Throwback Thursday: Servicing an LFA is Quite the Workload
The Lexus LFA is widely considered to be a supercar, which means servicing it requires a tad more than just an oil change and a new air filter.
The workshop manager
Peter Dresen, the Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) workshop manager at the Center of Excellence in Cologne, is the man responsible for the maintenance work of all Euro LFA models. Peter and his crew treat the LFA as they would a racing car, and even compare it to a Le Mans race car. This means servicing one is much more complicated than a normal sports car and is not a process you can get done at your local mechanic's shop.
Inspecting the goods
Upon arrival for regular routine maintenance at TMG, the LFA goes through a thorough inspection. Firstly, all of the aerodynamic underbody panels are removed to get at the moving parts beneath. The technicians remove the sub-frames and check the suspension system, steering system, and each and every nut and bolt under the car. Many of the inspections and procedures for the LFA are also performed on more common Lexus sedans, but accessing certain parts of the LFA is more involved due to its exotic design and construction.
Those carbon ceramic brakes
The carbon-ceramic brake system gets a special kind of attention because a supercar needs super brakes at all times. To check the stopping power, the brake rotors and pads are removed and fingertip-checked for any signs of wears or cracks. After the initial inspection, the brake rotors and pads are weighed to ensure they are within the proper wear limits. If needed, they can be x-rayed on-site to check for any further damage that is not visible to the naked eye. After that, the brake pedal is checked for any play, and adjusted appropriately if needed. Finally, an electronic tool tests for water contamination of the brake fluid by getting inserted into the brake fluid reservoir.
Catching problems early
One of the things that define the lightweight LFA supercar is its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body shell. The entire body also gets its own inspection to ensure there is no damage that would sacrifice the integrity of the unibody structure. They check for any cracks that could indicate the body has been damaged because as with any composite, a small crack now can grow with time and stress to become a major issue.
Getting down to brass tacks
Once everything is thoroughly inspected, the actual maintenance portion of the visit begins. Like any other car, the LFA gets an oil and filter change, an air filter replacement, and a cabin air filter replacement for the air conditioner. However, all of the basic maintenance is done using the most advanced high-tech equipment, to ensure they are all done successfully and the LFA is running in tip-top shape.
Taken out for a quick spin...or three
After the maintenance is done, the LFA gets taken for three test drives. The first is just around the parking lot and facilities for a few minutes. This test drive is done before the underbody panels are reattached, simply because installing them takes approximately two hours. If it checks out, and after reinstalling the underbody panels, the LFA is taken for a longer test drive, usually around 2.5-miles to warm up the engine slowly after the maintenance. It is critical to not drive it hard right after servicing it (and good advice for any car), which is why they prefer a local test drive to get the engine ready for extreme driving. Lastly, they take it for one more good hard shakedown, this time for roughly six-miles on the Autobahn because, why not?
For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of ClubLexus.com