2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER Owners Manual

802003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(e) Low Engine Oil Pressure WarningLight
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 on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position and
goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is
operation properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
following.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after sev-
eral trips, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If the engine speed does not increase with
the accelerator pedal depressed down to
about the middle position, there may be
a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelera-
tor pedal more firmly and slowly, you can
drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the ignition key is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.
Emissions lnspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emis-
sion inspection if the malfunction indicator
lamp remains on. Contact your Toyota
dealer to check your vehicle’s emission
control system and OBD (OnBoard Diag-
nostics) system before taking your vehicle
for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” in Section 6.
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812003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
(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) “Sequential Manual Transmission”Warning Light (Sequential manual
transmission only)
This light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. After
a few seconds, the light will go off. This
means the sequential manual transmission
system is operating pr operly.
In case the “Sequential Manual
Transmission” warning light comes on, pull
off the road, stop the engine and contact
your Toyota dealer. Although you may be
able to drive your vehicle, the vehicle may
jerk when shifted or the clutch may not
engage properly, causing the vehicle to
jerk due to the malfunction. In some
cases the shift requirement may be
canceled, and the gear may be locked. (i) “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
antilock 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
antilock 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.A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
(j) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until both the doors
are completely closed.
(k) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
After about 6 seconds, the light will go
off. This means the systems of the air-
bag and seat belt pretensioners are op-
erating 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.
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 the light remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
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822003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
(l) Power Steering System WarningLight
This light warns that there is a problem
in your power steering system.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
(m) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver ’s door with
the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.
(n) Light reminder buzzer
The buzzer will sound if the headlight
switch is left on and the driver’s door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch.
(o) Warning function of the Sequential Manual Transmission (sequential
manual transmission only)
When driving, if any incorrect operation
that may cause damage to this system is
performed or if the gear is not shifted as
desired by the driver, the warning buzzer
will sound and the gear position indicator
will flash to warn the driver in some
cases. For details, see “(k) Warning
functions” on page 94 in Section 16. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open either side door. The open door warning light should
come
on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to “ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The “ABS” and power steer-
ing system warning lights go off after
a few seconds. The SRS warning light
goes off after about 6 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
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832003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock84
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Sequential manual transmission 85
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Manual transmission 96
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. . . . .
Parking brake 97
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 98
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. . . . . . . . . . .
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SECTION 1 7

842003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB16007
“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 153 in Section
3.
“ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from
“ACC” to the “LOCK” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 10
in Section 12.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTION
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
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Ignition switch with steering
lock

852003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
The sequential manual transmission is a
6speed 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.
Sequential manual transmission will
downshift to 2nd or 1st automatically
when the speed is reduced less than
the fixed speed with the shift lever in
“S” position.
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 6th 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 6th 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.
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Sequential manual
transmission

862003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB16018
(b) Transmission shift switchesUP:
Upshift switches (Back of the steering
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 6th gear.
DOWN: 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 6th 5th
 4th 3rd 2nd 1st gear.
Gear shift from “1st” to “6th” 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.
SD16018a
Selector lever
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872003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB16019a
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 6th 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 6th 
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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