2004 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER flat tire

1952004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat −looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normal If you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Some states have vehicle emission in-
spection programs which include OBD
(On
−Board Diagnostics) che cks.
The OBD system monitors the operation
of the emission control system. When the
OBD system determines that a problem
exists somewhere in the emission control
system, the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on. In this case, your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test and need to be
repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to
service the vehicle.
Even if the malfunction indicator lamp
does not come on, your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test as readiness codes
have not been set in the OBD system.
Readiness codes are automatically set
during ordinary driving. However, when the
battery is disconnected or run down, the
codes are erased. Also, depending on
your driving habits, the codes may not be
completely set.
Also, if the malfunction indicator lamp had
come on recently due to temporary mal-
function such as a loose fuel tank cap,
your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
Does your vehicle need
repairing? Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs

2072004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level208
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 212
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 213
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 215
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 218
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 219
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 220
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 221
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7 2

2132004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
Clean all dirt from the outside of the res-
ervoir tank and look at the fluid level. If
the fluid is cold, the level should be in the
“COLD” range. Similarly, if it is hot, the
fluid level should be in the “HOT” range.
If the level is at the low side of either
range, add Toyota P.S fluid EH or equiva-
lent to bring the level within the range.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise and lift up. To reinstall it,
turn it clockwise. After replacing the reser-
voir cap, visually check the steering box
case, vane pump and hose connections
for leaks or damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.
SB72031
Keep your tire inflation pressures
at the proper level.
The recommended cold tire inflation
pressures, tire sizes and the com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
(vehicle capacity weight) are de-
scribed on page 240 and 244. They
are also described on the tire and
loading information label as shown.
You should check the tire inflation
pressures every two weeks, or at
least once a month. And do not forget
the spare!
The following instructions for
checking tire inflation pressure
should be observed:
 The pressure s hould be
checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours and has
not been driven for more than 1.5
km or 1 mile since, you will get
an accurate cold tire inflation pres-
sure reading.
Checking tire inflation
pressure

2142004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
Always use a tire pressure
gauge. The appearance of a tire
can be misleading. Besides, tire
inflation pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade
ride and handling.
 Do not bleed or reduce tire
inflation pressure after driving.
It is normal for the tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capac-
ity weight. Passenger and lug-
gage weight should be located so
that the vehicle is balanced.Tire pressure gauge
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE 1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire valve.
3. Read the pressure using the grad- uations of the gauge.
4. In case the tire inflation pressure
is not within the prescribed range,
insert the compressed air from the
valve. In case of applying too
much air, press the center of the
valve and release the air to adjust. 5. After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurement and ad-
justment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6. Install the tire valve cap.
If a gauge and air pump are not avail-
able, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve
caps. Without the valve caps, dirt
or moisture could get into the
valve core and cause air leakage.
If the caps have been lost, have
new ones put on as soon as pos-
sible.
Incorrect tire infl ation pressure may
waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-
ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-
hicle less safe to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling,
have it checked by your Toyota deal-
er.

2152004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
CAUTION
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following condi-
tions may occur and cause an ac-
cident resulting in death or seri-
ous injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinfla-
tion)—
 Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 Poor handling
 Possibility of blowouts from an
overheated tire
 Poor sealing of the tire bead
 Wheel deformation and/or tire
separation
 A greater possibility of tire
damage from road hazards
High tire pressure (overinfla-
tion)—
Poor handling
 Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 A greater possibility of tire
damage from road hazards
Checking and replacing tires
Tread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tire’s tread for tread
wear indicators. If the indicators
show, replace the tires. The loca-
tion of tread wear indicators is
shown by the “TWI” or “
Δ” marks,
etc., molded on the sidewall of
each tire.

2162004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
The tires on your Toyota have built−in
tread wear indicators to help you
know when the tires need replace-
ment. When the tread depth wears to
1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indica-
tors will appear. If you can see the
indicators in two or more adjacent
grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The lower the tread, the higher the
risk of skidding.
Vehicles equipped with 185/55R15
or 215/45R16 tires: Your Toyota has
been fitted with specially developed
tires which provide exceptional dy-
namic performance under general
road conditions. However your riding
comfort may worsen a little and road
noise may increase during driving.
You may also notice that your tires
will wear more rapidly and tire grip
performance will be reduced on the
snowy and/or icy roads when
compared to standard tires. Be sure
to have snow tires or tire chains on
the snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully with the speed appropriate
for road conditions. NOTICE
Low profile tire like 185/55R15
or 215/45R16 may have greater
damage than usual tires to its
tire wheel when receiving im-
pact from the road surface.
Therefore, pay attention to the
followings.

Be sure to use with proper
tire pressure. If the tire pres-
sure is low, the tire may
have a greater damage. For
detailed information about
tire pressure, see page 244 in
Section 8.
 Avoid driving onto high,
sharpedged objects and oth-
er road hazards. Failure to
do so can lead to severe tire
damage.
The effectiveness of snow tires is
lost if the tread wears down below
4 mm (0.16 in.).
If you have tire damage such as
cuts, splits, cracks deep e nough to
expose the fabric, or bulges indi-
cating internal damage, the tire
should be repl aced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage, it
should be replaced. If you are not
sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
If air loss occurs while driving, do not
continue driving. Driving even a short
distance can damage a tire beyond
repair.
An y ti res wh i ch are over 6 years
old must be checked by a qualified
technician even if damage is not
obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.

2172004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
This applies also to the spare tire and
tires stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use a tire of
the same size and construction,
and the same or greater maximum
load as the originally installed
tires. Also, all the tires must be the
same brand and have the same
tread patterns.
Using any other size or type of tire
may seriously affect handling, ride,
speedometer/odometer calibration,
ground clearance, and clearance be-
tween the body and tires or snow
chains.Check that the maximum load of the
replaced tire is greater than 1/2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR)
of either the front axle or the rear
axle, whichever is greater. As for the
maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall
of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle
Weight Ratings (GAWR), see the Cer-
tification Label. For details about the
sidewall of the tire and the Certifica-
tion Label, see pages 141 and 139.CAUTION
Observe the following instruc-
tions. Otherwise, an accident
may occur resulting in death or
serious injuries.

Do not mix radial, bias belted,
or biasply tires on your ve-
hicle, as this may cause dan-
gerous handling characteris-
tics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the
manufacturer’s recommended
size, as this may cause danger-
ous handling characteristics
resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires of different
brands, sizes, construction or
tread patterns, as this may
cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in
loss of control.

2182004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
Toyota recommends all four tires,
or at least both front or rear tires
be replaced at a time as a set.
See “If you have a flat tire—” on page
167 in Section 4 for tire change proce-
dure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect ve-
hicle handling and tire life. Wheels
can get out of balance with regular
use and should therefore be balanced
occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the
air valve should also be replaced
w i t h a new on e.
Rotating tires
SB72017Tu r ning dir ec t ion
Turning direction indicators
SB72019
Do not rotate the tires as the tire
sizes are different such as with
front to rear, left to right or using
the spare tire. Performing such tire
rotation may result in the tires in-
terfering with the body or in un-
even wear of the tires, so that
steerability of the vehicle is im-
paired.
Tires with turning direction indicator—
The tire is a uni −directional type and
cannot be used for tire rotation. Using
the tire on the opposite side to the
designated side will impair the tire
performance.
The spare tire—
The tire is designed for temporary use
only and cannot be used for tire rota-
tion.