2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder Owners Manual

based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite, and non−borate coolant with long−life hy- brid organic acid technology. (Coolant with long−life hybrid organic acid technology is a combination of low phosphates and or- ganic acids.) See “Checking the engine coolant level” in Section 7−2 type selection. “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix- ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant provides protection down to about −35_C (−31_F).

for details of coolant

NOTICE

Do not use plain water alone.

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 page 208 in Section 7−2 for recom- mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum- mer 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—they 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.

156

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

NOTICE

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

into

reverse

first or

in and around

Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into “S(1)” or “R” (sequential manual transmis- sion) or (manual transmission) and block the front 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.

Dinghy towing

SB31003a

Your vehicle can be dinghy towed (with four wheels on the ground) from the front behind a motorhome.

CAUTION

Dinghy towing requires special equip- ment and accessories. Please refer to your service outlet of the motorhome manufacture recommended equipment.

the

for

NOTICE

Dinghy towing does not eliminate the possibility of damage to your vehicle.

DINGHY TOWING TIPS Before dinghy towing, be sure to ob- serve the following in order to reduce the damage to your vehicle. 1. Shift the gear into neutral. 2. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position. Make sure the audio is turned off.

NOTICE

To avoid the locking of the steering wheel, turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position.

3. Release the parking brake. After dinghy towing, let the engine idle for more than 3 minutes before driving the vehicle.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

157

04 09.01

Trailer towing

SB31004a

SB31002

How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too Improving fuel economy is easy—just take it 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: D Keep your tires inflated at the cor- rect pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See page 213 in Section 7−2 for instructions. D Do not carry unneeded weight

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

load on

NOTICE

Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.

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

D 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.

D Accelerate

slowly

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

and

D 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.

D Avoid engine

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

158

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

D Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.

D 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.

D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic

whenever possible.

jams

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

D 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.

D 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.

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

D 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- the “Scheduled tion, please refer to Maintenance Guide” “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)

or

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,

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

159

04 09.01

160

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

SECTION 4

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY In case of an emergency 162
If your vehicle will not start 166
If your engine stalls while driving 166
If you cannot increase engine speed 166
If your vehicle overheats 167
If you have a flat tire 176
If your vehicle becomes stuck If your vehicle needs to be towed 177
If you cannot shift the sequential manual transmission selector lever .

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

181

If you lose your keys

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

182

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

161

04 09.01

to start

followed in

the other keys will start

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” on page 154 in Section 3 and that fuel. Also check you have sufficient whether the engine. If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Toyota dealer. If none of your keys work, there may be a malfunction in the immobi- lizer system. Call your Toyota dealer. (See “Keys” on page 8 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” on page 163 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.

NOTICE

z Sequential manual

transmission only: Your vehicle cannot be pull− or push−started.

z 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” on page 162 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. Sequential manual transmission: If this happens, turn the key to “START” with the accelerator pedal and brake pedal fully depressed. Keep the key, accelerator ped- al and brake pedal in these positions for 15 seconds and release them. Then re- lease the accelerator pedal, and try crank- ing the engine with the brake pedal de- pressed. Manual this happens, turn the key to “START” with the accelera- tor pedal fully depressed. Keep the key and accelerator pedal in these positions for 15 seconds and release 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.

transmission:

If

162

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

NOTICE

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

(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

D 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.

D 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.

D 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.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

163

04 09.01

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE 1. If

the booster battery

is

installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unneces- sary lights and accessories. When boosting, use the battery of matching or higher quality. Any other battery may be difficult to jump start with. If jump starting is difficult, charge the battery for several minutes.

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.)

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.

Discharged battery

SB41055

Booster battery

Jumper cable

SB41056

Positive terminal (“+” mark)

Jumper cable

Positive terminal (“+” mark)

4. Make the cable connections in the or-

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 terminal (“−” 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:

164

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

SB41040

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

ignition switch

5. Sequential manual transmission: Turn the to “ON” position. Hold down the brake pedal firmly, and place the selector lever to “N” position. Make sure that the “N” indicator in the instrument cluster comes on. Then start your engine in a normal way. Manual transmission: Start your en- gine 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 at your Toyota dealer. If the first start attempt is not success- ful...

the

that

the clamp on

Check jumper cables are tight. Recharge the discharged battery with the jumper cables connected for several minutes and restart your en- gine in the normal way. If another attempt is not successful, the battery may be depleted. Have it checked at your Toyota dealer.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

165

04 09.01

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. Sequential manual transmission: Turn the ignition key to “ACC” or “LOCK” position. Approximately 5 seconds after, try starting the engine again. Manual transmission: Turn the ignition key to “ACC” or “LOCK”, and try start- ing the engine again.

If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start—” on page 162 in this Section.

If you cannot increase engine speed If engine speed does not increase when the accelerator pedal is depressed, there may be a problem somewhere in the elec- tronic throttle control system. At this time, vibration may occur. Howev- er, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key to ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position.

turned

is

CAUTION

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.

Be especially careful to prevent erro- neous pedal operation.

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 “N” (sequential manual transmission) or in neutral (manual transmission) and ap- ply 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.

166

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

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

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.

If you have a flat tire— 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cau- tiously 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 engage the parking brake and put the transmission lever in “R” (sequential manual transmis- sion) or in reverse (manual trans- mission).

4. Have everyone get out of the ve- hicle on the side away from traffic. 5. Read the following instructions

thoroughly.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

167

04 09.01

NOTICE

Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can damage a tire and wheel beyond repair.

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the possi- bility of personal injury: D Follow jacking instructions. D Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle sup- ported by the jack. Personal in- jury may occur.

D Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the jack.

D Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission (sequential manual in “R” transmission) or in reverse (manual transmission). Block the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if necessary.

D Make sure to set the jack prop- erly in the jack point. Raising the vehicle with jack improper- ly positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the ve- hicle to fall off the jack and cause personal injury.

D Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by the jack alone.

D Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel changing.

D Do not raise the vehicle with

someone in the vehicle.

D When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.

D Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and change the tire.

168

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

—Spare tire with turning direction indicators

—Required tools and spare tire

CAUTION

D The spare tire was designed especially for your Toyota. Do not use it on any other vehicle. D Do not use more than one

spare tire at the same time.

D Do not exceed 80 km/h (50
mph) when driving with the spare tire.

D The standard tire should be re- paired and reinstalled as soon as possible.

D Avoid sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration and sharp turns with the spare tire.

SB41053a

Spare tire

SB41054b

SB41069a

The spare tire with turning direc- tion indicators is of a uni−direc- tional type and is intended for use on the passenger side of the ve- hicle. This spare tire has the same size and the same turning direction as the standard tire of the front passenger side. However, the spare tire must only be used temporary because the wheel differs from the standard tire.

Tool bag

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

169

04 09.01

1. Get the tool bag and 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 storage locations.

SB41047

SB41061a

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

trunk.

2. Remove the spare wheel cover.

170

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

—Blocking the wheel

—Loosening wheel nuts

SB41063b

SB41035

SB41027a

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

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

When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of one of the front wheels or behind one of the rear wheels.

3. Loosen all the wheel nuts. Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising 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 han- dle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip off the nut. Do not remove the nuts yet—just un- screw them about one−half turn.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

171

04 09.01

CAUTION

Never use oil or grease on the bolts or nuts. The nuts may loos- en and the wheels may fall off, which could cause a serious ac- cident.

—Positioning the jack

—Raising your vehicle

SB41036

SB41029

4. Position the jack at the correct

jack point as shown.

Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid place.

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

Remember you will need more ground clearance when putting on the com- pact spare tire than when removing 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 posi- tioned.

172

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

—Changing wheels

CAUTION

Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by the jack alone.

SB41028a

SB41044b

6. Remove the wheel nuts and

change tires.

Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside. Roll the 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 corrosion on the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of wheels without good metal−to−met- al contact at the mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and even- tually cause a wheel to come off while driving.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

173

04 09.01

—Reinstalling wheel nuts

—Lowering your vehicle

CAUTION

Never use oil or grease on the bolts or nuts. Doing so may lead to overtightening the nuts and damaging the bolts. The nuts may loosen and the wheels may fall off, which could cause a seri- ous accident. If there is oil or grease on any bolt or nut, clean it.

SD04004b

7. Reinstall all the wheel nuts with

finger tight.

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

SB41031b

8. Lower the vehicle completely

and tighten the wheel nuts.

Turn the jack handle counterclock- wise 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 addition- al leverage other than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely en- gaged over the nut. Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the process until all the nuts are tight.

174

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

CAUTION

D When

lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your body and all other persons around will not be injured as the vehicle is lowered to the ground.

D Have the wheel nuts tightened with torque wrench to 103 N·m (10.5 kgf·m, 76 ft·lbf), as soon as possible after changing wheels. Otherwise, the nuts may loosen and the wheels may fall off, which could cause a serious accident.

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

placed tire.

Adjust the air pressure to the specifi- cation designated on page 244 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 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.

As soon as possible after changing wheels, tighten the wheel nuts to the torque specified on page 244 in Sec- tion 8 with a torque wrench. Have a technician repair the flat tire and re- place the spare tire with it.

CAUTION

Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are se- curely in place in their storage location to reduce the possibility of personal injury during a colli- sion or sudden braking.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

175

04 09.01

If your vehicle becomes stuck If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward and backward.

CAUTION

Do not attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward and back- ward if people or objects are any- where near the vehicle. During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or backward as it becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby people or ob- jects.

SB41025

SB41037

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

NOTICE

to prevent

The size of the front wheel and the rear wheel is different. In order the wrong installation, there is a pin on the assembly surface inside the rear wheel as shown above. Therefore, the rear wheels can- not be installed on the front.

176

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

NOTICE

to

the

If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to prevent dam- age transmission and other parts. z Do not depress the accelerator ped- al while shifting the selector lever or before the transmission is com- pletely shifted to forward or reverse gear.

z Do not race the engine and avoid

spinning the wheels.

z If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle several times, consider other ways such as tow- ing.

If your vehicle needs to be towed—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

—From rear

SB41062

(b) Using flat bed truck

in

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 “—Emergency towing” on page 179 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

it

if

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

177

04 09.01

(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 “N” (se- quential manual transmission) or in neutral (manual transmission). The key must be in “ACC” (sequential manual transmission). Sequential manual transmission only: After shifting the selector lever to the “N” position, always make sure that the gear is actually disengaged and is in neutral by pushing the vehicle by hand or other means. In case the gear can not be put in neutral, turn the ignition switch from the “OFF” to “ON” position, and operate the selector lever once from “N” to “S” or “R”, then back turn the ignition switch from to “OFF” position. These procedures may help put the gear in neutral. If the gear still can not be put in neutral, you can not tow without a towing dolly. From rear—Place the ignition key in the “ACC” position.

to “N” again. Then the “ON”

CAUTION

(c) Towing with sling type truck

ignition switch

Do not tow without a towing dolly when the in the “ON” position and/or when the trans- mission in the neutral gear position. Otherwise, you may be in- volved in an unexpected accident.

is not

is

NOTICE

z 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.

the “LOCK” position, as

z Do not tow with the key removed or the is not front

in steering strong enough the wheels straight while towing.

lock mechanism

to hold

(b) Using flat bed truck

SB41057

(c) Towing with sling type truck

NOTICE

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

178

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

—Emergency towing

SB41033c

Front

Rear

SB41034b

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. To see “—Installing towing eyelet” on page 180 in this Section.

eyelet,

towing

install

the

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,

CAUTION

D 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.

D In case of installing the eyelet on the vehicle, be sure to tighten the eyelet securely. is loose, it may come off when towing and result in death or serious injury to the passenger in the front ve- hicle or damage to that vehicle.

the eyelet

If

NOTICE

z Use only a cable or chain specifi- cally intended for use in towing ve- hicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain towing eyelets pro- vided.

the

to

z Do not use the left rear eyelet. It is

not designed for towing.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

179

04 09.01

transmission: The

Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in “N” (sequential manual transmission) or in neutral (manual transmission). Sequential manual key must be in “ACC”. Manual transmission: The key must be in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine run- ning). Sequential manual transmission only: After shifting the selector lever to the “N” position, always make sure that the gear is actually disengaged and is in neutral by pushing the vehicle by hand or other means. In case the gear can not be put in neutral, turn the ignition switch from the “OFF” to “ON” position, and operate the selector lever once from “N” to “S” or “R”, turn the then back ignition switch from to “OFF” position. These procedures may help put the gear in neutral. If the gear still can not be put in neutral, you can not tow with cables or chains.

to “N” again. Then the ”ON”

CAUTION

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

D Do not tow with a cable or chain when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position and/or when the transmission is not in the neutral gear position. Otherwise, you may be involved in an unexpected acci- dent.

—Installing towing eyelet

SB41065

1. Remove the towing eyelet cover on the bumper, using a flat−bladed screwdriver which is wrapped with a cloth.

180

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

If you cannot shift the sequential manual transmission selector lever

SB41066

SB41067

SD04002

2. Use the towing eyelet in the tool bag. Secure it to the hole on the bumper by turning clockwise. (For tool bag storage location, see “—Required tools and spare tire” on page 169 in this Section.)

the

3. Tighten the towing eyelet securely by

a wheel nut wrench.

CAUTION

When installing the eyelet on the ve- hicle, be sure to tighten the eyelet securely. If the eyelet is loose, it may come off when being towed and re- sult in death or serious injury.

though

In case the selector lever lock is not released and the selector lever cannot be moved even ignition switch is turned to the ”ON” position, follow the procedures below: 1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” or “ACC” position. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

the

2. Pry up the cover with a flat−bladed

screwdriver or equivalent.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

181

04 09.01

SD04003

3. To push the link,

insert a key or screwdriver to the hole. The lever can be operated while the is being pushed.

link

4. Shift into the ”N” position. 5. Re−insert the cover. 6. Start the engine while depressing the

brake pedal.

Be sure to have the system checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

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- lizer system must be replaced. See page 8 in 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, using If you must 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 in “Keys” on

least expensive

their special

to get

tools.

182

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

SECTION 5

CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE Corrosion prevention and appearance care Protecting your Toyota from corrosion Washing and waxing your Toyota Cleaning the interior

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

184
185
188

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

183

04 09.01

Protecting your Toyota from corrosion Toyota, through its diligent research, de- sign and use of the most advanced technology available, helps prevent corro- sion and provides you with the finest qual- ity vehicle construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper care of your Toyota can help ensure long−term corrosion prevention. The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle are: D The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard−to−reach areas under the vehicle.

D Chipping of paint, or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones and gravel.

Care is especially important if you live in particular areas or operate your ve- hicle under certain environmental condi- tions: D Road salt or dust control chemicals will accelerate corrosion, as will the pres- ence of salt in the air near the sea− coast or in areas of industrial pollution. D High humidity accelerates corrosion es- pecially when temperatures range just above the freezing point.

D Wetness or dampness to certain parts of your vehicle for an extended period of time, may cause corrosion even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry.

D High ambient temperatures can cause corrosion to those components of the vehicle which do not dry quickly due to lack of proper ventilation.

The above signifies the necessity to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair any dam- age to paint or protective coatings as soon as possible. To help prevent corrosion on your Toyota, follow these guidelines: Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of course, necessary to keep your vehicle clean by regular washing, but to prevent corrosion, the following points should be observed: D If you drive on salted roads

the winter or if you live near the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize cor- rosion.

in

D High pressure water or steam is effec- tive for cleaning the vehicle’s underside and wheel housings. Pay particular attention to these areas as it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to simply wet the mud and debris without removing. The lower edge of doors, rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which should not be allowed to clog with dirt as trapped water in these areas can cause corrosion.

D Wash the underside of the vehicle thor-

oughly when winter is over.

See “Washing and waxing your Toyota” on page 185 for more tips. Check the condition of your vehicle’s paint and trim. If you find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up im- mediately to prevent corrosion from start- ing. If the chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified body shop make the repair.

184

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa- ter and dirt can accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc- casionally check under the mats to make sure the area is dry. Be particularly care- ful when transporting chemicals, cleans- ers, fertilizers, salt, etc.; these should be transported in proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately clean and dry the area. Use mud shields on your wheels. If you drive on salted or gravel roads, mud shields help protect your vehicle. Full−size shields, which come as near to the ground as possible, are the best. We recommend that the fittings and the area where the shields are installed be treated to resist corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be happy to assist in supplying and installing the shields if they are recommended for your area. Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated garage or a roofed place. Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti- lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or if you drive it covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp as to cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can cor- rode if the ventilation is poor.

Washing and waxing your Toyota Washing your Toyota Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing. The following cases may cause weakness to the paint or corrosion to the body and parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos- sible. D When driving in a coastal area D When driving on a road sprinkled with

antifreeze

D When exposed to coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect D When driving in areas where there is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust or chemical substances

D When the vehicle becomes remarkably

dirty with dust and mud Hand−washing your Toyota Work in the shade and wait until the vehicle body is not hot to the touch.

CAUTION

When cleaning under floor or chassis, be careful not to injure your hands.

For washing instructions for soft top, see “Soft top” on page 187. 1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the underside of the wheel wells.

the vehicle or

in

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

185

04 09.01

SB51001

Spray water on the side windows or top seals from above, at a 45_ angle to the ground.

NOTICE

Do not spray water at side windows and top seals in a way which may cause water to enter the vehicle.

2. Wash with a mild car−wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and keep it wet by dipping it frequently into the wash water. Do not rub hard—let the soap and water remove the dirt.

Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic wheel ornaments are damaged easily by organic substances. If any organic sub- stances splashes an ornament, be sure to wash it off with water and check if the ornament is damaged.

CAUTION

tar: Remove with

Road turpentine or cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces.

NOTICE

Do not use organic substances (gaso- line, kerosene, benzine or strong sol- vents) which may be toxic or cause damage.

3. Rinse

thoroughly—dried

can cause streaking. In hot weather you may need to rinse each section right after you wash it.

soap

Do not attach the heavily damaged plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off the wheel and cause accidents while the vehicle is moving.

Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent. Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper faces are soft.

4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard—you might scratch the paint.

Automatic car wash

NOTICE

Do not run your Toyota through auto- matic car washes or possible damage to the soft top may result.

186

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

Waxing your Toyota Polishing and waxing is recommended to maintain the original beauty of your Toyota’s finish. Apply wax once a month or if the vehicle surface does not repel water well. 1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be- fore you begin waxing, even if you are using a combined cleaner and wax.

2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become extremely weath- ered, use a car−cleaning polish, fol- lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol- low the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim as well as the paint. the vehicle again when water does not bead but remains on the sur- face in large patches.

3. Wax

NOTICE

z Always remove the plastic bumpers if your vehicle is re−painted and placed in a high heat paint waxing booth. High temperatures could damage the bumpers.

z Do not apply wax on the soft top.

It may damage the soft top.

the paint soon after

Touch−up paint Touch−up paint may be used to cover small chips or scratches. Apply the damage occurs or corrosion may set in. To do a good job, use a small artist’s brush and stir the paint well. Make sure the area is clean and dry. To apply the touch−up paint so it is hardly noticeable, the trick is to apply it only to the bare spots. Apply only the smallest amount possible and do not paint the surface around the scratch or chip. Soft top General cleaning— Follow the procedure shown below. 1. Brush off any loose dirt and rinse off

with a hose.

2. Using a sponge, wash with a mild solu- tion of soap (hand soap) in luke warm water (below 38_C or 100_F).

3. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap.

NOTICE

z Do not use harsh or abrasive clean- ers as they may damage the top material.

z Do not use water−repellents, wax or other preservative finishes as they may stain the top material.

cleaning

(for more difficult

Additional stains)— Follow the procedure shown below using a mild cleaning solution composed of the following ingredient. D 110 g (4 oz.) of chlorine bleach D 60 g (2 oz.) of soap (hand soap) D 3.8L (1.0 gal., 0.8 lmp. gal.) of luke

warm water (below 38_C or 100_F).

1. Rinse

the top,

then spread the mild cleaning solution on the entire top. Do not put excessive amounts of liquid on the fabric.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

187

04 09.01

2. Scrub with a small, soft bristle hand- brush. Add water as needed until the cleaner becomes soapy. Allow solution to settle for two to five minutes. Use a cloth or sponge to remove dirt so it will not be ground top. Be careful not to allow any cleaner to dry on it may cause streaks.

the body paint as

into the

3. Rinse thoroughly. If any dirt is left, repeat the procedure. After the top has been cleaned, rinse the vehicle with clean water to remove all the cleaner. After cleaning, always make sure the top is completely dry before you lower it. Low- ering top while wet or damp may cause interior water damage, water stains or mildew of the top material.

the

Cleaning the interior

CAUTION

Do not wash the vehicle floor with water, or allow water to get onto the floor when cleaning the vehicle interi- or or exterior. Water may get into audio components or other electrical components above or under the floor carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunc- tion; and it may cause body corro- sion.

Vinyl interior The vinyl upholstery may be easily cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and water. First vacuum over the upholstery to re- move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt and wipe off the soap with a clean damp cloth. If all the dirt do not come off, re- peat the procedure. Commercial foaming− type vinyl cleaners are also available which work well. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTICE

Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline or window cleaner on the interior.

to

foam−type shampoo

Carpets Use a good clean the carpets. Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove as much dirt as possible. Several types of foam cleaners are available; some are in aerosol cans and others are powders or liquids which you mix with water to pro- duce a foam. To shampoo the carpets, use a sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply water—the best results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible. Read the shampoo instructions and follow them closely. Seat belts The seat belts may be cleaned with mild soap and water or with lukewarm water. Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean- ing, check the belts for excessive wear, fraying, or cuts.

188

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

NOTICE

NOTICE

z Do not use organic substances (sol- vents, kerosene, alcohol, gasoline, etc.) or alkaline or acidic solutions. These chemicals can cause discol- oring, staining or peeling of the surface.

z If you use cleaners or polishing agents, make sure their ingredients do not include the substances men- tioned above.

z If you use a liquid car freshener, do not spill the liquid onto the ve- hicle’s interior surfaces. It may con- tain ingredients mentioned above. Immediately clean any spill using the method mentioned above.

the

z Do not use dye or bleach on the

belts—it may weaken them.

z Do not use the belts until they be-

come dry.

Windows The windows may be cleaned with any household window cleaner.

NOTICE

When cleaning the inside of the win- dow, be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or connec- tors.

Air conditioning control panel, audio panel, instrument panel, console panel, and switches Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning. Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke- warm water then lightly wipe off any dirt.

Leather Interior The leather upholstery may be cleaned with neutral detergent for wool. Remove dirt using a soft cloth dampened with 5% solution of neutral detergent for wool. Then thoroughly wipe off all traces of detergent with a clean damp cloth. After cleaning or whenever any part of the leather gets wet, dry with a soft clean cloth. Allow the leather to dry in a venti- lated shaded area.

NOTICE

z If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent, apply a cleaner that does not contain an organic solvent.

z Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol or gasoline, or alkaline or acid solutions for clean- ing these could cause discoloring.

leather as

the

z Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fiber cloth, etc. may scratch the fine grained surface of the leather.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

189

04 09.01

z Mildew may develop on soiled leath- er upholstery. Be especially careful to avoid oil spots. Try to keep your upholstery always clean.

to direct sunlight z Long exposure may cause the leather surface to harden and shrink. Keep your ve- hicle in a shaded area, especially in the summer.

z The interior of your vehicle is apt to heat up on hot summer days, so avoid placing on the upholstery items made of vinyl or plastic or containing wax as these tend to stick to leather when warm.

z Improper cleaning of the leather up- in discolor-

holstery could result ation or staining.

If you have any questions about the cleaning of your Toyota, your local Toyota dealer will be pleased to answer them.

190

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

04 09.01

SECTION 6

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE Vehicle maintenance and care Maintenance requirements General maintenance Does your vehicle need repairing? Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs

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

192
193
195
195

For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)

191

04 09.01

that both

Maintenance requirements Your Toyota vehicle has been designed for fewer maintenance requirements with lon- ger service intervals to save both your time and money. However, each regular maintenance, as well as day−to−day care, is more important than ever before to en- sure smooth, trouble−free, safe, and eco- nomical drivings. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified maintenance, including general maintenance service, is performed.