A&Q about Lotus
Q:
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.
This is true about the old Le Mans races. However, in our case we have the key in our right hand which we have to turn , start car with our left, then shift. I think the button is a gimmick but I think it's cool. Porsche has the ignition on the left - for the same reason, carried over from the Le Mans days.
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And to address Val's original concern about the increased potential of theft, I would remind everyone that our cars have a cool (but sometimes frustrating) passive arming feature, which diminishes the likelihood of having the car stolen.
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Originally Posted by RacyTracy
Same reason the Porsche 911 key is on the left, so I've read.
Correct, after a stall one can start the car with the left hand while selecting the propper gear with the right hand and be underway in less time.
Noble
A:
I heard that the Lotus engineers were annoyed by having to put in the starter button but the marketing guys prevailed. Similar to the 16/17 inch wheels. I would prefer not having it or at least having the light go out when the motor is running. How hard is it to get to that bulb?
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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."
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.
I remember reading the same bits in the manual; If I can prepare an audio&video segment I would be happy to share so you do not have to experiment on your own. My wife and I found out the hard way. It was on one of those things when you realize what you have done the moment you glance at the tac and realize what you have done.
My only thought is that it might one of those things they changed along the way, so perhaps an older build may not be equipped with this feature. I have never asked a lotus official in the know; if it is a computer lock out or if it is a relay. I just know we now done it repeated ly to share with other friends in town that drive an elise.
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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."
I have an Feb 05 built car and I just tried it. If I push the start button while the car is running nothing happens. I tried it repeatedly and the starter doesn't engage.
A:
Originally Posted by Keeper
I have an Feb 05 built car and I just tried it. If I push the start button while the car is running nothing happens. I tried it repeatedly and the starter doesn't engage.
I have a car delivered in August '04 (built in May or June). Today I pressed the start button while the engine was running - nothing happened. ??
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Originally Posted by milehitom
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."
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.
Because it will...There is no fail-safe relay. Try it...
Tom
Interesting...there must be a running change in our cars related to this. My early car (#1277) has such an interlock that accidentally hitting the starter button does not grind the starter when the engine is already running. (I found this out when blindly trying to turn on the headlights and pushed the starter button by mistake -- more than once. )
A:
Hmmm... Curious thing this morning. I started my car and within about a second, pushed the button again. It made grinding noise. Waited a couple of seconds, and pushed it again, and nothing. There seems to be a bit of a time delay before the button is "deactivated".
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Same here. That explains the note in the manual.
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Originally Posted by milehitom
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.
So, you'd rather the criminal cut off your finger than take your key?
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I like the button, I'd like it more though with a true keyless entry system. Does anyone make an aftermarket system we could install? I'd like remote window capabilities too now that I think about it.
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Camco has some amazing stuff: ()
There's a movie soemwhere on the website with a cool and funny demo. I can't read dutch well enough to find it :-(
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Why do people leave their cars in neutral when they turn off the engine? My habit has been to leave it in 1st (Reverse when facing downhill on steep hills), is there some advantage to having the car in neutral? Other than the "I might forget it's in 1st and the car will leap forward when I start it" ?
Cameron
A:
A couple of you guys have commented that the button shouldn't be lit when the engine's running. Thought you might be interested to know I've re-wired mine. It's now connected to the alternator/battery warning lamp. It now lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes out when the engine is running.
It was a very easy mod to do, I just connected a new wire to the harness at the back of the instrument panel. The connections are a3 and a10 (I assume it's the same for US and UK cars?)
Being a UK car, mine didn't have the button fitted from new, it was added later. It was originally wired to light up only when the headlamps are on. Out of interest, when do your US spec ones light up?
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Originally Posted by Brendan
Out of interest, when do your US spec ones light up?
Whenever the ignition is on, regardless of whether the car is running or not.
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Thanks Shiftlock. I thought as much
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The Start button is a throw back to the Lotus race cars of the past.
It rocks.
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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
The new audi S8 actually has that technology! in the center console there is a fingerprint reader, the only way to start the car! try to give that to the valet!
A:
Originally Posted by joaovc
Camco has some amazing stuff: ()
There's a movie soemwhere on the website with a cool and funny demo. I can't read dutch well enough to find it :-(
I find that clicking on the little Flag that says UK in the upper right hand corner of the page makes it much easier to navigate.
Here's a page with vids and stuff...
All the systems I've found are button type alarm and remote start systems. Are there any of the kind where the car unlocks and is ready to start just by the proximity of the fob or device?