Page 65 of 224
MR2 U
622000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Instrument panel light control
SB14015
To adjust the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights, turn the switch.
SB14016
To turn on the interior light, slide the
switch.
The interior light switch has the following
positions:
ON"The light stays on all the time.
OFF"Turns the light off.
DOOR"Turns the light on when either
side door is opened. The light goes off
when both the doors are closed.
Windshield wipers and washer
SB14018
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the ON" position.Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Slow
Position 3Fast
For a single sweep of the windshield,
push the lever up and release it.
Interior light
Page 78 of 224

MR2 U
752000 MR2 (OM17475U)
gearmph(km/h)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 15(24)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 25(40)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 40(64)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 45(72)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging, and possibly ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear: gear mph(km/h)
1 33(53)
2 55(88)
3 75(120)
4 101(163)NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
Parking brake
SB16008
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull up the lever. For better hold-
ing power, first depress the brake pedal
and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1),
press the lock release button (2), and low-
er (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
Page 96 of 224

MR2 U
932000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Fan speed selector
Turn the knob to adjust the fan speedto
the right to increase, to the left to de-
crease.
Temperature selector
Turn the knob to adjust the temperature
to the right to warm, to the left to cool.
G18021
Air flow selector
Turn the knob to select the vents used for
air flow.1. Panel Air flows mainly from the in-
strument panel vents.
2. Bi−level Air flows from both the floor
vents and the instrument panel vents.
3. Floor Air flows mainly from the floor
vents. 4. Floor/Windshield
Air flows mainly
from the floor vents and windshield
vents.
Use with the air intake selector posi-
tioned in Fresh.
5. Windshield Air flows mainly from the
windshield vents.
Use with the air intake selector posi-
tioned in Fresh.
For details about air flow selector settings,
see the illustration after A/C" button.
Turning the air flow control knob to wind-
shield or floor/windshield position turns on
the defroster−linked air conditioning. At
this time, the A/C" button indicator comes
on regardless of whether or not the A/C"
button is pressed in. This is to clean up
the front view more quickly.
When the A/C" button is not pressed in,
turning the air flow control knob to anoth-
er position turns off the air conditioning.
Page 103 of 224

MR2 U
1002000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Clock
SB19015
The digital clock indicates the time.
The key must be in the ACC" or ON"
position.
To reset the hour: Push the H" button.
To reset the minutes: Push the M" button.
If quick adjustment to a full hour is de-
sired, push the :00" button.
For example, if the :00" button is de-
pressed when the time is between
1:011:29, the time will change to 1:00.
If the time is between 1:301:59, the
time will change to 2:00.If the electrical power source has been
disconnected from the clock, the time dis-
play will automatically be set to 1:00 (one
o’clock).
When the instrument panel lights are
turned on, the brightness of the time indi-
cation will be reduced.
Cigarette lighter and ashtray
SB19016
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
To use the cigarette lighter, press it in.
When it becomes heated, it automatical-
ly pops out ready for use.
If the engine is not running, the key must
be in the ACC" position.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed
in.
Use a Toyota genuine cigarette lighter or
equivalent for replacement.
Page 105 of 224

MR2 U
1022000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SC18004
2. Fix the cover by hitching the inside clipon the hood.
NOTICE
Do not place valuables in the front
box to prevent robbery.
Do not place anything which weighs
over 5 kg (11 lb.) in the front box.
If something weighs over 5 kg (11
lb.) is placed in the front box while
driving, the front box may be dam-
aged.
Be sure to lock the cover securely
when you close the trunk lid. If the
cover is not securely locked, it may
cause damage to the trunk lid.
SB19018
Front of vehicle
DRAINAGE OF THE FRONT BOX
In case that the water is pooled inside the
front box, remove the grommet on the
bottom of the box to drain the water.
NOTICE
Since the front box is not waterproof
completely, it is possible for the
things stored in the box to the
drenched.
Auxiliary box
SB19019
Instrument panel
To use the box, open it as shown in
the illustration.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden stop,
always keep the auxiliary box closed
while driving.
Page 120 of 224

MR2 U
11 72000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Luggage stowage precautions
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the front box
or luggage space when at all possible.
Be sure all items are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION
Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage space. It is not designed
for the passenger. The passenger
should ride in the seat with the
seat belt properly fastened. Severe
injuries to an unrestrained passen-
ger can occur during sudden brak-
ing or a collision.
Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver’s field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turn-
ing, and impair the driver’s control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.Some Toyotas are equipped with a limit-
ed−slip differential. If one of the rear
wheels begins to spin, the limited−slip dif-
ferential is designed to aid traction by
automatically transmittiing driving force to
the other rear wheel. If you are not sure
whether your vehicle is equipped with one,
you can ask your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a compact spare tire of the
same size, construction and load ca-
pacity as the original tires on your
Toyota because damage to the limit-
ed−slip differential could possibly oc-
cur with another tire type.
Limited−slip differential
(on some models)
Page 121 of 224
MR2 U
11 82000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB21009
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
SB21016
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
Engine number
SB21010
The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.
Your Toyota’s identification
Vehicle identification
number
Page 171 of 224

MR2 U
1682000 MR2 (OM17475U)
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.
Carpets
Use a good foam−type shampoo to
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 waterthe 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.
NOTICE
Do not use dye or bleach on the
beltsit may weaken them.
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-
dows, be careful not to scratch or
damage the heater wires on the rear
window.
Air conditioning control panel, car au-
dio, 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.