Metal Shift Knob

[Balboa]

It's just dawning on me that the shift knob is metal. As i ponder this on a hot day in sunny California it occurs to me that hopping in and reaching for that in the summer will be like grabbing a handful of molten lava. Does Lotus use this shifter in any of there other cars? Can anyone speak to it?

Cheers

 

[2Lotus]

Looks to be the same shifter that's in my Elise!

 

[Balboa]

Looks to be the same shifter that's in my Elise!

Have you ever had an issue with it being too hot to grab when it's been parked in the summer sun?

 

[2Lotus]

Have you ever had an issue with it being too hot to grab when it's been parked in the summer sun?

Not really, Think it aluminum.

 

[digilotus]

This same metal shifter knob has also been used in Evora, Exige and Elise.

Good observation and I had the same thoughts. Yes I expect it to get very hot in the sun! I hear some Lotus owners put a shifter knob sock over it to make it warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat. Lucky the air vents are right in front of it so a quick AC blast in a hot car should help.

I guess Lotus designers wanted to keep some of the design legacy going (including quirks).

When I saw it in person, it did feel lovely and looks quite nice. The slight texture of it makes it non slippery and it won’t wear out like Alcantara does.

 

[TXEMIRA]

It's just dawning on me that the shift knob is metal. As i ponder this on a hot day in sunny California it occurs to me that hopping in and reaching for that in the summer will be like grabbing a handful of molten lava. Does Lotus use this shifter in any of there other cars? Can anyone speak to it?

Cheers

2018 Evora same knob. Not sure how to explain it but it’s not even warm.

 

[GetawayDriving]

It's just dawning on me that the shift knob is metal. As i ponder this on a hot day in sunny California it occurs to me that hopping in and reaching for that in the summer will be like grabbing a handful of molten lava. Does Lotus use this shifter in any of there other cars? Can anyone speak to it?

Cheers

Never had a problem in an Elise, and it was a black car in So Cal.

 

[695 to Emira]

Apparently they are water cooled.

 

[VL3X]

Maybe there's some sort of coating on it that prevents it from absorbing too much heat? I've had metal shift knobs in the past that would get terribly hot! Even if so, they are easy enough to swap out. I'm sure some aftermarket company will offer some nice leather or Alcantara custom stitched options.

 

[Schumacher]

Maybe there's some sort of coating on it that prevents it from absorbing too much heat? I've had metal shift knobs in the past that would get terribly hot! Even if so, they are easy enough to swap out. I'm sure some aftermarket company will offer some nice leather or Alcantara custom stitched options.

No such coating exists.

 

[Eagle7]

Is the knob removable? The shifter looks like it's all one piece.

 

[NickR]

If you think about what the knob is attached to .. (the linkage equipment etc) will act as a very large heat sink. Direct sun light on it will heat it somewhat but it should stay the same as the ambient temperature of the car.

 

[NicolasB]

If you think about what the knob is attached to .. (the linkage equipment etc) will act as a very large heat sink. Direct sun light on it will heat it somewhat but it should stay the same as the ambient temperature of the car.

Aluminum usually is 5 degrees F cooler than its surroundings.

 

[4GIV8M3]

Like aluminum foil it transfers its heat very quickly so you'll never get burned

 

[Carbuilder]

Aluminum usually is 5 degrees F cooler than its surroundings.

Unless it doesn't obey the laws of thermodynamics and physics, it will be the same temperature as everything around it.

 

[vision]

Unless it doesn't obey the laws of thermodynamics and physics, it will be the same temperature as everything around it.

unbelievable, park it in the shade! won't get hot?

 

[NicolasB]

It's more about the relative heat of the metal, but it basically transfers heat so well, that when you touch it, the heat from the hand gets down into the metal and it feels cooler. Just like a 75° day feels nice, but 75° water feels cold to swim or shower in.

 

[PaulP]

Aluminum usually is 5 degrees F cooler than its surroundings.

Physics has entered the chat....

Thermal conductivity vs. temperature.

 

[eriegz]

It's more about the relative heat of the metal, but it basically transfers heat so well, that when you touch it, the heat from the hand gets down into the metal and it feels cooler. Just like a 75° day feels nice, but 75° water feels cold to swim or shower in.

I remember having my mind blown when I learned this phenomenon in my 8th grade science class, and I'm not saying that as a derogatory remark to anybody here, just that I have fond memories of that moment.

 

[NicolasB]

I remember having my mind blown when I learned this phenomenon in my 8th grade science class, and I'm not saying that as a derogatory remark to anybody here, just that I have fond memories of that moment.

I have a very rare allergy to the cold (cold-induced urticaria) I developed at age 13. I learned quickly I am fine in air that is 50°F, but water has to be nearly 80°F before I can safely swim for more than 10 minutes (anaphylactic response). It's not as bad now (age 40), but still there.