Lexus LFA User manual

Towing and
Road Service Guide
For
Lexus LFA
Quality and Education Services
AAA Automotive
1000 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746
January 4, 2011
Updated February 28, 2011

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Index
General Vehicle Information
Special Precautions 3
Car Carrier Loading and Transporting 4
Automatic Sequential Gearbox Operation 9
Electronic Parking Brake Override 11
Wheel Dollies 13
Emergency Road Service Information
Jacking 14
Tire Service 15
Out of Fuel 16
Jump-Start Procedures 17
Rear Cargo Area Lid and Hood Operation 20

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AAA Towing and Roadside Assistance Guide for Lexus LFA
January 4, 2011
Updated February 28, 2011
GENERAL VEHICLE INFORMATION
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
•Lexus LFA vehicles use unique construction techniques and materials. Most of
the body and chassis is constructed of aluminum or carbon fiber reinforced
plastic. The result is a vehicle that is light weight but requires special handling.
•Lexus LFA vehicles use a specifically designed 4.8L V-10 engine mounted under
the hood coupled to a 6 speed automated sequential gearbox mounted in the rear
of the car to provide weight balance.
•Car carrier equipment is the only authorized methods of towing this vehicle. Due
to the low profile of the vehicle and the unique construction components utilized
to build this vehicle, additional ramping, care and time must be used when
transporting.
•When loading or pulling the Lexus LFA, DO NOT USE HOOKS OF ANY TYPE
ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OR ANY OTHER STEERING OR
SUSPENSION COMPONENT. Follow only the approved loading procedures
specified in the following pages.
•USE ONLY WHEEL STRAP TIE DOWNS to secure this vehicle when
transporting. The use of chains or hooks will damage under vehicle components.
•There is no override provision to get the transmission in a Lexus LFA into Neutral
should there be a failure in the shifting mechanism.
•In an emergency situation where the vehicle will not roll or must be moved for
towing access, wheel-jacking equipment, such as GoJaks are recommended. Due
to the limited ground clearance of this vehicle, some models of GoJaks may not
fit. It is recommended that GoJak model 4500 be used. Use care and caution
when installing GoJaks on this vehicle.
•When parking this vehicle ensure that the transmission is in First or Reverse and
the parking brake is properly set. This vehicle uses a paddle shifted sequential
manual transmission and an electronically applied parking brake. The proper
operation of these components is discussed in detail in this service guide.

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CAR CARRIER LOADING AND TRANSPORTING:
The use of car carrier equipment is the only approved method of transporting the Lexus
LFA.
The curb weight for the LFA is 3,483 lbs.
The Lexus LFA has a standard ground clearance of 4.3 inches and an approach angle of
7.0 degrees. The average flatbed tow truck has a loading angle of 13 – 17 degrees with
the bed down on a flat level surface. Additional ramping is required to load a Lexus LFA
without causing damage. Clearance at the trailing end of the vehicle should always be
monitored as it is loaded.
The towing eye bolt must be used for loading of this vehicle as there are not any
attachment points under the vehicle. The eye bolt is located in the tool kit which is
stowed under a removable cover on the right side forward portion of the rear cargo area.
Eyebolts are available for purchase through any Lexus dealership parts department.
Other towing and tie-down equipment shown in this guide is available through AW
Direct, a AAA preferred supplier.

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To install the eyelet correctly on this vehicle, start by carefully removing the eyelet
receiver cap from the bumper. If a sharp, metal object like a screwdriver is used as
shown below, use a cloth or piece of paper to protect the painted surfaces from scratches.
The eyelet has right-hand threads so it screws into the vehicle clockwise. It fits the
receiver in both the front and rear bumpers. The front receiver is on the driver’s side
while the rear receiver is on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Make sure that the eyelet
is tightened securely before loading the vehicle.

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Although the receiver cap cover has a string-type piece that holds it to the vehicle when it
is removed, it is always a good idea to remove the assembly completely from the bumper.
Stow the receiver cap in the vehicle either in the trunk, where the eyelet was stowed, or in
a cup holder in the center console, so that it does not blow off the vehicle or get lost
during transport.
Attach your winch line hook to the eyelet ensuring there is no contact between the hook
and the painted surface. Leave the winch line attached to the installed towing eyelet
throughout the loading, transporting and unloading processes.

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Before loading, ensure that the transmission is in “Neutral” and the ignition switch is in
position to unlock the steering (Neutral position can be selected by pulling back paddle
shifter handles. More information on the operation of the transmission is found later in
this guide). When loading, remember that the eye bolts are designed for a straight ahead
pull within a 20 degree window, so stop the vehicle as the winch wire rope begins to pull
downward. To prevent too much downward pull you will need to keep the leading edge
of the vehicle about 2 feet from the winch drum.
When the vehicle is in its loaded position on the flatbed with the bed still in the deployed
position, secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling by chocking the wheels and
attaching one wheel strap to the wheel closest to you then set the parking brake. The
parking brake needs to be set with the vehicle in an inclined position for maximum park
brake applied force (refer to Electronic Parking Brake Override information in this
guide). In the event the parking brake does not function, secure the vehicle by placing
the transmission in First or Reverse gear while secure the vehicle and tilting the bed.
Once the bed is in its transport position and the vehicle is secured to the bed with four
wheel strap tie-downs, place the transmission into Neutral to prevent gear loading during
transport.
If the alarm activates while loading the vehicle, it is most likely caused by the tilt monitor
in the anti-theft system. To deactivate the tilt sensor, remove the key from the ignition,
open the glove box and press the tilt sensor switch. The tilt sensor is reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched to the “ON” position.
These vehicles must be secured to the flatbed surface using nylon straps around the
wheels as there is no provision for hooks or chains on this vehicle.

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Clearance around the wheel is limited and careful routing of straps is needed to avoid
contacting brake lines and wheel speed sensor wires, especially on the back side of the
front wheels.
Due to the inset of the wheels and the width of the body, careful routing of the straps is
important to avoid contact with the painted surface. You will notice in the two pictures
above, the strap end that is traveling toward the middle of the car is routed on the outside
of the bedrail. This was done to prohibit strap contact with the body of the vehicle. The
end of the strap is secured into the bed tie-down slot from the underside.
After securing, return the bed to the transporting position, then slacken the winch wire
rope slightly to prevent downward pull on the towing eye bolt as bumps are encountered
during transport. Make sure that the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position to
avoid unnecessary battery drain.

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AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX OPERATION:
The Lexus LFA is equipped with a special transmission that operates as both an
automatic transmission and a manual transmission. The mode which the transmission
operates is selectable by the driver. For purposes of providing roadside assistance, only
basic transmission operation is covered. For more information, refer to the vehicle
owner’s manual. All of the controls for the transmission are mounted on or near the
instrument cluster. The layout of the controls is as follows: 1. Upshift paddle switch, 2.
Downshift switch, 3. Reverse select switch, 4. Driving mode selector switch, 5. Shift
speed selector.
To shift the transmission into Neutral (“N”), turn the ignition to the ON position and pull
both shift paddles toward you.

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To shift the transmission into Drive (D1 or 1st gear) pull the Upshift paddle toward you.
To select Reverse, first ensure the vehicle is not rolling, then shift the transmission into
Neutral (“N”). From Neutral (“N”) you can select Reverse (“R”) by pulling rearward on
the Reverse switch located on the left of the instrument cluster.
When shutting off the vehicle, ensure that the transmission is set to either D1, 1st gear or
Reverse (“R”) and set the parking brake before turning the engine off.