2012 Lexus LFA check oil

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.

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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.

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.

115
Index
Checking the oil level 69
Clock 67
Clutch 37
Clutch disc 37
Cold starting restrictions 17
Combination meter 57
Connecting an external battery
to start the engine 98
Control characteristics
depending on driving mode 23
Control pad 66
Coolant temperature 60
Coolant temperature gauge 60
Crankshaft 38
Creep phenomenon 37
DDark current (parasitic current) 93
Dead battery 94
Default shift speed setting 41
Departure angle 100
Diaphragm spring 37
Differential 39
Differential oil cooler 39
Digital display 56
Disabling the theft deterrent
system 102
Disabling the tilt sensor 102
Discharged battery 94
Disconnecting the negative (-)
battery terminal 99
Door mirror switches 9
Double wishbone front
suspension 47
Downshift 40
Driving mode 58
Driving mode selection 27
Driving mode selector switch 41
Driving mode selector switch
operation 23
Driving mode-linked variable
throttle response 33
Driving position 20
Driving position adjustment 10
Dry single-plate clutch 37
Dual shaft transmission 39
EECB (Electronically
Controlled Brake) 50
Emergency brake 9
Engine 56
Engine code 16
Engine coolant 60
Engine coolant temperature
gauge 60
Engine coolant temperature
sensor 60
Engine limiters 16
Engine oil pressure 62
Engine oil pressure gauge 62
Engine oil temperature gauge 61
Engine overspeed 70
Engine protection mechanisms 16