2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder Owners Manual

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.

MR2 U

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
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131
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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

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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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—Required tools and compact spare tire

SB41053

Compact spare tire

SB41054

Tool bag

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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

—From rear

SB41016

(b) Using flat bed truck

NOTICE

The size of the front wheel and the rear wheel is different. In order to prevent the wrong installation, there is a pin on the assembly surface in- side the rear wheel as shown above. Therefore, the rear wheels cannot be installed on the front.

If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b). Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Toyota dealer or com- mercial tow truck service, tow your ve- hicle carefully in accordance with the instructions given in “—Emergency tow- ing” in this Section. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of local laws pertaining to towing. Your vehicle can be damaged is towed incorrectly. Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following pre- cautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly.

the state/provincial and

if

it

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(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck From front—We recommend using a tow- ing dolly under the rear wheels. If you do not use a towing dolly, release the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral. From rear—Place the ignition key in the “ACC” position.

NOTICE

(cid:1) When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper and/or underbody of the towed vehicle will be damaged dur- ing towing.

(cid:1) Do not tow with the key removed or in the “LOCK” position, as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight while towing.

(b) Using flat bed truck

(c) Towing with sling type truck

—Emergency towing

SB41057

SB41045

(c) Towing with sling type truck

Remove the cover (front)

NOTICE

Do not tow with sling type truck, ei- ther from the front or rear. This may cause body damage.

SB41033

Install the eyelet (front)

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SB41046

* : Eyelet The eyelet is stored in the luggage space with the jack handle. To install: Remove the cover of eyelet and firmly install it as shown in the illustration.

If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. If a towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to either the emergency towing eyelet* on the front of the vehicle or the right emergency towing eyelet* on the rear of the vehicle. Use extreme caution when towing vehicles.

Remove the cover (rear)

NOTICE

Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your vehicle may be dam- aged.

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes. Towing in this manner may be done only on hard- surfaced roads for a short dis- tance and at the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.

low speeds. Also,

SB41034

Install the eyelet (rear)

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CAUTION

(cid:1) Use extreme caution when towing a vehicle. Avoid sudden starts or er- ratic driving maneuvers which would place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelets and tow- ing cable or chain. The eyelets and towing cable or chain may break and cause serious injury or dam- age.

Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral. The key must be in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine running).

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.

(cid:1) When

installing the eyelet on the vehicle, be sure to tighten the eye- let securely. is loose, it may come off when being towed and result in death or seri- ous injury.

tightening

the

If

NOTICE

(cid:1) Use only a cable or chain specifi- cally intended for use in towing ve- hicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelets pro- vided.

(cid:1) Do not use the left rear eyelet. It is

not designed for towing.

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If you lose your keys You can purchase a new key at your Toyota dealer if you can give them the key number and master key. Even if you lose only one key, contact your Toyota dealer to make a new key. If you lose all your master keys, you cannot make new keys; the whole engine immobi- liser system must be replaced. See Section 1- 2. If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a duplicate, many Toyota dealers can still open the door for you, If you must using break a window in, we suggest breaking the side window because it is the to replace. Be ex- tremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.

the suggestion given

least expensive

their special

in “Keys”

to get

tools.

in

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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

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

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149
150
159
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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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(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.

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(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

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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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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.

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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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—Required tools and compact spare tire

SB41053

Compact spare tire

SB41054

Tool bag

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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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2000 MR2 (OM17475U)

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If your vehicle needs to be towed—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

SB41037

—From rear

SB41016

(b) Using flat bed truck

NOTICE

The size of the front wheel and the rear wheel is different. In order to prevent the wrong installation, there is a pin on the assembly surface in- side the rear wheel as shown above. Therefore, the rear wheels cannot be installed on the front.

If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b). Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Toyota dealer or com- mercial tow truck service, tow your ve- hicle carefully in accordance with the instructions given in “—Emergency tow- ing” in this Section. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of local laws pertaining to towing. Your vehicle can be damaged is towed incorrectly. Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following pre- cautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly.

the state/provincial and

if

it

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