Page 11 of 234
01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
42001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Instrument cluster overview
SB11016
1. Speedometer
2. Service reminder indicators andindicator lights
3. Engine coolant temperature gauge 4. Low fuel level warning light
5. Fuel gauge
6. Tachometer
7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Odometer and two trip meters 
     
        
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01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
672001 MR2 (OM17482U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND 
CONTROLS
Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators
Fuel gauge68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Engine coolant temperature gauge 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tachometer 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Odometer and two trip meters 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
SECTION 1− 5 
     
        
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01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
692001 MR2 (OM17482U)
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle is not displayed, there may be a
problem in the system.  In this  case, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not  continue driving with an
overheated engine. See If your
vehicle overheats" on page 135 in
Section 4.
Tachometer
SB15008
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and over−revving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear  and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Odometer and two trip meters
SB15005
This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters.
1. OdometerShows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip metersShow two different distances independently driven since
the last time each trip meter was set
to zero.
You can use one trip meter  to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is  cancelled if  the elec-
trical power source is disconnected. 
     
        
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01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
702001 MR2 (OM17482U)
3. Trip meter reset knobResets the twotrip meters to zero, and also change
the meter display.
To change the meter display, quickly
push and release the knob. The meter
display changes in the order from the
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter
B, then back to the odometer each
time you push.
To reset the trip meter A to zero, dis-
play the trip meter A reading, then
push and hold the knob until  the meter
is set to zero. The same process can
be applied for resetting the trip meter
B.If the indicator  Do this.
or buzzer 
comes on...
(a) If parking brake is off,
stop immediately 
and contact 
Toyota dealer.
(d) Stop and check.
(c) Fasten 
passenger ’s seat
belt.
(e) Stop and check.
(f)Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(b) Fasten driver ’s 
seat belt.
(k) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(j) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer
immediately.
(i) Close both the
doors
(h) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(g)
Fill up tank.
If the indicator  Do this.
or buzzer 
comes on...
(l)
Remove key.
Key reminder
buzzer
(m) Turn off lights.
Light reminder
buzzer
Low fuel 
level warning 
light
Service reminder indicators
an d warn in g bu zzers 
     
        
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01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
1952001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Checking and replacing tires
SB72007
Tread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tire tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have built−in
tread wear indicators to help you know
when the tires need replacement. When
the tread depth wears  to 1.6 mm (0.06
in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If
you can see the indicators in two or more
adjacent grooves, the tire should be re-
placed. The lower the tread, the higher
the risk of skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires  is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks.  If any
damage is found, consult with a techni-
cian and have the tire repaired or re-
placed.
Even if the damage does not appear  seri-
ous, a qualified technician should examine
the damage. Objects which have pene-
trated the tire may have caused internal
damage.
Any tires which are over 6 years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and
tires stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as original-
ly installed and with the same or great-
er load capacity.
Using any  other  size or  type of  tire may
seriously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clearance,
and clearance between the body and tires
or snow chains.
CAUTION
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias−ply tires on your vehicle. It
can cause dangerous handling char-
acteristics, resulting in loss of con-
trol.
Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer’s recom-
mended size.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both front or rear tires be re-
placed as a set.
See If you have a flat tire" on page
136 in Section 4 for tire change proce-
dure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Wheels can get out
of balance with regular use and should
therefore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.