Import FAQ - Under Construction

All new members of the list ask the same questions, namely where can I get an owners handbook, where can I get workshop manuals, do I need to get the car undersealed etc. Answers to these questions can be found below -

• Owners Handbook - Where do I get them from?
• Workshop Manuals - Where do I get them from?
• Undersealing - Is it worth it and how do I do it?
• Parts - Where can I get parts for an imported Supra?
• Servicing - Where can I get my import serviced?
• Insurance - Who will insure an imported Supra cheaply?
• Red Button - What does the red button near the automatic gear lever do?
• MANU Button - What does it do?
• Differences - What are the differences between an imported MkIV and a UK spec one?
• Purchasing - Where can I buy an imported Supra from?
• Viewing - What should I look for when buying an imported Supra?

What does the red button near the gear lever do

This refers to the red button just in front of the automatic gear lever. It has Japanese writing on it and you just know its going to break something if you press it. Well it doesn't. This red button allows you to move the gear level out of 'P' when you loose power to the engine. If you try moving the lever without your foot on the brake then it will not come out of 'P', and if for some reason your brakes no longer work or the engine refuses to start then you will need to move the car. Press the red button and you can move the lever out of P and into neutral.

What does the MANU button near the gear lever do

MANU = Manual shift mode. When you are in manual mode, and you put the shifter in L, the tranny will stay in 1st gear, when you put the shifter in 2nd, the tranny will shift to 2nd gear (where when you are not in Manual mode, the car will still start from 1st... or remain in 1st depending on your speed), and when you put the shifter in D, the tranny will shift to 3rd. (but note that when the car is at complete stop, and the shifter is in D, and in manual mode, the car will still start from 2nd gear). Basically, if you use the manual mode, and shift manually, the car will shift a lot faster.... and thus the car will go a lot faster.

Undersealing

Japanese imports are rumoured to have less underseal than the UK cars. Naturally this can lead to rust and corrosion problems in later life if the car is not looked after properly. There are two options,

• the first is to pay for a full underseal treatment using Waxoyl or a professional under body treatment. Most have to be redone
  every couple of years. Just be careful you don't block up any of the breather/drip holes.
• the second is to give it a pressure wash (underneath) every weekend during winter.

Another benefit to underseal is that it cuts down on noise a little. This is why a UK car is quieter than a Japanese. The factory underseal is much stronger than Waxoil which is why it will last for 10 years +. The majority of the UK Supras members have not had their cars re-undersealed.

Waxoyl needs applying with a proper air line operated high pressure spray lance. then it atomises finely, even at ambient temperatures. Waxoyl has an "oil" base that is neutral to rubber. It's damned messy and time consuming to apply, though. Another suggestion has been to use old engine oil sprayed onto the car. This is not a good idea at all. One of the reasons for changing engine oil is that it accumulates corrosive combustion by products in usage. Not what you want to spray under the car.