Temperature TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 2002 W30 / 3.G Owner's Manual

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Engine oil level
Check the level by the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See page 188 in Section
72 for additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 191 in Section 72 for addition-
al information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on
page 127 in Section 2.)Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tipoffs 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.)
Flatlooking 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 normalIf 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.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

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If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this section.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing doityourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This section gives instructions only for
those items that are relatively easy for an
owner to perform. As explained in Section
6, there are still a number of items that
must be done by a qualified technician
with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do
ityourself maintenance, see “Parts and
tools” on page 184.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment and trunk room—the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold,
power steering fluid reservoir and
spark plug boots, etc.—will be hot.
So be careful not to touch them.
Oil, fluids and spark plugs may also
be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the coolant reservoir cap or air re-
lease valve or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Doityourself service
precautions

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Checking the engine oil level
SB72010
Low levelFull level
Add oil O.K.
To o f u l l
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick—push it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for ref-
erence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap handtight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 1.3 (1.4, 1.1)
NOTICE
 Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
ENGINE OIL SELECTION
Use API grade SJ “EnergyConserving”,
SL “EnergyConserving” or ILSAC multi-
grade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy, and
good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the engine
may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W30 engine oil is recommended.

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SOIL13
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum
Institute) designations such as SL. The
center portion of the label shows the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W30.
“EnergyConserving” shown in the lower
portion, indicates that the oil has
fuelsaving capabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.Look at the seethrough coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-
eneglycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum com-
ponents.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the “LOW” line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the “FULL”
line.
Always use ethyleneglycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, drain cock and water
pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
Checking the engine coolant
level

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Checking brake fluid
SB72015
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the seethrough reservoir. The level
should be between the “MAX” and
“MIN” lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem. If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cap by
hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
line. This brings the fluid to the correct
level when you put the cap back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the r
eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If
you still feel uncomfortable with your
eyes, go to the doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash
it off with water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
SB72002
Open
Close
If hot add
If cold addIf hot
O.K.
If cold
O.K.
Check the fluid level through the reser-
voir. If necessary, add Toyota P.S fluid
EH or equivalent.
Before checking the power steering
fluid, remove the cover inside the
trunk. (See “Replacing light bulbs” on
page 204 in Section 73.)
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little
more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (60
°C—80 °C or 140 °F—175 °F). You
may also check the level when the fluid
is cold (about room temperature,
10 °C—30 °C or 50 °F—85 °F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.
Checking power steering fluid

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NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
Replacing light bulbs—
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the
wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
To prevent yourself from burning,
do not replace the light bulbs while
they are hot.
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and require special handling.
They can burst or shatter if
scratched or dropped. Hold a bulb
only by its plastic or metal case.
Do not touch the glass part of a
bulb with bare hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
The inside of the lens of exterior lights
such as headlights may temporarily fog up
when the lens becomes wet in the rain or
in a car wash. This is not a problem
because the fogging is caused by the
temperature difference between the outside
and inside of the lens, just like the wind-
shield fogged up in the rain. However, if
there is large drop of water on the inside
of the lens, or if there is water pooled
inside the light, contact your Toyota deal-
er.

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Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in ac-
cordance with regulations issued by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration of the U.S. Department of Trans-
portation. It provides the purchasers and/
or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with information on uniform tire
quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer any
questions you may have as you read this
information.
DOT quality grades—All passenger car
tires must conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example: Treadwear
200 Traction AA Temperature ATreadwear—
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may de-
part significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C— The traction
grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straighta-
head) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction. Temperature A, B, C—
The temperature
grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and exces-
sive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a lev-
el of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for this
tire are established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.

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E
Economical drivingSaving money on both fuel
and repairs 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system Battery 200,201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 63 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency, In case of Blown fuse 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 63 . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot increase the engine speed 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift the sequential manual transmission
selector lever 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your engine stalls while driving 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 146 . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs 178 . . . . . . .
Engine Before starting the engine 138 . . . . . . . . .
Checking the coolant level 189 . . . . . . . . Emission control device 126
. . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas caution 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood release 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil consumption 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil level 188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting procedure 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Threeway catalytic converter 126 . . . . .
Engine coolant
Temperature gauge 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 68 . . . .
Engine immobiliser system 10 . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil Winter driving tips 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas cautions 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F
Facts about engine oil
consumption 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flasher, Headlight 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire
After changing wheels 158 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing tire 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack point 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking precautions 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking up 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loosening wheel nuts 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lowering vehicle 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel block 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wheel nuts 157
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor mat 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid level Brake 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid 203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign countries, Operation in 126 . . . . . .
Front box 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filler door o pener 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 126 . . . . . . . . .
Gauge 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 126 . . . . .
Tank cap 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel information 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 126 . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses Fuse box 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G
Gauge
Engine temperature 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove box 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice Manual transmission 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .