on the fob).

Thanks again!

TimMullen

· #9 · Aug 6, 2009

fonzi337 said:
1) Where is a good place to get an owner's manual? How much is it?

Until you can get a hard copy of the manual, here's a thread about where to get an electronic (.PDF) copy that you can read (and I recommend that you read the entire manual - there's lots of information in there): http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f101/elise-owners-manaul-pdf-34395/

You should also go to LCU's website and download a copy of the factory service manual for $25: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f101/elise-service-manual-25-lcu-11458/

creafish

· #10 · Aug 6, 2009

I have a 2005 manual that I can send you. I also have an 06 manual if anybody needs one.

Cardinal

· #11 · Aug 6, 2009

fonzi337 said:
I was also wondering if it's normal to hear a regular clicking sound and see the battery light flash on the dash after turning the key to the on position and before pressing engine start (this occurs both before and after pressing the button on the fob).

Yes.

SobeLotus

· #12 · Aug 6, 2009

I bought my 2005 directly at HRM. Congrats. See more pics at my myspace page. Make sure the battery is bolted down. I have a small crack due to it coming loose on a road course. I live in Miami so the temps get upto 208 sometimes. Not a big deal. The A/C on the other hand is not that great.

Torque your lug nuts to 77 pounds prior too and after every run on your course. On a road course I shift everytime the red light comes on the dash. I drove it like I stole it. It got me tropheys. And also, change your brake lines to SS lines. One on mine blew at 90 mph and I almost crashed. Lucky there was plenty of run off. There are lots more but I am sure others have advice of thier own. Good luck.

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 8, 2009

Thank you for all the replies. I've been reading the owner's manual and I see that it answers most of my questions.

After understanding how the RPM limiting works, I'm confused by the behavior of the car. After being fully warm (temp shows as about 190 F), the red indicator light goes on around 6000 RPM and I seem to hit the limiter around 6200-6300 RPM. Is there something I'm missing?

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 8, 2009

I forgot to mention the 6000 RPM limit happened in 2nd and 3rd gears...

sleepe

· #15 · Aug 8, 2009

Bavarian Motorist said:
The temperature rise/fall is because the secondary fan is coming on at that temperature to cool things down. Elises go up in temp quickly. Try sitting in traffic in the summer and you'll see.

For AX, definitely make sure the battery is secured. No loose items in trunk either. Make sure the wheels are torqued properly too.

ENJOY THE HECK OUT OF IT!!!

I believe the secondary/auxillary fan activates at 220f

sleepe

· #16 · Aug 8, 2009

fonzi337 said:
Thank you for all the replies. I've been reading the owner's manual and I see that it answers most of my questions.

After understanding how the RPM limiting works, I'm confused by the behavior of the car. After being fully warm (temp shows as about 190 F), the red indicator light goes on around 6000 RPM and I seem to hit the limiter around 6200-6300 RPM. Is there something I'm missing?

that is the rpm when the 2nd cam/high lift cam activates

the rpm light in my ELise turn on around 7000 I believe.....but I verify that

after the 2nd cam activates, the rpm's increase more rapidly than below this threshold, so the 6000rpm light you are seeing may just be the light indicating it may be a good time to consider a shift shortly????

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 8, 2009

sleepe said:
that is the rpm when the 2nd cam/high lift cam activates

the rpm light in my ELise turn on around 7000 I believe.....but I verify that

after the 2nd cam activates, the rpm's increase more rapidly than below this threshold, so the 6000rpm light you are seeing may just be the light indicating it may be a good time to consider a shift shortly????

In the owner's manual it states that that light does indicate that it's time to shift shortly, however after the car has been properly warmed up, it should be allowing me to rev to about 8000 RPM, whereas I'm bouncing off a limiter in 2nd and 3rd gear around 6300 RPM.

What's odd is I put the car in valet mode and then put it back to normal, and on one full throttle pull it let me rev up to 8000 RPM...a few minutes later I tried it again and the red light came on at 6000 RPM and I hit the limiter at 6300 RPM...any ideas?

fonzi337

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 8, 2009

No one has experienced this problem before?

Bavarian Motorist

· #19 · Aug 8, 2009

sleepe said:
I believe the secondary/auxillary fan activates at 220f

I think you're right too.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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