2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER engine

1382003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
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
occur, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the components moni-
tored 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 fuming on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
Brake pad wear limit indicators
SB21015
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary. Some Toyotas are equipped with a limit-
edslip differential. If one of the rear
wheels begins to spin, the limitedslip dif-
ferential is designed to aid traction by
automatically transmitting driving force to
the other rear wheel. If you are not sure
whether your vehicle is equipped with one,
you can ask your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a compact spare tire of the
same size, construction and load ca-
pacity as the original tires on your
Toyota because damage to the limit-
edslip differential could possibly oc-
cur with another tire type.
03 07.07
Limitedslip differential
(on some models)

1392003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB21009
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
SB21017a
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
—Engine number
SB21010
The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.
03 07.07
Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number

1462003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Cold tire inflation pressureTire inflation pressure when the vehicle has been parked at least 3 hours or
more, or it has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that condition
Maximum inflation pressureThe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and shown
on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be re-
placed) of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power win-
dows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are avail-
able as factoryinstalled equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditioning and addi-
tional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
T he sum of —
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight;
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight68 kg (150 lb.) times the number of occupants specified in the second column
of Table 1 that follows
Production options weight
The combined weight of those insta lled regular production options weighing
over 2.3 kg (5 lb.) in excess of those standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim
03 07.07
—Tire relat ed terms

1532003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Before starting the engine154
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 154
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Tips for driving in various conditions 155
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Dinghy towing 157
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too 158
. . . . . . . . .
03 07.07
SECTION 3

1542003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
Sequential manual transmission only:
When the driver ’s door is opened, a motor
sound may be heard from the engine
compartment, but it is not a malfunction.
The motor will stop after a certain period
of time. 2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle and steering wheel
angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock both the doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Sequential manual transmission: Turn
the ignition switch to “ON” position.
Hold down the brake pedal firmly, and
place the selector lever to the “N” posi-
tion. Make sure that the “N” indicator
in the instrument cluster comes on. A
starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in a position except “N” or the
brake pedal is not depressed.
Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
(b) Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to
follow the instructions in “(a) Before
cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
Sequential manual transmission: With
your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to the ”START” position
and crank the engine while depressing
the brake pedal. Release the key when
the engine starts.
The engine cannot be cranked if the
selector lever is in a position except
”N” or the brake pedal is not de-
pressed.
Manual transmission: With your foot
off the accelerator pedal, crank the en-
gine by turning the key to the “START”
position. Release the key when the en-
gine starts.
Engine should be warmed up by driving,
not in idle. For warming up drive with
smoothly turning engine until engine cool-
ant temperature is within normal range.
03 07.07
How to start the engine—
(a) Before cranking

1552003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start—” on
page 162 in Section 4.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 sec-
onds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharpedged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage such
as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy r oad. Other-
wise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in “S(1)” or “R” (sequential manual
transmission) or in first or reverse
(manual transmission). If necessary,
block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
03 07.07
Tips for driving in various
conditions

1562003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are highspeed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a lon-
ger stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes
are applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely.
Winter driving tips
Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based nonsilicate, nonamine, nonnitrite,
and nonborate coolant with longlife hy-
brid organic acid technology.
See “Checking the engine coolant level” in
Section 72 for details of coolant type
selection.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. This coolant provides protec-
tion down to about 35C (31 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter start-
ing. Section 73 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer
and most service stations will be pleased
to check the level of charge. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 206 in Section 72 for recom-
mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum-
mer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Toyota dealer—he will be pleased to
help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock deicer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer ’s directions for how
much to mix with water.NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
03 07.07

1572003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
“S(1)” or “R” (sequential manual transmis-
sion) or into first or reverse (manual
transmission) and block the front wheels.
Do not use the parking brake, or snow or
water accumulated in and around the
parking brake mechanism may freeze,
making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
Dinghy towing
SB31003a
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed (with
four wheels on the ground) from the
front behind a motorhome.
CAUTION
Dinghy towing requires special equip-
ment and accessories. Please refer to
your service outlet of the motorhome
manufacture for the recommended
equipment.
NOTICE
Dinghy towing does not eliminate the
possibility of damage to your vehicle.
DINGHY TOWING TIPS
Before dinghy towing, be sure to ob-
serve the following in order to reduce
the damage to your vehicle.1. Shift the gear into neutral.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position. Make sure the audio is turned
off.
NOTICE
To avoid the locking of the steering
wheel, turn the ignition switch to the
“ACC” position.
3. Release the parking brake.
After dinghy towing, let the engine idle for
more than 3 minutes before driving the
vehicle.
03 07.07