Page 24 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
202001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Trunk lidÐ
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See ªLuggage stowage precautionsº in
Section 2 for precautions in loading lug-
gage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
ÐLock release lever
To open the trunk lid from the driver's
seat, pull up on the lock release lever.
Page 25 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
212001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
ÐLuggage security system
This system deactivates the lock re-
lease lever so that things locked in the
trunk can be protected.1. Coupe: Push down the security lock levers to lock the rear seatbacks.
After locking the rear seatbacks, try fold-
ing them down to make sure they are
securely locked, otherwise someone could
get into the trunk by folding down a rear
seat.2. After closing the trunk lid, insert the master key and turn it counterclock-
wise to deactivate the lock release
lever.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.If a person is locked in the trunk, pull
down the phosphorescent handle ( illu-
minated for a while) on the inside of
trunk lid in case of emergency to open
the trunk lid.
The handle illuminating time depends on
the intensity of the light thrown on the
handle.
ÐInternal trunk release
handle
Page 26 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
222001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
CAUTION
Always lock the trunk lid and all
doors, and keep away the vehicle
keys out of children's reaches.
Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle. Unsupervised children
may lock themselves in the vehicle
or trunk and suffer serious injuries
or death.
Hood
To open the hood:1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is closed and securely locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up theauxiliary catch l ever and lift the
hood.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. Then lower the hood and make sure
it locks into place. If necessary, press
down gently on the front edge to lock it.
Page 36 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
322001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Elastic hoops
FOLDING UP THE TOP BOOT6. Turn over the top boot. Then fold up the ends of the top boot and secure
them with the elastic hoops.
Store the folded top boot in the trunk.RAISING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP
The ignition switch must be in the ªONº
position to operate the convertible top. 7. Lower the sun visors. Push the con- vertible top control switch on the
ªCLOSEº side and release the switch
before the convertible top touches
the windshield frame. Then release
the latch handles.
8. Push the convertible top control switch on the ªCLOSEº side until
the top touches the windshield
frame. The side windows go partially down and
quarter windows go completely down when
the windows are closed and the convert-
ible top control switch is operated on the
ªCLOSEº side.
If the convertible top does not raise, see
ªIf the convertible top does not raise or
lowerº in Section 4 for instructions.
Page 45 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
412001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Fold±down rear seat
(A) FOLDING REAR SEAT1. Pull up the seatback security lock lever 1 to the unlock position.
2. Pull up the lock release button 2.
3. Fold down the seatback.
Each seatback may be folded separately.
This will enlarge the trunk as far as the
front seatbacks. See ª Luggage stowage
precautionsº in Section 2 for precautions
in loading luggage.
CAUTION
When returning the seatback to the
upright position:
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.
Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent seat
belt from operating properly.
(B) PREVENTING DAMAGE TO REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WEBBING
When folding down the left seatback, if
the luggage loaded in the enlarged
trunk will damage the webbing of the
rear center seat belt, disconnect the
rear center seat belt to prevent damage. 1. Insert the tab 1 or tab of the outside seat belt into the buckle±release but-
ton to release the tab 2, and allow
the belt to retract.
Page 52 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
482001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT (coupe only)
The rear center seat belt is a 3±point type
restraint with 2 buckles. Both seat belt
buckles must be correctly located and se-
curely latched for proper operation
Make sure the buckle 1 is securely
latched for ready use of the center seat
belt.
The buckle 1 should be separated only
when the rear left seatback is folded
down, if the luggage loaded in the en-
larged trunk will damage the webbing of
the rear center seat belt. (See ªFold±down
rear seatº in this section for the instruc-
tion of how to correctly connect the seat
belt.)Two buckles and tabs for rear center
seat belt
The two buckles for the rear center seat
belt are distinguished with size of the
buckle release button. Also the two tabs
have different shape for its end so that
the belt is not buckled in the wrong place.
CAUTION
Make sure the both buckles are cor-
rectly located and securely latched.
Failure to properly match the buckle
and tab may cause severe injury in
case of an accident or a collision.
CAUTION
Do not use the rear center seat belt
with either buckle released. Fastening
only the shoulder belt or lap belt may
cause severe personal injury in case
of sudden braking or a collision.
Page 210 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
2062001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
RAISING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP
MANUALLY1. Open the trunk and push the manual control switch on the ªMANUALº
side.
2. Lower the side windows, quarter windows and sun visors.
If the battery is discharged and the win-
dows cannot be lowered, open both doors.3. From the rear seat, place one hand on top of the rear seatback. With the
other hand, grasp the convertible top
edge at the center and slowly raise
the top half way.4. Move to the front seat, grasp thehandle which is under the convert-
ible top. Pull the top forward and
stop it before the top touches the
windshield frame. Then release the
latch handles.
Page 223 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
2192001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
If you are a skilled do±it±yourself mechan-
ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-
mended. Please be aware that do±it±your-
self maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See ªOwner 's Warranty Informa-
tion Bookletº or ªOwner 's Manual Supple-
mentº for the details.
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-
fied service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where ade-
quate ventilation can be obtained if
you run the engine.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
Section 7±2 for additional information.Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Section 7±2 for
additional information. When checking the
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the mainte-
nance schedule. (For scheduled mainte-
nance information, please refer to the sep-
arate ªScheduled Maintenance Guideº or
ªOwner 's Manual Supplementº.) See Sec-
tion 7±2 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.