coolant temperature lexus LFA 2012 Technical Information / LEXUS 2012 LFA OWNERS MANUAL (OM77006U)

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2-1. Driving procedures
■Engine speed restrictions
The following restrictions exist for engine protection:
●The engine speed is limited to 7400 rpm if the total mileage shown on the
odometer is less than 310 miles (500 km).
●The engine speed is limited when the engine is not sufficiently warmed-up, such
as immediately after the engine is started or during the engine warm-up period.
The variable red zone shows the maximum engine speed currently available.
(  P. 1 1 9 )
●The engine speed is limited to 4400 rpm for approximately 8 minutes when the
engine is started with the coolant temperature at 5 F (-15 C) or lower.
●The engine speed may be limited when either the coolant temperature gauge
or oil temperature gauge is flashing.
■Idling with five cylinders
To improve fuel consumption, the engine may idle at a reduced speed using five cyl-
inders on one side of the engine whil e stopped or immediately before stopping
when 1st gear is selected in AUTO driving mode. During this time, “5 cylinders
idling” will be displayed on the meter an d vibration or a change in engine sound
may occur. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
■ASG (Automated Sequential Gearbox) operating sounds
 P. 1 1 0
■Braking sound
●As the LFA uses CCM (Carbon Ceramic Material) brake discs with high-fric-
tion pads, it may be possible to hear the sound of the brakes operating (such as
a rubbing or squealing sound). This is normal and does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
●The sound of a motor operating may be heard after the engine is stopped. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from driving at high speeds on wet surfaces such as on an expressway in
the rain, as the LFA is fitted with wide-t read tires that may increase the risk of
hydroplaning.

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2-1. Driving procedures
■If the engine does not start
●Repeat the procedure again. If the engine does not start after a few tries, the
“ENGINE START” switch may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Lexus dealer.
●Check to make sure that the brake pedal is firmly depressed and that “N” is dis-
played in the gear indicator. (If the brake pedal is not depressed or “N” is not
displayed, the engine will not start.)
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 5 3 )
●In order to protect the engine, the engine may not start when the engine coolant
temperature or the engine oil temperature is below -13 F (-25C). In that case,
a buzzer will sound and “Temp low Engine cannot be started” will be shown on
the meter. ( P. 3 2 7 )
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the ignition switch is in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key.
■After reconnecting the battery
If the gear indicator is not displayed when an attempt is made to start the engine,
the engine is not yet ready to start. Depr ess the brake pedal for several seconds and
wait for the gear indicator to appear.
When starting the engine, the ignition switch
may seem stuck in the “LOCK” position. To
free it, turn the key while turning the steering
wheel slightly left and right.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Speedometer
Tachometer
Gear indicator (P. 1 0 4 )
Driving mode indicator ( P. 1 0 4 )
Trip information display
Displays trip meter, fuel economy and other driving information ( P. 118)
Odometer
Engine oil temperature gauge
Displays the engine oil temperature. If the engine oil temperature becomes
284 F (140 C) or higher, a buzzer will sound and this display will flash.
( P. 313)
Clock ( P. 1 4 8 )
Engine oil pressure gauge
Displays the pressure of the engine oil in the engine. If the oil pressure drops,
a buzzer will sound and a warning message will be displayed. ( P. 3 2 4 )
Fuel gauge
Displays remaining fuel quantity an d reminds the driver to refuel. (P. 3 1 5 )
Outside temperature display
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays engine coolant temperature. If the engine coolant temperature
exceeds 244 F (118 C), a buzzer will sound and this display will flash.
( P. 313)
Menu
Allows driver to set various functions and check vehicle status. ( P. 1 2 4 )
Displays warning messages in case of a malfunction. ( P. 3 2 2 )

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
■Average vehicle speed
■ Driving range
Displays the average vehicle speed since
the engine was started or the function was
reset.
The function can be reset by pressing up or
down on the control pad for longer than
one second when the average vehicle
speed is displayed.
Displays the estimated maximum distance
that can be driven with the quantity of fuel
remaining.
This distance is computed based on your
average fuel consumption. As a result, the
actual distance that can be driven may dif-
fer from that displayed.
When only a small amou nt of fuel is added
to the tank, the display may not be updated.
■Va r i a b l e r e d z o n e
■Engine coolant and engine oil temperature displays
In congested traffic, the engine coolant and engine oil displays may show a higher
than usual temperature. This is not a ma lfunction. If temperatures are abnormal,
these displays will flash.
To help protect the engine, the red zone of
the tachometer starts at different engine
speeds ranging from 4400 rpm to 9000
rpm depending on the engine coolant tem-
perature.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
■Outside temperature display
●The temperature display shows temperatures within the range of -40F (-40C)
and 122 F (50C).
●In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change:
• When the vehicle is stopped, or moving at low speeds (less than 15 mph [25
km/h])
• When the outside temperature has chan ged suddenly (at the entrance/exit of
a garage, tunnel, etc.)
●When “--” or “E” is displayed, the system may be malfunctioning. Take your vehi-
cle to your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone.
●The following may indicate that the engine is overheating. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe place.
• The display on the engine coolant temperature gauge flashes. (
P. 3 5 1 )
• The display on the engine oil temperature gauge flashes. (
P. 313)
●In the following situations, the engine may be malfunctioning. Immediately stop
the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
• The oil pressure gauge display does not show an increase even if the acceler-
ator pedal is depressed.
• The “Engine oil pressure low” warning message is displayed.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
■Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of ma lfunctions in any of the vehicle’s
systems. ( P. 312)
*1: These lights turn on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position
to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off after the
engine is started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a sys-
tem if a light does not come on, or if th e lights do not turn off. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
*2: The display flashes to indicate that the engine oil temperature is too high.
*3: These displays flash to indicate that the engine coolant temperature is too
high.
(U.S.A.) (Canada) (U.S.A.) (Canada)
(Comes on)(U.S.A.) (Canada) (For
driver) (For pas-
senger)
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system lig ht such as the ABS or SRS warning light not come on
when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are not available to
help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious injury. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*1*1*1
*2*3*3

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2-2. Instrument cluster
■“Units”
The units of measurement used fo r the speedometer, odometer, and
trip information can be changed.
Each time right on the control pad
is pressed, the distance (miles,
km), the speed (MPH, km/h) and
the fuel consumption (MPG, km/l,
L/100km) measurement units will
be changed.
■ “Temp” (temperature)
The units of measurement used fo r the outside temperature, engine
coolant temperature, engine oil temperature and air conditioning tem-
perature displays can be changed.
Each time right on the control pad
is pressed, the temperature display
unit will be changed (Fahrenheit,
Celsius).

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■Tire grip at low temperatures
The tires fitted to the LFA are designed for dry road conditions. As such, tire grip on
cold, snowy and/or icy roads will be reduced compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a speed
appropriate for road and weather conditions.
■Engine starting restrictions
In order to protect the engine, the engine may not start when the engine coolant
temperature or engine oil temperature is below -13 F (-25C). In that case, a
buzzer will sound and “Temp low Engine cannot be started” will be shown on the
meter. ( P. 3 2 7 )
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
NOTICE
■Driving with tire chains
Do not fit tire chains. Tire chains may da mage the vehicle body and suspension, and
adversely affect driving performance.
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow ti res from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of
the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.

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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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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