tires TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 2005 W30 / 3.G Owners Manual

vi2005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Installation of a mobile
twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile two−way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as
multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, cruise control system, anti−lock brake
system, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner
system, be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for
precautionary measures or special instructions regarding
installation.
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 213 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.

1292005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Information before driving your Toyota
Break−in period130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three−way catalytic converter132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridium−tipped spark plugs135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited−slip differential139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Toyota’s identification139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle load limits149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo and luggage149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2

1372005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
SD02002a
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti−
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.

1392005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Some Toyotas are equipped with a limit-
ed−slip differential. If one of the rear
wheels begins to spin, the limited−slip dif-
ferential is designed to aid traction by
automatically transmitting driving force to
the other rear wheel. If you are not sure
whether your vehicle is equipped with one,
you can ask your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a compact spare tire of the
same size, construction and load ca-
pacity as the original tires on your
Toyota because damage to the limit-
edslip differential could possibly oc-
cur with another tire type.
SB21009
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
SB21024
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
Limitedslip differential
(on some models)Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number

1412005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
This illustration indicates typical tire
symbols.
1. Tire size—For details, see “Tire
size” on page 143.
2. DOT and Tire Identification
Number (TIN)—For details, see
“DOT and Tire Identification Num-
ber (TIN)” on page 142.
3. Maximum cold tire inflation
pressure—This means the pres-
sure to which a tire may be in-
flated. For recommended cold tire
inflation pressure, see “Tires” on
page 244.
4. Load limit at maximum cold tire
inflation pressure—For details,
see “Checking and replacing tires”
on page 215.
5. Location of tread wear indica-
tors—For details, see “Checking
and replacing tires” on page 215.
6. Turning indicator—Some
vehicles are equipped with
directional tires. For details, see
“Rotating tires” on page 218.
Tire information—
—Tire symbols
SB21020c

1422005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
7. Uniform tire quality grading—
For details, see “Uniform tire quali-
ty grading” that follows.
8. Tire ply composition and mate-
rials—Plies mean a layer of rub-
ber−coated parallel cords. Cords
mean the strands forming the plies
in the tire.
9. “TUBELESS” or “TUBE
TYPE”—A tubeless tire does not
have a tube inside the tire and air
is directly filled in the tire. A tube
type tire has a tube inside the tire
and the tube maintains the air
pressure.
10.Radial tires or biasply tires—A
radial tire has “RADIAL” on the
sidewall. A tire not marked with
“RADIAL” is a bias−ply tir e.
11. Summer tire or all season
tire—An all season tire has “M+S”
on the sidewall. The tire not
marked with “M+S” is a summer
tire. For details, see “Types of
tires” on page 152.
SB21022a
This illustration indicates typical DOT
and Tire Identification Number (TIN).
1. “DOT” symbol
2. Tire Identification Number (TIN)
3. Tire manufacturer ’s identification
mark
4. Tire size code
5. Manufacturer ’s optional tire type
code
6. Manufacturing week
7. Manufacturing yearThe “DOT” symbol certifies that the
tire conforms to applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
—DOT and Tire Identification
Number (TIN)

1442005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
—Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared
in accordance with regulations issued
by the National Highway Traffic Safe-
ty Administration of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation. It provides
the purchasers and/or prospective
purchasers of Toyota vehicles with in-
formation on uniform tire quality grad-
ing.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer
any questions you may have as you
read this information.
DOT quality grades—All passenger
vehicle tires must conform to Fed-
eral Safety Requirements in addi-
tion to these grades. Quality
grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum sec-
tion width. For example: Treadwear
200 Traction AA Temperature A.Treadwear—The tread wear grade is
a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested un-
der controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course. For ex-
ample, 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 con-
ditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics 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 pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor trac-
tion performance.Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
Temperature A, B, C—T he tem per a-
ture grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resist-
ance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a spe-
cified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sud-
den tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level 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 per-
formance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.

1492005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
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 esti-
mated average weight is 68 kg (150
lb.) per person. Depending on the
weight of each person, the seating ca-
pacity 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 cargo and luggage in
the vehicle, observe the following:
Put cargo and luggage 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.
Veh icle lo ad limit sCargo and luggage—
—Stowage precautions

1522005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
Types of tires
Determine what kind of tires your
vehicle is originally equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high−speed capabil-
ity tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the
same traction performance as snow
tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow−covered or icy roads.
For driving on snow−covered or icy
roads, we recommend using snow
tires. If installing snow tires, be sure
to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to pro-
vide better traction in snow and to be
adequate for driving in most winter
conditions, as well as for use all year
round.CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all sea-
son tires on your vehicle as
this can cause dangerous han-
dling characteristics, resulting
in loss of control.
Do not use tires other than the
manufacture’s designated
tires, and never mix tires or
wheels of the sizes different
from the originals as this can
cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in
loss of control.

1552005 MR2 from Aug. ’04Prod. (OM17527U)
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start—” on
page 162 in Section 4.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 sec-
onds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp−edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage such
as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy road. Other-
wise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in “S(1)” or “R” (sequential manual
transmission) or in first or reverse
(manual transmission). If necessary,
block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking could cause
the vehicle to skid or spin.
Tips for driving in various
conditions