LexusRC F2018Overview/lexus/rc-f/2018/base/

2018 Lexus RC F

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

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Lexus RC F pairs an eight-speed automatic transmission with EPA ratings of 16 city, 25 highway and 19 combined mpg, while its lubrication system calls for 9.3 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. In the broader 2015‑2022 complaint record, the 2018 model year logs just one owner complaint — matching the series low set in 2016 and far below the 2015 peak of ten — with service brakes identified as the top concern and a single recall on file. That sparse complaint tally suggests the 2018 RC F sits at the reliable end of the model's history, though the brake‑related focus and recall warrant attention during any pre‑purchase inspection.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity9.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI H6R · 595 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI H6R · 595 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire size255/35ZR19; Rear: 275/35ZR19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0; Rear: 10.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138021
Spark plug9091901279
Front wiper blades8522224150 alt 8521253100
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3957 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 25 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RC F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.0–4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.00 sec — 2021 Fuji Speedway Edition Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Performance Package Coupe 5.0L V84.10 sec12.70 sec472 hpRWD
2020Performance Package Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec472 hpRWD
2020Track Edition Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec472 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.80 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.50 sec12.90 sec467 hpRWD
2021Fuji Speedway Edition Coupe 5.0L V84.00 sec12.40 sec472 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 9.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity9.3 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS

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 Nuts76 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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.36 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.37-2.88 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberH6R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance595 cca

Service checks

RPM28.0-85.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0.
Engine Compression144-203 PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression145

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22 pad
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 92
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.220; Rear: 1.024
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
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; spark plugs every 60,000 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 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (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) · Engine Oil Cooler (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 Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Across the generation, the Lexus RC F demonstrates a steady improvement in reliability, with TSBs declining from 196 in 2015 to 29 in 2022 and complaints dropping from 10 to zero. The 2018 model falls within this positive trend, recording 109 TSBs, which is fewer than the 122 reported in 2017 and more than the 69 in 2020. While the general federal record for 2018 lists zero complaints, one specific issue was noted regarding service brakes, though the data does not specify the root cause. Consistent with the surrounding years, 2018 had one recall, and it represents the final year of the generation to have a recorded investigation. Because of the significant reduction in TSBs and complaints compared to the 2015-2017 period, this is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
33
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

26V222000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 08/04/2026

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0057-22 Rev22026-02-02Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
L-SB-0004-262026-01-23Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-TT-0326-23 Rev22025-08-19Electrical SystemSome customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features…
L-SB-0032-252025-07-30EngineSome 2016 – 2020 model year GS F, 2008 – 2014 model year IS F, 2022 – 2025 model year IS…

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 RC F. 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 RC F take?

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

Does the 2018 RC F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RC F get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.