2012 Lexus LFA lexus LFA 2012 Technical Information / LEXUS 2012 LFA: INSIDE THE LFA

23
Ideal driving position
■
■Steering wheel adjustment range
The LFA has a tilt and telescopic steering column that allows you to manually adjust
the longitudinal and vertical position of the steering wheel.
The tilt fulcrum has been placed a significant distance away from the steering wheel
itself in order to minimize the change in steering wheel angle when adjusting its
vertical position. Minimizing the change in steering wheel angle prevents the top of
the steering wheel from moving too far away from the driver.
Meanwhile, the telescopic adjustment allows the steering wheel and column to be
moved as a whole so that the distance between the steering wheel and the paddle
shift switches remains the same.
Highest
position
Lowest position
Telescopic adjustment range:
1.57 in. (40 mm) Tilt range:
2.6°
Tilt fulcrum

Adjusting the steering wheel position
Pull the tilt and telescopic steering lock
r e l e a s e l e v e r d o w n w h i l e m o v i n g t h e
steering wheel longitudinally and vertically
into the desired position. After adjustment,
p u s h t h e l eve r u p a n d c h e c k t h a t t h e
steering wheel is securely fixed in place.

26
Operating the driving mode selector switch
Driving modes can be selected by operating the driving mode selector switch. Driving
characteristics and controls change according to the driving mode selected.
Change according to
selected driving mode
Control characteristics
(Driving mode selector
switch position)
Driving mode
Automatic
(AUTO)
Sport
(SPORT)
Normal
(NORM)Wet (WET)
Shift mode (" P. 41)
Automatic Manual
Default shift speed Level 2Level 5 Level 3 Level 1
Shift speed adjustment
(
" P. 41) Fixed
Adjustable from Level 1 to Level 7
Active rear wing
Raise operation speed
(
" P. 28) 81 mph
(130 km/h) 50 mph
(80 km/h)
Throttle valve characteristics
(
" P. 33) Exclusive to
AUTO mode Exclusive to
SPORT mode Exclusive to
NORMAL mode Exclusive to
WET
mode
Maximum throttle valve angle Restricted Unrestricted
Meter display (
" P. 58) Exclusive to
AUTO mode Exclusive to
SPORT mode Exclusive to
NORMAL mode Exclusive to
WET
mode
VDIM control (
" P. 29) NORMAL SPORT NORMAL

27
Operating the driving mode selector switch
■
■Selecting a driving mode
The automatically shifted AUTO mode or
a manually shifted SPORT, NORMAL or
WET mode can be selected. The driving
mode selector switch will automatically
return to its original position after being
operated.
AUTO NORMAL
AUTO
SPORT
WET
Turn switch to SPORT
Operate paddle
shift switch while driving
Turn switch to WET Press AUTO driving mode buttonPress AUTO
driving mode button
Turn switch to WET
Turn switch to WET Turn switch to SPORT
Turn switch to SPORTPress AUTO driving mode button

28
■
■Active rear wing
The LFA’s active rear wing operates on a speed-linked schedule in accordance with
the selected driving mode. Control is performed by the ECU (Electronic Control
Unit).
Vehicle speed-linked active control allows for a reduced drag coefficient (Cd value)
when the wing is stowed. The wing is automatically raised to control airflow and
provide an appropriate level of downforce (-Cl value) at higher speeds, contributing
to handling stability.
Depending on the driving mode, the
active rear wing will rise in approximately
5 s e c o n d s w h e n t h e ve h i c l e s p e e d
exceeds 50 mph (80 km/h) or 81 mph
(130 km/h) respectively.
T h e w i n g w i l l a u t o m a t i c a l l y l owe r i n
a p p rox i m a t e l y 7 s e c o n d s w h e n t h e
vehicle slows to 25 mph (40 km/h) or
less.
The dif ference in rising and lowering
speeds is intended to minimize undesired aerodynamic changes due to frequent
operation.
Driving mode
SPORT/NORMAL/WET
Active rear wing operation speed
Raised
Speed [mph (km/h)] Lowered
25 (40) 50 (80)

29
Operating the driving mode selector switch
■
■VDIM
The LFA employs VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management), a dynamic
control program that integrates braking and drive torque control to help ensure
overall vehicle stability and secure handling. VDIM also features vertical acceleration
and roll rate sensors, added exclusively for the LFA. The addition of these sensors
increases the precision and response of road camber estimation on banked roads,
such as “The Carousel” at the Nürburgring, to determine the vehicle’s performance
limits. This prevents excessive intervention on banked roads.
The LFA’s VDIM system allows for two individual control modes selected by the driver
using the driving mode selector switch.
When in SPORT mode, VDIM control is modified in order to enhance driving
pleasure and the driver’s confidence in the vehicle.
When not in SPORT mode, VDIM returns to NORMAL mode, designed to intervene
seamlessly as the vehicle reaches its performance limits, thereby realizing smoother
driving dynamics.
This helps ensure both overall vehicle stability and secure handling.