2012 Lexus LFA transmission

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.

37
Shifting
■
■Dry single-plate clutch
A dry single-plate clutch has been adopted to enable a direct engagement feel. The
clutch in the LFA is a hydraulically
actuated unit controlled by the ECU in order to
ensure quick and precise operation.
A pump within the hydraulic power unit generates the hydraulic pressure needed
to operate the clutch. This pump is powered by an electric motor to ensure a stable
supply of hydraulic pressure. In some cases, one can hear the sound of this electric
motor operating prior to the engine starting. This operation provides the hydraulic
pressure needed to disengage the clutch prior to starting the engine.
Because the LFA employs a dry single-plate clutch, it will not exhibit the slow speed
creep associated with a conventional automatic transmission. The driver must normally
depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate, even in ultra-slow speed situations such
as a traffic jam.
Diaphragm spring
Clutch disc The clutch disc is a compact size [9.45
in. (240 mm) diameter] and features
friction material designed specifically
to comply with the engine’s high-output
characteristics. The clutch cover is
c o n s t r u c t e d f r o m a l u m i n u m f o r a
precisely balanced, low-inertia design
that contributes to outstanding engine
response.

39
Shifting
■
■Rear transaxle
The LFA’s gear change mechanism consists of a parallel two-shaft layout often used
in modern manual transmissions. In the LFA, the transmission and differential are
integrated and placed near the rear axle, thus realizing a rear transaxle configuration.
Gear shift and select commands are sent by the ECU to a hydraulically operated shift

mechanism for fast and precise operation.
To ensure ample strength and the ability to handle the engine’s broad torque curve,
various areas throughout the transaxle have been reinforced and high-capacity three-
point contact bearings have been adopted. Furthermore, each synchronizer ring
employs a high-friction carbon material to realize quicker engagement and faster
shifts. Additionally, the teeth of all speed gears have been micro-polished for precise
engagement and reduced gear whine.
The transaxle employs its own oil pump and oil cooling system to ensure a constant
supply of oil at a stable temperature even under demanding endurance conditions.
3rd 6th 5th 2nd 1st
Support bearings
Regarding synchronizers, 1st through 4th gears employ triple-cone units while 5th and 6th
gears are double-cone. A TORSEN
® LSD (Limited Slip Differential) with a specific amount
of preload dialed in has been adopted to ensure excellent traction and handling stability.
TORSEN
® LSD is a registered trademark of JTEKT. 4th

109
Technical information
Performance
Max. Speed325 km/h
Acceleration
(with two occupants) 0 to 100 km/h
3.7 sec.
Max. Allowed Speed 1st83 km/h
2nd 123 km/h
3rd 167 km/h
4th 218 km/h
5th 277 km/h
6th -
Turning Diameter
(outside front) Wall to Wall
6.1 m
Fuel Consumption At 60km/h
(Japanese models) 10.5 km/L
Advertised Mileage
(North American models) 11 mpg/16 mpg
(city/highway)
CO
2 Emissions (European models) 379 g/km
Acceleration diagram
Time [sec.]
Speed [km/h]
350
300 250
200
150
100 50 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Transmission diagram
Speed [km/h]
Engine speed [rpm]
10,0009,000
8,000 7,000
6,000 5,000 4,000
3,000 2,000
1,000 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

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

117
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

121
Index
Transaxle 39
Transaxle oil cooler system 39
Transaxle shaft 38
Transmission 39
Transmission oil cooler 39
Transporting the vehicle 100
Trip Info 67
Trunk 12
Turns lock-to-lock 45
Twin shaft transmission 39
UUpshift 40
Using the floor mats 22
Using the meter 66
VVariable maximum engine speed
during warm-up 17
VDIM control characteristics
(NORMAL) 29
VDIM control characteristics
(SPORT) 29
VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics
Integrated Management) 29
Virtual kingpin axis 47
VSC off switch 9
WWashing the vehicle 78
Waxing the vehicle 81
WET mode 58
WET mode
(control characteristics) 26
WET mode (selection) 27
Wheel center kingpin offset 47
When transporting the vehicle 100
When using a high-pressure
car wash 79
10 individual throttle valves 32
1LR-GUE engine 16