2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER page 200

i2003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of valueconscious people who drive Toyotas. We are proud of the advanced engineering and
quality construction of each vehicle we build.
This Owner ’s Manual explains the operation of your new Toyota. Please read it thoroughly and have all the occupants
follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe and troublefree motoring. For
important information about this manual and your Toyota, read the following pages carefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle best and is interested in your complete
satisfaction. He will provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Toyota dealer near you, or you need emergency assistance for any reason, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS:Toyota Customer Assistance Center Tollfree:18003314331
Please leave this Owner ’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of
continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may
find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2003 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Toyo ta
Motor Corporation.
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vi2003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Tires and loading on your Toyota
Underinflated or overinflated tire inflation pres-
sure and the excess load may result in the
deterioration of steering ability and braking abil-
ity, leading to an accident. Check the tire infla-
tion pressure periodically and be sure to keep
the load limits given in this Owner ’s Manual.
For details about tire inflation pressure and
load limits, see pages 211 and 149.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in
your Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle
is scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as
they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat
belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dis-
pose of your vehicle.
Sequential manual
transmission driving tips
(Models equipped with Sequential Manual
Transmission only)
The sequential manual transmission is a 6speed forward/
reverse transmission. With the basics of the traditional
manual transmission, the clutch operation and transmission
shifting is controlled electronically. Unlike automatic trans-
missions, this system does not upshift automatically at the
time of acceleration.
To understand the unique system and operation method of
the sequential manual transmission, read Section 16 on
page 85 thoroughly before driving. For starting procedures,
see “How to start the engine— ” on page 154 in Section 3.
Please refer to the “Important Information For Your
Sequential Manual Transmission” equipped in your vehicle
as well.
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vii2003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
1 OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLSPage
1 Overview of instruments and controls
1
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2 Keys and Doors7
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3 Occupant restraint systems27
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4 Steering wheel and Mirrors63
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5 Lights, Wipers and Defogger67
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6 Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators73
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7 Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake83
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8 Car audio system101
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9 Air conditioning system11 3
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10 Other equipment121
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2 INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 STARTING AND DRIVING 153 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY 161 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPE ARANCE CARE 183. . . . .
6 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
1 Introduction197
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2 Engine and Chassis205
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3 Electrical components221
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8 SPECIFICATIONS 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
9 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS FOR U.S. OWNERS 245 . . . . . . .
10 INDEX 247 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Table of contents

52003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
SRS warning light∗1Brake system warning light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Antilock brake system warning light∗1
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Power steering system warning light∗1
∗ 1
: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 77 in Section 15.
∗2: If this light flashes, see “Sequential manual transmission” on
page 85 in Section 16.
∗3: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 98 in Sec-
tion 16.
Passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗1Sequential manual transmission warning light∗1
Cruise control indicator light∗3
Open door warning light∗1
Gear position indicator light∗2
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312003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Toyota strongly urges that the driver and
passenger in the vehicle be properly re-
strained at all times with the seat belts
provided. Failure to do so could increase
the chance of injury and/or the severity of
injury in accidents.
The seat belts provided for your vehicle
are designed for people of adult size,
large enough to properly wear them.
Child. Use a child restraint system ap-
propriate for the child until the child be-
comes large enough to properly wear the
vehicle’s seat belts. See “Child restraint—”
on page 46 for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint
system, the child must be restrained using
the vehicle’s seat belt.
If a child must sit in the seat, the seat
belts should be worn properly. If an acci-
dent occurs and the seat belts are not
worn properly, the force of the rapid infla-
tion of the airbag may cause death or
serious injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or
kneel on the seat. An unrestrained child
could suffer serious injury or death during
emergency braking or a co llision. Also, do
not let the child sit on your lap. Holding
a child in your arms does not provide
sufficient restraint. Pregnant woman.
Toyota recommends the
use of a seat belt. Ask your doctor for
specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as
possible over the hips and not on the
waist.
Injured person. Toyota recommends the
use of a seat belt. Depending on the inju-
ry, first check with your doctor for specific
recommendations.
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats
properly wearing their seat belts
whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more likely
to suffer serious bodily injury or
death in the event of sudden braking
or a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe
the following:
Use the belt for only one person at
a time. Do not use a single belt for
two or more people—even children.
To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision,
avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
driver and the passenger are sitting
up straight and well back in the
seats. If you are reclined, the lap
belt may slide past your hips and
apply restraint forces directly to the
abdomen. In the event of a frontal
collision, the more the seat is re-
clined, the greater the risk of per-
sonal injury.
Be careful not to damage the belt
webbing or hardware. Take care that
they do not get caught or pinched
in the seat or side doors.
Inspect the belt system periodically.
Check for cuts, fraying, and loose
parts. Damaged parts should be re-
placed. Do not disassemble or
modify the system.
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Seat belts—
—Seat belt precautions

322003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Keep the belts clean and dry. If
they need cleaning, use a mild soap
solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive clean-
ers, or allow them to come into
contact with the belt—they may se-
verely weaken the belts. (See
“Cleaning the interior” on page 188)
Replace the belt assembly (includ-
ing bolts) if it has been used in a
severe impact. The entire assembly
should be replaced even if damage
is not obvious.
—Fastening seat belts
SU13239
Ta b
Buckle
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up
straight and well back in the seat. To
fasten your belt, pull it out of the re-
tractor and insert the tab into the
buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks
into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts
to your size and the seat position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a
sudden stop or on impact. It also may
lock if you lean forward too quickly. A
slow, easy motion will allow the belt to
extend, and you can move around freely.When a passenger ’s shoulder belt is com-
pletely extended and is then retracted
even slightly, the belt is locked in that
position and cannot be extended. This fea-
ture is used to hold the child restraint
system securely. (For details, see “Child
restraint—” on page 46) To free the belt
again, fully retract the belt and then pull
the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the
retractor, firmly pull the belt and release
it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the belt is not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in
the buckle as this may prevent you
from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
If the seat belt does not function
normally, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer. Do not use the seat
until the seat belt is fixed, because
it cannot protect an adult occupant
or your child from injury.
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362003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
When the seat belt pretensioners are acti-
vated, an operating noise may be heard
and a small amount of nontoxic gas may
be released. This does not indicate that
a fire is occurring. This gas is normally
harmless.
Once the seat belt pretensioners have
been activated, the seat belt retractors
remain locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open
the seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
airbag sensor or surrounding area or
wiring. Failure to follow these instruc-
tions may prevent the seat belt pre-
tensioners from activating correctly,
cause sudden operation of the system
or disable the system, which could
result in death or serious injury. Con-
sult your Toyota dealer about any re-
pair and modification.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
 Repairs on or near the seat belt
retractor assemblies
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repair made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure or con-
sole
SB13102a
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources. (For details, see
“Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 77.)
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction of the airbags
or seat belt pretensioners. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
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382003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash
sensing and diagnostic module, which will
record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver when the SRS air-
bags are inflated.CAUTION
The SRS airbag system is designed
only as a supplement to the prima-
ry protection of the driver and pas-
senger seat belt systems. The driv-
er and passenger can be killed or
seriously injured by the inflating
airbags if they do not wear the
available seat belts properly. During
sudden braking just before a colli-
sion, an unrestrained driver or pas-
senger can move forward into direct
contact with or close proximity to
the airbag which may then deploy
during the collision. To ensure max-
imum protection in an accident, the
driver and passenger in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts properly.
Wearing a seat belt properly during
an accident reduces the chances of
death or serious injury or being
thrown out of the vehicle. For in-
structions and precautions concern-
ing the seat belt system, see “Seat
belts”on page 31.
Improperly seated and/or restrained
infants and children can be killed
or seriously injured by the deploy-
ing airbags. An infant or child who
is too small to use a seat belt
should be properly secured using a
child restraint system. For instruc-
tions concerning the installation of
a child restraint system, see “Child
restraint”on page 46.
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