2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER soft top

722003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Make sure you turn the defogger off when
the window is clear. Leaving the defogger
on for a long time could cause the battery
to discharge, especially during stopand
go driving. The defogger is not designed
for drying rain water or for melting snow.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, turn the switch off
when the engine is not running.
 When cleaning the inside of the
rear window, be careful not to
scratch or damage the heater wires
or connectors.
 When the soft top is completely
lowered, keep the rear window de-
fogger turned off to avoid damage
to the top.
03 07.07

1262003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
NOTICE
Do not place valuables in the lug-
gage space to prevent robbery.
 Do not lower the soft top while
placing a luggage which is higher
than the bottom edge of the flare
inside the luggage space.
The luggage may be damaged by
hitting the folding board or the im-
properly folded soft top may flap in
the wind and cause an accident.
SB19030
When you load a long luggage
Remove the side trims on the both sides
in the luggage space when you need to
load a long luggage (except tapered
things) such as a golf bag.
The side trims can be removed by pulling
the clips (at two places).
SB19029
Removing the side trims
SB19028
Installing the side trims
03 07.07

1272003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
NOTICE
Do not place tapered things or a
long luggage into the luggage
space. That may damage the water
receiving bag installed behind the
side trims.
 Do not lower the soft top with a
long luggage loaded. The luggage
may touch the lower portion of the
soft top side rails and may be dam-
aged.
 Never remove the side trims except
when loading a long luggage. Other-
wise, the luggage may move while
driving and damage the water re-
ceiving bag or the luggage may be
damaged when the soft top is
opened.
Cup holders
SB19013
Front
SB19014
Center console
The cup holders are designed for hold-
ing cups or drinkcans securely in its
holes.
Front: To use the cup holders, pull them
out.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holders, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
Front only: To reduce the chance of
injury in case of an accident or a
sudden stop while driving, keep the
cup holder closed when it is not in
use.
03 07.07

1852003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa-
ter and dirt can accumulate under the
floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc-
casionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly care-
ful when transporting chemicals, cleans-
ers, fertilizers, salt, etc.; these should be
transported in proper containers. If a spill
or leak should occur, immediately clean
and dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you
drive on salted or gravel roads, mud
shields help protect your vehicle. Fullsize
shields, which come as near to the ground
as possible, are the best. We recommend
that the fittings and the area where the
shields are installed be treated to resist
corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be
happy to assist in supplying and installing
the shields if they are recommended for
your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated
garage or a roofed place. Do not park
your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-
lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it covered with
water or snow, your garage may be so
damp and it will cause corrosion. Even if
your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can
corrode if the ventilation is poor. Washing your Toyota
Keep your vehicle clean by regular
washing.
The following cases may cause weakness
to the paint or corrosion to the body and
parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
When driving in a coastal area
When driving on a road sprinkled with
antifreeze
When having coal tar, tree sap, bird
droppings and carcass of an insect
When driving in the areas where there
is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust
and chemical substances
When the vehicle becomes remarkably
dirty with dust and mud
Handwashing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the
vehicle body is not hot to the touch.
CAUTION
When cleaning under floor or chassis,
be careful not to injure your hands.
For washing instructions for soft top, see
“Soft top” on page 187. 1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the
underside of the vehicle or in the
wheel wells.
03 07.07
Washing and waxing your
To y o t a

1862003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB51001
Spray water on the side windows or top
seals from above, at a 45 angle to the
ground.
NOTICE
Do not spray water at side windows
and top seals in a way which may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
2. Wash with a mild carwash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer ’s
instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and
keep it wet by dipping it frequently into
the wash water. Do not rub hard—let
the soap and water remove the dirt.
Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic
wheel ornaments are damaged easily by
organic substances. If any organic sub-
stances splashes an ornament, be sure to
wash it off with water and check if the
ornament is damaged.
CAUTION
Do not attach the heavily damaged
plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off
the wheel and cause accidents while
the vehicle is moving.
Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap
or neutral detergent.
Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not
scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper
faces are soft. Road tar: Remove with turpentine or
cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces.
NOTICE
Do not use organic substances (gaso-
line, kerosene, benzine or strong sol-
vents) which may be toxic or cause
damage.
3. Rinse thoroughly—dried soap can
cause streaking. In hot weather you
may need to rinse each section right
after you wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not
rub or press hard—you might scratch
the paint.
Automatic car wash
NOTICE
Do not run your Toyota through auto-
matic car washes or possible damage
to the soft top may result.
03 07.07

1872003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Waxing your Toyota
Polishing and waxing is recommended
to maintain the original beauty of your
Toyota’s finish.
Apply wax once a month or if the vehicle
surface does not repel water well.1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be- fore you begin waxing, even if you are
using a combined cleaner and wax.
2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become extremely weath-
ered, use a carcleaning polish, fol-
lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol-
low the manufacturer ’s instructions and
precautions. Be sure to polish and wax
the chrome trim as well as the paint.
3. Wax the vehicle again when water does not bead but remains on the sur-
face in large patches.
NOTICE
Always remove the plastic bumpers
if your vehicle is repainted and
placed in a high heat paint waxing
booth. High temperatures could
damage the bumpers.
 Do not apply wax on the soft top.
It may damage the soft top.
Touchup paint
Touchup paint may be used to cover
small chips or scratches.
Apply the paint soon after the damage
occurs or corrosion may set in. To do a
good job, use a small artist’s brush and
stir the paint well. Make sure the area is
clean and dry. To apply the touchup paint
so it is hardly noticeable, the trick is to
apply it only to the bare spots. Apply only
the smallest amount possible and do not
paint the surface around the scratch or
chip.
Soft top
General cleaning—
Follow the procedure shown below.
1. Brush off any loose dirt and rinse off with a hose.
2. Using a sponge, wash with a mild solu- tion of soap (hand soap) in luke warm
water (below 38 C or 100 F).
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap.NOTICE
 Do not use harsh or abrasive clean-
ers as they may damage the top
material.
 Do not use waterrepellents, wax or
other preservative finishes as they
may stain the top material.
Additional cleaning (for more difficult
stains)—
Follow the procedure shown below using
a mild cleaning solution composed of the
following ingredient.
110 g (4 oz.) of chlorine bleach
60 g (2 oz.) of soap (hand soap)
3.8L (1.0 gal., 0.8 lmp. gal.) of luke
warm water (below 38 C or 100 F).
1. Rinse the top, then spread the mild cleaning solution on the entire top. Do
not put excessive amounts of liquid on
the fabric.
03 07.07

1882003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
2. Scrub with a small, soft bristle hand-brush. Add water as needed until the
cleaner becomes soapy. Allow solution
to settle for two to five minutes. Use
a cloth or sponge to remove dirt so it
will not be ground into the top. Be
careful not to allow any cleaner to dry
on the body paint as it may cause
streaks.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
If any dirt is left, repeat the procedure.
After the top has been cleaned, rinse the
vehicle with clean water to remove all the
cleaner.
After cleaning, always make sure the top
is completely dry before you lower it. Low-
ering the top while wet or damp may
cause interior water damage, water stains
or mildew of the top material.
C lean in g th e in t erio r
CAUTION
Do not wash the vehicle floor with
water, or allow water to get onto the
floor when cleaning the vehicle interi-
or or exterior. Water may get into
audio components or other electrical
components above or under the floor
carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunc-
tion; and it may cause body corro-
sion.
Vinyl interior
The vinyl upholstery may be easily
cleaned with a mild soap or detergent
and water.
First vacuum over the upholstery to re-
move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or
soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the
vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few
minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt
and wipe off the soap with a clean damp
cloth. If all the dirt do not come off, re-
peat the procedure. Commercial foaming
type vinyl cleaners are also available
which work well. Follow the manufacturer ’s
instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline
or window cleaner on the interior.
Carpets
Use a good foamtype shampoo to
clean the carpets.
Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove
as much dirt as possible. Several types of
foam cleaners are available; some are in
aerosol cans and others are powders or
liquids which you mix with water to pro-
duce a foam. To shampoo the carpets,
use a sponge or brush to apply the foam.
Rub in overlapping circles.
Do not apply water—the best results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible. Read the shampoo instructions
and follow them closely.
Seat belts
The seat belts may be cleaned with
mild soap and water or with lukewarm
water.
Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean-
ing, check the belts for excessive wear,
fraying, or cuts.
03 07.07

2512003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
MirrorsFolding rear view 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside rear view 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power rear view 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N
New vehicle breakin 130
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
O
Odometer 75
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Consumption 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viscosity and grade 206,239
. . . . . . . . . .
Oil power steering 210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Open door warning light 77
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 132 . . . . . . .
Overheating, Engine 166
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating, Engine coolant 74
. . . . . . . . . .
Overview Engine compartment 198
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument cluster 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P
Parking brake
Operation 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reminder light 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake reminder light 77 . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passenger airbag manual
onoff switch 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger ’s seat belt reminder light 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Polishing 185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power door lock switch 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power rear view mirror control 65 . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid level 210 . . . . . . . . . . .
Power window switches 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power window lock switch 14 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pretensioners (seat belt pretensioners) 35 . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting your Toyota
from corrosion 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
R
Radiator
Coolant, Engine 208 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view mirror, Antiglare inside 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view mirror, Power controlled 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view mirrors, Folding 66 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view mirrors, Outside 64 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window defogger switch 71 . . . . . . . . .
Reporting safety defects
for U.S. owners 246 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S
Seat adjustment precautions
Front seats 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat belt extender 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seat belts
Cleaning 188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fastening 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat belt precautions 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat belt pretensioners 35 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seating capacity 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seats 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sequential manual transmission Driving with a sequential manual transmission 85 . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift pattern 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting speed 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service and maintenance 192 . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators 77 . . . . . . . . . .
Side door locks 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Side vents 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Soft top 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare fuse 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare tire 169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs lridiumtipped spark plugs 135 . . . . . . . .
Specifications 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS driver and passenger airbags 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS warning light 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Cold weather 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Column lock 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 140 . . . . . . . . . . . .
03 07.07