Interior Exterior
Q:
87 degrees outside. The heat capacity of the interior seems reasonably low. The A/C was able to cool the cockpit and keep it cool.
However, the aluminum shift knob did it's best to roast my hand. Any recommendations to combat this? Maybe I can find a pair of Lotus socks to slide over it when it's parked.
A:
You're right about the scorching shift knob.
I don't dare to think what it would do to me nowadays (108F).
When I park it outside (albeit in a security guarded parking lot) I use my exterior car cover and I leave the softtop at home.
If that's impractical for you (and it probably is) I'd just buy a reflective windshield cover assuming the HT is on.
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Carry a towel.
To be safe, keep it wrapped.
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I usually have a cap in the car, so I just put it over the knob.
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I've been known to use a Crown Royal bag.
But you should have seen my face when the Valentine decided to unstick itself this afternoon - I made the mistake of catching it. My thumb is still red.
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I usually have a cap in the car, so I just put it over the knob.
+1. just started doing this earlier this week because of the heat...
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"New from Sector 111...The Gearshift Condom!"
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Last summer I had the Sumo ball from Sector 111. It was much cooler than the OEM shift knob. I had the shifter replaced since and am back where I started.
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lol 97 degrees here right now in San Antonio....and I leave the top down 90% of the time too! The heat of the knob seems to go away rather quickly for me, though.
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One of the elise talk vendors Lotus Garage has the half leather (top) with the Lotus emblem half brushed Aluminum. It runs about $65. Be sure to specify whether you have an early 2005, a late 2005 or a 2006, because the thread openings are different. I got the wrong ones the first time when I ordered mine
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I fried my hand on day 2 last year (107 degrees). I almost always park pointing north and I use a reflective windshield screen. And I always put the top on.
Tom
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You could put a golf club head cover on it......
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When I bought my Elise it had the "premium pack" with the leather knob top. While not as gratifying as the all aluminum version, it definitely stays cool. I have yet to burn my hand and often leave my car out in the sun all day...
A:
One of the elise talk vendors Lotus Garage has the half leather (top) with the Lotus emblem half brushed Aluminum. It runs about $65. Be sure to specify whether you have an early 2005, a late 2005 or a 2006, because the thread openings are different. I got the wrong ones the first time when I ordered mine
my car has this, its nice, but be careful it can unscrew the top half of the "Ball" if you not careful. track days car, maybe not so great for, mine did come apart in a corner, but i was able to rethread it, before the next turn.