Page 164 of 224

MR2 U
1612000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB41046
Remove the cover (rear)
SB41034
Install the eyelet (rear)
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.
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 low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
∗: 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.
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MR2 U
1622000 MR2 (OM17475U)
CAUTION
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.
When installing the eyelet on the
vehicle, be sure to tighten the eye-
let securely. If the tightening is
loose, it may come off when being
towed and result in death or seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
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.
Do not use the left rear eyelet. It is
not designed for towing.
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.
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 the suggestion given in Keys" 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 their special tools. If you must
break a window to get in, we suggest
breaking the side window because it is
the least expensive to replace. Be ex-
tremely cautious to avoid cuts from the
glass.
Page 177 of 224

MR2 U
1742000 MR2 (OM17475U)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
latches lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles and retractors operate properly
and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing
is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Section 7−3 for additional infor-
mation.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the FULL" and LOW" lines on the see−
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is between upper and lower lev-
el lines on the case. Add only distilled
water when replenishing. See Section 7−3
for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level by the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See Section 7−2 for addi-
tional information.
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MR2 U
1752000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the HOT" or COLD"
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See Engine exhaust cautions" in
Section 2.)Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?
Page 182 of 224
SB71100
MR2 U
1792000 MR2 (OM17475U)
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Fuse block
3. Power steering fluid reservoir
4. Windshield washer fluid tank
Trunk room overview
Page 185 of 224

MR2 U
1822000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Take care when filling the brake and
clutch fluid reservoirs because
brake fluid can harm your eyes and
damage painted surfaces. If fluid
gets in your eyes, flush your eyes
with clean water.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash it off with water to prevent
it from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse iridium−tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood or
trunk, check to see that you have
not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do−it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API grade SJ,
Energy−Conserving" or ILSAC
multigrade having viscosity proper for
your climate
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" or equiva-
lent
See Section 7−2 for details about cool-
ant type selection.
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Page 186 of 224

MR2 U
1832000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Toyota P.S fluid EH or equivalent
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Checking and replacing fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Genuine Toyota fuse or equivalent with
same amperage rating as original
Adding washer fluid
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use) Tools:
Funnel
Replacing light bulbs
Parts:
Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in
Replacing light bulbs" in Section
7−3.)
Tools:
Screwdriver
SB71008
Front of vehicle
If you use the garage jack to lift up
your vehicle, you must select the cor-
rect jack point as shown.
Jack position
. . . . . . . . . .
Front− Front crossmember
Rear− Rear engine mounting braket
Support position and
Pantograph jack
. . . . . .
Vehicle jack up and support
locations
Page 187 of 224

MR2 U
1842000 MR2 (OM17475U)
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the
following to reduce the possibility of
personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not put any part of your body
under the vehicle supported by a
jack. Personal injury may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
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.
Make sure to set the jack properly
in the jack point. Raising the ve-
hicle with jack improperly posi-
tioned will damage the vehicle or
may allow the vehicle to fall off the
jack and cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when
the vehicle is supported by the jack
alone; use vehicle support stands.
Use the jack only for lifting your
vehicle during wheel changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with some-
one in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not
put an object on or under the jack.
Raise the vehicle only high enough
to remove and change the tire.
NOTICE
Never apply the jack at other than the
specified jack point. Otherwise, your
vehicle may be damaged.