Lotus Service Notes
Section GF
WHEELS & TYRES
SECTION GF - M111 ELISE
Sub-Section Page
General Description
GF.1
GF.2
GF.3
GF.4
2
4
4
5
Winter Tyres & Snow Chains
Emergency Punctured Tyre Inflator
Security Wheelnuts
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Lotus Service Notes
Section GF
Note that the inset figure is the offset of the
wheelrim centreline reletive to the wheel/hub
mounting face. Apositive figure indicates that
the wheelrim centreline lies inboard of the
wheel mounting face, whereas a negative fig-
ure means the wheelrim centreline is outboard
of the mounting face.
INSIDE
face of
wheel
OUTSIDE
face of
wheel
Wheelrim centreline
Wheel mounting face
Inset (positive shown)
g02
Tyres - Standard Fitment
Type
Pirelli P Zero
Size - front
185/55 R15 81V
* 205/50 ZR16 87W
# 225/45 ZR16
- rear
- std
- 111S & std. option
Pressure (cold) - front
- rear
1.6 bar (23 lb/in²)
1.7 bar (24.5 lb/in²)
1.9 bar (27.5 lb/in²)
- 205
- 225
* Pirelli Zero 205/50 rear tyres: There are variations in the specification of Pirelli tyres with this designation,
dependent on where and when they were manufactured. Lotus fitment should be:
either:
or:
i)
ii)
Made in Italy (moulded on inside tyre wall)
Made in Great Britain (moulded on inside tyre wall) and with a DOT date of week 35 year 1997,
coded as 357, or later (see below).
Note:
a)
b)
c)
The new U.K. built tyre was introduced on production at VIN: V 1700 (approx).
Italian and U.K. variations of rear tyre should not be mixed on the same axle.
Italian built rear tyres are available under part number A111G6007H, but will be superceded by
the new U.K. built version.
d)
e)
U.K. built Lotus approved rear tyres are available under part number A111G6022H.
The DOT code is moulded on the outside wall, with only the last number group relevant to this
issue. Note that the three digits represent a date code as explained above, and not an ordinary
sequential number.
# Pirelli Zero 225/45 rear tyres: There are variations in the specification of this Pirelli tyre dependent on when
it was manufactured. For the Elise, use only tyres with a DOT date code of week 35 of year 98, coded as '358'
or later.
Alternative Service Fitment
As an alternative to Pirelli tyres, a complete vehicle set of Michelin Pilot SX-GT tyres may be fitted in
service using the wider rear tyre specification.
Type
Michelin Pilot SX-GT
Size - front
- rear
Pressure (cold) - front
- rear
185/55 R15 81V (Lotus part no. A111G6020H)
225/45 ZR16 89V (Lotus part no. A111G6021H)
1.6 bar (23 lb/in²)
1.7 bar (24.5 lb/in²)
It is not recommended to mix Pirelli and Michelin tyres on the same vehicle.
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Lotus Service Notes
Section GF
GF.2 - 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. Lotus approves the fitment of Michelin X M+S 130 winter
tyres in the following sizes:
Type
Michelin X M+S 130
Size - front
- rear
Pressure (cold) - front
- rear
185/55 R15 81T mounted on standard 15 inch front wheels.
195/60 R15 88T mounted on standard 15 inch front wheels.
1.6 bar (23 lb/in²)
1.7 bar (24.5 lb/in²)
Note that the rear winter tyres are to be mounted on standard 15 inch front wheels rather than the standard 16
inch rear wheels.
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.
Tyre Chains
Snow chains may by used in extreme conditions only in conjunction with winter tyres (see above) and
fitted only on the rear wheels. Lotus approves the fitment of Pewag FX 67 S Ring-Super-X snow chains,
available under Lotus part number A100G6011F. Close attention should be paid to the fitting and tensioning
instructions supplied with the chains, and an appropriate driving style adopted. The chains should be removed
as soon as road conditions allow.
GF.3 - EMERGENCY PUNCTURED TYRE INFLATOR
In order to fully exploit the benefits of light weight, and to maximise stowage space and convenience, a 'keep
you mobile' punctured tyre inflator aerosol is stowed in the front services 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).
The aerosol should not be used for large holes or repairs, or when the tyre sidewall has been
damaged, or if the tyre has been displaced from the rim.
The aerosol should be carried at all times in the stowage bracket provided in the front services
compartment; never in the passenger compartment.
Directions for use of the aerosol: As soon as a puncture is suspected, pull off the road at the first safe opportu-
nity. If possible avoid driving on a deflated tyre, or irreparable damage to the tyre may be caused.
Before using the aerosol, carefully read all the instructions on the canister, or on any literature accompany-
ing the product. The following instructions apply to the use of Holts Tyreweld:
1.
2.
3.
Remove the object causing the puncture, and position the wheel with the puncture site lowermost. Deflate
the tyre fully.
Shake the can vigorously. In cold conditions, warm the can using the car's heater outlets, or by body
warmth.
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.
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Lotus Service Notes
Section GF
4.
5.
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.
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 addi-
tional charge for cleaning the sealant off the tyre before repair, and that any subsequent repairs may not be
guaranteed.
6.
Replace the inflator canister.
GF.4 - SECURITY WHEELNUTS
On cars so equipped, each of the four road wheels is fitted with one security keyed wheel nut in order to
deter theft and vandalism. The special splined security nut requires a matching key coded socket before it may
be removed using a standard 19mm wheelbrace. For aesthetic purposes, the coded nut is capped by a metal
cover, which may be removed using an extractor tool stowed, together with the key coded socket, in a grommet in
the windscreen buttress, at the right hand rear corner of the front services compartment.
Push the extractor over the cover until it clips onto the rim, and withdraw the cover. Mate the key coded
socket with the nut, and undo using a standard 19mm wheelbrace.
Extractor tool
Nut cover
Security nut
Coded socket
ohs37sn
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