Page 111 of 224

MR2 U
1082000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Break−in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does  not need an elaborate
break−in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the  future economy  and long  life of
your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Run the engine at moderate speed be-
tween 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full−throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only
unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix−ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps  with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum,  the gasoline  you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three−
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher.
Use of  unleaded fuel  with an octane num-
ber or rating lower  than stated above will
cause persistent heavy knocking. If se-
vere, this will lead to engine damage.If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is no need
of concern.
GASOLINES CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends the use of gaso-
lines that contain detergent additives to
avoid build−up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S con-
tains detergent additives to keep clean
and/or clean intake systems. 
     
        
        Page 112 of 224

MR2 U
1092000 MR2 (OM17475U)
QUALITY GASOLINE
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Eu-
rope and Japan have developed a specifi-
cation for quality fuel named World−Wide
Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to
be applied world wide.  The WWFC con-
sists of three categories that depend on
required emission levels. In the U.S.,
category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC
improves air quality by providing for better
emissions in vehicle fleets, and customer
satisfaction through better  vehicle perfor-
mance.
CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE
Cleaner burning gasoline, including re-
formulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE is
available in many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner
burning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline.  These types of
gasoline provide excellent vehicle perfor-
mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im-
prove air quality.OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE
Toyota allows the use of oxygenate
blended gasoline where the oxygenate
content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Toyo-
ta, be sure that  it  has an octane rating
no lower than 87.
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline containing methanol.
SULFUR IN GASOLINE
If your vehicle is certified to California
Emission Regulations,  the vehicle is de-
signed to operate on California cleaner
burning gasoline (CBG)  that contains
lower sulfer. If you cannot use Califor-
nia CBG, your emission control system
may suffer damage and turn on the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
If the malfunction is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
cropentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline that contains MMT.  If fuel con-
taining MMT is used, your emission con-
trol system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-
strument cluster may come on.  If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for
service.
GASOLINE QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
drivability problems  caused by  the particu-
lar gasoline that  you are using.  If you
continue to have unacceptable drivability,
try changing gasoline brands.    If  this does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer. 
     
        
        Page 113 of 224

MR2 U
11 02000 MR2 (OM17475U)
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel sys-
tem damage or vehicle performance
problems.
 If driveability problems occur ( poor
hot starting, vaporizing, engine
knock, etc.), discontinue the use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol dur-
ing refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
48 L (12.7 gal., 10.6 Imp. gal.)
Fuel pump shut off system
The fuel pump shut off system stops sup-
plying fuel  to the engine to minimize the
risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls
or an airbag inflates upon collision. To
restart the engine after the fuel  pump shut
off system activates, turn the ignition
switch to ACC" or LOCK" once and start
it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle
before restarting the engine. If you
find that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, it is the fuel system has
been damaged and it  is in need of
repair. In this case, do not restart the
engine.
Operation in foreign countries
If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First,  comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second,  confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane
number). 
     
        
        Page 213 of 224
MR2 U
2102000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Dimensions and weight
Overall length mm (in.) 3885(153.0)
Overall width mm (in.) 1695(66.7)
Overall height mm (in.) 1240(48.8)
∗
Wheelbase mm (in.) 2450(96.5)
Front tread mm (in.) 1475(58.1)
Rear tread mm (in.) 1460(57.5)
Vehicle capacity weight
(occupants + luggage)kg (lb.) 193(425)
∗: Unladen vehicle
Engine
Model: 1ZZ−FE
Type:  4 cylinder in line, 4 cycle, gasoline
Bore and stroke, mm (in.):  79.0   91.5 (3.11  3.60)
Displacement, cm
3 (cu. in.):
1794 (109.5)
Fuel
Fuel type:
Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 
87 (Research Octane Number 91) 
or higher
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): 48 (12.7, 10.6) 
     
        
        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