Service bulletin 131-25021

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

NHTSA's summary

Brake pad to rotor stiction damage caused by incorrect vehicle storage maintenance. REASON - Prolonged contact between brake pads and rotors (discs) can result in them sticking to each other (also referred to as brake stiction). This could result in the brake pad material pulling away from its backing plate when the vehicle is eventually moved. Brake stiction occurs when the vehicle remains stationary for extended time periods and can also be exacerbated by: - Long term storage in a moist environment. - The presence of chemical contaminates (such as those found in some cleaning products). - Salt contaminated moisture in coastal regions. Background - Brake stiction is a known issue for sports cars such as the Emira. This is caused by several factors such as the specific chemical composition of the brake pad/rotor material as well as the brake pad, caliper and rotor geometry set up required to achieve the desired braking performance characteristics expected from a sports car. The Lotus Emira was designed and developed as a high-performance sports car and the engineering selection of a mixed metal pad material, the dimensions, and other specifications were tested and approved by the attributes team as well as tested to meet the stringent vehicle homologation targets across the regions, and durability requirements. ACTION - Due to a small number of complaints where brake pad separation has occurred caused by stiction on very low mileage cars, Lotus wishes to confirm to their importers and retail partners the importance of following the vehicle stock maintenance guidelines. Also refer to the ‘Dynamic’ section in long term storage check list attached to the end of this bulletin. As well as to stress that after any cleaning the vehicle it should be driven to dry the brakes, and vehicles should not be exposed to prolonged high humidity or stored in wet areas. To ensure ongoing enjoyment of the product, a specific recommendation was included in the customer handbook under the vehicle maintenance and care section: “NOTE: To prevent binding between the brake pads and discs as well as avoiding any potential corrosion, it is recommended to drive the vehicle for a short distance immediately after washing”.

The document

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Components

Brakes

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