Lotus 2004 ELISE Service Notes page 308

Lotus Service Notes
second will store the hour setting and start the minute display flashing.
- Further brief button presses will increment the minute figure.
- When the correct time is displayed, press the button for longer than 1 second to store the setting and start
the clock.
VARIABLE TRACTION & LAUNCH CONTROL (IF FITTED)
Exige S models specified with the 'Performance Pack' option, include variable Lotus Traction Control
(LTC), allied with Variable Launch Control (see below) and have a rotary control knob mounted on the left hand
side of the steering column shroud.
Each time the ignition is turned on, normal full LTC is activated. To enable variable traction control, turn
on the ignition and hold the LTC 'off' button pressed for 2 seconds. Check that the tell tale in the switch button
is lit. Start the engine. Note that if the ignition is switched off (e.g. prior to a second start attempt), the above
procedure must be repeated in sequence.
With the switch button tell tale lit and the engine running, the rotary knob may then be used to select the
degree of traction control desired, with the setting shown on the instrument panel LCD in the form '#% SLIP', with
a possible range between 0 and 9%. The display will revert to showing the fuel level after a few seconds.
• For maximum traction control (0% slip) turn the knob fully counterclockwise to 'MAX'.
• To reduce traction control (to allow up to 9% slip), turn the knob progressively clockwise.
• Fully clockwise ('0'), traction control is disabled, as indicated by the lighting of the instrument panel tell
tale, and an LCD message of 'LTC OFF'.
If at any time during that ignition cycle, the control knob is turned, the LCD will again show the traction
control setting for a few seconds.
When the ignition is next turned on, normal full LTC will be activated unless the above procedure is re-
peated.
Variable Launch Control
CAUTION: This feature is designed for competition use, and as such, its employment will invalidate
vehicle warranty on any components subject to the extreme loads associated with racing starts.
Variable Launch Control allows the engine rpm to be limited during a competition start in order to balance
engine power against available grip and provide a controlled degree of wheelspin for the first moment of ac-
celeration, until superseded by the traction control system at around 6 mph.
To enable this feature, turn on the ignition and hold the LTC 'off' button pressed for 2 seconds. Check that
the tell tale in the switch button is lit. Then;
• With ignition on, engine stopped, fully depress the throttle pedal for 5 seconds.
• Tacho will now show launch rpm. Turn the rotary knob as necessary to select any desired launch rpm
between 2000 and 8000.
• Release throttle and start engine.
• Turn the rotary knob to select the desired level of traction control (see above), noting that the launch control
setting will not be affected.
• Engage first gear, apply full throttle (ECU limits engine speed to selected launch rpm), and rapidly 'drop'
clutch.
• Maintain full throttle throughout the transition from launch to traction control (at around 6 mph) until the
first gear change is required.
• To disable launch control when variable traction control is still required, reset launch rpm to 8,000.
NOTE
• Do not attempt to slip the clutch during this process, as overheating or damage to the clutch mechanism
may occur. An instant clutch engagement is required to 'break' rear tyre traction and initiate wheelspin.
Note that an hydraulic damper valve is incorporated into the clutch release pipework to protect the driveline
from excessive shock loading when using this technique.
• Do not attempt LC starts in any gear other than first.
• Do not hold the engine at or near maximum rpm for more than a few seconds.
• Under no circumstances should this track feature be employed on the public road.
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Section MP