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

17
Engine protection mechanisms
■
■Limited maximum engine speed during break-in
period
The maximum engine speed is limited to 7,400 rpm if the total mileage shown on the
odometer is less than 310 miles (500 km).
■
■Engine starting restrictions in extremely low
temperatures
In extremely low temperatures, such as when the coolant or oil temperature gauge
shows a reading of -13°F (-25°C) or below, the engine will not be allowed to start.
This mechanism is designed to protect the engine.
■
■Restricted maximum engine speed in extremely
low temperatures
When the engine is started with the coolant temperature gauge showing a reading
of 5°F (-15°C) or below, the maximum engine speed will be limited to 4,400 rpm for
approximately eight minutes.
■
■Variable maximum engine speed during warm-
up
When the engine is started with the coolant temperature gauge showing a reading
of 176°F (80°C) or below, the maximum engine speed will vary according to the
coolant temperature.
■
■Limited maximum engine speed in neutral gear
The maximum engine speed will be limited to 5,100 rpm when neutral gear is selected
and the accelerator pedal is continuously depressed.

39
Shifting
■
■Rear transaxle
The LFA’s gear change mechanism consists of a parallel two-shaft layout often used
in modern manual transmissions. In the LFA, the transmission and differential are
integrated and placed near the rear axle, thus realizing a rear transaxle configuration.
Gear shift and select commands are sent by the ECU to a hydraulically operated shift

mechanism for fast and precise operation.
To ensure ample strength and the ability to handle the engine’s broad torque curve,
various areas throughout the transaxle have been reinforced and high-capacity three-
point contact bearings have been adopted. Furthermore, each synchronizer ring
employs a high-friction carbon material to realize quicker engagement and faster
shifts. Additionally, the teeth of all speed gears have been micro-polished for precise
engagement and reduced gear whine.
The transaxle employs its own oil pump and oil cooling system to ensure a constant
supply of oil at a stable temperature even under demanding endurance conditions.
3rd 6th 5th 2nd 1st
Support bearings
Regarding synchronizers, 1st through 4th gears employ triple-cone units while 5th and 6th
gears are double-cone. A TORSEN
® LSD (Limited Slip Differential) with a specific amount
of preload dialed in has been adopted to ensure excellent traction and handling stability.
TORSEN
® LSD is a registered trademark of JTEKT. 4th

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)

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.

62
■
■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.

67
Using the meter
■
■Menu structure
Speed Ind The color will change and a buzzer will sound when
the vehicle reaches a set speed.
Rev Ind The color will change and a buzzer will sound when
the engine speed reaches a set speed.
Status Trip Info
Indicates the instantaneous fuel consumption, average
vehicle speed, average fuel consumption, and driving
range.
Oil Level Shows the amount of engine oil in the oil tank.
Oil
Maintenance Indicates engine oil replacement timing. (Be sure to
reset after replacing the oil.)
Tire Pressure Shows inflation pressure of each tire.
Lap Timer Measures and shows lap times.
Brightness Allows driver to adjust the brightness of the meter and
interior illumination.
Settings Needle
Allows driver to change the color of the tachometer
needle.
Rev Peak Retains an image of the tachometer needle at the
highest engine speed attained prior to an upshift or
deceleration.
Clock Allows driver to adjust the displayed time and choose
between 12-hour (12H) and 24-hour (24H) mode.
Shortcut Allows driver to jump to a preset display.
Units Changes units of the displayed speed, odometer
readings and fuel consumption between MPG,
L/100 km and km/l.
Temp Changes the display temperature between Celsius
and Fahrenheit.
Language Changes the language displayed.
When a warning is displayed on the meter, the “Menu” text at the top of the menu
screen will change to “Warning”.

68
■
■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

69
Using the meter
Checking and topping up the oil level
The LFA uses a dry-sump oil system to circulate the engine oil between the
engine and the oil tank. Therefore, depending on the conditions, the level of oil
in the oil tank can vary greatly.
Cautions when checking the oil level
• In order to attain the most accurate
m e a s u r e m e n t , l e a v e t h e e n g i n e
running after driving and check the
oil level while the engine is idling. The
oil level will take time to stabilize if the
engine is stopped and started again.
• As the engine oil level in the oil tank
va r i e s d e p e n d i n g o n t h e d r i v i n g
condition of the vehicle immediately
before measurement, the results may
vary even if the overall oil amount is
constant.
MAX
MIN
Cautions when topping up the oil level
• Ensure that the oil level does not fall below the MIN marking.
• The space between the MAX and MIN markings represents approximately
2.1 qt. (2.0 L, 1.8 Imp. qt.). While the oil may be topped up as required, never
add more than 0.5 qt. (0.5 L, 0.4 lmp. qt.) at one time.
• Even if the oil level is below the MAX mark, do not add more oil than
necessary.
Oil level gauge
• The oil level gauge installed on the oil tank is for oil changes. Do not use it to
check the current oil level.

110
Engine
Engine Type1LR-GUE
No. of Cyls. & Arrangement 10-cylinders, 72°V type
Valve Mechanism 40-valve DOHC, Rocker Arm Type
Bore x Stroke 88.0 mm x 79.0 mm
Displacement 4,805 cm
3
Compression Ratio12.0:1
Spark Plug Type
*1PK22HTBR-L8 (DENSO)
Engine Oil “Mobil 1 5W-50” API SM or SN
Engine Oil Capacity
*2Single Oil Cooler 13.5 L (14.2 qt., 11.9 Imp. qt.)
Twin Oil Cooler 14.5 L (15.3 qt., 12.8 Imp. qt.)
Lubrication Type Dry Sump
Coolant Type Super Long Life Coolant
Coolant Capacity 25.5 L (26.9 qt., 22.4 Imp. qt.)
Max. Output (SAE-NET) 412 kW (560 PS) 8,700 rpm
Max. Torque (SAE-NET) 480 Nm (48.9 kgf•m) 7,000 rpm
Maximum Engine Speed 9,000 rpm
*1: The spark plugs have been developed exclusively for the 1LR-GUE engine.*2: The figure shown is the total amount of oil contained in the engine, and not the amount of oil required for an oil change.

Engine powerband (Internal measurement)
Engine speed (rpm)
Power (kW)
Torque (Nm)
2,000
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 500
400
300