steering lexus LFA 2012 Technical Information / LEXUS 2012 LFA (OM77006U) Service Manual

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When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed and loaded/
unloaded by your Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a flat-
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a flatbed truck is not available, in
an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be
attempted on hard, surfaced roads
for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles,
steering and brakes must be in
good condition.

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5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedureStart the engine.
If the engine cannot be started, turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or
“ON” position.
With Neutral selected, release the parking brake.
■When using the towing eyelet
Use the towing eyelet only when your vehicle is being towed.
Do not use the towing eyelet to tow another vehicle or to tie down your vehicle on a
flatbed truck.
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelet and the cable or chain. Always be cautious of the
surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running , the power assist for the brakes and steering may not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing. This may lead
to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
NOTICE
■To prevent vehicle damage
Observe the following precautions when using a flatbed truck:
●Do not drive over wheel chocks, as doing so may damage the tires.
●Do not tie down the vehicle over any part s other than the tires (do not use parts
such as the suspension).
STEP1
STEP2

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to the
system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic transmission control system.
SRS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
Brake system warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronically controlled brake system; or
• The electric parking brake.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer) Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system.
(Comes on) Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
•The TRAC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
■Electric power steering system warning light
When the battery is low or when the voltage drops temporarily, the electric power
steering system warnin g light may come on.
■Passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
●If luggage is placed on the passenger seat, the passenger detection sensor may
cause the warning light to flash even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure warning light. After
the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, it may take a few minutes for the tire pressure
warning light to go off.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural
air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case,
adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few min-
utes).

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and
operate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precaution s. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, tempo-
rarily repair the tire using the em ergency tire puncture repair kit ( P. 3 3 2 ) a n d
then have the tire repaired or replaced by the nearest Lexus dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

338
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Check the specified inflation pressure. (P. 366)
Turn the compressor switch “ON”
and fill the tire with air until the
specified inflation pressure is
reached.
Turn the switch “OFF” when the
pressure gauge connected to the
hose reads the specified pressure.
If the inflation pressure is not
attained within 8 minutes, emer-
gency repair is not possible due to
severe damage. Contact your
Lexus dealer.
After completely filling the tire with air, disconnect the hose from
the tire valve and the compress or power plug from the power
outlet.
To spread the liquid sealant ev enly in the tire, immediately drive
for about 3 miles (5 km) or 10 minutes.
Drive cautiously at a moderate speed, avoiding sudden starts, sudden
braking, and abrupt steering maneuvers.
After driving about 3 miles (5 km)
or 10 minutes, stop your vehicle in
a safe place and reconnect the
compressor.
STEP 14
STEP 15
STEP 16
STEP 17
STEP 18
STEP 19

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Precaution for children
Keep the emergency tire puncture repair kit out of the reach of children and store it
properly.
■Sealant precautions
●The sealant in the emergency tire puncture repair kit is not for human consump-
tion.
If the sealant is consumed, drink a large quantity of water and get medical atten-
tion immediately.
●If sealant gets in your eyes or on your skin, thoroughly wash with a large quantity
of water. If necessary, get medical attention.
■When fixing the flat tire
●Stop your vehicle in a safe and flat area.
●If force is used to turn the valve core tool while air remains in the tire, special care
should be taken because the valve core could fly out.
●Be careful, as sealant may fly out if you shake the bottle with the hose installed.
●If the hose is not securely installed, sealant may leak out when filling.
●Connect the valve and hose securely with the tire installed on the vehicle.
●Be careful handling the compressor, as parts of the compressor get hot during
operation. Some parts of the compressor may remain hot after use.
●Do not attach the vehicle speed warning sticker to an area other than the one
indicated. If the sticker is attached to an area where an SRS airbag is located,
such as the pad of the steering wheel, it may prevent the SRS airbag from operat-
ing properly.
■Driving to spread the liquid sealant evenly
Drive cautiously at a moderate speed, avoi ding sudden starts, sudden braking, and
abrupt steering maneuvers.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
●If the engine is turned off, the power assist for the brakes and steering may not
function, making braking and steering more difficult. Decelerate as much as pos-
sible before turning off the engine.
●Never attempt to remove the key, as doing so will lock the steering wheel.

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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Steering
NOTICE
■Precaution for CCM (Carbon Ceramic Material) brake discs
Be careful not to subject the CCM brake discs to any kind of strong impact.
Even if there is no obvious damage, in the following situations, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer:
●If the vehicle is involved in an accident that may affect the suspension and wheels
●If a CCM brake disc sustains an impact during the removal or installation of the
wheels
●If the brake pads have worn out and the metal part of the pad is in contact with the
CCM brake disc surface
Free playLess than 0.6 in. (15 mm)

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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those standard
items which may be replaced) of automatic transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more, or has not been driven more
than 1 mile or 1.5 km under that condition
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equip-
ment, including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipp
ed, air conditioning and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum inflation pres-
sure The maximum cold inflated pressure to which a tire
may be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight 150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants speci-
fied in the second column of Table 1
* that follows
Production options
weight The combined weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they replace, not previously
considered in curb weight or accessory weight,
including heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,
heavy duty battery, and special trim