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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: LotusJoe on Friday,June 21, 2013, 12:43:10 PM

Title: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: LotusJoe on Friday,June 21, 2013, 12:43:10 PM

My speedo shows 56,992 miles. Since I have done a complete body off restoration with new everything do I reset the speedo to zero miles? With a new gear box and Zetec engine what is appropriate?

(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/album13/Tach_Speedo.jpg)

(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/Zetec/Zetec002.jpg)

(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/Zetec/BodyShot.jpg)

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,June 21, 2013, 06:53:04 PM

Joe,

Sounds like a pain in the butt to reset a mechanical odomter to zero Is that even legal?

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: EuropaTC on Friday,June 21, 2013, 10:36:32 PM

It's fairly simple to reset the odometer and quite legal in the UK unless you're doing it to deceive a potential buyer of the vehicle.

You just dismantle and use a small screwdriver/penknife to release the pressure on the aluminium levers that hold the individual odometer wheels steady, then you can select whatever numbers you want. If you try to just push the numbered wheels backwards from the front then they will move but you'll bend the Al strips and get that tell-tale misalignment when back in service, plus of course you might mark the white lettering.

Reset ? It's a personal thing. I did with my Europa but not with the Elan following body-off rebuilds. In your case Joe I think I'd try to get a new speedo to match the rev counter and leave the original one alone. (although only an enthusiast would know they're not a matching pair, it's a good choice you've got there)

Brian

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: 3929R on Tuesday,June 25, 2013, 09:25:49 AM

I think the choice is yours. 

If it were me, I'd leave it as is.  The car is not new but renewed.  But then I do not even know when my speedo cable broke (it's on my to do list) and thus have no idea how many miles are on my own.

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: LotusJoe on Tuesday,June 25, 2013, 09:52:25 AM

I've decided to leave the mileage  as is on the odometer. I don't think it's worth the expense to have it reset and it eliminates any questions as to the true mileage and providence of the car. 

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: Lou Drozdowski on Wednesday,June 26, 2013, 06:48:45 PM

I agree with Mark, and leave it be. You will be better off in the long run by keeping most every thing original, particularly when it comes to miles driven. Odometer tampering even w/documentation can be considered fraud in some states and the Federal statue still exists. ld   

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: LeftAngle on Tuesday,July 30, 2013, 09:36:16 PM

OK Joe... Now that that's answered.... How many clear coats are on that beeutiful paint job?

Title: Re: To reset or Not to reset..that is the question
Post by: LotusJoe on Wednesday,July 31, 2013, 09:17:19 AM

I'm not really sure how many coats of clear were done. I would guess at least two.  :confused: