Adding Brake Fluid - not a straight shot

I was startled to see that the brake fluid reservoir (back right side of engine compartment) is tucked underneath a ledge. Therefore I cannot pour the fluid directly into the reservior to top it off. What have any of you folks done to solve this problem? Any ideas other than dirtying a funnel?

 

After cproaudio mentioned a cover, I went back and looked again. Sure enough, there are two squeeze tab deals to remove the plastic ledge/rubber gasket just above the brake fluid resevoir. So that problem is solved.

Now I, too, am wondering why I need to add any fluid at 15,000 miles. I had the brake recall done. I was under the assumption that this was a software fix only. So there should be no loss of brake fluid from that, correct? So exactly where should I look for brake fluid? I am a DIY as much as possible. Just did my second oil change but was only looking at the oil filter/plug area.

Or maybe I should have the dealer look at it for free????

 

I do not use the regen as my main braking source. I do not slam on the brakes to stop. Think I am pretty conservative with the regen and the brakes. I am the sole driver. No brake warning light has come on.

I have seen no leaks but that does not mean there aren't any. I asssume I should look on the inside of all the wheels and then underneath the brake fluid reservoir assuming that the brake master cylinder is underneath that.

I think I would have noticed if the brake fluid reservoir was low when I got the car as I tend to keep an eye on all fluids. It is now just below the middle mark on the reservoir (about halfway between the MAX and MIN mark).

I am getting ready to be gone for 3 weeks so it will have to wait. I don't want to add fluid as then the dealer may not believe there is a problem. I will see what the level looks like after three weeks of sitting.

My current plan is to have the dealer look at it. Thank you for all your suggestions. I will report back after my trip to the dealer.

 

So how many miles do you have on your car and are you concerned that it is halfway down? Maybe I am over-reacting?

 

This is the Original Poster reporting back after a trip to the Toyota dealer today regarding low brake fluid in the reservoir (16,000 miles on the car). They put it on the lift and checked all four wheels plus the area under the reservoir plus inside the car at the brake pedal. No leaks found. While they were doing this, I wandered into the showroom and looked under the hood of a 2010 Prius and low and behold, the fluid in the reservoir was just below the mark halfway between MAX and MIN. So then we went out on the lot and looked at three other 2010's and they were all the same as mine! So I have concluded that I did not really look closely at the fluid levels when it was new, assuming that they would all be correct. The guys did not know of any reason why the cars would arrive with the fluid level at the halfway mark but we all agreed that all is OK. There was no charge (they offered to top it off but I said that was OK - I have brake fuid at home to use when I decide it is needed).

So we all learned something and I have a record of my concern in case anything goes wrong later. I will sleep soundly knowing my car is not "using" brake fluid.

I used my reward points from my Toyota Rewards Visa card to purchse OW-20 oil ($6.66 per quart - not bad in my opinioin) and spare pushpins (for the access door to the oil pan/filter area) in case I break any during an oil change.