Page 9 of 259
12005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Overview of instruments and controls
Instrument panel overview2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument cluster overview4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 1
Page 10 of 259
22005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Instrument panel overview
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Interior light
5. Glove box
6. Manual transmission gear shift lever or
sequential manual transmission selector
lever
7. Parking brake lever
8. Power window switches
9. Power rear view mirror control switches
10. Power window lock switch
11. Power door lock switch
12. Front fog light switch
13. Instrument panel light control switch
SB11025b
Page 13 of 259
52005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
SRS warning light∗
1Brake system warning light∗
1
Discharge warning light∗
1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗
1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗
1
Anti−lock brake system warning light∗
1
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗
1
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Power steering system warning light∗
1
∗
1
: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 77 in Section 1−5.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see “Sequential manual transmission” on
page 85 in Section 1−6.
∗
3: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 98 in Sec-
tion 1−6.
Passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗
1Sequential manual transmission warning light∗
1
Cruise control indicator light∗
3
Open door warning light∗
1
Gear position indicator light∗
2
Page 22 of 259

142005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
SB12081a
If you push in the window lock switch on
the instrument panel, the passenger ’s win-
dow cannot be operated.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
Before you close the power win-
dows, always make sure there is
nobody around the power windows.
You must also make sure the
heads, hands and other parts of the
bodies of all occupants are kept
completely inside the vehicle. If
someone’s neck, head or hands get
caught in a closing window, it
could result in a serious injury.
When anyone closes the power win-
dows, make sure he or she oper-
ates the windows safely.
When small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock switch to
prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
Be sure to remove the ignition key
or turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position when you leave
your vehicle.
Never leave anyone (particularly a
small child) alone in your vehicle,
especially with the ignition key still
inserted. Otherwise, he/she could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended person (particularly a small
child) can be involved in a serious
accident.
Page 36 of 259

282005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
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.
During driving, do not allow any
passenger to stand up in the ve-
hicle. Otherwise, severe injuries can
occur in the event of emergency
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.
—Seat precautions
Page 75 of 259
672005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Lights, Wipers and Defogger
Headlights and turn signals68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flashers69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front fog lights70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior light70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wipers and washer71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window defogger71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 5
Page 76 of 259

682005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Headlights and turn signals
SB14009a
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1—Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
above
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer will act as a reminder to turn
the lights off when the driver’s door is
opened if you remove the key with the
headlights left on.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime running light system
The daytime running light system can
make it easier for others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day. This sys-
tem can be helpful in many different driv-
ing conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and
before sunset.
This system will make your headlights
come on at a reduced brightness when:
The engine is running.
The parking brake is released.
The headlight/turn signal lever knob is
in the “OFF” position or position 1.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
position 1.
Twist the knob to position 2 to turn the
headlights to full intensity for night driving.
SB14019
High low beams—For high beams, turn
the headlights on and push the lever away
from you (position 1). Pull the lever to-
ward you (position 2) for low beams.
The headlight high beam indicator light
(blue light) on the instrument panel will
tell you that the high beams are on.
Flashing the high beam headlights
(position 3)—Pull the lever all the way
back. The high beam headlights turn off
when you release the lever.
You can flash the high beam headlights
with the knob turned to “OFF”.
Page 77 of 259

692005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
SB14011
TURN SIGNALS
To signal a turn, push the headlight/
turn signal lever up or down to position
1.
The key must be in the “ON” position.
The lever automatically returns after you
make a turn, but you may have to return
it by hand after you change lanes.
To signal a lane change, move the lever
up or down to the pressure point (position
2) and hold it.
If the turn signal indicator lights (green
lights) on the instrument panel flash faster
than normal, a front or rear turn signal
bulb is burned out. See “Replacing light
bulbs—” on page 228 in Section 7−3.
Emergency flashers
SB14012
To turn on the emergency flashers,
push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. To turn
them off, push the switch once again.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn
other drivers if your vehicle must be
stopped where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull as far off the road as pos-
sible.
The turn signal light switch will not work
when the emergency flashers are operat-
ing.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the switch on
longer than necessary when the en-
gine is not running.