2012 Lexus LFA suspension

16
Engine protection mechanisms
The LFA’s 1LR-GUE engine generates a maximum output of 412 kW (553 HP) at
8,700 rpm and delivers 90% or more of its peak torque of 354 ft•lbf (480 N•m,
48.9 kgf•m) between 3,700 and 9,000 rpm. The engine features a number of
protection mechanisms to ensure longevity and maintain peak performance.
A number of driving restrictions will be in place until the total mileage shown on the
odometer exceeds 310 miles (500 km). This break-in period serves not only to
protect the engine, but also to preserve the transmission, suspension and the vehicle
as a whole. It is recommended that during this time the owner become familiar with
the LFA and avoid high-load driving maneuvers.
One engine protection mechanism in place beyond the break-in period is the limiting
of maximum engine speed when the engine is cold. When the vehicle is cold started,
various components within the engine begin to warm up and expand at different rates.
Forcing the engine to operate at high speeds in this condition can cause accelerated
engine wear. For this reason, the maximum engine speed is limited when manually
shifted driving modes (SPORT, NORMAL, WET) are selected and restricted to a set
range when AUTO mode is selected.
This engine speed limitation does not indicate a malfunction with the vehicle. Warming
the engine up by driving, rather than extended idling, is recommended.

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■
■Steering rack and gearbox
The steering gearbox consists of a monoblock aluminum alloy rack and pinion unit
mounted to the front suspension member using four rigid mounts. This allows the
driver to feel as if they are solidly connected to the road. An overall steering ratio of
14.3:1 allows the driver to precisely follow their intended line through a corner.
S107-06The joint between the steering shaft and gearbox is set at a narrow angle (approx. 10˚)
for a highly efficient connection that allows even subtle steering inputs to be accurately
conveyed, keeping the LFA directly on the driver’s intended path no matter what the
situation, whether it be a winding road or an extremely fast straightaway. Joint angle: Approx. 10˚

47
Steering
■
■Suspension
The LFA is equipped with a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension.
The front suspension features two independent lower arms that shorten the offset of
the virtual kingpin axis from the wheel centerline along with a slightly negative kingpin
offset in order to ensure ample stability under braking. Furthermore, the low offset
between the kingpin axis and wheel centerline allows for excellent road compliance
and outstanding stability.
Ground contact patch kingpin offset
Wheel centerline
Kingpin offset
Virtual kingpin axis

Regarding suspension adjustments:
The LFA is equipped with adjustable coil spring perches in order to allow for
any fine tuning needed to keep the geometry optimized at all times. Each LFA is
shipped from the factory with the suspension adjusted to the optimal settings.

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Brake and Tires
Brake Calipers FrontOpposed 6-piston monoblock
Rear Opposed 4-piston monoblock
Brake Rotors CCM
(Carbon Ceramic Material)
Brake Rotor (diameter) Front
f390 mm x 34V
Rear f360 mm x 28V
Brake System ECB
(Electronically Controlled Brake)
Brake Fluid Type FMVSS No.116 DOT3
Brake Fluid Capacity RHD1.2L (1.3 qt., 1.1 lmp. qt)
LHD 1.1L (1.2 qt., 1.0 Imp. qt.)
Parking Brake EPB (Electric Parking Brake)
Wheel Size Front20 x 9.5J +45
Rear 20 x 11.5J +45
Tire Size Front265/35ZR20 (95Y)
Rear 305/30ZR20 (99Y)
Suspension Type FrontDouble Wishbone
Rear Multi-link
Steering Gear Type Rack and Pinion
Steering Gear Ratio 14.3
Lock to Lock 2.35
Power Steering Type EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Stability control VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics
Integrated Management)
Electrical System
Battery Size S75D31R
Voltage & Amp.hr. (5HR) 12V-56AH
Alternator Output 2,640 W
Starter Output 1.7 kW

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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

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Engine response 56
Engine speed control 40
Engine speed limiters 16, 17
Engine starting restrictions in
extremely low temperatures 17
“ENGINE START” switch 9
Engine switch 9
Engine type 16
EPB (Electric Parking Brake) 52
EPS (Electric Power Steering)
system 44
Exterior care 78
Exterior maintenance 78
FFlat bed transporting 100
Flat-bottomed steering wheel 45
Floating disc 53
Floating rotor 53
Floor mat usage 22
Floor-mounted brake pedal 51
Front brake caliper 52
Front brake rotor 53
Front counter gear 38
Front disc 53
Front rotor 53
Front suspension 47
Fuel 63
Fuel filler door 12
Fuel filler door manual unlock 95
Fuel gauge 63
Fuel level units selection 67
Fuel tank 63
Fuel tank cap 12
Fuel tank volume 12
Fuel type 12
Fuelling up 12
Fuse 93
GGas 63
Gas filler door 12
Gas filler door manual unlock 95
Gas level units selection 67
Gas tank 63
Gas tank cap 12
Gas tank volume 12
Gas type 12
Gauge 57
Gauge cluster 57
Gauges 57
Gear selection 36
Genuine leather maintenance 84
HHandbrake 9
Heel stopper 22, 51
Hood 12
Hood stand 12
IIdeal driving position 17
If the vehicle battery is discharged 94
Ignition switch 9

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Index
Inclination sensor deactivation 102
Independent throttle bodies 32
Independent throttle valves 32
Individual throttle bodies 32
Input shaft 38
Instrument cluster 57
Insufficiently charged battery 94
Interior care 82
Interior materials 82
JJumping the vehicle 98
Jump-starting the vehicle 98
KKingpin inclination 47
LLap Time 72
Lap Timer 67, 72
Launch control 33
LCD 56
Leather care 84
Leather cleaning 84
LFA-specific floor mats 22
Limited maximum engine speed
during break-in period 17
Limited maximum engine speed
in extremely low temperatures 17
Limited maximum engine speed
in neutral gear 17
Limited slip function 39
Lock-to-lock 45
Long term storage 92
MMaintaining the Alcantara® areas 85
Maintaining the CFRP
(Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Plastics) areas 86
Maintaining the genuine leather
areas 84
Maintaining the polycarbonate
resin glass 87
Maintaining the rear quarter
window 80
Maintaining the resin areas 87
Maintaining the Satin fi nish
metal accent 87
Maintaining the vehicle’s exterior 78
Maintaining the vehicle’s interior 82
Manual 41
Manual transmission 39
Manually accessing the fuel filler 95
Manually releasing the parking
brake 96
Manually shifted driving mode 27
Manually unlocking the fuel
filler door 95
Manually unlocking the rear hatch 95
Matte Black 81
Matte finish 81
Meter 66, 57
Minimum ground clearance 100
Minimum turning diameter 46
Multi-link rear suspension 47

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Index
Rear quarter window cleaning 80
Rear rotor 53
Rear suspension 47
Rear wing (operation) 28
Rear wing cleaning 80
Rear wing manual operation 80
Rear-mounted transaxle 39
Red zone 59, 70
Refueling 12
Regarding launch control 33
Regarding suspension
adjustments 47
Regarding the brake override
system 50
Remove the fuse 93
Response 56
Restricted maximum engine
speed during break-in period 17
Restricted maximum engine
speed in extremely low
temperatures 17
Restricted maximum engine
speed in neutral gear 17
Rev counter 57
Rev Indicator 67 , 70
Rev limiters 16
Rev Peak 67 , 71
Reverse selector switch 9
Reversing 11
Ride height 47
RPM peak-hold 67
RPM/Rev memory indicator 71
RPM/Rev memory needle 71
SScrub radius 47
Seat adjustment 21
Seat adjustment range 21
Seat angle adjustment 20
Seat cushion front edge height
adjustment 21
Seat forward/backward slide
adjustment 21
Seat height adjustment 21
Seat position 20
Seat slide adjustment 20
Seat switch 10
Seatback angle adjustment 21
Seatback reclining angle
adjustment 21
Selecting a driving mode 27
Settings 67
Shift down 40
Shift paddles 40, 4 1
Shift shock 41
Shift speed 41
Shift speed selector 41
Shift up 40
Shifting 36
Side mirror switches 9
Spare tools 100
Special selection color
“Matte Black” 81