So, a somewhat hypothetical question perhaps, but reading through the maintenance schedule I see that I'm suppose to get the car serviced every 6 months (or 7,5000 miles - which will never happen in a 6 month period for me) to maintain the warranty. Okay, fair enough. But the first service is 12 months or after 1000 miles. So ... assuming I don't actually get to drive 1000 miles in the first 6 months, I need to get it service at the 6 month point or not?

Confused of Berkeley :-) yes yes
Sooooo ... what's the point of saying 1000 miles/12 months if in actual fact its 1000 miles/6 months? If it says "1000 miles or 12 months", what is your question? If it says "1000 miles or 12 months", what is your question?
The questions is - if I don't drive 1,000 miles in the first year, is my first service at 6 months or 12 months? The questions is - if I don't drive 1,000 miles in the first year, is my first service at 6 months or 12 months? You have a brand new Elise in California. Why the hell wont you do a 1000 miles in 6 months

And how much should I expect to fork out for the 1k service. And hwre idsthe best place to do it. I live in Sacramento. And I already put 700 plus miles from the drive from Las Vegas to sac on Labor day weekend.

JS Sooooo ... what's the point of saying 1000 miles/12 months if in actual fact its 1000 miles/6 months?
It's whichever comes first, 1000 miles or 12 months. In my case 1000 miles came first . Aanon - I think 12 mths is a long time to go without changing your oil. That being said, I thought I remember hearing that the oil that is initially put into the car is designed to help break the car in. After the break in period (the 1000 miles) a full synthetic goes in. If you really aren't going to put 1000 miles on in 6 mths (I had done the 1000 within the first week so I could get the car on the track), I suggest you contact your dealer. They may suggest that you keep the non-synthetic in until the 1000 miles is done. Question - why did you buy the car if you weren't going to drive it? Are you in Iraq or something? Thanks. I might drive the car a 1000 miles before 6 months, but maybe not since I walk to work/food/shops/school/movies/etc. Seems pretty likely I'll do that in 12 months of course. Mostly I'm trying to get a handle on when I should get the first service since, the way I read it, the manual is ambiguous on this fact.

Why did I buy one? Because I wanted one. ...the manual is ambiguous on this fact.
"1000 miles or 12 months" doesn't seem very ambiguous. Although, IIRC, the manual doesn't say 1000 miles, it says 1000-1500 miles.

1. If you haven't driven 1000 miles by the time you reach your first 12 months of ownership, take it in for service.

2. If 12 months of ownership passes before you have driven it a 1000 miles, take it in for service. "1000 miles or 12 months" doesn't seem very ambiguous. Although, IIRC, the manual doesn't say 1000 miles, it says 1000-1500 miles.
The ambiguity arises because elsewhere the manual says "you should get service every 6 months or 7500 miles."

So he's wondering if the first service should be at 12 months as the manual implies in one place, or at 6 months as it implies somewhere else. Did you just get your Elise? Is it a 2005 or 2006? If it was a 2005 sitting on the lot for awhile, I would consider changing the oil now. Otherwise, your car should be fine to wait 12 months. Why not email Lotus (warranty@lotuscars.com) and ask them about your warranty question? They have always answered my emails within 24 hrs. That way you have it in writing. I just looked at the warranty book with Ramin and we agree it's 12 months or 1000- 1500 miles, whichever comes first. Than after that it's 7500 or every six months, again whichever comes first, hopes this makes sense. The ambiguity arises because elsewhere the manual says "you should get service every 6 months or 7500 miles."

So he's wondering if the first service should be at 12 months as the manual implies in one place, or at 6 months as it implies somewhere else. The ambiguity seems to be because one frequency is intended for European customers, and the shorter one for US customers (I believe that their are some regulations that have to be met as to the minimum service intervals in some countries - similar to our requirements for emission control systems).

I suspect that every 12 months won't do any harm to the engine, and that the 6 months is overly conservative. But it all depends on how you use your car. Lots of short drives means more frequent oil changes. Long drives tend to evaporate the "bad stuff" out of the oil, and it last longer. Last longer is not actually correct - it lasts indefinitely, but you need to change oil to flush out the impurities.

Still you have to follow the manufacturers requirements for the warranty to be in effect. After that, use your own judgment, depending on your usage. You have a brand new Elise in California. Why the hell wont you do a 1000 miles in 6 months

my thought exactly, I put 1000 miles on mine in 3 months in Iowa in the winter! Hi Everyone,

I am aproaching 7500 miles and I am about ready to put my Elise up for the winter so I called my dealer, Denver of Ferrari. The service manager said that all they do is change the air filter and change the oil and filter at this point in time. He also said the ONLY required service at a dealer was the first one when they dump the ECU. around 1200 miles. Otherwise there was no need to come back again to the at all.

Is this true? Since I have an ITG intake, I was going to change my own oil and oil filter like I did at 4500 miles and call it good.

Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.

Winter is HERE,

mr t - Nederland, Colorado - 8500 FT I had my first oil change at 1000 miles. I'm having my 7500 mile tune up at 5500 miles.

Why not?