2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER wheel

1772003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB41062
—From rear
(b) Using flat bed truck (a) Towing with wheel lift type truck— —From front
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or
(b).
Only when you cannot receive a towing
service from a Toyota dealer or com-
mercial tow truck service, tow your ve-
hicle carefully in accordance with the
instructions given in “—Emergency
towing” on page 178 in this Section.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are generally
aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is
towed incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following pre-
cautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly. (a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From front—
We recommend using a tow-
ing dolly under the rear wheels. If you do
not use a towing dolly, release the parking
brake and put the transmission in “N” (se-
quential manual transmission) or in neutral
(manual transmission). The key must be
in “ACC” (sequential manual transmission).
Sequential manual transmission only:
After shifting the selector lever to the “N”
position, always make sure that the gear
is actually disengaged and is in neutral by
pushing the vehicle by hand or other
means. In case the gear can not be put
in neutral, turn the ignition switch from the
“OFF” to “ON” position, and operate the
selector lever once from “N” to “S” or “R”,
then back to “N” again. Then turn the
ignition switch from the “ON” to “OFF”
position. These procedures may help put
the gear in neutral. If the gear still can
not be put in neutral, you can not tow
without a towing dolly.
From rear— Place the ignition key in the
“ACC” position.
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If your vehicle needs to be
towed—

1782003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
CAUTION
Do not tow without a towing dolly
when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position and/or when the trans-
mission is not in the neutral gear
position. Otherwise, you may be in-
volved in an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to
ensure adequate ground clearance
for towing at the opposite end of
the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the
bumper and/or underbody of the
towed vehicle will be damaged dur-
ing towing.
 Do not tow with the key removed or
in the “LOCK” position, as the
steering lock mechanism is not
strong enough to hold the front
wheels straight while towing.
(b) Using flat bed truck
SB41057
(c) Towing with sling type truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-
ther from the front or rear. This may
cause body damage.
—Emergency towing
SB41033c
Front
SB41034b
Rear
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1792003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If a towing service is not available in
an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed by a cable or chain
secured to either the emergency towing
eyelet on the front of the vehicle or the
right emergency towing eyelet on the
rear of the vehicle. Use extreme caution
when towing vehicles.
To install the towing eyelet, see
“—Installing towing eyelet” on page 180 in
this Section.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet;
otherwise your vehicle may be dam-
aged.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hardsurfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing a
vehicle. Avoid sudden starts or er-
ratic driving maneuvers which
would place excessive stress on the
emergency towing eyelets and tow-
ing cable or chain. The eyelets and
towing cable or chain may break
and cause serious injury or dam-
age.
In case of installing the eyelet on
the vehicle, be sure to tighten the
eyelet securely. If the eyelet is
loose, it may come off when towing
and result in death or serious injury
to the passenger in the front ve-
hicle or damage to that vehicle.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifi-
cally intended for use in towing ve-
hicles. Securely fasten the cable or
chain to the towing eyelets pro-
vided.
 Do not use the left rear eyelet. It is
not designed for towing.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in “N” (sequential
manual transmission) or in neutral (manual
transmission).
Sequential manual transmission: The
key must be in “ACC”.
Manual transmission: The key must be
in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine run-
ning).
Sequential manual transmission only:
After shifting the selector lever to the “N”
position, always make sure that the gear
is actually disengaged and is in neutral by
pushing the vehicle by hand or other
means. In case the gear can not be put
in neutral, turn the ignition switch from the
“OFF” to “ON” position, and operate the
selector lever once from “N” to “S” or “R”,
then back to “N” again. Then turn the
ignition switch from the ”ON” to “OFF”
position. These procedures may help put
the gear in neutral. If the gear still can
not be put in neutral, you can not tow
with cables or chains.
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1812003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB41067
3. Tighten the towing eyelet securely bya wheel nut wrench.
CAUTION
When installing the eyelet on the ve-
hicle, be sure to tighten the eyelet
securely. If the eyelet is loose, it may
come off when being towed and re-
sult in death or serious injury.
SD04002
In case the selector lever lock is not
released and the selector lever cannot
be moved even though the ignition
switch is turned to the ”ON” position,
follow the procedures below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” or “ACC” position. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
2. Pry up the cover with a flatbladed screwdriver or equivalent.
SD04003
3. To push the link, insert a key orscrewdriver to the hole. The lever
can be operated while the link is
being pushed.
4. Shift into the ”N” position.
5. Reinsert the cover.
6. Start the engine while depressing the brake pedal.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
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If you cannot shift the
sequential manual
transmission selector lever

1842003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Toyota, through its diligent research, de-
sign and use of the most advanced
technology available, helps prevent corro-
sion and provides you with the finest qual-
ity vehicle construction. Now, it is up to
you. Proper care of your Toyota can help
ensure longterm corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion
to your vehicle are:
The accumulation of road salt, dirt and
moisture in hardtoreach areas under
the vehicle.
Chipping of paint, or undercoating
caused by minor accidents or by
stones and gravel.
Care is especially important if you live
in particular areas or operate your ve-
hicle under certain environmental condi-
tions:
Road salt or dust control chemicals will
accelerate corrosion, as will the pres-
ence of salt in the air near the sea
coast or in areas of industrial pollution.
High humidity accelerates corrosion es-
pecially when temperatures range just
above the freezing point.
Wetness or dampness to certain parts
of your vehicle for an extended period
of time, may cause corrosion even
though other parts of the vehicle may
be dry.
High ambient temperatures can cause
corrosion to those components of the
vehicle which do not dry quickly due to
lack of proper ventilation.
The above signifies the necessity to keep
your vehicle, particularly the underside, as
clean as possible and to repair any dam-
age to paint or protective coatings as
soon as possible.
To help prevent corrosion on your
Toyota, follow these guidelines:
Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of
course, necessary to keep your vehicle
clean by regular washing, but to prevent
corrosion, the following points should be
observed:
If you drive on salted roads in the
winter or if you live near the ocean,
you should hose off the undercarriage
at least once a month to minimize cor-
rosion.
High pressure water or steam is effec-
tive for cleaning the vehicle’s underside
and wheel housings. Pay particular
attention to these areas as it is difficult
to see all the mud and dirt. It will do
more harm than good to simply wet the
mud and debris without removing. The
lower edge of doors, rocker panels and
frame members have drain holes which
should not be allowed to clog with dirt
as trapped water in these areas can
cause corrosion.
Wash the underside of the vehicle thor-
oughly when winter is over.
See “Washing and waxing your Toyota” on
page 185 for more tips.
Check the condition of your vehicle’s
paint and trim. If you find any chips or
scratches in the paint, touch them up im-
mediately to prevent corrosion from start-
ing. If the chips or scratches have gone
through the bare metal, have a qualified
body shop make the repair.
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Protecting your Toyota from
corrosion

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.
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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.
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1942003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 210 in Section 72 for addition-
al information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on
page 133 in Section 2.)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. Check that the latches
lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles and retractors operate properly
and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing
is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and trunk lid
Check that both the doors operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely.
Make sure the trunk lid secondary latch
secures the lid from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery two weeks, or at least once a
month. See page 211 in Section 72
for additional information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See page
213 in Section 72 for additional infor-
mation. When checking the tires,
make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
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