
2012003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing do it yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This section gives instructions only for
those items that are relatively easy for an
owner to perform. As explained in Section
6, there are still a number of items that
must be done by a qualified technician
with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do
it yourself maintenance, see “Parts and
tools” on page 203.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment and trunk room—the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold,
power steering fluid reservoir and
spark plug boots, etc.—will be hot.
So be careful not to touch them.
Oil, fluids and spark plugs may also
be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the coolant reservoir cap or air re-
lease valve or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
03 07.07
Do it yourself service
precautions

2082003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Z72109
To ensure excellent lubrication
performance for your engine, “Toyota
Genuine Motor Oil” is available, which has
been specifically tested and approved for
all Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for
further details about “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil”.Look at the see through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add the
coolant. (For the coolant type, see
“Coolant type selection” described be-
low.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the “LOW” line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the “FULL”
line.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, drain cock and water
pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the coolant reservoir cap or
air release valve when the engine is
hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non silicate, non amine, non nitrite,
and non borate coolant with long life hy-
brid organic acid technology. (Coolant with
long life hybrid organic acid technology
consists of the combination of low phos-
phates and organic acids.)
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. This coolant provides protec-
tion down to about 35
°C ( 31 °F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
03 07.07
Checking the engine coolant
level

2492003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Economical driving158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
During
Break in 130
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Economical driving
Saving money on both fuel
and repairs 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system Battery 222,223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 69 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency, In case of Blown fuse 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 69 . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot increase the
engine speed 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift the sequential manual transmission
selector lever 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your engine stalls
while driving 165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 162 . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Towing 177
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs 195 . . . . . . .
Engine
Before starting the engine 154 . . . . . . . . .
Checking the coolant level 208 . . . . . . . .
Emission control device 132 . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment 198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas caution 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood release 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification Number 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil consumption 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil level 206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting procedure 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three way catalytic converter 132 . . . . .
Engine coolant Temperature gauge 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 74 . . . .
Engine immobilizer system 10 . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil Winter driving tips 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas cautions 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F
Facts about engine oil
consumption 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flasher, Headlight 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire After changing wheels 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing tire 173
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack point 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking precautions 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking up 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loosening wheel nuts 171 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lowering vehicle 174 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel block 171 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel nuts 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor mat 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid level Brake 209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 210 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign countries, Operation in 132 . . . . . .
Front box 123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front fog light switch 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filler door o pener 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 132 . . . . . . . . .
Gauge 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 132 . . . . .
Tank cap 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel information 130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 132 . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses Fuse box 199 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
03 07.07