check engine lexus LFA 2012 Technical Information / LEXUS 2012 LFA: INSIDE THE LFA

2
Contents
Section 01
Basic operations P.8
Engine protection mechanisms P.16
Ideal driving position P.20
Operating the driving mode selector switch P.2 6
Accelerating P.32
Shifting P.36
Steering P.44
Braking P.50
Checking the engine P.56
Using the meter P.66

Section 01
Basic operations
Engine protection mechanisms
Ideal driving position
Operating the driving mode
selector switch
Accelerating
Shifting
Steering
Braking
Checking the engine
Using the meter

11
Basic operations
■
■Starting off
1 With the brake pedal depressed, pull the right paddle shift switch to select 1st gear.
2 Pull the parking brake switch to release the parking brake.
3 Release the brake pedal and then slowly depress the accelerator pedal.
■
■Reversing
1 With the vehicle stationary, depress the brake pedal and check the gear indicator
in the meter to ensure that Neutral is selected.
2 Pull the reverse selector switch to select Reverse.
3 Release the brake pedal and then slowly depress the accelerator pedal.
It is not possible to change directly from Reverse to any of the forward gears. Select Neutral first
and then select a forward gear.
■
■Parking
1 Depress the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
2 Press the parking brake switch to set the parking brake.
3 Ensure that “D1”, “1” or “R” is displayed on the gear indicator.
4 Push in the key and turn it to the “LOCK” position to stop the engine.
The “ENGINE START” switch is for starting the engine. It cannot be used to stop the engine.

56
Checking the engine
Components expected to operate at high speeds have been made as light and
precise as possible, realizing a superfast engine capable of revving from idle to 9,000
rpm in only 0.6 seconds.
In order to ensure adequate lubrication under high G-loads, a dry sump lubrication
system has been adopted.
The engine oil is cooled by a liquid-cooled oil cooler located in the valley between
each bank of cylinders and an air-cooled oil cooler housed within the front overhang.
In addition, two high-per formance radiators have been housed within the rear
overhang for an optimal front-rear weight balance.
A TFT LCD panel has been adopted to accurately transmit various information from
the engine to the driver. An analog-style digital tachometer displays engine speed
while other real-time engine information is displayed digitally for both superior visual
clarity and response.
An acrylic lens with a metal ring is positioned at the center of the meter to clearly
display the primary instruments and to create a three-dimensional appearance.

57
Checking the engine
■
■Meter layout
The speedometer and tachometer are located in the center of the meter, serving
as the primary interface between the vehicle and the driver. The engine coolant
temperature and the engine oil temperature gauges are located at the top of
each corner, while the engine oil pressure gauge is located below the engine oil
temperature gauge. This minimizes eye motion, allowing the driver to understand the
vehicle’s condition at a glance.
1
2
3
65
4
7
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
3 Engine coolant temperature gauge
4 Engine oil temperature gauge
5 Engine oil pressure gauge
6 Fuel gauge
7 Oil level display (s electable fr om th e
menu display)

59
Checking the engine
■
■Tachometer
A TFT LCD panel allows for the tachometer needle to be ultra-responsive while
retaining an analog look. This allows the driver to witness the amazing response of the
engine visually while also being treated to its exhilarating acoustics.
To protect the engine when the coolant temperature is low, the tachometer red zone
display changes from between 4,400 to 9,000 rpm.
The maximum engine speed is displayed.
One of three colors can be chosen
for the tachometer needle.
■
■Digitalization with the looks of an analog tachometer
When idling, the tachometer display is not digitally
processed in order to express the raw, characteristic
fluctuations of a traditional analog needle.
When the needle needs to keep up with fast response,
the tachometer display is digitally processed to create
smooth needle movement with an afterimage of the needle.

61
Checking the engine
■
■Engine oil temperature gauge
The engine oil temperature gauge displays the oil temperature from 100 to 320°F
(40 to 160°C). When the oil temperature exceeds 284°F (140°C), a buzzer will
sound and the bar display will blink in red and white to inform the driver that the
oil temperature is abnormally high and that the performance and lifespan of the
oil is severely compromised. Allowing the engine oil to cool and maintain a stable
temperature helps to stabilize its performance.
During high-speed driving: approximately 176
to 194°F (80 to 90°C)
[Outside air temperature approximately 68°F
(20°C)]Blinks when temperature exceeds
284°F (140°C)
An oil temperature sensor is installed near the oil filter to monitor the temperature
of the engine oil supplied by the oil pump. The ECU processes the engine oil
temperature from this sensor and informs the driver using the engine oil temperature
gauge.

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■
■Engine oil pressure gauge
The engine oil pressure gauge displays the engine oil pressure from 0 to 800
kPa. The rapid response of the TFT LCD panel allows for the fluctuations in engine
oil pressure that occur with engine speed to be displayed instantly. The engine oil
pressure is also affected by other factors such as engine oil type, temperature and
deterioration. If the engine oil pressure is too low, the master warning light comes on
and the “Engine oil pressure low” warning message is displayed. Checking the engine
oil pressure regularly aids understanding of the condition of the engine and engine oil.
During high-speed driving: approximately 400
to 800 kPa
(changes depending on driving conditions)
[Outside air temperature approximately 68°F
(20°C)]
When oil pressure is insufficient
An oil pressure sensor is installed near the oil filter.
The oil pressure measurements are processed by the ECU and displayed by the
engine oil pressure gauge.

63
Checking the engine
■
■Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge displays the amount of fuel remaining on a scale of 0 to 1/1. The
saddle-shaped fuel tank consists of a main tank compartment and a sub-tank
compartment. When the fuel level drops to approximately 2.9 gal. (11 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.)
between both compartments, the bar display will blink in amber to inform the driver
that the remaining fuel level is low. In this state, the remaining amount of fuel is directed
into the main tank compartment in order to ensure a stable supply of fuel to the engine
even under high cornering G-loads.
S109-14Main tank
compartment Sub-tank compartment
Fuel
Remaining fuel directed to main tank
compartment
Blinks when remaining fuel drops to approx. 2.9 gal. (11 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.)
The main tank compar tment and sub-tank compar tment each have their own
individual sender gauges to monitor the fuel levels. The ECU calculates the total
amount of fuel remaining from both of these sensors and informs the driver using
the fuel gauge. The ECU digitally processes the fuel level data in order to display a
clear and accurate fuel level even when the fuel level fluctuates under high cornering
G-loads.

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■
■Oil level
An oil level sensor is installed in the oil tank to measure the amount of oil present. The
reading from this sensor is displayed to the driver. This allows the engine oil level to
be checked simply by operating the control pad, without needing to get out of the
vehicle.
■
■Measurement
1 Select “Status”2 Select “Oil Level”
3 Displays
measur
ement result
Measurement is possible when the following
conditions are met:
1. Engine oil temperature: Between 203 and
230 °F (95 and 110°C)
2. Engine speed: Between 900 and 1, 100 rpm
3. Vehicle status: Stationary and idling
4. Vehicle level: Allowable inclination of 4 degrees
or less.
Example of display when
conditions are not met