LexusLC5002018Overview/lexus/lc500/2018/base/

2018 Lexus LC500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 LC500.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S10)

The 2018 Lexus LC500 is a PASSENGER CAR fitted with an Automatic (S10) transmission and an engine requiring 9.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, carrying EPA ratings of 16/26/19 mpg. In the model's reliability history, this model year is marked by a narrow record of just five total owner complaints and three recalls. That limited footprint signals few overall reported failures, yet because the Fuel/Propulsion System stands as the top complaint area, this model year flags the propulsion system as the primary concentration of documented owner concern.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity9.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/26/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire size245/45RF20; Rear: 275/40RF20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5-J; Rear: 9.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138060
Fuel filter7702411010 alt 2321731080
Spark plug9091901279
Battery2880038190
Front wiper blades8521211030 alt 8522211040
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713911010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 26 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 9.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.8 qt
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity12.8
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs81.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerLexus
Spark Plug Gap.028
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Service checks

RPM28.0-85.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0.
Engine Compression144-203 PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 111
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.299; Rear: 1.102
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0016
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
184.0 inch lbs.84 in
214.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Inner bolts45 ft. lbs
2Outer bolts20 ft. lbs
3Inner and outer bolts90 degrees
433.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 1,000 miUnderbody (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
At 10,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Lexus LC500 dominate in one area — the fuel/propulsion system, 2 of 5 reports (40%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel/propulsion system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
118
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System2
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 118 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
LSB0005232023-02-09Fuel System, GasolineTSB: Some 2013 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON…
23LE012023-02-09Fuel System, GasolineDL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was…
L-SB-0043-20 Obs2022-12-08EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE December 08, 2022: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0057-22
L-SB-0057-222022-12-07EquipmentTSB: Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation…
LSB001320Rev22022-06-21Service Brakes, HydraulicTSB: All 2018 ? 2022 model year LC 500 and LC 500h, and 2022 model year LC 500…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LC500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 LC500 take?

9.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 LC500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the LC500 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined mpg.