MR2 U
162000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Engine hood
SB12069
To open the engine hood:1. Pull the engine hood lock release lever. The engine hood will spring up
slightly.
The engine hood lock release lever can
be locked by the key.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the en-
gine hood is closed and securely
locked. Otherwise, the engine hood
may open unexpectedly while driving
and an accident may occur.
SB12044
2. In rear of the vehicle, lift the engine hood.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the engine
hood, the support rod, or surrounding
area which could be hot after driving,
to prevent burning yourself.
SB12038
3. Hold the engine hood open by in-serting the support rod into the slot.
Before closing the engine hood, check to
see that you have not forgotten any tools,
rags, etc. and return the support rod to its
clipthis prevents rattles. Then lower the
engine hood and make sure it locks into
place. If necessary, press down gently on
the rear edge to lock it.
CAUTION
After inserting the support rod into
the slot, make sure the rod supports
the engine hood securely from falling
down on to your head or body.
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.
MR2 U
702000 MR2 (OM17475U)
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light oneven for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
Fuel gauge" in this Section for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See Fuel tank cap" in Section
1−2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.(h) ABS" Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ON" position. If the anti−
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ABS" warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the ABS" warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ON" posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
MR2 U
712000 MR2 (OM17475U)
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until both the doors
are completely closed.
(j) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ON" position.
After about 6 seconds, the light will go
off. This means the systems of the air-
bag and seat belt pretensioners are op-
erating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ON" posi-
tion, or the light remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.(k) Power Steering System Warning
Light
This light warns that there is a problem
in your power steering system.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
(l) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver ’s door with
the ignition key in the ACC" or LOCK"
position.
(m) Light reminder buzzer
The buzzer will sound if the headlight
switch is left on and the driver’s door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open either side door. The open door warning light should
come
on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ON", but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The ABS" and power steer-
ing system warning lights go off after
a few seconds. The SRS warning light
goes off after about 6 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, either the bulb is burned out or the
circuit is in need of repair. Have it
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
MR2 U
11 42000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Brake system
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub−systems. If either sub−system should
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power−assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved
vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTI−LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
The anti−lock brake system is designed
to automatically help prevent lock−up of
the wheels during a sudden braking or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This
assists in providing directional stability
and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal:
When the anti−lock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the anti−lock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal, down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. This
will result in reduced braking
performance.
The anti−lock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on the manhole
cover, the steel plate under the construc-
tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy
day tends to activate the anti−lock brake
system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in
the engine compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just after
the vehicle is started. This means that the
anti−lock brake system is in the self
check mode, and does not indicate a mal-
function.
MR2 U
1222000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle and steering wheel
angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock both the doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the transmission into neutral. Hold
the clutch pedal to the floor until the
engine is started. A starter safety de-
vice will prevent the starter from oper-
ating if the clutch pedal is not fully
depressed.
(b) Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to
follow the instructions in (a) Before
cranking".
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air−fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to START". Release it when the en-
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 sec- onds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See If your vehicle will not start" in
Section 4.
How to start the engine
(a) Before cranking
MR2 U
1232000 MR2 (OM17475U)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 sec-
onds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp−edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage result-
ing in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in first or reverse. If necessary,
block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
Tips for driving in various
conditions
MR2 U
1282000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting
procedure given in How to start the
engine" in Section 3 and that you have
sufficient fuel. Also check whether the
other keys will start the engine. If they
work, your key may be broken. Have the
key checked at your Toyota dealer. If
none of your keys work, the engine
immobiliser system is possibly broken.
Call your Toyota dealer. (See Keys" in
Section 1−2.)
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowly1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the battery
is discharged. You may try jump start-
ing. See (c) Jump starting" for further
instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair
shop.NOTICE
Do not pull− or push−start the ve-
hicle. It may damage the vehicle or
cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the three−way catalytic
converter may overheat and become a
fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not start
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See (b) Starting a
flooded engine" for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota
dealer or qualified repair shop.
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to START"
with the accelerator pedal held down.
Keep the key and accelerator pedal in
these positions for 15 seconds and re-
lease them. Then try starting the engine
with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 sec-
onds of cranking, release the key, wait a
few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer
or qualified repair shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 sec-
onds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
If your vehicle will not start
(a) Simple checks