Info for Elise 2 owners to be aware of!

[Nightmare]

Have just had the car in for its first ''free running in service''. One thing they now do, which is a requirement from Lotus is to download telemetry data from the computers ECU - which tells them how long you''ve spent in each rev range, top speed, number of standing starts (pull away at over 3K) etc etc... This then gets sent to Lotus. I can think of 2 possible reasons for doing this 1) Lotus wants to collect pointless data about how people drive their cars 2) Lotus wants a loophole for invalidating your warranty if they deem you have ''abused'' the car. lets play the ''guess which is the right answer'' game.... thought it might be worth knowing anyway cheers Night

[PetrolTed]

oooh you're such a cynic Does the handbook have specific running in instructions?

[Nightmare]

Ted, Indeed it does..it goes..... "Although it is not necessary to follow a formal 'running in' schedule, it is important during the engine's early life to limit the amount of engine heat generated, which is dependent on throttle opening and engine speed. For the first 600 miles use only moderate throttle openings and do not exceed 3000rpm, maing full use of the gearbox to avoid labouring the engine in too high a gear. After this period, the engine speed and throttle openings may be progressively increased, and higher engine work loads used for longer periods. Vary the operating conditions rather than maintain a steady cruising speed, and restrict operation at full throttle and rpm until after 1000 miles have been covered" (reproduced from Lotus handbook without permission - sorry! ) all nice and clear and I followed it to the letter....what is interesting, is that the first 'running in' service, is carried out between 1000 and 1,500 miles (mine was at 1250 (ish). So in theory, when the telemetry is downloaded there could be 'full revs' in it somewhere cos you're after the 600 mile bit. My sheet showed that the highest Ive had the car ever was between 4,500 and 5,000 - for 1 second. everything else was below this - yet the 'guy from Lotus' (like the one from delmonte but less orange and less in prison) who happened to be at Storm that day said "you've been giving it too big licks on running in" which a)struck me as toss seeing as I didnt even exceed 5,500 and b) was irrelevant seeing as the data wasnt downloaded after 600 miles..... maybe I am just being cynical after all! Night p.s. I understand why Lotus are doing it - must be irritating to have to replace parts from idiots who think the best way to drive is to side step the cltuch at 6,500 every time they pull away from cold, but his attitude wasnt very impressive....

[GasBlaster]

Dangerous stuff: the day can't be far off when traffic cops will be able to access the system to find out what you've been up to. Still, that will be fine because speed kills!