Lotus Elan, M100

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

Lotus Elan, M100 manual transmission fluid capacity ranges from 1,8 to 1,9 liters. Service intervals occur every 50000 km. The data covers 3 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
Elan SE Turbo with catalyst (1991-1992)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,9 liter (Dry fill)
  • Capacity 1,8 liter (Service fill)
  • Change 50000 km
  • Code: 5/1
Elan SE Turbo (1990-1992)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,9 liter (Dry fill)
  • Capacity 1,8 liter (Service fill)
  • Change 50000 km
  • Code: 5/1
Elan (1989-1992)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,9 liter (Dry fill)
  • Capacity 1,8 liter (Service fill)
  • Change 50000 km
  • Code: 5/1

Additional Notes

  • Across all three Lotus Elan M100 configurations covered, the manual transaxle carries a dry fill capacity of 1.9 liters. A dry fill figure represents the total fluid volume required when filling a completely empty unit, such as after a full rebuild or replacement.
  • The service fill capacity for the manual transaxle is 1.8 liters across every listed configuration. A service fill is the amount needed when fluid is drained and refilled during routine maintenance, accounting for residual fluid that remains in the unit.
  • The 0.1-liter difference between the dry fill and service fill values is consistent across the base Elan, the Elan SE Turbo, and the Elan SE Turbo with catalyst, indicating a small but uniform residual volume retained in the transaxle after a standard drain.
  • The Lotus Elan M100 manual transaxle fluid change interval is set at 50,000 km under normal use conditions for all three configurations listed.
  • The SE Turbo variant, covering model years 1990-1992, shares identical transaxle fluid capacities and change intervals with the base Elan despite the addition of forced induction, suggesting the same transaxle unit is used across both configurations.
  • The Elan SE Turbo with catalyst, spanning 1991-1992, carries the same 1.9-liter dry fill, 1.8-liter service fill, and 50,000 km change interval as the non-catalyst SE Turbo, indicating the catalytic converter fitment had no bearing on transaxle fluid specifications.

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