New to me 2003 mr2 Spyder. A few questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

TheKneebiter · 08-17-2007, 10:17 PM

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***MR2Jedi*** · 08-18-2007, 12:41 PM

There is a small square plastic flap under the oil pan when opened will reveal the oil drain bolt.
I use convertible roof cleaner for the top. Works well and always makes it look clean and new.
As for the switch, I have a 2001 and don't have that.. can't help you there... sorry

TheKneebiter · 08-18-2007, 04:07 PM

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***MR2Jedi*** · 08-19-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKneebiter

When you change your oil does it make a mess if you leave the plates on ?

yeah, it's alittle messy.I put down a large flattened cardboard box to lay on and catch any drips. I also bring a rag under the car with me....

accountingrx · 08-26-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKneebiter

I have a 2005 Tacoma and have been on the forum for a couple of years now. Just picked up a 2003 mr2 Spyder today with 7k original miles. Like new. Have some question. First question - There is a button on the dash just to the right of the power mirror switch that reads OFF and has a pic of a car with some curved lines across the roof area. No mention of this in the owners manual. Second question - I have not even looked under the car yet but would like to change my oil tomorrow and was wondering if anyone has an oil change how to on this car ? Oil drain location etc ? Third question- What it the convertible top made of ? It feels like vinyl but the manual says cloth. Just wondering if I wanted to treat it what is it made of. I will get some pics up soon. Thanks

Changing the oil and filter appears to be more difficult on an MR2 Spyder because you first have to remove the engine splash shield in order to gain access to the filter. There is a little trap door for the oil drain plug but not the filter. If you attempt to by-pass this step you will be forced to use your engine spash shield as an oil drip pan because there is no way to be neat about it. The trouble is that most garages don't want to take the time to do it the right way.

accountingrx · 08-26-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKneebiter

Thanks for the reply. I changed the oil today. I removed the plastic skids/plates as I figured oil would leak under when removing the oil filter. I would rather not remove them next time. When you change your oil does it make a mess if you leave the plates on ? Thanks again

How do you gain access to the oil filter without removing the spash shield?

Dreams0099 · 08-26-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accountingrx

How do you gain access to the oil filter without removing the spash shield?

Wiggle your arm up the hole for the drain plug.

accountingrx · 08-26-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreams0099

Wiggle your arm up the hole for the drain plug.

Yes, I undestand you can gain access to the drain plug, but the oil filter is on the left side of the engine bay facing forward. The flap you mention is on the right side. Can you reach both from the flap?

***MR2Jedi*** · 08-26-2008, 02:23 PM

I partially remove the splash guard. The car doesn't have any clearance. I also lift both ends of the car up and use jack stands. If you just lift the rear, then the car isn't level and you don't get all the old oil.
It's really a pain just for an oil change..

accountingrx · 08-26-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2BAD

I partially remove the splash guard. The car doesn't have any clearance. I also lift both ends of the car up and use jack stands. If you just lift the rear, then the car isn't level and you don't get all the old oil.
It's really a pain just for an oil change..

Thanks for the advice. I think I am forced to do my own oil changes because the garages have made a mess of things. Right now my car is leaking oil so I got to get under there to see what's what. The car has less than 8,000 miles on it! And it starting leaking right after the last oil change at a local quick-lube place. I guess I should have known better.

***MR2Jedi*** · 08-26-2008, 04:54 PM

I hear ya. I took mine to the Toyota Dealer in this little hick town I was living in and the guy opened the wrong end of the car! I told them never mind. They were trippin'. I know everyone doesn't know the engine is in the rear of the cabin, but I do expect a Toyota Tech to know that....scarey!

accountingrx · 08-27-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2BAD

I hear ya. I took mine to the Toyota Dealer in this little hick town I was living in and the guy opened the wrong end of the car! I told them never mind. They were trippin'. I know everyone doesn't know the engine is in the rear of the cabin, but I do expect a Toyota Tech to know that....scarey!

What I hate about going to a dealer is that you have to wait in another room sipping stale coffee and watching Judge Judy on the tube while your car is being worked on. You can't see what the hell they are doing (or not doing) to your car. My friend's father bought a new Olds back in the 70s and took it to the local dealer for servicing every three months or 3,000 miles. Years later he switched to a local garage. That's when he learned that the dealer never changed the oil (It came out looking like tar). The dealer gave it what insiders call the "sun bath" treatment: park it out back for awhile. When the customer comes in hand him a bill for work never done. If I am paying for Mobil One and a new oil filter, I want to be sure that's what I am getting.