So I'm preparing to drain the coolant in my 2011 Prius III. I purchased this car used about a year ago, and there have been a lot of weird things I've found on it since purchasing. Anyway, I'm following the repair manual I have, which states I should remove the left inner fender to access the coolant storage tank. It's got pictures of it, there are pictures on the internet, and diagrams indicating it's location. So I remove the left inner fender and...nothing. I can't find anything that even remotely resembles it. All I can find is a big empty space where I think it should be, with not the slightest indication it was ever there except two empty bolt holes. I have included a picture of the area. I think I saw somewhere that the Gen3 maybe doesn't have a coolant tank, but I can't seem to confirm that anywhere. It would not be the first time the repair manual has been completely wrong. Can someone either a.) Confirm the gen 3 has no coolant storage tank b.) tell me it's missing or c.) direct me where to find it. I have the sneaking suspicion that the manual has wasted another hour of my time, but I don't want to procede until I'm sure. Thank you all in advance.
You're either looking at the wrong year manual, or an inaccurate, non-Toyota manual. Your 2011 does not have the CHS system, last used in the 2009 model year. The correct manuals for your car can be found at techinfo.toyota.com (which has a subscription fee, a couple days for $15, a month for $75, enough time to get pretty familiar with the car and download stuff you'll want to refer to later). -Chap
Thank you very much. Yes, I am using a cheap Chilton's manual that attempts to cover several models in one book. Despite the fact it claims to cover Gen3, it is obviously hastily compiled. I appreciate your reply. You saved me a lot of hair pulling and teeth grinding for tomorrow morning!
All Chilton or Haynes repair manuals show a Prius 2 on the cover. The Chilton manuals say 2001-2008, Haynes claims to go to 2011. But I doubt that any of them cover the Prius 3. Is there any mention of the 1.8 litre engine in your manual?
Before going any further watch @NutzAboutBolts videos, one for the engine coolant, the other for inverter, here; Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat