MR2 U
252000 MR2 (OM17475U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Seats, Seat belts, Steering wheel and Mirrors
Seats26
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Seat belts 28
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SRS driver and passenger airbags 34
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Passenger airbag manual on−off switch 43
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Child restraint 44
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Tilt steering wheel 56
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Outside rear view mirrors 56
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Anti−glare inside rear view mi rror 57
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SECTION 1− 3
MR2 U
262000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Seats
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow any passengers sitting in
the luggage space. Persons not
properly seated and/or properly re-
strained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
While the vehicle is moving, do not
allow any passenger to stand up in
the vehicle. Severe injuries can oc-
cur in the event of emergency brak-
ing or a collision.
Adjust the driver’s seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.
CAUTION
Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a pas-
senger or luggage.
After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.
After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
Do not put objects under the seats.
The objects may interfere with the
seat−lock mechanism or unexpect-
edly push up the seat position ad-
justing lever; the seat may suddenly
move, causing the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
While adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may jam
your hands or fingers.
Seat adjustment
precautions
MR2 U
342000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB13045
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The front part of the vehicle (shaded
in the illustration) was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the seat belt pretensioners to
operate.
Either seat belt pretensioner assembly
or surrounding area is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
SB13092
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem) airbags are designed to provide
further protection for the driver and
passenger in addition to the primary
safety protection provided by the seat
belts.
In response to a severe frontal impact,
the SRS airbags work together with the
seat belts to help reduce injury by inflat-
ing. The SRS airbags help to reduce inju-
ries mainly to the driver ’s or passenger ’s
head or chest caused by directly hitting
the steering wheel or dashboard. When
the passenger airbag manual on−off swich
is in the ON" position, the passenger air-
bag is activated even with no passenger
in the seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.Your vehicle is equipped with a crash
sensing and diagnostic module, which will
record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver when the SRS air-
bags inflated.
CAUTION
A driver or passenger too close to
the steering wheel or dashboard dur-
ing airbag deployment can be killed
or seriously injured. Toyota strongly
recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as pos-
sible from the steering wheel while
still maintaining control of the ve-
hicle.
The passenger sit as far back as
possible from the dashboard.
All vehicle occupants be properly
restrained using the available seat
belts.
SRS driver and passenger
airbags
MR2 U
382000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB13077
Hitting a curb, edge
of pavement or hard
materialFalling into or
jumping over
a deep hole
Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may deploy if a seri-
ous impact occurs to the underside of
your vehicle. Some examples are shown
in the illustration.
SB13094
The SRS airbag system consists mainly of
the following components, and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration. 1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Airbag module for passenger (airbag and inflator)
4. Airbag sensor assembly
5. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and center airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, the sensors
detect deceleration and the system trig-
gers the airbag inflators. Then a chemical
reaction in the inflators quickly fills the
airbags with non−toxic gas to help restrain
the forward motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
and residue along with non−toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This gas is nor-
mally harmless; however, for those who
have delicate skin, it may cause a minor
skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
any potential skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is desi
gned to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swelling.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel
hub, dashboard) may be hot for several
minutes, but the airbags themselves will
not be hot. The airbags are designed to
inflate only once.
MR2 U
412000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB13054
Do not allow a child to stand up,
or to kneel on the passenger seat.
The airbag inflates with consider-
able speed and force; the child may
be killed or seriously injured.
Do not hold a child on your lap or
in your arms. Use a child restraint
system in the seat. For instructions
concerning the installation of a
child restraint system, see Child
restraint" in this Section.
SB13055
Do not put objects or your pets on
or in front of the dashboard or
steering wheel pad that houses the
airbag system. They might restrict
inflation or cause death or serious
injury as they are projected rear-
ward by the force of deploying air-
bags. Likewise, the driver and pas-
senger should not hold things in
their arms or on their knees.
Do not modify or remove any wir-
ing. Do not modify, remove, strike
or open any components such as
the steering wheel pad, steering
wheel, column cover, passenger air-
bag cover, passenger airbag or air-
bag sensor assembly. Doing any of
these may cause sudden SRS air-
bag inflation or disable the system,
which could result in death or seri-
ous injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
MR2 U
422000 MR2 (OM17475U)
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your To-
yota dealer. Such changes can inter-
fere with proper operation of the SRS
airbag system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile two−way radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
Modification of the front end struc-
ture
Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure, con-
sole, steering column, steering
wheel or dashboard near the pas-
senger airbag
SB13102
This SRS airbag system has a service
reminder indicator to inform the driver of
operational problems. If either of the
following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction of the airbags. 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.
SB13067
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The SRS airbags have been inflated.
The front part of the vehicle (shaded
in the illustration) was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS airbags to inflate.
The pad section of the steering wheel
or passenger airbag cover (shaded in
the illustration) is scratched, cracked,
or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables
before contacting your Toyota dealer.
MR2 U
562000 MR2 (OM17475U)
Tilt steering wheel
SB13049
To change the steering wheel angle,
hold the steering wheel, push the lock
release lever, tilt the steering wheel to
the desired angle and return the lever
to its original position.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. It may
cause the driver to mishandle the
vehicle and an accident may occur
resulting in personal death or inju-
ries.
After adjusting the steering wheel,
try moving it up and down to make
sure it is locked in position.
Outside rear view mirrors
SB13050
Adjust the mirror so that you can see
the side of your vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or dis-
tance of any object seen in the outside
rear view mirror. It is a convex mirror with
a curved surface. Any object seen in a
convex mirror will look smaller and farther
away than when seen in a flat mirror.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the
vehicle is moving. It may cause the
driver to mishandle the vehicle and
an accident may occur resulting in
personal death or injuries.
Power rear view mirror control
SB13099
To adjust a mirror, use the switches.1. Master switchTo select the mirror to be adjusted
Place the switch at L" (left) or R"
(right).
2. Control switchTo move the mirror Push the switch in the desired direc-
tion.
Mirror can be adjusted when key is in the
ACC" or ON" position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not
operate the control or scrape the mir-
ror face. Use a spray de−icer to free
the mirror.
MR2 U
742000 MR2 (OM17475U)
SB16007
START"Starter motor on. The key
will return to the ON" position when
released.
For starting tips, see Section 3.
ON"Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
ACC"Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACC" or
LOCK" position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
LOCK"Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.You must push in the key to turn it from
ACC" to the LOCK" position.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
Engine immobiliser system" in Section
1−2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the LOCK" position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTION
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ON"
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Manual transmission
SB16006
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill gradeuse the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:
Ignition switch with
steering lock