2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder Owners Manual

SB19014

Center console

The cup holders are designed for hold- ing cups or drink- cans securely in its holes. Front: To use the cup holders, pull them out.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Do not place anything else other than cups or drink- cans on the cup items may be holders, as such thrown about in the compartment and possibly injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an accident.

(cid:1) Front only: To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or a sudden stop while driving, keep the cup holder closed when it is not in use.

SB19023

Use a floor mat of the correct size. If the floor carpet and floor mat have a hole, then it is designed for use with a locking clip. Fix the floor mat with locking clip into the hole in the floor carpet.

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SB19022

CAUTION

Make sure the floor mat is properly placed on the floor carpet. If the floor mat slips and the movement of the pedals during driv- ing, it may cause an accident.

interferes with

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SECTION 2

INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA Break- in period Fuel Fuel pump shut off system Operation in foreign countries Three- way catalytic converter Engine exhaust cautions Facts about engine oil consumption Iridium- tipped spark plugs Brake system Brake pad wear limit indicators Luggage stowage precautions Limited- slip differential Your Toyota’s identification Theft prevention labels Suspension and chassis Types of tires

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Break- in period Drive gently and avoid high speeds. Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break- in. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle: (cid:1) Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph). (cid:1) Run the engine at moderate speed be-

tween 2000 and 4000 rpm.

(cid:1) Avoid full- throttle starts. (cid:1) Try to avoid hard stops during the first

300 km (200 miles).

(cid:1) Do not drive slowly with the manual

transmission in a high gear.

(cid:1) Do not drive for a long time at any

single speed, either fast or slow.

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Fuel FUEL TYPE Your new vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline. To help prevent gas station mix- ups, your Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with un- leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan- dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will not. At a minimum, should meet D4814 in the U.S.A.

the gasoline you use specifications of ASTM

NOTICE

Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three- way catalytic converter to lose its ef- fectiveness and the emission control system to function improperly. Also, this can increase maintenance costs.

OCTANE RATING Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc- tane Number 91) or higher. Use of unleaded fuel with an octane num- ber or rating lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If se- vere, this will lead to engine damage.

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fuel, or

the recommended

If your engine knocks... If you detect heavy knocking even when using if you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Toyota dealer. However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a short time while accel- erating or driving up hills. This is no need of concern. GASOLINES CONTAINING DETERGENT ADDITIVES Toyota recommends the use of gaso- lines that contain detergent additives to avoid build- up of engine deposits. However, all gasoline sold in the U.S con- tains detergent additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.

In

levels.

QUALITY GASOLINE Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Eu- rope and Japan have developed a specifi- cation for quality fuel named World- Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be applied world wide. The WWFC con- sists of three categories that depend on required emission the U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle perfor- mance. CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE Cleaner burning gasoline, including re- formulated gasoline that contains oxy- genates such as ethanol or MTBE is available in many areas. Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle perfor- mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im- prove air quality.

These

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OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Toyo- ta, be sure that it has an octane rating no lower than 87. Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol. SULFUR IN GASOLINE If your vehicle is certified to California Emission Regulations, the vehicle is de- signed to operate on California cleaner burning gasoline (CBG) that contains lower sulfer. If you cannot use Califor- nia CBG, your emission control system may suffer damage and turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp. If the malfunction is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.

GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT Some gasoline contain an octane en- hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy- cropentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con- taining MMT is used, your emission con- trol system may be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in- strument cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service. GASOLINE QUALITY In a very few cases, you may experience drivability problems caused by the particu- lar gasoline that you are using. If you continue to have unacceptable drivability, try changing gasoline brands. If this does not rectify your problem, then consult your Toyota dealer.

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Fuel pump shut off system The fuel pump shut off system stops sup- plying fuel to the engine to minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or an airbag inflates upon collision. To restart the engine after the fuel pump shut off system activates, ignition switch to “ACC” or “LOCK” once and start it.

turn

the

Operation in foreign countries If you plan to drive your Toyota another country... First, comply with the vehicle registration laws. Second, confirm the availability of the cor- rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane number).

in

CAUTION

Inspect the ground under the vehicle before restarting the engine. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the ground, fuel system has been damaged and it is in need of repair. In this case, do not restart the engine.

the

is

it

NOTICE

(cid:1) Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel sys- tem damage or vehicle performance problems.

(cid:1) If driveability problems occur (poor hot starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue the use.

(cid:1) Take care not to spill gasohol dur- ing refueling. Gasohol may cause paint damage.

FUEL TANK CAPACITY

48 L (12.7 gal., 10.6 Imp. gal.)

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Three- way catalytic converter

SB21013

The three- way catalytic converter is an emission control device installed in the exhaust system. Its purpose is to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Keep people and combustible mate- rials away from the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas is very hot.

(cid:1) Do not drive, idle or park your ve- hicle over anything that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or rags.

NOTICE

A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the three-way catalytic converter may cause it to overheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this and other damage, observe the following precautions: (cid:1) Use only unleaded gasoline. (cid:1) Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, creat- ing an excessive load on the three- way catalytic converter.

(cid:1) Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more than 20 min- utes.

(cid:1) Avoid racing the engine. (cid:1) Do not push-start or pull-start your

vehicle.

(cid:1) Do not turn off the ignition while

the vehicle is moving.

(cid:1) Keep your engine in good running order. Malfunctions in the engine electrical system, electronic ignition system/distributor ignition system or fuel system could cause an ex- tremely high three-way catalytic converter temperature.

2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

(cid:1) If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, take your vehicle in for a check-up as soon as possible. Remember, your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle and its three-way catalytic converter sys- tem best.

(cid:1) To ensure that the three-way cata- lytic converter and the entire emis- sion control system operate proper- ly, your vehicle must receive the periodic inspections required by the Toyota Maintenance Schedule. For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supple- ment”.

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(cid:1) To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the wind- shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth- er obstructions.

(cid:1) If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with the windows open. Have the cause immediately located and corrected.

Engine exhaust cautions

CAUTION

(cid:1) Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.

(cid:1) Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose connections. The system should be checked from time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change in the sound of the the system exhaust, have checked immediately.

(cid:1) Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area except the time needed to drive the vehicle in or out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this a particularly dangerous situation.

for

(cid:1) Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with the engine run- ning. If it is unavoidable, however, do so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.

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Facts about engine oil consumption FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL Engine oil has the primary functions of lubricating and cooling the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in main- taining the engine in proper working order. ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION It is normal that an engine should con- sume some engine oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are as follows. (cid:1) Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a pis- ton moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by temperature combustion gases during the combustion process. (cid:1) Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves. Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber together with is burned along with the fuel. High tem- perature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve stems.

intake air and

the high

the

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IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK One of the most important points in prop- er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en- gine oil at the optimum level so that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential that the oil level be checked regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.

NOTICE

Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.

For detailed information on oil level check, see “Checking the engine oil level” in Sec- tion 7- 2.

Iridium- tipped spark plugs

SB21011

Your engine is fitted with iridium- tipped spark plugs.

NOTICE

Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs and do not adjust gaps for your en- gine performance and smooth drive- ability.

The amount of engine oil consumed de- pends on the viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the conditions the vehicle is driven under. More oil is consumed by high- speed driv- ing and frequent acceleration and decel- eration. A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls have not become conditioned. When judging the amount of oil con- sumption, note that the oil may become diluted and make it difficult to judge the true level accurately. As an example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and consumes a nor- mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not changed. The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.

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CAUTION

(cid:1) Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved vacu- um.

lost,

(cid:1) Even if the power assist

is com- pletely the brakes will still work. But you will have to push the pedal hard, much harder than nor- mal. And your braking distance will be longer.

ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM The anti- lock brake system is designed to automatically help prevent lock- up of the wheels during a sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists in providing directional stability and steering performance of the vehicle under these circumstances.

Brake system The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic system with two separate sub- systems. If either sub- system should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.

CAUTION

Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.

BRAKE BOOSTER The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power- assist the engine should quit while you are driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There is enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops but no more!

the brakes.

If

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the

brake

anti- lock

Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: system When function is in action, you may feel the brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In the anti- lock brake system work for you, just hold the brake pedal, down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a panic stop. This will result braking performance.

this situation,

reduced

let

to

in

The anti- lock brake system becomes op- erative after the vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph). Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as on the manhole cover, the steel plate under the construc- tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti- lock brake system. You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is started. This means that the anti- lock brake system the self check mode, and does not indicate a mal- function.

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When the anti- lock brake system is ac- tivated, the following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a malfunc- tion of the system: (cid:1) You may hear the anti- lock brake sys- tem operating and feel the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the ve- hicle body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor sound in the engine compartment even after the ve- hicle is stopped.

(cid:1) At the end of the anti- lock brake sys- the brake pedal may

tem activation, move a little forward.

CAUTION

Do not overestimate the anti- lock brake system: Although the anti- lock brake system assists in providing ve- hicle control, it is still important to drive with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, be- cause there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness of steering wheel operation even with the anti- lock brake system on.

Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate pressure: The anti- lock brake system detects vehicle speeds using the speed sensors for respec- tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting longer stopping dis- tance.

in a

If tires grip performance exceeds its capability, or if hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the rain, the anti- lock brake system does not provide vehicle control. Anti- lock brake system is not de- signed to shorten the stopping dis- tance: Always drive at the moderate speed and maintain a safe distance from front of you. Compared with vehicles without an anti- lock brake system, your vehicle may require a longer stopping dis- tance in the following cases: (cid:1) Driving on rough, gravel or snow-

the vehicle

in

covered roads.

(cid:1) Driving with tire chains installed. (cid:1) Driving over the steps such as the

joints on the road.

(cid:1) Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other differ- ences in surface height.

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When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system warning light is off), the anti- lock brake system does not operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. the following conditions If either of indicates a malfunction occur, this somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light system. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle. (cid:1) The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi- tion, or remains on.

(cid:1) The light comes on while you are driv-

ing.

A warning light fuming on briefly during operation does not indicate a problem.

Brake pad wear limit indicators

SB21015

The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to where replacement is required. If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro- tor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when necessary.

SB21014

“ABS” warning light The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti- lock brake system works properly, the light turns off after a few seconds. There- after, if the system malfunctions, the light comes on again. When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system warning light is off), the anti- lock brake system does not operate, but the brake system still operates con- ventionally.

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the

luggage or cargo

Luggage stowage precautions When stowing vehicle, observe the following: (cid:1) Put luggage or cargo in the front box or luggage space when at all possible. Be sure all items are secured in place. the vehicle bal- anced. Locating the weight as far for- ward as possible helps maintain bal- ance.

(cid:1) Be careful

to keep

(cid:1) For better fuel economy, do not carry

unneeded weight.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage space. It is not designed for the passenger. The passenger should ride in the seat with the seat belt properly fastened. Severe injuries to an unrestrained passen- ger can occur during sudden brak- ing or a collision.

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(cid:1) Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument panel. They may interfere with the driver’s field of view. Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or turn- ing, and impair the driver’s control of the vehicle. In an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.

Limited- slip differential (on some models) Some Toyotas are equipped with a limit- ed- slip differential. rear wheels begins to spin, the limited- slip dif- ferential traction by automatically transmittiing driving force to the other rear wheel. If you are not sure whether your vehicle is equipped with one, you can ask your Toyota dealer.

is designed

If one of

to aid

the

CAUTION

Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by a jack. The vehicle could be driven off the jack and could pose a danger or re- sult in serious injury.

NOTICE

Use only a compact spare tire of the same size, construction and load ca- pacity as the original tires on your Toyota because damage to the limit- ed-slip differential could possibly oc- cur with another tire type.

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Your Toyota’s identification— —Vehicle identification number

—Engine number

SB21009

SB21016

SB21010

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is the legal identifier for your vehicle. This number is on the left top of the instrument panel, and can be seen through the windshield from outside. This is the primary identification number for your Toyota. It is used in registering the ownership of your vehicle.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is also on the Certification Label.

The engine number is stamped on the engine block as shown.

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Suspension and chassis

CAUTION

Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling charac- teristics, resulting in loss of control.

Theft prevention labels Your new vehicle carries theft preven- tion labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.). The purpose of these labels is to reduce the incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitat- ing the tracing and recovery of parts from stolen vehicles. The label is designed so that once it is applied to a surface, any attempt to remove it will result in destroy- ing the integrity of the label. Transferring these labels intact from one part to anoth- er, will be impossible.

NOTICE

You should not attempt to remove the theft prevention labels as it may vio- late certain state or federal laws.

Types of tires Determine what kind of tires your ve- hicle is originally equipped with. Summer tires Summer tires are high- speed capability tires best suited to highway driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires, sum- mer tires are inadequate for driving on snow- covered or icy roads. For driving on snow- covered or icy roads, we recom- mend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Do not mix summer and other tires on your vehicle as this can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of control.

(cid:1) Do not use tires other

than the manufacture’s designated tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the sizes different from the originals.

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SECTION 3

STARTING AND DRIVING Before starting the engine How to start the engine Tips for driving in various conditions Winter driving tips Trailer towing How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too

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Before starting the engine 1. Check the area around the vehicle be-

fore entering it.

2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle and steering wheel angle.

3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view

mirrors.

4. Lock both the doors. 5. Fasten seat belts.

How to start the engine— (a) Before cranking 1. Apply the parking brake firmly. 2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-

sories.

3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the transmission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety de- vice will prevent the starter from oper- ating if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.

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in

the

instructions

the engine, be sure

to “(a) Before

(b) Starting the engine Before starting follow cranking”. Normal starting procedure The multiport fuel injection system/sequen- tial multiport fuel injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as follows: 1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key to “START”. Release it when the en- gine starts.

2. After the engine runs for about 10 sec-

onds, you are ready to drive.

If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few minutes before driving. If the engine stalls... Simply restart it, using the correct proce- dure given in normal starting. If the engine will not start... See “If your vehicle will not start—” in Section 4.

NOTICE

(cid:1) Do not crank for more than 30 sec- onds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

(cid:1) Do not race a cold engine. (cid:1) If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

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in various

for driving

Tips conditions (cid:1) Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you much better control. (cid:1) Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos- sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp- edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage result- ing in tire bursts.

they

(cid:1) When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking brake, and place the transmis- sion in first or reverse. If necessary, block the wheels.

(cid:1) Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that there is no traffic near you, and then press the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake pedal with the park- ing brake applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Before driving off, make sure that the parking brake is fully released and reminder light is off.

the parking brake

(cid:1) Do not

leave your vehicle unat- tended while the engine is running. (cid:1) Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor fuel economy.

(cid:1) To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively, they may overheat and not work properly.

(cid:1) Be careful when accelerating, up- shifting, downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. Sudden accelera- tion or engine braking could cause the vehicle to spin or skid.

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tire dealer

(cid:1) Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has high- speed capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to con- sult a to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high- speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds. (cid:1) Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a lon- ger stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle securely.

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Winter driving tips Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of engine coolant. Your coolant must contain ethylene- glycol type corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use “TOYOTA Long Life Coolant” or equivalent. See Section 7- 2 for details about coolant type selection.

for a proper

coolant

NOTICE

Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60% solution for your Toyota, to -50°C provide protection down to about (- 58°F). Do not use more than 70% solu- tion for better coolant performance. Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter start- ing. Section 7- 3 tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the level of charge.

Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See Section 7- 2 for recommended viscos- ity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Toyota dealer— he will be pleased to help. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de- icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from freezing. Use a washer fluid containing an anti- freeze solution. This product is available at your Toyota dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with water.

NOTICE

Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may dam- age your vehicle’s paint.

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Trailer towing

SB31002

Toyota does not recommend towing a trail- er with your MR2. It is not designed for trailer towing.

in and around

Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into first or reverse and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emer- gency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, etc.

fuel

How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too Getting more kilometers/mileage from a liter/gallon of take it is easy—just easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: (cid:1) Keep your tires inflated at the cor- rect pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See Section 7- 2 for instructions.

(cid:1) Do not carry unneeded weight

in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.

load on

(cid:1) Avoid lengthy warm- up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving—but gently. Remember, howev- er, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer.

(cid:1) Accelerate

slowly

smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible.

and

(cid:1) Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.

(cid:1) Avoid engine

lugging or over- rev- ving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are travelling.

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(cid:1) Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corro- sion.

(cid:1) Keep your vehicle tuned- up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp- er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and con- tribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle frequent maintenance. receives more (For scheduled maintenance informa- tion, please refer the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manu- al Supplement”).

to

CAUTION

Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power steering and brake booster will not function with- out the emission control system operates properly only when the engine is run- ning.

the engine running. Also,

(cid:1) Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop- and- go driving wastes fuel.

(cid:1) Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis- tance from other vehicles to avoid sud- den braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.

(cid:1) Avoid heavy traffic or traffic

whenever possible.

jams

(cid:1) Do not rest your foot on the clutch or brake pedal. This causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel econo- my.

(cid:1) Maintain a moderate speed on high- ways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel con- sumption.

(cid:1) Keep

the

front wheels

in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

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SECTION 4

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY If your vehicle will not start If your engine stalls while driving If your vehicle overheats If you have a flat tire If your vehicle needs to be towed If you lose your keys

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

128
131
131
132
141
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NOTICE

Do not pull- or push-start the ve- hicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts. Also the three-way catalytic converter may overheat and become a fire hazard.

If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start— 1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See “(b) Starting a flooded engine” for further instructions. 2. If the engine still will not start, it needs repair. Call a Toyota

adjustment or dealer or qualified repair shop.

(b) Starting a flooded engine If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. If this happens, turn the key to “START” the accelerator pedal held down. with Keep the key and accelerator pedal in these positions for 15 seconds and re- lease them. Then try starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal. If the engine does not start after 15 sec- onds of cranking, release the key, wait a few minutes and try again. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 30 sec- onds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

to start

followed in

fuel. Also check whether

If your vehicle will not start— (a) Simple checks Before making these checks, make sure the correct starting you have procedure given “How the engine” in Section 3 and that you have sufficient the other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Toyota dealer. If the engine none of your keys work, immobiliser system is possibly broken. Call your Toyota dealer. (See “Keys” in Section 1- 2.) If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly— 1. Check the battery

terminals are

that

tight and clean.

2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch

on the interior light.

3. If the light

is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the battery is discharged. You may try jump start- ing. See “(c) Jump starting” for further instructions.

If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.

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2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

(c) Jump starting To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your vehicle which might re- sult from battery explosion, acid burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic components, these instructions must be followed precisely. If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we strongly that you seek the help of a competent me- chanic or towing service.

recommend

CAUTION

(cid:1) Batteries

contain

sulfuric

acid which is poisonous and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing, or ve- hicle.

(cid:1) If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the affected area with water imme- diately. Then get immediate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while en route to the medical office.

MR2 U

(cid:1) The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or light a match while jump starting.

NOTICE

The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump start unless you are sure that the booster battery is correct.

3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, start it and let it run for a few minutes. During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE 1. If

the booster battery

installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unneces- sary lights and accessories.

is

2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster and discharged batter- ies. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the batteries. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and burns.)

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Discharged battery

SB41055

Booster battery

Jumper cable

SB41056

SB41040

Positive terminal ( “+” mark) 4. Make the cable connections in the or-

Positive termi- nal ( “+” mark)

Jump- er cable

der a, b, c, d. a. Connect the clamp of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the discharged battery. b. Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the booster battery.

Discharged battery

Booster battery

Negative termi- nal ( “- ” mark)

c. Connect the clamp of the negative (black) jumper cable to the negative (- ) terminal on the booster battery. d. Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) jumper cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted, metallic point of the vehicle with the discharged battery. The recommended connecting point is shown in the following illustration:

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2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

Connecting point

Do not connect the cable to or near any part that moves when the engine is cranked.

CAUTION

the connections,

to When making avoid serious injury, do not lean over the battery or accidentally the jumper cables or clamps touch any- thing except the correct battery termi- nals or the ground.

let

MR2 U

If your engine stalls while driving If your engine stalls while driving... 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.

2. Turn on your emergency flashers. 3. Turn

ignition key

the

to try starting

“ACC” or the engine

“LOCK”, and again.

If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start—” in this Section.

CAUTION

If the engine is not running, the pow- er assist for the brakes and steering will not work so steering and braking will be much harder than usual.

5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.

6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable and then the positive cable.

7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths—they may now contain sulfuric acid.

8. If removed, replace all the battery vent

plugs.

If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example, lights left on), you should have it checked.

If your vehicle overheats If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you ex- perience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated. You should follow this procedure... 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- turn on your emergency hicle and flashers. Put the transmission in neu- tral and apply the parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used.

2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the engine running and make sure the electric cooling fan is operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.

CAUTION

injury, keep To help avoid personal the hood closed until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of very high pressure.

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6. After

the engine coolant

temperature has cooled to normal, again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If neces- sary, bring it up to half full again. Seri- ous coolant loss indicates a leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.

3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the air conditioning is normal if it has been used.

CAUTION

the engine

When is running, keep hands and clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.

4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the en- gine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the en- gine is running. Fill it about half full.

CAUTION

Do not attempt to remove the coolant reservoir cap or air release valve when the engine and radiator are hot. Serious from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.

injury could

result

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2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

If you have a flat tire— 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.

2. Stop

the engine and

turn on your

emergency flashers.

3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission lever in reverse posi- tion.

4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle

on the side away from traffic.

5. Read oughly.

the

following

instructions

thor-

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of personal injury: (cid:1) Follow jacking instructions. (cid:1) Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle supported by the jack. Personal injury may occur.

(cid:1) Do not start or run the engine while is supported by the

your vehicle jack.

(cid:1) Stop the vehicle on a

level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in reverse. Block the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if neces- sary.

(cid:1) Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising the ve- hicle with improperly posi- tioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and cause personal injury.

jack

(cid:1) Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by the jack alone.

(cid:1) Use the jack only for lifting your

vehicle during wheel changing.

(cid:1) Do not raise the vehicle with some-

one in the vehicle.

(cid:1) When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack. (cid:1) Raise the vehicle only high enough

to remove and change the tire.

MR2 U

NOTICE

Do not continue driving with a de- flated tire. Driving even a short dis- tance can damage a tire and wheel beyond repair.

SB41041

Compact spare tire The compact spare tire is designed for temporary emergency use only. The compact spare tire is identified by the distinctive wheel design and color and special wording “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” molded into the side wall of the tire. The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as soon as possible. The compact spare tire saves space in your trunk, and its lighter weight helps to improve fuel economy and permits easier installation in case of a flat tire.

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The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on road conditions and your driving habits. When tread wear indicators appear on the tire, replace the tire. See also the tire section in Section 7- 2
for details on the tread wear indicators and other service information.

CAUTION

NOTICE

Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact spare tire is installed so avoid driving over ob- stacles and drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speed bumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic car wash as the vehicle may get caught, resulting in damage.

(cid:1) The compact spare

tire was de- signed especially for your Toyota. Do not use it on any other vehicle. (cid:1) Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) the compact

when driving with spare tire.

(cid:1) Avoid sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration and sharp turns with the compact spare tire.

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2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

—Required tools and compact spare tire

SB41053

Compact spare tire

SB41054

Tool bag

MR2 U

1. Get the tool bag and compact spare

tire.

You will find a jack in the tool bag. To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their stor- age locations.

SB41047

SB41048

To remove the compact spare tire: 1. Open the front box cover in the trunk.

2. Remove the front luggage tray.

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—Blocking the wheel

SB41049

SC41004

SB41035

3. Loosen the bolt and remove it. Then take the compact spare tire out of the vehicle. When storing the compact spare tire, put it in place with the outer side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire by repeat- ing the above removal steps in reverse order to prevent it from flying forward dur- ing a collision or sudden braking.

When you store the replaced flat ground tire in the place where the compact spare tire was loaded, install the spare wheel extension to the spare wheel clamp.

NOTICE

The replaced ground tire should be fixed steadily by the spare wheel clamp or it may damage the vehicle’s body.

2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.

When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block from the front for the front wheels or from the rear for the rear wheels.

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—Loosening wheel nuts

—Positioning the jack

—Raising your vehicle

SB41027

SB41036

SB41029

3. Loosen all the wheel nuts. Always loosen the wheel nuts before rais- ing the vehicle. Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to loosen. To get maximum leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of the handle and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip off the nut. Do not remove the nuts yet—just unscrew them about one- half turn.

4. Position the jack at the correct jack

point as shown.

Make sure the jack level and solid place.

is positioned on a

5. After making sure that no one is in the vehicle, raise it high enough so that the compact spare tire can be installed.

tire

than when removing

Remember you will need more ground the compact clearance when putting on spare the flat tire. To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle and begins to lift, double- check that it is properly positioned.

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—Changing wheels

CAUTION

Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle jack alone.

is supported by

the

SB41028

SB41044

6. Remove the wheel nuts and change

tires.

it

the flat

tire straight off and put

Lift aside. Roll the compact spare wheel into position and align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the tire and press it back over the other bolts.

Before putting wheels on, remove any cor- rosion on the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of wheels without good metal- to- metal contact at the mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and eventually cause a wheel to come off while driving. Therefore after the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check to see that the wheel nuts are tight.

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—Reinstalling wheel nuts

—Lowering your vehicle

CAUTION

SB41030

SB41031

When lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your body and all oth- er persons around will not be injured as the ground.

the vehicle

lowered

to

is

7. Reinstall all the wheel nuts with fin-

ger tight.

Reinstall the wheel nuts (tapered end in- ward) and tighten them as much as you can by finger. Press back on the tire back and see if you can tighten them more.

8. Lower

the vehicle completely and

tighten the wheel nuts.

Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. Use only the wheel nut wrench and turn it clockwise to tighten the nuts. Do not use other tools or any additional leverage other than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely engaged over the nut. Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the process until all the nuts are tight.

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—After changing wheels 9. Check the air pressure of the re-

placed tire.

Adjust the air pressure to the specification designated in Section 8. If the pressure is lower, drive slowly to the nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure. Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into the valve core and possibly cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new one put on as soon as possible. 10. Restow all the tools, jack and flat

tire securely.

CAUTION

Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are securely in place in their storage location to reduce the possibility of personal in- jury during a collision or sudden braking.

SB41025

tighten

the wheel nuts

As soon as possible after changing wheels, the torque specified in Section 8 with a torque wrench. Have a technician repair the flat tire and replace the compact spare tire with it.

to

Remove the wheel ornament from the flat tire before restowing the flat tire.

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If your vehicle needs to be towed—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

SB41037