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The RX-8 is specifically mentioned to be in compliance with the new rules. Could this mean that future RX-8s imported by MM will be the JDM model?
If they do, they will have to customise the radio to our frequencies. But we all know that MM got the stock European RX-8 rather than localise a car for our small market.
Business Times - 30 Jun 2004
LTA eases rules on tinted windows
But dealers say that won't necessarily make parallel imports cheaper
By SAMUEL EE
THE Land Transport Authority has relaxed the rules on tinted windows - but the move isn't expected to make most parallel-imported cars cheaper.
LTA recently issued new guidelines to importers on the minimum amount of light that must pass through a vehicle's rear windscreen and rear passenger windows. It said light transmission for these areas now has to be at least 25 per cent, down from 50 per cent. This means the glass can have a darker tint than before. (There is no change to light transmission for the front windscreen and front passenger windows, which must be at least 70 per cent.)
'The revision was made in view of feedback from motor traders on the rising trend of European and Japanese cars factory-fitted with darker rear windscreens and windows,' an LTA spokesman said. 'In addition, this could lead to potential improvements in the car's solar performance (to improve air-conditioning efficiency) and reduction in ultraviolet light transmission into the car, which may be harmful to human skin.'
JDM, or Japan domestic model, cars usually have rear windscreen and rear passenger windows that are more darkly tinted than the front windscreen and front passenger windows. These tinted rear windows - called privacy glass - are an option found mainly in high-end cars sold in Japan, such as the Mazda RX8 and Toyota Harrier.
Parallel importers who bring in such vehicles have had to get the windows replaced to register the cars. Typically this has cost about $2,000, which has been added to the vehicle's price. So with the relaxation of the rule, it would seem natural to assume that such cars will now cost about $2,000 less.
Not so, said an importer at the popular Automobile Megamart in Ubi. 'Even with the new guidelines, not all JDM cars will be able to comply,' said Vincent Tan of VinCar Trading. 'Some models like the Toyota Wish, Toyota Estima and Toyota Harrier 2.4 have less than 25 per cent visible light transmission.'
Mr Tan said tests at an authorised vehicle inspection centre showed these models have about 18-20 per cent visible light transmission. Only one model he offers, the Mazda RX8, can pass without modification because it has 30 per cent light transmission. 'So we still have to change the safety glass for most of our cars,' said Mr Tan.
But an engineer at a vehicle inspection centre disagreed. He said many of the JDM cars he has encountered have glass in the 30-40 per cent light transmission range, and are therefore likely to pass under the new rules. But he noted that specifications can vary from model to model and from time to time. 'These cars were made for other markets and are not brought in by the local authorised distributors,' he said. 'So we won't know exactly how much light they can transmit until we test the car at our inspection centre.'
Definite beneficiaries of the new LTA guidelines are companies that install automotive tinted window films, which are said to screen out infra-red light and ultra-violet rays to keep cabins cooler.
'I think there will be higher demand for darker film initially,' said the manager of a company that distributes a popular Japanese make. 'Then the market will probably stabilise.' He said one reason is the cost of such film, which ranges from $800 to $1,200 for a compact sedan. Another is that the difference between 50 per cent and 25 per cent visible light transmission isn't much. 'Some owners may not find it that useful,' he said. 'It's not going to be like the pitch black glass you see on some Malaysian cars - that's much less than 25 per cent. Anyway, if it's too dark you may not be able to see clearly when reversing at night.'
The LTA spokesman said: 'At the new light transmittance level, the driver will still be able to view through the rear windscreen and windows under normal street lighting conditions at night.' The revision was determined in consultation with the police, based on crime prevention, vehicle and road safety considerations, he added.
Back windscreen rubber seal's not too much a hassle. They can re-use the old one as long as the previous guy that changed ur original black to clear did not dmg them too much.
The triangles gonna be the problem. If u had the china made glass, the people probably re-used ur original black rubber seals. To re-reused it will definitely not gif u d best job. If urs the american glass, then its a simple job.
1) Get back ur JDM tinited glass with rubber seal
2) 3 screw job - 10 minutes each side max....
If not, good luck....:D U'll probably have to re-use the rubber seals and the 'gung hu' of whoever is doin it must be good or else it will not luk gd.
Basically, if u collect back your tinted ones and all of them dont have the original seals on them - u r quite fxxked. On the same note - Scream at ur PIs for savin cost and installin shitty china made clear glasses.
Don't think ours are china made replacement clear glass. But remembered that they used new seal for the glass as was told the seal will definately be demage once removed. So new seal on replacement glass, original seal with tinted glass should already be discarded. So probably need new seal.
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