Changing Your Transaxle Oil

This procedure runs through changing the transaxle (transmission) oil on your Elan. Lotus recommends renewing the oil every 30,000 miles. The oil is "Mobil 1 RTS 9775 fully synthetic SAE 5W/30"--I have called the Mobil Company and found that this is indeed the regular Mobil 1 motor oil found everywhere. The refill capacity is 1.9 US quarts.

The oil should be changed after driving, while it is still warm. This assures the impurities are held in suspension.

Tools Needed

• Socket wrenches
• Funnel
• 3 ft of small diameter hose
• 2.0 quarts of transmission oil (Mobil One 5W/30 motor oil)

Draining Old Oil

1. Park car on level ground!
2. Place catch pan under tranny.
3. Get yourself under the car and remove the drain plug from the left hand side of the final drive housing, beneath the output shaft (see illustration).
4. Make sure car is then level to drain the oil properly.
5. Allow the oil to drain thoroughly before replacing the plug (with a new washer if necessary), and tighten to 29 ft-lbs. (39 Nm).

Adding New Oil

To check the oil level or to add oil, the spedo driven gear assembly must be removed, and the oil level indication on the plastic bushing inspected (see diagram). Check the oil level with the engine off and the transmission cool enough to touch. The speedo driven gear is located at the rear of the differential housing and is accessable from above.

1. Withdraw the speedo driven gear assembly with the cable attached, after releasing the single screw securing the retaining plate.
2. Add the new oil until the level is midway between the high and low marks on the bushing (about 1.9 qts.).
3. Replace the retaining plate and tighten the screw to 4.5 ft-lbs. (6Nm).

Notes

The biggest problem is coming up with a hose/funnel to put the oil in with. The filler hole is small, so your hose can't be any bigger than that. Don't go to an automotive store, because all the hose they have there usually has a large amount of insulation--meaning the inner diameter is smaller than you think. Instead go to a home store that has cheap thin-walled plastic tubing. Then find a small funnel that will fit the hose you just bought.

Have fun saving money and learning about your Elan.

Let me know if I should add anything else. Happy Elaning, Doug