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Lotus Elise / Lotus Exige. Instruction - part 50

Page 3

Lotus Service Notes

Section GH

Type - Std. - Elise Rimstock, cast alloy, 8 spoke, Hi-power Silver

- Exige Rimstock, cast alloy, 8 Y-spoke, Black

- Option Rimstock, lightweight forged alloy, 7 split-spoke,

Silver painted or natural anodised ﬁnish.

Front wheel max. load rating 255 kg

Size - front - Elise std 5.5J x 16 (cast)

- Elise option 6.0J x 16 (forged + AD07 or A048)

- Elise option 6.5J x 16 (forged + A048)

- Exige 6.5J x 16

- rear 7.5J x 17

Inset - front - 5.5J & 6.5J + 31.3 mm

- front - 6.0J + 25.0 mm

- rear + 38.0 mm

PCD 100 mm

Wheel bolt torque 105 Nm (77.5 lbf.ft)

Centre spigot hole diameter 56.5 mm

Radial run-out at bead seat 0.3 mm max.

Lateral run-out at bead seat 0.3 mm max.

Note that the inset ﬁgure is the displace-

ment of the wheelrim centreline relative to the

wheel/hub mounting face. A positive inset

indicates that the wheelrim centreline lies in-

board of the wheel mounting face, whereas a

negative inset means the wheelrim centreline

is outboard of the mounting face.

Wheel Bolts

The wheel bolts used are of a special

design to suit the small diameter ﬁxing tun-

nels in the wheel centres. The bolts have an

M12x1.75 thread, 60° conical seat, and a 10

spline socket head for which a special exten-

sion tool is supplied with the car.

A 17 mm a/f deep socket and 1/2 inch

square drive wrench should be applied to the

extension tool, with a tightening torque of 105

Nm required.

Note that on models speciﬁed with up-

graded, 4-piston, front brake callipers, the disc

mounting bells are increased in thickness to

provide the necessary wheel clearance to the

callipers. This also demands longer wheel

bolts which use the standard spline head, with

no coded security bolts ﬁtted:

Standard bolt; B117G6000F 26mm thread length Head outside diameter: 22mm

Long bolt; C117G6000F 28mm thread length Head outside diameter: 19mm

To protect against wheel theft, one of the four bolts securing each wheel is key coded, and requires a

corresponding coded extension tool. Rotate the tool until full engagement into the bolt head is ensured before

applying release torque. Note that an alignment mark is provided on the coded bolt head and tool to aid reﬁt-

ting. Both the standard and coded spline drive extension tools are stowed in the vehicle tool kit, and should

remain with the car at all times to allow servicing to be performed.

INSIDE OUTSIDE

face of face of

wheel wheel

Wheelrim centreline Wheel mounting face

Inset (positive shown)

g02

Standard wheelbolt

Standard tool

Coded

wheelbolt

Coded

tool

17mm socket, extension

& torque wrench

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Lotus Service Notes

Section GH

A sticker with the code number is supplied with the vehicle for safe keeping by the vehicle owner. This

code will enable dealers to order a replacement coded extension tool if necessary. It is the responsibility of the

dealer to verify the legitimacy of any customer request for a coded tool. Typical security code; FEOR17025

GH.3 - TYRES

Elise 111R prior '06 M.Y.: Lotus engineers worked with the tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, to produce a version

of the ‘Potenza RE040’ tyre speciﬁcally for the Lotus Elise 'Mk.2' including Elise 111R, to optimise performance

on both road and track. This tyre is identiﬁed by the construction code element of the DOT code moulded on

one of the tyre sidewalls, and it is most important that ONLY this version is ﬁtted if the correct handling char-

acteristics are to be maintained.

D O T # # # # * * * # # # #

Front tyre code = CFE Rear tyre code = DCK

At the introduction of the 111R, the speed

rating of the tyres was uprated from 'V' to 'W',

without any physical change to the construc-

tion. For legal reasons, only tyres marked with

a 'W' rating should be used on the 111R.

Wear indicators are moulded into the bot-

tom of the tread grooves at intervals around

the tyre, indicated by small pointers on the

outer tread blocks.

The tyres should be replaced before being worn to this minimum legal tread depth. Note that the ‘Potenza’

tread pattern is directional, so that the tyre must be ﬁtted onto the wheel with regard to which side of the car the

wheel is to be ﬁtted. A direction of rotation arrow is included in the tyre sidewall markings.

Tyre type Bridgestone Potenza RE040

Size - front 175/55 R16 80W

- rear 225/45 R17 90W

Identiﬁcation code (see above) - front CFE

- rear DCK

Pressure (cold) - front 1.8 bar (26 lb/in²)

- rear 2.0 bar (29 lb/in²)

Exige & Elise Option: These models are

ﬁtted with Yokohama A048 tyres, which have

been developed jointly by Lotus and Yokohama

to suit the requirements of the performance

driver, with special emphasis on track use.

Compared with the standard tyre, the

front tyre width is increased and the proﬁle

reduced from 175/55 to 195/50. The tyre

tread design is directional, such that each

wheel/tyre assembly is dedicated to a single

vehicle corner. The Lotus speciﬁc construction

is identiﬁed by the letters 'LTS' moulded on the

tyre sidewall. Ensure that any replacement

tyre is so marked.

On Elise models, in order to maintain sufﬁcient vehicle stability with these track based tyres, Lotus approves

of A048s only in conjunction with sports suspension. The tyres should not be ﬁtted on standard speciﬁcation

wheels, or with standard suspension.

Bridgestone

Potenza

RE040

Yokohama

A048

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Lotus Service Notes

Section GH

Type

Yokohama A048 'LTS'

Size - front 195/50 R16 84W

- rear 225/45 R17 90W

Pressure (cold) - front 1.8 bar (26 lb/in²)

- rear 2.0 bar (29 lb/in²)

Elise 111R from '06 & R + USA Elise: These

cars are ﬁtted with Yokohama AD07 tyres de-

veloped speciﬁcally for the Elise, and are op-

timised for dry road sports driving. The Lotus

speciﬁc construction is identiﬁed by the letters

'LTS' moulded on the tyre sidewall. Ensure that

any replacement tyre is so marked.

Note that the AD07 tread pattern is direc-

tional, so that the tyre must be ﬁtted onto the

wheel with regard to which side of the car the

wheel is to be ﬁtted. A direction of rotation ar-

row is included in the tyre sidewall markings.

Type Yokohama Advan Neova AD07

Size - front 175/55 R16 80W

- rear 225/45 R17 91W

Pressure (cold) - front 1.8 bar (26 lb/in²)

- rear 2.0 bar (29 lb/in²)

Tyre Characteristics: All standard equipment tyres ﬁtted on the Elise are suitable for all normal weather

conditions, but are optimised for dry road sports driving. The tyre characteristics include good feedback ('feel')

from the road surface to the steering wheel, a high level of steering linearity and response, and little perform-

ance degradation with the high temperatures which may be reached on track. However, tyre performance will

decrease at low ambient temperatures, resulting in reduced levels of grip and an increased susceptibility to

damage from impacts. In these conditions, especially below -10°C (15°F), it is recommended to ﬁt a vehicle

set of the recommended winter tyres (see below).

GH.4 - WINTER TYRES & SNOW CHAINS

If the car is to be used in very cold territories, or driven on snow covered roads, it is recommended to ﬁt

winter tyres developed speciﬁcally for such conditions.

Winter Tyres

Type - front Pirelli 210 Snowsport

- rear Pirelli 240 Snowsport

Size - front 195/50 R16

- rear 225/45 R17

Pressure (cold) - front 1.8 bar (26 lb/in²)

- rear 1.9 bar (27.5 lb/in²)

WARNING:

- When winter tyres are ﬁtted, a maximum speed of 118 mph (190 km/h) must be observed.

- The tyres are NOT suitable for studding.

Snow Chains

In extreme conditions, Lotus approves the ﬁtment of Pewag Neon X3 - NX 373 snow chains, used only

in conjunction with winter tyres (see above) and ﬁtted on only the rear wheels. Close attention should be paid

to the ﬁtting and tensioning instructions supplied with the chains, and the chains should be removed as soon

as road conditions allow.

Yokohama

AD07

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Lotus Service Notes

Section GH

GH.5 - PUNCTURED TYRE EMERGENCY INFLATOR (IF FITTED)

In order fully to exploit the beneﬁts of light

weight, and to maximise stowage space, no

spare wheel is included in the Elise speciﬁca-

tion, but a temporary puncture repair facility is

provided in the form of a tyre inﬂator aerosol.

The aerosol is mounted in spring clips at the

extreme right hand front corner of the rear

luggage compartment.

When the aerosol is connected to the

tyre valve, and the button pressed, a mixture

of liquid latex and propellant is injected into

the tyre, such that the solidifying latex is forced

into the puncture site at the same time as the

tyre is inﬂated, effecting a temporary repair

and enabling the car to be driven at moderate

speed to the nearest tyre depot.

WARNING:

- Use of the aerosol does not constitute a permanent repair, but is designed to allow the car to be

driven to the nearest tyre depot. At the earliest opportunity, the tyre should be professionally

repaired or replaced dependent on the severity of the damage.

- Until the tyre is repaired or replaced, the car should be driven in a moderate manner, not exceed-

ing 30 mph (45 km/h).

- Do not use the aerosol for large holes or repairs, or when the tyre sidewall has been damaged, or

if the tyre has been displaced from the rim.

- For safety reasons, the aerosol should be carried at all times in the designated stowage position.

Never carry in the passenger compartment.

As soon as a puncture is suspected, the car should be stopped at the ﬁrst safe opportunity. Continued

driving on a deﬂated tyre will cause irreparable damage to the tyre.

Directions for use of the aerosol:

Before using, carefully read all the instructions on the canister, or on any

literature accompanying the product. The following instructions apply to the use of Holts Tyreweld:

1. Remove the object causing the puncture, and position the wheel with the puncture site lowermost. Deﬂate

tyre fully.

Shake the can vigorously. In cold conditions, warm the can using the car's heater outlets, or by body

warmth.

3. Screw the aerosol tube onto the tyre valve, remove the cap, hold the can upright and press the button

until the tyre is ﬁrmly inﬂated.

4. Immediately drive for 6 - 12 miles (10 - 20 km) (or to the tyre depot if nearer) in a moderate manner and

not exceeding 30 mph (45 km/h), to allow the sealant to spread. Then check and adjust the tyre pressure

as necessary.

5. Have the tyre professionally repaired or replaced at the earliest opportunity, and until such time, limit

speed to 30 mph (45 km/h) with a moderate driving manner. Note that some tyre repairers may make an

additional charge for cleaning the sealant off the tyre before repair, and that any subsequent repairs may

not be guaranteed. If the vehicle is equipped with low tyre pressure monitoring equipment, be aware that

the pressure sensor mounted inside the tyre, could be obstructed by the sealant, and should be replaced

at the next opportunity.

6. Renew the puncture repair aerosol.

TYRE INFLATOR AEROSOL

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