Winter Driving Tips - Toyota 2003 MR2 Spyder Owner's Manual

03 07.07
D
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high–speed capability
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high–speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
D
Do not continue normal
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a lon-
ger stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes
are applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely.
156

Winter driving tips

Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use "Toyota Super Long Life Coolant"
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non–silicate, non–amine, non–nitrite,
tires.
and non–borate coolant with long–life hy-
brid organic acid technology.
See "Checking the engine coolant level" in
Section 7–2 for details of coolant type
selection.
"Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. This coolant provides protec-
driving
tion down to about –35_C (–31_F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter start-
ing. Section 7–3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer
and most service stations will be pleased
to check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 206 in Section 7–2 for recom-
mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum-
mer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Toyota dealer—he will be pleased to
help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de–icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer's directions
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle's paint.
2003 MR2 from Aug. '03 Prod. (OM17511U)
for how