2001 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER check oil

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
1862001 MR2 (OM17482U)
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 page 191 in Section 7−2 for de-
tails about coolant 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

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
1892001 MR2 (OM17482U)
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level190
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Checking the engine coolant level 191
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Checking brake fluid 192
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Checking power steering fluid 193
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Checking tire pressure 194
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Checking and replacing tires 195
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Rotating tires 196
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Installing snow tires and chains 197
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Replacing wheels 198
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Aluminum wheel precautions 199
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SECTION 7− 2

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
1902001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Checking the engine oil level
SB72010
Low levelFull level
Add oil O.K.
To o f u l l
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for ref-
erence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand−tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 1.3(1.4,1.1)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
ENGINE OIL SELECTION
Use API grade SJ, Energy−Conserving"
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W−30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy, and
good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W−30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the engine
may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W−30 engine oil is recommended.

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
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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

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CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and
explosive hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
immediately and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, con-
tinue to apply water with a sponge
or cloth while en route to the medi-
cal office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burning, get medi-
cal attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.
If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.
Checking battery exterior
SB73061
TerminalsGround
cable Hold−down clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
hold−down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsbut do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold−down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
Checking battery condition
Precautions

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
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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.): 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.