Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I am going on holiday in my Plus 2 this summer. What should the tyres pressure when fully loaded with all the wives bags?

How many wives do you have?

Well, slap my thigh, that was funny!!

On my 2-seater Elan I use 24psi on the front and 28psi on the rear, no matter how many wives I've loaded in.



It should be similar or the Plus 2.


~~~~~
But this is revealing that you have not yet bought yourself a Workshop Manual for your Plus 2.

Get your wives to buy you one at your next birthday or the birthday of the car, whichever is soonest.

I do have a workshop manual that I bought myself, but I can't find tyre pressures in there.
Another stupid question, in the manual it refers to Federal and non Federal cars. What does that mean exactly? None of the girls know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal

Maybe U.S.

John

..................................... i luv that: W I T H all of the Wife's bags --- u made my day! greetings from
some of the finest DHC weather -- hoping your loved one can deal with the heat, as mine can! greetings
from the alps sandy

probably wife's birthday sooner! sandy

Hongokongo wrote:I do have a workshop manual that I bought myself, but I can't find tyre pressures in there.
Another stupid question, in the manual it refers to Federal and non Federal cars. What does that mean exactly? None of the girls know.

Where are all the Plus2 owners when you need one? Out enjoying the sunshine?


Is there not a technical data section near the front of the manual with all sorts of data. I would expect tyre pressures to be in there.

Anyway, you won't go far wrong with 24 psi front ant 28 psi rear.

Federal will mean the USA left hand drive model.

Workshop manual (top of page18)states 20/24 (f/r) below 100mph and 26/30 for sustained greater than 100.

Assume that all your wives would moan at sustaining in excess of 100mph
Peter

billwill wrote:On my 2-seater Elan I use 24psi on the front and 28psi on the rear, no matter how many wives I've loaded in.

So what's your legal position, Bill, when stopped by the police who quote the handbook 18 Front and 23 rear?

"Actually, officer, I was cruising in excess of 100 mph and it says in the manual...."!#

I run with standard tyres at pressures as the manual states and the tyre wear is perfectly even, obviously not on the front outside edges, and I did the same with a +2 S130 with the same result. With non-standard tyres and rims, as half the owners seem to have, this won't be true.

when stopped by the police who quote the handbook 18 Front and 23 rear?

Does it, cor blimey, I'll have to check my copies, but they are down in the garage.


18 psi does sound a bit low to me..

When they say 18/23, this is the recommended minimum. The maximum pressure is usually stated on the tyre sidewall. And 24/28 is the recommended minimum for sustained high speed. On today's freeways and interstates, this should be considered the minimum.

18/23 produces a soft ride for those interested in ride comfort around town. At those low pressures, an Elan drives like a pig (if an Elan can ever drive like a pig). Higher tyre pressures produce better cornering, braking, and steering precision.

After settling on 5.5" wheels and 165-13 (or 185/70-13) tyres, I wound up using 28/33. Everybody who drove or rode in the car remarked on the precise steering and high standards of cornering.

But, then, everybody has their idea of what works optimally for them.

David
1968 36/7988

msd1107 wrote:When they say 18/23, this is the recommended minimum. The maximum pressure is usually stated on the tyre sidewall. And 24/28 is the recommended minimum for sustained high speed. On today's freeways and interstates, this should be considered the minimum.

My October 1972 Workshop Manual includes: "NOTE It is not necessary to increase the tyre pressures for any reason other than those given" which was 24 front 29 rear for sustained speeds above 100 mph.

All cars handle better with higher tyre pressures, the marking on the tyre only indicating the safe limit of its construction, but the wear would usually be greater as the load is more concentrated in one area. Some of us can't afford to experiment.

But, then, everybody has their idea of what works optimally for them.

I replaced my tyres recently and wrote to Goodyear giving the weight of the car and so on. I asked if pressures should be different now given modern construction and materials. They were very helpful but didn`t know, suggesting I stick with the original Lotus figures. They did contact Vintage Tyres who recommended 24 psi all round. (?) I`ve tried 18/22 but didn`t like it so I`m increasing the pressures bit by bit.
Jim