written on 25 July 2002 and links updated on 30 June 2014written on 25 July 2002 and links updated on 30 June 2014
List of Questions
| Q1. | Can I change the Multivision screen to display English instead of Japanese messages? |
| Q2. | And what about the Japanese check/warning messages in the combination meter? |
| Q3. | Can I get the CD maps of Australia or other countries for the Soarer GPS navigation system? |
| Q4. | Can I get the Lexus SC300/400 badges for my Soarer? |
| Q5. | How can I get the cruise control modified? |
| Q6. | What is the right automatic transmission fluid for Soarers? - UPDATE |
| Q7. | What is the use of the red button located in front of the gear shift lever? |
| Q8. | What is the use of the REMOTE switch located in the lower dash panel next to the steering column? |
| Q9. | Can I replace the Soarer digital combination meter with the Lexus SC400 analogue combination meter? |
| Q10. | How can I fix a Soarer faulty combination meter suffering from the problems described in the main page? |
| Q11. | Can I get a set of English control buttons for the Electro-Multivision? |
| Q12. | How much are the Lexus SC400 Owner's Manual and Startrade Manual Supplement? |
| Q13. | (deleted) |
| Q14. | What are the wheel alignment specifications for a Soarer? |
| Q15. | What is the use of the ON-OFF switch located in the boot on the left side of TEMS equipped cars? |
| Q16. | How does the maximum road speed delimiter work? |
| Q17. | Can the additional LCD speed indicator show speed in mph rather than kmph? |
| Q18. | Can leaking headlamps be repaired? |
| Q19. | Can the TV in Soarer LTD be converted to receive Australian (or other countries PAL) TV signal? UPDATE AT Q65! |
| Q20. | Can I get the original Soarer badges for my Lexus? |
| Q21. | Can a permanently blank TV screen (Electro Multivision screen) be repaired? |
| Q22. | Can the touch-screen function of the Electro Multivision screen (EMV) be repaired? |
| Q23. | What forms of payment do you accept (credit cards, cheques, etc.)? |
| Q24. | What about supercharging or turbocharging a Soarer/Lexus V8 engine or using an upgraded computer chip for the engine management system? |
| Q25. | Can you supply the Owner's Manuals, Repair Manuals etc. for the Soarer 2.5 litre twin turbo version? UPDATE AT Q87. |
| Q26. | What are the differences in suspension systems in various Soarer models? |
| Q27. | Can you supply parts or at least part numbers for 6-cylinder twin turbo Soarers? |
| Q28. | Can you help me to import my own car as I have never done this before? |
| Q29. | What about supercharging Soarer/Lexus V8 engine (update to Q24)? |
| Q30. | Can you advise Toyota part numbers for spares I require or even obtain the original spare parts? |
| Q31. | Are English instructions available for the Electro Multivision (TV) screen? |
| Q32. | Is it possible to install the Electro Multivision (TV) screen in Soarers not fitted with it originally? |
| Q33. | Is it possible to install a conventional radio console in place of the existing Electro Multivision (TV) screen? |
| Q34. | (deleted) |
| Q35. | Are Lexus/Soarer new floor mats available? |
| Q36. | Is there a known problem with leaking power steering pump destroying alternator? |
| Q37. | Do you know that Soarer has got a windscreen washer system with two functions? |
| Q38. | Why do some Lexus from Japan (SC400-Soarer or LS400-Celsior) have very harsh gear changes? |
| Q39. | When removing the key from ignition sometimes the warning chime sounds when driver's door is opened and the remote locking does not work. Why is that? |
| Q40. | What can be the cause of a spongy brake pedal feel? |
| Q41. | How can I enquire, check prices and order from your site? |
| Q42. | Is it possible to repair a single in-dash CD-player (as found in Soarer GT) that skips on bumps? |
| Q43. | Is it possible to repair cracks in the side door trim above speakers that appear in many Soarers? |
| Q44. | Do you have any advice for simple engine trouble-shooting on the road to uncover the source of problems, even if quick repair may not be possible? |
| Q45. | Can you confirm that V8 Soarers have a two-speed electric fuel pump? |
| Q46. | Is it possible to by-pass a faulty fuel pump control circuit (ECU) in order to get home? |
| Q47. | Is there an easy way to extinguish the flashing air-bag warning lamp? |
| Q48. | What if an "Australian compliance" of an imported car is being done in one State for registration in another State? |
| Q49. | Do you have any used spare parts for sale? |
| Q50. | Will the audio and A/C control fail if the EMV screen stops working one day? |
| Q51. | Is it easy to remove a faulty EMV screen and send it to you for repair? |
| Q52. | I am buying a Soarer and when the diagnostics are finished on startup there is a Japanese message in red letters in the combination meter with the word OFF. Is this serious? |
| Q53. | How can the Soarer glovebox be removed? |
| Q54. | Can you help with Manuals, technical information, etc. for Soarer models made before 1991? |
| Q55. | Is there a way of silencing squeeking noises from front/rear suspension when driving over bumps, especially after the car was not used for a while? |
| Q56. | Does Soarer have a fresh air filter in the ventilation system that could be cleaned/replaced to remove unpleasant odour when the air conditioning system is used? |
| Q57. | Is there anything people should do when using the Startrade Enquiry form? |
| Q58. | What if I do not have the genuine ignition and door key? |
| Q59. | How can I run the air-conditioning system diagnostics? |
| Q60. | What if my V8 power steering pump leaks hydraulic fluid? |
| Q61. | Is the Toyota Soarer certified for use in the USA? |
| Q62. | My fuel gauge is not accurate. Can it be calibrated? - UPDATE AT Q114. |
| Q63. | My EMV screen seems to be having only a minor problem in that it does not light up. Otherwise it works OK (touch feature still works). Can I get a replacement light bulb or tube for the screen? |
| Q64. | One day I started up my Soarer and could not move the gear shift selector from Park. A few minutes later the gearshift worked O.K. again. What happened? |
| Q65. | Are there any updates on the PAL TV conversion and GPS conversion for Soarers to work in Australia? |
| Q66. | What is the TEMS and its main functions? |
| Q67. | Are instructions available in English for the adjustments and repair of TEMS? |
| Q68. | The Japanese message in my Soarer combination meter indicates that the tail-lamps are faulty and, yet, the lamps are working just fine. What is the problem? |
| Q69. | The struts lifting the boot lid are so weak that I bump my head on the lid each time I open the boot. What can I do? |
| Q70. | Can you help me to buy an imported Nissan, Subaru, Honda etc. and/or parts for it? |
| Q71. | What do I have to do to import a car to Australia? |
| Q72. | My front tyres are wearing badly on the inside, are there different wheel alignment settings for 255/45x17 tyres? |
| Q73. | What should I know about the wheel alignment? UPDATE AT Q79. |
| Q74. | Can worn front lower suspension arm bushes be replaced? |
| Q75. | My CD magazine is stuck in the 12-CD changer and won't eject. How do I remove it? |
| Q76. | There is a plastic box in the right bottom corner of the boot with no connecting wires or hoses. What is it for? |
| Q77. | The airconditioning vent in the centre of dashboard is cracked. How can I remove it for repair or replacement? UPDATE AT Q85. |
| Q78. | When removing and re-installing my combination meter (after repair) the air-bag warning light stays permanently on. Why is that? |
| Q79. | I want to replace my standard Soarer wheel rims with wider/larger/aftermarket rims. Is there anything I should know? |
| Q80. | I cannot move my gearshift lever from the Park to Drive unless I push the red over-ride button. Depressing the footbrake pedal with ignition on does not unlock the gearshift. What is wrong? |
| Q81. | Can I replace the original Soarer GT single in-dash CD-player and radio/cassette by different Soarer head unit provided with CD-stacker controls and fit the remote 12-CD stacker in the boot, as found in Soarer LTD? |
| Q82. | Can you suggest an insurance company where I can get my Soarer (or other imported sports car) insured a competitive premium? |
| Q83. | Once and for all, what is the difference between a Toyota Soarer and Lexus SC300/400? |
| Q84. | Can you advise me what is the present value of a particular model Soarer/ Lexus SC300/400? I wish to buy one and do not want to pay too much. |
| Q85. | How can I remove and repair a cracked centre ventilation register? UPDATE. |
| Q86. | Does the EMV Manual show the details of video inputs for the EMV screen to help with connecting other devices (such as PAL TV tuner, DVD) to the EMV screen? |
| Q87. | Is the Toyota Soarer 2.5 T/T engine repair/service manual available in Japanese? |
| Q88. | Do you offer compliance for cars other than Toyota Soarer UZZ series (such as Nissan Skylines & 300ZX, Subaru WRX etc.)? |
| Q89. | Why is it that my seat-belts sometimes lock up before they can be secured? |
| Q90. | The seat-belt warning symbol in the combination meter stays on even when the driver's seat-belt is secured. What may be causing it? |
| Q91. | Does the Lexus Repair Manual cover the hydraulic suspension or the 4-wheel steering system of the Soarer UZZ32 variant or the TEMS air suspension system of the UZZ31 variant? |
| Q92. | Some Soarers do not display the outside temperature in the combination meter and only have the time display there. Is is possible to activate the temperature display somehow? |
| Q93. | I was offered an extended warranty plan with a Soarer by a used car dealer. Are such warranties any good? |
| Q94. | My Soarer has a problem with fuel starvation, when cold or hot runs well but in between hesitates unless the throttle is floored. I tried to change the fuel filter but its fittings could not be undone. What can I do? |
| Q95. | What is the maximum roadspeed of a Soarer without any performance modifications? |
| Q96. | Sometimes when hot my car does not want to start up. In repeated attempts the engine always fires up immediately but dies in seconds. When the car cools down it starts up normally. What is wrong? |
| Q97. | Is a Soarer radio suitable for installation in a Lexus for use in the USA or the other way round? |
| Q98. | Does Startrade Australia presently sell Soarers or import them to order from Japan? |
| Q99. | Do you supply after-market suspension height controllers for TEMS fitted Soarers? |
| Q100. | What are the recommended scheduled maintenance intervals for Lexus SC300/400 - Soarer V8? |
| Q101. | What are the differences in equipment levels between Soarer UZZ30, 31, 32 and JZZ series? |
| Q102. | My air-conditioning works but heater does not. Why is it? |
| Q103. | Is there an easy way of increasing power of early model V8 Soarers? |
| Q104. | What is the right battery for use in V8 Soarer? |
| Q105. | Are replacements light bulbs available for the Soarer? I know the Japanese bulbs use special sockets but I need brighter headlamps. |
| Q106. | Can you get me a replacement brake master cylinder (or any other used mechanical part) or do you know where I can get it from? |
| Q107. | Can you provide me with the name and address of Soarer manufacturer in Japan as I need to obtain a written confirmation of the exact date of manufacture of my car, when it was first registered in Japan, number of previous owners and the date of exportation from Japan? |
| Q108. | I am having problems with my car alarm. Can you provide wiring diagrams or an advice what is wrong with my car? |
| Q109. | Do you sell Lexus/Soarer body kits and/or turbo kits for V8 and 3.0 litre 6-cylinder engines? |
| Q110. | Can you advise about problems with Lexus models other than SC300-400/Soarers, such as GS300, IS200 etc? |
| Q111. | My Lexus/Soarer 12-CD changer is not working correctly (does not load disks, skips tracks, shows error codes, etc.). Can you repair it? |
| Q112. | My Soarer remote central locking transmitter is not working. Can I replace it with a transmitter from another Lexus model? |
| Q113. | I have a 1989 Soarer. Do you provide information on pre 1991 model Soarers? |
| Q114. | My fuel gauge is not accurate. Can it be calibrated? - UPDATE! |
| Q115. | Under load my V8 engine does not rev freely above about 4,500 RPM. What can be the cause of this apparent fuel starvation? |
| Q116. | Can the faulty original V8 fuel pump be replaced with a cheaper aftermarket part? |
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SITE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON INFRINGEMENT. STARTRADE AUSTRALIA AND/OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR CONDITIONS REGARDING THE USE, VALIDITY, COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, OR RELIABILITY OF, OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF, OR OTHERWISE RESPECTING, THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE. IN NO EVENT SHALL STARTRADE AUSTRALIA OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR PROFIT, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE, EVEN IF STARTRADE AUSTRALIA OR A STARTRADE AUSTRALIA AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH, AND WHETHER BASED IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY.