2002 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER gear selector

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2002 MR2 (OM17493U)
Instrument panel overview
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Interior light
5. Glove box
6. Manual transmission gear shift lever orsequential manual transmission selector
lever
7. Parking brake lever
8. Power window switches
9. Power rear view mirror control switches
10. Instrument panel light control switch 11. Power door lock switch
12. Power window lock switch
SB11025

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The sequential manual transmission is a
5speed forward/reverse transmission.
With the basics of the traditional manual
transmission, the clutch operation and
shifting are controlled electronically. The
system has the following features:
The electronically controlled clutch op-
eration and transmission enables gear
shift by the operation of the selector
lever (or the steering switch) only.
When starting the engine, turn the igni-
tion switch to the “ON” position. While
holding down the brake pedal firmly,
shift the selector lever to the “N” posi-
tion. Make sure that the “N” indicator
in the instrument cluster comes on,
and then start the engine. In case the
selector lever is in a position other
than “N”, or the if the brake pedal is
not held down, the engine cannot be
started.
When the vehicle is going to stop and
the speed is reduced to a certain
speed, the gear will be downshifted to
1st if the selector lever is in “S” posi-
tion.
To understand this unique system and op-
eration method of the sequential manual
transmission, read this section thoroughly
before driving.
SD16017
The sequential manual transmission has a
shift lock system. This system locks the
selector lever to keep the transmission
gear and the selector lever position in the
same position when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
However, if the selector lever is locked in
the “S” position, the lever can be moved
to the “+” or “” direction, but the gear
will not be actually shifted. (a) Selector lever
“R” Reverse
“N” Neutral and engine starting
“S” Sequential driving
(normal driving)
“+”: Upshifting Pull the selector lever to the “+”
direction and release it. Every
time the lever is operated, the
transmission is upshifted 1 step in
the order of 1st 2nd 3rd 
4th 5th gear.
“” Downshifting
Push the selector lever to the “”
direction and release it. Every
time the lever is operated, the
transmission is downshifted in the
order of 5th 4th 3rd 2nd
 1st gear.
The gear position is displayed on the gear
position indicator. The gear position indica-
tor shows the transmission gear position.
Before starting off, always make sure by
using the gear position indicator that the
gear is engaged in 1st or reverse, then
depress the accelerator pedal.

Sequential manual
transmission

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SB16018
(b) Transmission shift switches
Upshift switches (Back of the steer-
ing wheel)
Push the upshift switch on the back of the
steering wheel. Every time the switch is
operated, the transmission is shifted up 1
step in the order of 1st 2nd 3rd 
4th 5th gear.
\b
 Downshift switches (Face of the
steering wheel)
Push the downshift switch on the face of
the steering wheel. Every time the switch
is operated, the transmission is down-
shifted 1 step in the order of
5th 4th  3rd 2nd 1st gear.
Gear shift from “1st” to “5th” by the steer-
ing switch is possible when the selector
lever is in the “S” position. The gear posi-
tion is displayed on the gear position indi-
cator. The gear position indicator shows
the transmission gear position.
(c) System Operation
When the driver ’s door is opened, the
system is activated, and the motor pump
operates to accumulate pressure. The sys-
tem enters standby mode when the accu-
mulated pressure reaches the specified
level. A motor sound may be heard from
the engine compartment at this time, but
it does not indicate malfunction. The motor
will stop after a certain period of time.
SD16018
Selector lever


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Transmission shift switches
(d) Upshift and downshift
The sequential manual transmission is not
an automatic transmission (A/T), therefore,
the gears are not shifted automatically. To
shift the transmission, the driver must op-
erate the selector lever to the “+” or “”
direction, or the steering switch with the
selector lever in the “S” position. When
driving, the driver should shift the gear at
the most appropriate timing. As on the
traditional manual transmission vehicles,
releasing the accelerator pedal a little will
help the transmission to upshift smoothly.
Upshift: Pull the selector lever to the “+”
direction and release it (or push the up-
shift switch on the back of the steering
wheel.) Every time the switch or the lever
is operated, the transmission is upshifted
1 step in the order of 1st 2nd 3rd
 4th 5th gear.
Downshift: Push the selector lever to the
“” direction and release it (or push the
downshift switch on the face of the steer-
ing wheel.) Every time the switch or the
lever is operated, the transmission is
downshifted 1 step in the order of 5th 
4th 3rd 2nd 1st gear. In case of operating the selector lever and
switch operation on the steering wheel at
the same time, the selector lever opera-
tion has priority. In case of operating the
two switches of upshifting or downshifting
on the steering wheel at the same time,
it is regarded to operate the switch once.
Also, in case of operating the upshift and
downshift switches on the steering wheel
at the same time, demand is canceled and
no shifting is performed.
To shift down smoothly, the engine
runs fast in some cases. This is done
intentionally by the system and is not
a malfunction.
When the accumulated pressure of the
actuator is consumed due to shifting
operation, and the pressure decreases
to a specified level, the pump motor
starts running again. A motor sound
may be heard from the engine compart-
ment at this time, but it does not indi-
cate malfunction.
When driving down a hill, downshift
and use the engine brakes appropriate-
ly. If necessary, continuous shifting-
down is possible. However, if down-
shifting more than 3 steps continuously,
the gear shifting will take more time.


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When the outside temperature is ex-
tremely low, the gear may not down-
shift from 2nd to 1st until the vehicle
stops.
In case the gear jumps out of position
while driving, the system will shift the
gear where it was before it jumps out.
If operating the selector lever to the
“N” position while driving, and operating
it to the “S” position again, the gear
will be shifted to its most proper posi-
tion in accordance with the speed.
n case the transmission cannot be
engaged to a certain gear position dur-
ing shifting due to mechanical malfunc-
tion, the system will disengage the
gear for a few seconds, and select the
next gear. Therefore, the vehicle may
not accelerate according to the driver’s
intention. Recommended shifting speeds
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at approxi-
mately the following speeds;
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging, and possibly ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Minimum allowable speeds
Try to keep speed higher than that shown
below. When the speed comes to de-
crease the speed shown below, do down-
shift.
gear km/h (mph)3 30 (19)
4 40 (25)
5 50 (31)
NOTICE
If driving at the speed lower than that
shown above at each gear position, it
may cause early wear of the clutch.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
gear km/h (mph)
1 53 (33)
2 88 (55)
3 120 (75)
4 163 (101)


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CAUTION
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
fail.
Do not place the selector lever in
the “N” position while driving.
Otherwise the engine brake may not
work, and you may get involved in
an unexpected accident.
Do not apply the parking brake
while driving. Otherwise, it could
cause a skid and you may get in-
volved in an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
The system will not allow shifting
up or down to a gear that would
cause engine overrevving or un-
derrevving. When engine overrev-
ving occurs, a warning buzzer
(short pulse sound) will sound. In
either case, the demand will be can-
celled.
 If frequently driving at low speed
using a high gear position, a warn-
ing buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound. Such driving will cause the
reduction of clutch life.
 Frequent downshifting (more than 3
positions continuously) causes the
reduction of transmission life.
 Do not drive with your foot on the
brake pedal. Otherwise, it will cause
the “Sequential manual
transmission” warning light to come
on.
(e) Starting off
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 138 in
Section 3. 2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to the “S”
position properly. When the selector le-
ver is shifted to “S” position, the gear
will be shifted to 1st. On a slippery
surface, it is possible to start off with
the gear in 2nd. To start off with the
gear in 2nd, shift the selector lever
from “N” to “S” position, then operate
the lever to “+” direction. The gear will
be shifted to 2nd. Before starting off,
always make sure that the gear is en-
gaged by the gear position indicator,
then depress the accelerator pedal.
If the gear cannot be engaged to 1st
when the selector lever is shifted from
the “N” to “S” position, the “N” indica-
tor will flash and a warning buzzer
(long pulse sound) will sound. In this
case, the system will retry shifting or
the driver can operate the selector le-
ver to shift, as follows.
The system will retry shifting automat-
ically. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift
shock may occur. However, they do not
indicate malfunction.
The driver may shift the selector lever
to the “N” position once, then shift to
the “S” position.


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3. Release the parking brake and brakepedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth staring.
CAUTION
Unlike automatic transmission mod-
els, the sequential manual transmis-
sion models do not creep.
NOTICE
On a slippery surface, it is possible
to start off with the gear in 2nd,
but to protect the clutch, try to
start using the 1st gear whenever
possible.
 If the gear cannot be engaged to
1st when the selector lever is
shifted from the “N” to “S” posi-
tion, try to shift the selector lever
to the “N” position once, then shift
it to “S” position a few seconds
later.
(f) Starting off on an uphill/downhill
—Uphill
1. Apply the parking brake firmly so that the vehicle does not roll backwards. 2. Shift the selector lever to the “S” posi-
tion while holding down the brake pe-
dal. Make sure that the gear position
indicator in the instrumental cluster dis-
plays 1st gear.
3. Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator pedal gradually, and
when the vehicle starts to move, re-
lease the parking brake and depress
the accelerator pedal to start off.
—Downhill
1. Hold down the brake pedal and shift the selector lever to the “S” position.
Make sure by using the gear position
indicator that the gear is in 1st.
2. Release the brake pedal, and depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Even
though the accelerator pedal is not de-
pressed, when the vehicle speed in-
creases, the clutch will be engaged
and the engine brake will be applied.
CAUTION
Unlike automatic transmission mod-
els, the sequential manual transmis-
sion models will not creep.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an uphill
with the accelerator pedal applied.
Doing so may damage the clutch. Al-
ways use the brake pedal or parking
brake.


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SD16019
(g)\f
 
While holding down the brake pedal, shift
the selector lever to the “R” position. The
reverse warning buzzer will sound at this
time. Depress the accelerator pedal slow-
ly, as when starting off. Before driving off,
make sure by using the gear position indi-
cator that the gear is in reverse.
When the gear will not engage even
though the selector lever is shifted to the
“R” from “N” position, the “N” indicator will
flash and a warning buzzer (long pulse
sound) will sound. In this case, the sys-
tem will retry shifting, or the driver can
operate the selector lever to shift, as fol-
lows.
The system will retry shifting automat-
ically. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift
shock may occur. However, they do not
indicate malfunction.
The driver can shift the selector lever
to the “N” position once, then shift to
the “R” position.
NOTICE
 The system will not allow shifting
to the “R” position if the vehicle
speed is over 3 km/h (2 mph). In
case the selector lever is operated
under this condition, the “N” indica-
tor in the instrument cluster will
flash. However, when the vehicle
speed drops below 3 km/h (2 mph),
the gear is shifted to reverse. Make
sure that the vehicle has stopped
completely before shifting to the
“R” position.
 Do not hold the vehicle on an uphill
with the accelerator pedal applied.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
Always use the brake pedal or park-
ing brake.
If the gear cannot be engaged to
reverse when the selector lever is
shifted from the “N” to “R” posi-
tion, try to shift the selector lever
to the “N” position once, then shift
it to “R” position a few seconds
later.
(h) 
The vehicle can be stopped by depressing
the brake pedal regardless of the gear
position. This is because the clutch is
automatically disengaged to prevent the
engine from stopping. If the selector lever
is in the “S” position, the gear will be
downshifted to 1st when the vehicle stops.
However, if you do not drive the vehicle
over 40 km/h (24 mph) or convert the
drive position after starting with the gear
in 2nd, the gear will not be downshifted
to 1st when the vehicle stops the next
time and the gear is left in 2nd.
When stopping, for example, at a traffic
light, be sure to shift the selector lever to
the “N” position, and depress the brake
pedal firmly. For your safety, apply parking
brake, too, when stopping on a h ill.