Page 4 of 224
MR2 U
12000 MR2 (OM17475U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Overview of instruments and controls
Instrument panel overview2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Instrument cluster overview 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel 5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1− 1
Page 5 of 224
MR2 U
22000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Instrument panel overview
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Interior light
5. Glove box
6. Manual transmission gear shift lever
7. Parking brake lever
8. Power window switches
9. Power rear view mirror control switch
10. Instrument panel light control switch
11. Power door lock switch
12. Power window lock switch
SB11019
Page 8 of 224
MR2 U
52000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
SRS warning light∗
Open door warning light∗Brake system warning light∗
Discharge warning light∗
Low oil pressure warning light∗
Malfunction indicator lamp∗
Anti−lock brake system warning light∗
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Power steering system warning light∗
∗
: For details, see Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers" in Section 1−5.
Passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗
Page 17 of 224

MR2 U
142000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB12081
If you push in the window lock switch on
the instrument panel, the passenger ’s win-
dow cannot be operated.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
Always make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in-
side the vehicle before you close
the power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe-
ly.
When small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock switch to
prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.
Trunk lid
SB12043
To open the trunk lid:1. Open the glove box door, and then pull the trunk lid lock release lever.
The trunk lid will spring up slightly.
The glove box can be locked. For details,
see Glove box" on page 101 in Section
1−9.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the trunk
lid is closed and securely locked.
Otherwise, the trunk lid may open un-
expectedly while driving and an acci-
dent may occur.
Page 29 of 224

MR2 U
262000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Seats
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow any passengers sitting in
the luggage space. Persons not
properly seated and/or properly re-
strained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
While the vehicle is moving, do not
allow any passenger to stand up in
the vehicle. Severe injuries can oc-
cur in the event of emergency brak-
ing or a collision.
Adjust the driver’s seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.
CAUTION
Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a pas-
senger or luggage.
After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.
After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
Do not put objects under the seats.
The objects may interfere with the
seat−lock mechanism or unexpect-
edly push up the seat position ad-
justing lever; the seat may suddenly
move, causing the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
While adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may jam
your hands or fingers.
Seat adjustment
precautions
Page 62 of 224
MR2 U
592000 MR2 (OM17475U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Lights, Wipers and Defogger
Headlights and turn signals60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flashers 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Instrument panel light control 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wipers and washer 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window defogger 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
SECTION 1− 4
Page 63 of 224

MR2 U
602000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Headlights and turn signals
SB14009
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2Headlights and all of the
above
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer will remind you to turn the lights
off when the driver ’s door is opened if you
remove the key with the headlights left
on.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime running light system
The headlights turn on at reduced intensi-
ty when the parking brake is released with
the engine started, even with the light
switch in the OFF" position or position 1.
They will not go off until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Twist the knob to the position 2 to turn
to full intensity for driving at night.
SB14019
High−low beamsFor high beams, turn
the headlights on and push the lever away
from you (position 1). Pull the lever to-
ward you (position 2) for low beams.
The headlight high beam indicator light
(blue light) on the instrument panel will
tell you that the high beams are on.
Flashing the high beam headlights
(position 3)Pull the lever all the way
back. The high beam headlights turn off
when you release the lever.
You can flash the high beam headlights
with the knob turned to OFF".
Page 64 of 224

MR2 U
612000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB14011
TURN SIGNALS
To signal a turn, push the headlight/
turn signal lever up or down to position
1.
The key must be in the ON" position.
The lever automatically returns after you
make a turn, but you may have to return
it by hand after you change lanes.
To signal a lane change, move the lever
up or down to the pressure point (position
2) and hold it.
If the turn signal indicator lights (green
lights) on the instrument panel flash faster
than normal, a front or rear turn signal
bulb is burned out.
Emergency flashers
SB14012
To turn on the emergency flashers,
push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. To turn
them off, push the switch once again.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn
other drivers if your vehicle must be
stopped where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull as far off the road as pos-
sible.
The turn signal light switch will not work
when the emergency flashers are operat-
ing.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the switch on
longer than necessary when the en-
gine is not running.