I've a '90 masterace surf. there's a little red oblong shaped button to the left of the gearshift. does it do anything at all - it's so insignificant - any ideas? what's written next to it is in Japanese!
also, a mate kindly told me that my townie pumped out plenty of smoke whilst in mid kickdown on the motorway going uphill (that really frustrating bit when I'm doing 65, then 60 then ....). The box kicks down then when I lift my foot a millimetre it changes up and I have to do it all again...kickdown and more smoke. Is this normal? after all the engine is getting some stick - (#802) Tim, 13 Aug 01

A bit of smoke is normal, but a new air filter and fuel filter both help.
The red button is a failsafe release for the parking lock. If the little solenoid that locks the gearshift when the ignition's off fails, that button allows you to take the box out of "Park".
HTH - (#803) David Miller, 13 Aug 01