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 190 of 224

MR2 U
1872000 MR2 (OM17475U)
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum
Institute) designations such as SJ. The
center portion of the label shows the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W−30.
Energy−Conserving" shown in the lower
portion, indicates that the oil has
fuel−saving capabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container. Look at the see−through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the FULL" and LOW" lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-
ene−glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum com-
ponents.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the LOW" line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the FULL"
line.
Always use ethylene−glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, drain cock and water
pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
Checking the engine coolant
level
Page 212 of 224
MR2 U
2092000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions and weight210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Engine 210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service specifications 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
Tires 213
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 214
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 8
Page 214 of 224

MR2 U
2112000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Service specifications
ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):Intake 0.150.25(0.0060.010)
Exhaust 0.250.35(0.0100.014)
Spark plug type: DENSO SK16R11
NGK IFR5A11
Spark plug gap, mm (in.): 1.1 (0.043) ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and ref
ill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.):
With filter 3.7(3.9,3.3)
Without filter 3.5(3.7,3.1)
Oil grade: API grade SJ, Energy−Conserving" or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended.
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): Manual transaxle 10.4(11.0,9.2)
Coolant type: TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" or equiva-
lent
With ethylene−glycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
BATTERY
Open voltage
∗ at 20 °C (68 °F):
12.612.8 V Fully charged
12.212.4 V Half charged
11.812.0 V Discharged
∗: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes af-
ter the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging rates: 5 A max.
Page 222 of 224

MR2 U
2192000 MR2 (OM17475U)
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may de-
part significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C The traction
grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straighta-
head) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction. Temperature A, B, C
The temperature
grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and exces-
sive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a lev-
el of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for this
tire are established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
Page 224 of 224

2000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Publication No. OM17475U
Part No. 01999-17475
Printed in Japan 01−9912−00
C
MR2(00U)
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 68 . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
If your engine stalls while driving 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving during break−in period 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
General maintenance 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
Complete index NO TAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
1ZZ−FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
See page 108 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
48 L (12.7 gal., 10.6 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API grade SJ, Energy−Conserving" or ILSAC multigrade engine oil is
recommended.
See page 186 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 190 through 194.
Tire pressure: See page 213.
00U−1