Page 6 of 224
MR2 U
32000 MR2 (OM17475U)
1. Headlight and turn signal switch
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Clock
4. Rear window defogger switch
5. Emergency flasher switch
6. Auxiliary box
7. Engine immobiliser system indicator light
8. Air conditioning controls
9. Car audio
10. Cup holders
11 . A s h t r a y
12. Cigarette lighter
13. Ignition switch
14. Tilt steering lock release lever
SB11020
Page 69 of 224

MR2 U
662000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Fuel gauge
SB15009
Low fuel level
warning light
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly fullNeedle at F"
Nearly emptyNeedle at E"
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
The needle moves when braking, acceler-
ating or making turns. This is cause by
the movement of the fuel in the tank.
If the fuel level approaches E" or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible.On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
SB15007
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves to the H" position,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop−and−go traffic.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Page 72 of 224

MR2 U
692000 MR2 (OM17475U)
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition key is in the ON" posi-
tion.
When the parking brake is applied...
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following case:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion key is in the ON" position.
CAUTION
If the light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running, immedi-
ately stop your vehicle at a safe
place and contact your Toyota dealer.
In this case, the brakes may not work
properly and your stopping distance
will become longer. Depress the brake
pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to
an immediate stop.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Lightand Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ON" or
START", the reminder light flashes and
buzzer sounds if the driver ’s seat belt is
not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the
belt, the light keeps flashing and the
buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds. (c) Passenger ’s Seat Belt Reminder
Light
This light reminds you to buckle up the
passenger ’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ON" or
START", the reminder light flashes if a
passenger sits in the passenger seat and
does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the
passenger fastens the belt, the light stays
flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the passen-
ger seat, depending on its weight and how
it is placed on the seat, built−in sensors
in the seat cushion may detect the pres-
sure, causing the reminder light to come
on.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
Page 90 of 224

MR2 U
872000 MR2 (OM17475U)
AM
FadingAM broadcasts are reflected by
the upper atmosphereespecially at night.
These reflected signals can interfere with
those received directly from the radio sta-
tion, causing the radio station to sound
alternately strong and weak.
Station interferenceWhen a reflected sig-
nal and a signal received directly from a
radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each
other, making it difficult to hear the broad-
cast.
StaticAM is easily affected by external
sources of electrical noise, such as high
tension power lines, lightening, or electri-
cal motors. This results in static.
CARING FOR YOUR CASSETTE PLAYER
AND TAPES
For the best performance for your cas-
sette player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regu-
larly.
A dirty tape head or tape path can
decrease sound quality and tangle your
cassette tapes. The easiest way to
clean them is by using a cleaning tape.
(A wet type is recommended.)Use high−quality cassettes.
Low−quality cassette tapes can cause
many problems, including poor sound,
inconsistent playing speed, and
constant auto−reversing. They can also
get stuck or tangled in the cassette
player.
Do not use a cassette if it has been
damaged or tangled or if its label is
peeling off.
Do not leave a cassette in the player
if you are not listening to it, especially
if it is hot outside.
Store cassettes in their cases and out
of direct sunlight.
Avoid using cassettes with a total play-
ing time longer than 100 minutes (50
minutes per side). The tape used in
these cassettes is thin and could get
stuck or tangled in the cassette player.
G17032
CARING FOR YOUR COMPACT DISC
PLAYER AND DISCS
Use only compact discs labeled as
shown.
Extremely high temperatures can keep
your compact disc player from working.
On hot days, use the air conditioning
to cool the vehicle interior before you
listen to a disc.
Bumpy roads or other vibrations may
make your compact disc player skip.
Page 94 of 224
MR2 U
912000 MR2 (OM17475U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Air conditioning system
Controls92
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air flow selector settings 95
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Operating tips 95
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Side vent s97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1− 8
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 97 of 224
MR2 U
942000 MR2 (OM17475U)
G18023
Air intake selector
Move the lever to select the air source.1. Recirculate Recirculates the air inside
the vehicle.
2. Fresh Draws outside air into the sys-
tem. A/C" button
To turn on the air conditioning, press the
A/C" button. The A/C" button indicator
will come on. To turn the air conditioning
off, press the button again.
If the A/C" button indicator flashes, there
is a problem in the air conditioning system
and the air conditioning automatically
shuts off. If this happens, take your ve-
hicle to a Toyota dealer for service.
Page 98 of 224

MR2 U
952000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Air flow selector settingsOperating tips
To cool off your Toyota after it has
been parked in the hot sun, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes.
This vents the hot air, allowing the air
conditioning to cool the interior more
quickly.
Make sure the air intake grilles in front
of the windshield are not blocked (by
leaves or snow, for example).
On humid days, do not blow cold air
on the windshield. The windshield could
fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside
of the windshield.
Keep the area under the seats clear to
allow air to circulate throughout the ve-
hicle.
On cold days, turn the fan speed to
HI" for a minute to help clear the in-
take ducts of snow or moisture. This
can reduce the amount of fogging on
the windows.
When driving on dusty roads, close all
windows. If dust thrown up by the ve-
hicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake selector be set to
FRESH and the fan speed selector to
any setting except OFF".
SB18004