engine coolant lexus LFA 2012 Technical Information / LEXUS 2012 LFA (OM77006U) User Guide

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4
Maintenance and care
4-3.Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 2 6 5 ) •Warm water
•Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for the positive terminal clamp
bolt)
Brake fluid level ( P. 2 6 2 ) • FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
•Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Condenser ( P. 2 6 1 )

Engine coolant level ( P. 2 6 0 ) • “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high-quality ethylene gly-
col-based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology. “Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
•Funnel (used only for adding engine cool-
ant)
Engine oil level ( P. 2 5 7 ) • “Mobil 1 5W-50”
•Funnel
(used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 2 8 7 ) • Fuse with same amperage rating as
original

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine oil filler cap (P. 2 5 7 )
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 2 5 7 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 260) Brake fluid reservoir
(P. 2 6 2 )
Condenser ( P. 2 6 1 )
Electric cooling fan
Fuse box ( P. 2 8 7 )

260
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
“FULL”
Reservoir cap
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the hoses and engine coolant reservoir cap.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap and check for leaks in
the cooling system.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CondenserCheck the condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If it is extremely dirty or you are not sure of its condition, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water
and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion protection
and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the condenser, as it may be hot and cause burns.

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5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge ind icates that the temperature is
higher than normal.
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to the vehicle
that may lead to an ac cident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
(Flashes) Engine oil temperature warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates that the engine oil temperature is too high.
(Flashes) Engine coolant temperature warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high.
( P. 3 5 1 )
(Flashes)

5
When trouble arises
329
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Indicates that the washer
fluid level is low.Add washer fluid.
(
 P. 2 6 4 )
Indicates that engine oil
level is low. Check the level of engine
oil (
P. 132), and add if
necessary ( P. 2 5 7 ) .
Indicates that the engine
oil needs to be changed. Have the engine oil
changed at your Lexus
dealer. (Also have the oil
maintenance function
reset.)
Indicates that the engine
coolant temperature or
engine oil temperature is
below -13 F (-25 C). Start the engine when the
engine coolant or engine
oil temperature reaches
-1 1
F (-24 C) or higher.
Indicates that the battery
voltage is low. Start the engine.
Indicates that the spark
plugs are dirty or carbon
fouled. Drive the vehicle at 2400
rpm or higher for a total
duration of several min-
utes.
MessageDetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
351
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning
system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Care fully lift the hood after the steam subsides
and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is
operating.
While being careful of hot air and
exhaust gases, check by looking
through the radiator grilles or by
listening to the operating sound.
If the fan is operating:
Wait until the engine coolant tem-
perature shown on the gauge low-
ers and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and
call your local Lexus dealer.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
After the engine has cooled down
sufficiently, check the engine cool-
ant level and inspect the radiator
core (radiator) for any leaks.
Add engine coolant if necessary.
(P. 362)
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is unavail-
able.
Have the vehicle inspected at the ne arest Lexus dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
STEP4
STEP5
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge flashes or a loss of power is experi-
enced.
●Steam comes out from under the hood.

5
When trouble arises
353
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartm ent may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the drive belt while the engine is running.
●Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may resu lt from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled do wn before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the engine.