Topping Up Coolant

[billbones]

Hi guys, this is a total beginners question (I'm certainly no mechanic!) but can anybody show me where I top up my coolant? I noticed the reservoir is only about one third full between the minimum and maximum so tried to top it up this morning. 

I unscrewed the cap on top of the radiator and it had coolant fluid right to the top. I wondered if it would take any more and then settle at the same level so I poured a tiny bit of coolant in. This just raised the level of the fluid higher, almost to the point I thought I might not get the cap back on. I hadn't driven the car or even started the engine that day at this point. The cap did screw back on fine and the car drives fine, engine temperature is normal and it does have more than enough coolant still in. 

It makes me think I'm doing something wrong though, it should take more coolant as the level is nowhere near maximum. Is this not the right place to top up the coolant? As you can see in the picture, there's a black pipe that runs to the coolant reservoir and this has a lid with a little side tab on. Does this pull off and you top up from here? I tried it gently but it didn't seem to want to come and I obviously didn't want to force it incase I'm barking up the wrong tree and end up breaking something. 

Any help is much appreciated!

[alan333]

I’m not familiar with your particular car but the whole lid of the expansion tank should come off. Usually they just clip off but yours looks like it might need unscrewed to remove it.   Don’t fill the tank above max. 

[NeilMH]

As per the reply above, on all the Corollas I have had you top the coolant up to the marked level on the clear plastic reservoir (to the right) which is normally accessed by unclipping the black top - the black tab on one side of the lid usually does help to prise it off. It is made to fit quite firmly for obvious reasons.

[billbones]

Thanks for your help, will give it a go!