A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Originally Posted by TimMullen
Yep. Try getting "performance" tires for older cars with 13 inch rims...
I bought a set of DOT legal R compound tires for my Elan since the only other real choice was to get econobox "high mileage", rock hard tires...
I must say, those econobox tires (RE92's) are not all that bad, lowish profile, pretty good grip/feel and they slide fairly progressively
I actually installed a starter button in my Elan, long before it was a fad in new cars. I like the button because it makes the starting sequence special, a bit of an event per say. It's even better when you have to turn on the ignition and wait for the electric fuel pump to tick over for a few seconds before hitting the button
A:
Originally Posted by Greg
It should be possible to re-wire the key-ignition switch so that it starts the car in addition to the start button... Not a permanent mod, I would think...
It should be pretty easy to make the change. The Euro spec 111R uses the key only the US spec Elise has the Start Button (although I seem to remember that it is an option on the Euro spec version)...
I think I'd actually prefer just the key, but not enough that I'd bother changing it, even iv I had the parts (if any).
A:
Meh. The button is optional in Europe. It can't be that important.
A:
Wow; who cares about such starting egonomics? I just love driving it.
A:
Originally Posted by my1st2seater
I personaly think the start button is cool. Just like other "exotics" out there. A buddy of mine who races frequently said the start button is designed to save you a few seconds re-starting the car if you stall the car after a spin.
Hmm, didn't help me last week.
A:
Do any other Lotus have starter buttons??
A:
I once heard that this was because of the old Le Mans races. The drivers would actually have to run out onto the track and jump in their cars at the start of the race. The starter button allowed them to jump in the car and start the engine with one hand while shifting into 1st gear with the other hand, shaving a second or two off the start time.
I guess you could say the 'real' starter buttons are hidden out of sight while the cosmetic ones are out in the middle of the car where the passengers will notice them. Not that anybody here will be entering an Elise in the Le Mans, if they even do the running starts anymore.
A:
I like the starter button. Gives me an excuse to get the valet to let me park it myself -- "it's kind of a pain in the a$$ to start, but don't worry, I'll take care of you"
A:
Originally Posted by milehitom
The downside of our starter button is you can grind your starter if, for some reason , you accidentally touch the starter button when the car is running.
I didn't think that was the case with the Elise although I'm not anxious to see if I'm correct.
A:
Originally Posted by Val
Well, i personally never driven a car with start button... And i think its a rather pointless gimmick, but anyway, there are some other problems with it
My gripe against the start button is that it is very bright. Once you've thrown out the radio, it's the brightest thing on the dash, and makes it harder to see a dark road.
The light on the start button might as well be turned off once the car is running.
The headlight buttons are only illuminated after you've turned on the headlights. That's double-stupid: (a) you can't find the button when it's dark, and (b) it shines in your eyes at night making it harder to see the dark road.
I love my Elise, but parts of it just seem so amateur...
A:
Originally Posted by milehitom
The downside of our starter button is you can grind your starter if, for some reason , you accidentally touch the starter button when the car is running. I thought a cool starter button would use the technology a friend of miine has on his front door. His deadbolt is activated by a fingerprint reader. The starter button could read your fingerprint and start the car...no key involved at all. Our starter button is nice in that it relieves some of the twisting force on the ignition system, a common failure point on my old car.
Tom
Hi everybody, The starter button has a fail safe in the relay system. If you press the starter button while our elises are running the starter will NOT engage. I have this also on my 04 f150, if you hit the key because you did not hear the engine running it will not engage the starter. So rest assured there is some thought in that goofey extra step button. Not hearing our motor not running is probably not an issue but if you are talking away and forget your sequence just for a moment and cringe while you are repressing the button an relizing what you have just done. All is still good. I would prefer, the single action of the key only and skip the starter button. Robert
A:
Originally Posted by cndelise
Wow; who cares about such starting egonomics? I just love driving it.
ding ding #2
A:
Originally Posted by cjcamejo
I once heard that this was because of the old Le Mans races. The drivers would actually have to run out onto the track and jump in their cars at the start of the race. The starter button allowed them to jump in the car and start the engine with one hand while shifting into 1st gear with the other hand, shaving a second or two off the start time.
I guess you could say the 'real' starter buttons are hidden out of sight while the cosmetic ones are out in the middle of the car where the passengers will notice them. Not that anybody here will be entering an Elise in the Le Mans, if they even do the running starts anymore.
Same reason the Porsche 911 key is on the left, so I've read.
A:
The Lotus-built Vauxhall VX220 / Opel Speedster has a starter button. It is not labelled in any way. More than one owner has remained in possession of their car because a would be thief could not find out how to start the car
Having said that, going from the Speedster to Exige, it was strange at first not to have to use a start button. Yes, you can argue about a starter button giving a "sense of occasion", but IMO, simpler is better
Speedster:
A:
Is there a way to by-pass the key and just use the starter button?
A:
Originally Posted by British_Marques
The starter button has a fail safe in the relay system. If you press the starter button while our elises are running the starter will NOT engage.
If so, why does the manual state "NOTICE: Pressing the start button when the engine is running may damage the starter mechanism."
Interestingly, in the Starting Procedure section, it also states when starting "Switch off any unnecessary electrical loads." On the '06 models, the low beam headlamps turn on when the ignition key is turned.
A:
Mine stalled before the ECU upgrade in a bad place. The starter button is a good thing, and yes its much faster than using the key. I was actually shocked that my instinct was to reach for the button instead of the key, but I'm glad I did. It does seem lame to have to use the key and the starter button though.
A:
Originally Posted by cjcamejo
I once heard that this was because of the old Le Mans races.
Race cars don't have ignition keys - they only have a starter button or toggle switch...
As for the question of were there any other Lotus with a Start Button? Well, my old early '60s Lotus 20 Formula Jr. had a start button (or was it a toggle switch). It only had two switches - the ignition toggle, and the start button...
A:
Originally Posted by CarNut
If so, why does the manual state "NOTICE: Pressing the start button when the engine is running may damage the starter mechanism."
Because it will...There is no fail-safe relay. Try it...
Tom
A:
I like the starter button in the Elise. Makes me feel like I'm driving a special car.
The only downside is that my wife's Beetle has a rotary style headlight switch in the same general location. I'm forever getting into her car and turning on the lights instead of starting the ignition. I remember the first time sitting there for a couple of seconds wondering why there were no engine sounds