2001 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER oil

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
2001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Publication No. OM17482U
Part No. 01999-17482
Printed in Japan 01−0008−00
C
MR2(U)
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 70 . . . . . . . . . . .
 If your vehicle will not start 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
 If your engine stalls while driving 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 If your vehicle overheats 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 If you have a flat tire 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 If your vehicle needs to be towed 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Tips for driving during break−in period 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 How to start the engine 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 General maintenance 177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 Complete index 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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Gas station information
Fuel type:
1ZZ−FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
See page 110 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 190 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 194 through 199.
Tire pressure: See page 219.
U2

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
2001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Where to obtain the Repair Manual
The repair manual for MR2, written in English,
may be purchased as applicable from any Toyota
dealer.
Pub. Name: 2001 MR2 Repair Manual
Pub. No.: RM801U1 (Maintenance, Preparation, Service specifications and Diagnos-
tics)
RM801U2 (Engine, Chassis and Body)
Maintenance procedures for the engine,
chassis, body, electric al system, and more,
are clearly explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tuneup
Periodic maintenance and tuneup helps to pre-
vent small problems from growing into larger ones lat-
er on. The repair manual outlines exactly what main-
tenance is required and clearly explains how to do the
work yourself stepbystep.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug re-
placement, valve clearance adjustment and engine oil
and filter replacement.

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
52001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
SRS warning light∗
Open door warning light∗Brake system warning light∗
Discharge warning light∗
Low oil pressure warning light∗
Malfunction indicator lamp∗
Anti−lock brake system warning light∗
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Power steering system warning light∗
∗
: For details, see Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers" on page 70 in Section 1−5.
Passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
722001 MR2 (OM17482U)
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" on page 68 in this
section for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se- curely. (See Fuel tank cap" on page
18 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.

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
812001 MR2 (OM17482U)
YOUR RADIO ANTENNA
To remove the antenna, carefully turn it
counterclockwise.
On some models
To lower the power antenna, turn off the
audio system by pushing PWR·VOL", or
turn the ignition key to LOCK".
YOUR CASSETTE PLAYER
When you insert a cassette, the exposed
tape should be to the right.
NOTICE
Do not oil any part of the player and
do not insert anything other than cas-
sette tapes into the slot, or the tape
player may be damaged.
YOUR COMPACT DISC PLAYER
When you insert a disc, gently push it in
with the label side up. (The player will
automatically eject a disc if the label side
is down.) The compact disc player will
play from track 1 through the end of the
disc. Then it will play from track 1 again.
On models with the compact disc auto
changer, next disc will be played from
track 1.
NOTICE
Never try to disassemble or oil any
part of the compact disc player. Do
not insert anything except a compact
disc into the slot.
The player is intended for use with 12 cm
(4.7 in.) discs only.

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
1092001 MR2 (OM17482U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Break−in period11 0
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Fuel 11 0
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Fuel pump shut off system 11 2
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Operation in foreign countries 11 2
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Three−way catalytic converter 11 3
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Engine exhaust cautions 11 4
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Facts about engine oil consumption 11 4
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Iridium−tipped spark plugs 11 5
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Brake system 11 6
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 11 8
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Luggage stowage precautions 11 9
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Limited−slip differential 11 9
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Your Toyota’s identification 120
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Theft prevention labels 121
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Suspension and chassis 121
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Types of tires 121
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SECTION 2

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
11 42001 MR2 (OM17482U)
Engine exhaust cautions
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open. Have the cause immediately
located and corrected.
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

01MY MR2(U) L/O 0008
11 52001 MR2 (OM17482U)
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see Checking the engine oil level" on
page 190 in Section 7−2.
Iridium−tipped spark plugs
SB21011
Your engine is fitted with iridium−tipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridium−tipped spark plugs
and do not adjust gaps for your en-
gine performance and smooth drive-
ability.