Page 24 of 265
152003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Trunk lid—
SB12043
To open the trunk lid:1. Open the glove box door, and then pull the trunk lid lock release lever.
The trunk lid will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the trunk
lid is closed and securely locked.
Otherwise, the trunk lid may open un-
expectedly while driving and an acci-
dent may occur.
SB12037a
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up theauxiliary catch l ever and lift the
trunk lid.
SB12068a
Front box cover
3. Hold the trunk lid open by inserting the support rod into the slot.
To insert the support rod into the slot,
move it straight up. If it is moved to the
side or toward the inside of the vehicle,
it may become detached.
Before closing the trunk lid, return the
support rod to its clip—this prevents
rattles. Then lower the trunk lid and make
sure it locks into place. If necessary,
press down gently on the front edge to
lock it.
03 07.07
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172003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB12044a
2. In rear of the vehicle, lift the enginehood.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the engine
hood, the support rod, or surrounding
area which could be hot after driving,
to prevent burning yourself.
SB12038a
3. Hold the engine hood open by in-serting the support rod into the slot.
To insert the support rod into the slot,
move it straight up. If it is moved to the
side or toward the inside of the vehicle,
it may become detached.
Before closing the engine hood, check to
see that you have not forgotten any tools,
rags, etc. and return the support rod to its
clip—this prevents rattles. Then lower the
engine hood and make sure it locks into
place. If necessary, press down gently on
the rear edge to lock it.
CAUTION
After inserting the support rod into
the slot, make sure the rod supports
the engine hood securely from falling
down on to your head or body.
NOTICE
Be sure to return the support rod to
its clip before closing the engine
hood. Closing the engine hood with
the support rod up could cause the
engine hood to bend.
03 07.07
Page 31 of 265
222003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB12072
3. Lower the soft top backward press-ing the rear window glass down soft-
ly.
SB12082a
CAUTION
To prevent personal injury, do not
grasp the part shown in dark color in
the illustration.
SB12079a
4. Fold the soft top slowly and houseit completely.
Press down the soft top toward the front
from the rear and lock it. You will hear
click sound when the soft top is complete-
ly housed.
Shake the soft top up and down softly to
check whether the soft top is fixed se-
curely.
Raise both sun visors.
03 07.07
Page 32 of 265

232003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB12059a
Folding boardFlare
NOTICE
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 lug-
gage may be damaged by hitting
the folding board or the improperly
folded soft top may flap in the wind
and cause an accident.
Do not place any objects on the
folding board. Such objects may
damage the folding board or cause
an unexpected accident by moving
while the vehicle is driven.
—Air deflector
SB12060a
The air deflector will reduce the wind
from the rear of the vehicle when the
vehicle is running with the soft top
lowered. Pull up to use.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol or other solvents
for the air deflector. Because they
could damage the air deflector’s resin
material.
—Raising the soft top
SB12061
1. Lower both side windows and sun
visors. Then pull down the lock re-
lease lever towards the front of the
vehicle and release the lock of the
soft top.
NOTICE
Always lower the sun visor when rais-
ing the soft top. The sun visor may
be damaged if the soft top is locked
with the sun visor raised.
03 07.07
Page 33 of 265
242003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB12074a
2. Stand outside of the vehicle and pullthe soft top out slowly holding the
part shown in dark color in the il-
lustration. Then move the soft top
toward the upper part of the frame
of the front window glass.
NOTICE
Lower the windows before raising the
soft top. Otherwise, the soft top may
not lock securely.
SB12082a
CAUTION
To prevent personal injury, do not
grasp the part shown in dark color in
the illustration.
SB12083
3. Be seated in the seat and hold thehandle on the center of the front
soft top frame. Then press the soft
top softly against the frame of the
front window glass.
03 07.07
Page 37 of 265

282003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Seats—
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow any passengers to sit in
the luggage space. Persons not
properly seated and/or not properly
restrained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
While the vehicle is moving, do not
allow any passenger to stand up in
the vehicle. Otherwise, severe inju-
ries can occur in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with
considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if
the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag
is the first 50—75 mm (2—3 in.) of
inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety.
This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your
breastbone. If you sit less than 250
mm (10 in.) away now, you can
change your driving position in sever-
al ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far
as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the
seat. Although vehicle designs vary,
many drivers can achieve the 250
mm (10 in.) distance, even with the
driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the
seat somewhat. If reclining the back
of your seat makes it hard to see
the road, raise yourself by using a
firm, non slippery cushion, or raise
the seat if your vehicle has that
feature.
If your steering wheel is adjustable,
tilt it downward. This points the air-
bag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as rec-
ommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.
03 07.07
—Seat precautions
Page 80 of 265

712003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Windshield wipers and washer
SB14020
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the “ON” position.Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Slow
Position 3Fast
For a single sweep of the windshield,
push the lever up and release it. The “INT TIME” band lets you adjust the
wiping time interval when the wiper lever
is in the intermittent position (position 1).
Twist the band upward to increase the
time between sweeps, and downward to
decrease it.
To squirt washer fluid, pull the lever
toward you.
If the windshield wipers are off, they will
operate a couple of times after the washer
squirts.
For instructions on adding washer fluid,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 225 in
Section 7 3.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield
with the defroster before using the washer.
This will help prevent the washer fluid
from freezing on the windshield, which can
block your vision.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the wind-
shield is dry. It may scratch the
glass.
Rear window defogger
SB14023
To defog or defrost the rear window,
push the switch.
The key must be in the “ON” position.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the
rear window will quickly clear the surface.
An indicator light will illuminate to indicate
the defogger is operating.
Push the switch once again to turn the
defogger off.
The system will automatically shut off af-
ter the defogger has operated about 15
minutes.
03 07.07
Page 158 of 265

1492003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Vehicle load limits include total load
capacity, seating capacity, towing ca-
pacity and cargo capacity. Follow the
load limits shown below.
Total load capacity:
193 kg (425 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined
weight of occupants, cargo and lug-
gage. Tongue load is included when
trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Tot al 2 (F r ont 2)
Seating capacity means the maximum
number of occupants whose weight
is supposed to be 68 kg (150 lb.) per
person. Depending on the weight of
person, the seating capacity given
may exceed the total load capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants
are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load ca-
pacity.
Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle. Your ve-
hicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or de-
crease depending on the size (weight)
and the number of occupants. For de-
tails, see “Capacity and distribution”
that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than
each load limit. That may cause
not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering
ability and braking ability, which
may cause an accident.
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following: Put luggage or cargo in the front
box or luggage space when at all
possible. Be sure all items are se-
cured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.
For better fuel economy, do not
carry unneeded weight.
CAUTION
Never allow anyone to ride in
the luggage space. It is not de-
signed for the passenger. The
passenger should ride in the
seat with the seat belt properly
fastened. Severe injuries to an
unrestrained passenger can
occur during sudden braking
or a collision.
03 07.07
Vehicle load limits Cargo and luggage—
—Stowage precautions