2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER automatic transmission

vi2003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Tires and loading on your Toyota
Underinflated or overinflated tire inflation pres-
sure and the excess load may result in the
deterioration of steering ability and braking abil-
ity, leading to an accident. Check the tire infla-
tion pressure periodically and be sure to keep
the load limits given in this Owner ’s Manual.
For details about tire inflation pressure and
load limits, see pages 211 and 149.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in
your Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle
is scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as
they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat
belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dis-
pose of your vehicle.
Sequential manual
transmission driving tips
(Models equipped with Sequential Manual
Transmission only)
The sequential manual transmission is a 6speed forward/
reverse transmission. With the basics of the traditional
manual transmission, the clutch operation and transmission
shifting is controlled electronically. Unlike automatic trans-
missions, this system does not upshift automatically at the
time of acceleration.
To understand the unique system and operation method of
the sequential manual transmission, read Section 16 on
page 85 thoroughly before driving. For starting procedures,
see “How to start the engine— ” on page 154 in Section 3.
Please refer to the “Important Information For Your
Sequential Manual Transmission” equipped in your vehicle
as well.
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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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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

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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902003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
3. Release the parking brake and brakepedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
CAUTION
Unlike automatic transmission mod-
els, the sequential manual transmis-
sion models do not creep.
NOTICE
On a slippery surface, it is possible
to start off with the gear in 2nd,
but to protect the clutch, try to
start using the 1st gear whenever
possible.
 If the gear cannot be engaged to
1st when the selector lever is
shifted from the “N” to “S” posi-
tion, try to shift the selector lever
to the “N” position once, then shift
it to “S” position a few seconds
later.
(f) Starting off on an uphill/downhill
—Uphill
1. Apply the parking brake firmly so that the vehicle does not roll backwards. 2. Shift the selector lever to the “S” posi-
tion while holding down the brake pe-
dal. Make sure that the gear position
indicator in the instrumental cluster dis-
plays 1st gear.
3. Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator pedal gradually, and
when the vehicle starts to move, re-
lease the parking brake and depress
the accelerator pedal to start off.
—Downhill
1. Hold down the brake pedal and shift the selector lever to the “S” position.
Make sure by using the gear position
indicator that the gear is in 1st.
2. Release the brake pedal, and depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Even
though the accelerator pedal is not de-
pressed, when the vehicle speed in-
creases, the clutch will be engaged
and the engine brake will be applied.
CAUTION
Unlike automatic transmission mod-
els, the sequential manual transmis-
sion models will not creep.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an uphill
with the accelerator pedal applied.
Doing so may damage the clutch. Al-
ways use the brake pedal or parking
brake.
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922003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
If you stop for more than 90 seconds with
the selector lever in the “S” position with-
out holding down the brake pedal while
the engine is running, a warning buzzer
(long pulse sound) will sound, and the “N”
indicator in the instrument cluster will
flash, and the system will automatically
shift the transmission gear to the neutral
gear position.
If the driver ’s door is opened with the
selector lever in the “S” position without
depressing the brake pedal, warning buzz-
er (long pulse sound) will also sound. 10
seconds later, the “N” indicator in the in-
strument cluster will also flash, and the
system will automatically shift the trans-
mission gear to the neutral gear position.
The gear will resume to 1st or 2nd when
the system is operated as follows:
Brake pedal “ON”: The gear position
before the system selected the “N”
position is resumed.
Operate the selector lever to the “+”
direction: Resume to 2nd gear.
Operate the selector lever to the “”
direction: Resume to 1st gear.
Push upshift switch on the steering
wheel: Resume to 2nd gear.
Push downshift switch on the steering
wheel.: Resume to 1st gear.
“S”“N” “S”: Resume to 1st gear.
When starting off again, always confirm
the gear position by the gear position indi-
cator.
CAUTION
Unlike automatic transmission mod-
els, the sequential manual transmis-
sion models do not creep.
When racing the engine, make sure
that the gear position is in the “N”
position by the gear position indica-
tor. In case the accelerator is oper-
ated with the gear in any other
position, the vehicle may move re-
sulting in an unexpected accident.
When you stop the vehicle, hold the
brake pedal down or shift the selec-
tor lever to the “N” position. If the
selector lever is left in the “S”
position without depressing the
brake pedal for more than 90 sec-
onds while stopping, a warning
buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound, and the “N” position indica-
tor in the instrument cluster will
flash, and the system will automati-
cally shift the transmission gear to
the neutral gear position. If this
happens on a hill, when starting off
the vehicle, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly and cause an acci-
dent.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
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932003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
When leaving the vehicle, stop the
engine and park the vehicle with
the gear engaged. In case you need
to leave the vehicle with the engine
running, apply the parking brakes
firmly, and shift the selector lever
in the “N” position. When the driv-
er’s door is opened with the selec-
tor lever in the “S” position while
stopping with the engine running,
warning buzzer (long pulse sound)
will sound. 10 seconds later, the
“N” indicator in the instrument
cluster will also flash, and the sys-
tem will automatically shift the
transmission gear to the neutral
gear position. If this happens on a
hill when starting off the vehicle,
the vehicle may move unexpectedly
and cause an accident.NOTICE
Do not hold or stop the vehicle on
a hill with the accelerator pedal ap-
plied. Otherwise, the warning buzz-
er (long pulse sound) will sound,
and in some cases the engine will
stall. It will also cause excessive
damage to the clutch.
 If the selector lever is operated
more than necessary, the system
may not allow operation of the se-
lector lever for a certain period of
time, and the gear may not be
shifted appropriately. Therefore, do
not operate the selector lever if not
necessary.
(i) Parking
Unlike the automatic transmission, the se-
quential manual transmission does not
have a parking position. The vehicle can
be parked with the selector lever in any
position. Apply the parking brake firmly,
and while depressing the brake pedal,
shift the selector lever into the “R” posi-
tion on a level or downhill, and into the
“S(1)” position on an uphill.
SD16020
1: Uphill
2: Level or downhill
To stop the engine:
Check the transmission gear position by
the gear position indicator, then turn the
ignition switch off to stop the engine. Re-
lease the brake pedal after a few sec-
onds. The selector lever will be locked in
the position just before the ignition switch
was turned off.
You can check the gear position by the
gear position indicator within 5 seconds
after turning the ignition switch off.
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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
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—Tire relat ed terms