Lotus Europa Owner's Handbook Manual page 16

During the months of winter, many countries use
salt to assist in the clearance of ice and snow.
Thoroughly wash the coachwork, the underside of
the body and wings, and the chassis, either weekly
or more frequently, depending on local conditions,
to remove any salt deposit and prevent its corro-
sive action. The fibreglass coachwork will not, of
'course, be affected by any corrosive action, but
the metal parts attached could be.
Bright metal-The attractive appearance of
bright metal can be preserved if it is cleaned
regularly. Each week, wash with a soap and water
solution, rinse thoroughly with clean water and
dry off. Staining or tarnish can be removed with
a good-quality chromium cleaner. For further pro-
tection, apply a good-quality wax polish.
Windscreen
cleaning-The windscreen wiper is
hinged so that it may be lifted clear of the glass,
when cleaning the windscreen. Never push the
blade across the windscreen as this will damage
the mechanism.
Upholstery and roof lining-Normal cleaning
consists of an occasional light wipe over with a
cloth dampened in a mild soap and water solu-
tion; it is important that the cloth is only damp,
not soaked.
Brakes
Pressure on the brake pedal forces fluid from
a master cylinder into cylinders at the wheels,
exerting pressure on pistons which actuate the
front brake pads, or the rear brake shoes.
The handbrake is mechanically opera.ted,
through a cable linkage and operates on the rear
brakes. It is quite independent of the hydraulic
system in operation.
Brake adjustments-When properly adjusted
there should be a 6 mm. (t in.) free movement of
the brake pedal before the piston in the brake
master cylinder begins to move. When checking
this setting take care that the carpets are not
fouling the pedal.
No manual adjustment to compensate for brake
pad wear is provided, or indeed necessary, since
the correct pad-to-disc relationship is maintained
hydrostatically as the brakes are operated.
Rear brakes can be adjusted by means of the
square adjusters located on the brake backplates.
Brake pads and shoes-These should be
examined at intervals of every 5,000 km. (3,000
miles), as shown in the Service Voucher Book
(Part No. 46T 326) supplied with the car. If brakes
are in constant use, as when driving in city traffic,
it is advisable to examine at intervals of 1,600 km.
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