Interior Exterior
Q:
i'm guessing 2 or 3 ohms use a 1/4 watt
i have to go with codymac, don't use a dvm, some can give out 2-3 volts on resistance measurement, most are .5v or less.
if the 2 ohm 1/4 watt doesn't work, find a potentiometer or resistance box and run it across the car side of the interface, adjust it til the light goes out, take it back off, measure the resistance, job done and no risks.
I thought about the pot. thing too - would it work? I'm guessing that the key would have to be cycled to trigger the startup/airbag test but does it reset itself or would the light stay on until cleared? Hmmm...
A:
I certainly wouldn't want to be the test dummy trying to see how the Elise does in a frontal collision with no airbag and restraints only.
Umm.. Have to keep in mind that the Elise has been sold 'airbagless' since 1996 in Europe, so it's not a new thing. Only now in 2006 can you get it as an option.
I agree that an airbag is potentially safer, but it's aways designed to be a secondary safety system. A well done-up seat belt is still your primary saftey mechanism.
The belt pre-tensioners (also not present on european Elises pre 2006. Option now) probably are more important in this respect than the airbag.
Bye, Arno.
A:
This wheel is farther away from the driver. Measuring from the back side of the wheel to the front side of the turn indicator stalk is 2.25 inches.
I do not think you can mount the wheel closer to the driver without some safety issues. The wheel hub is splined and mounts on a splined shaft. Any spacers will have to be mounted between the splined hub and the frame of the wheel. Many aftermarket wheels have a this arrangement and can be considered but this hub is part of the frame.
I suggested to my friend that putting any voltage across the air bag to determine the resistance was not something I wanted to do. He admitted his(!) reason for removing the air bag was the desire to not have an explosive device in his face. As such this is a personal choice. Taking a chance of detonating the bag for a test did not seem smart. I believe a bit of experimentation by the group will lead to a resistance value that will work.
The cross section of the steering wheel is different. It is more of an elongated oval front to back. It is also consistent all the way around, without the hand and thumb impressions of the Federal wheel.
Air bags are a controversial subject. You will have to talk with SpeedRacer to see why he decided to proceed with this modification. I personally agree with Arno that the air bag is a secondary safety system, designed for Americans who refused to wear their seat belts. I wear my belts always and figure the air bag may help. (I suggest starting another tread for those that want to discuss the relative merits and problems with any safety system.)
SpeedRacer indicates the horn contacts / turn indicator cancellation ring that was not included in the first install has arrived. As soon as he supplies pictures of the finished installation, I will post them on my website.
Michael
A:
Regarding the airbag, a racer pal of mine said, "If you don't wear your seat belt and you get in an accident, your airbag will come in handy so they can identify your body by the facial features." Airbags are secondary. Seatbelts are primary. I buckle up. But I like having an airbag for additional (if even only psychological) protection.
Tom
A:
I thought about the pot. thing too - would it work?
dealers use resistance boxes to test the airbag subsystem, you may have to turn off and on between, not sure. but its a lot safer, still its early for the 06 darwin awards yet
edit: duh changed to 06 darwin the project i'm working on throws me off, since they always name it for the following year./ i keep thinking its 06 already, since we finished that one and are now on 07! no wonder time appears to fly.
A:
No buttons on the outside rim and hence no inadvertant horn honking during an autocross or track day.
* Note that changing the steering wheel is not street or SCCA stock class legal, and may have warranty and insurance ramifications.
* While the alternate wheel may decrease inadvertent horn honking, it may tend to *increase* inadvertent wiper and/or turn signal engagement.
* For casual track days and autocross, it is not hard to yank the horn fuse so that it will not engage during a high performance driving session. For a big SCCA event you'd leave the fuse in, to be 100% legal.
* As you get used to the car, random horn honks greatly decline. Just about any level of driver can get them at first, especially during autocross.
A:
Pulling the fuse for a competition event would be the simplest / cheapest
approach. And for the SCCA folks, why not just plug in a blown fuse to
keep all the "100% stock" dweebs happy?
Jim
A:
It should be easy to determine the resistor needed. Just take an Ohm Meter and measure the resistance between the leads to the removed air bag, and there’s your answer.
Bump - There's a great info and pictures of an install but we're still not able to find which resistor would be needed to keep the air bag light off.
Please provide insight
A:
if the 2 ohm 1/4 watt doesn't work, find a potentiometer or resistance box and run it across the car side of the interface, adjust it til the light goes out, take it back off, measure the resistance, job done and no risks.
This strategy didn't work on the Mini. Once the ECU doesn't see the airbag, the light can only be reset with the proprietary scan tool.
Looking for the correct resistor.
A:
why couldn't Lotus have used a steering wheel with the horn actuated by pressing the center of the wheel (the airbag)???? All manufacturers have gone to this type of horn actuation if I'm not mistaken. The horn on wheel rim is 80's technology.
A:
Has anyone installed the Motorsports wheel? There is a kit sold here for 299 Euros / $355. Seems like this version has all the advantages and only some of the disadvantages of the standard 111R wheel - and it's not too expensive
Yes, I installed mine a few months ago...
A:
why couldn't Lotus have used a steering wheel with the horn actuated by pressing the center of the wheel (the airbag)???? All manufacturers have gone to this type of horn actuation if I'm not mistaken. The horn on wheel rim is 80's technology.
Cost. Lotus can't afford too much in the way of custom stuff. Not enough sales volume. So they do a lot of parts bin engineering. Hint...look at the Misubishi EVO steering wheel...
A:
thanks Stan, I guess I could have figured it if I gave it more than a minute of thought! ha! Actually, I've never sat in an EVO. What, do they have a cheapo wheel too? I remember Honda had the button horns for the longest time on some models while others had the floating horn hub. It was like they were using up whatever stock they had left (although this lasted about two years).
The MOMO wheel we have is really a quality piece; if only they took that one extra step. In an emergency where you have a split second, I don't have much confidence that I'll be able to find one of those horn buttons.
A:
In an emergency where you have a split second, I don't have much confidence that I'll be able to find one of those horn buttons.
Hmmmm... All my cars (except one) have the horn buttons on the spokes - I much prefer that setup. My thumbs rest right near the buttons and I can trigger the horn pretty much instantly. Much quicker than letting go of the wheel moving my hand and pressing the middle.
Besides in an emergency, not only do I want the horn to actuate quickly, I don't want my hand between the air bag and my face...
A:
Besides in an emergency, not only do I want the horn to actuate quickly, I don't want my hand between the air bag and my face...
Tim, good point. I haven't thought about being involved in an accident where I'm still pressing the horn prior to impact. Usually in accident avoidance both hands would be on the wheel while steering around the obstacle. But I do see your point. One could be pressing the horn to warn another who doesn't see you to no avail - they/you hit you/them. ouch
A:
I'd probably like the steering wheel, regardless of the type, closer to me than it is currently. Is there a way to shim the wheel a bit closer to the driver with the Fed wheel? It's a case of having long legs.
Also, is the Euro wheel thicker than the Fed?
- J
I just installed the 1" extension today. Works great! Takes about 10 minutes to do.
http://www.elise-shop.com/index.php?...roducts_id=256
A:
I just installed the 1" extension today. Works great! Takes about 10 minutes to do.
http://www.elise-shop.com/index.php?...roducts_id=256
Thanks Roger. This looks to be a worthwhile mod, especially combined with your Reverie seat, where you may be reclined a bit more than stock. If you are coming to the El Toro autox on the 17th, I'd love to see the change.
How much was the total bill, with shipping, etc.?
A:
Thanks Roger. This looks to be a worthwhile mod, especially combined with your Reverie seat, where you may be reclined a bit more than stock. If you are coming to the El Toro autox on the 17th, I'd love to see the change.
How much was the total bill, with shipping, etc.?
Yeah, I'll be there. It was around US$100 if I recall.