I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how to open the fuse box under the hood. It's not that apparent from the manual and I don't want to break something. I would appreciate any helpful hints
You're not alone. I've had the fusebox cover off two times, and I'm still not sure how it's supposed to come off. The tabs at the top were easy to see and release, but the ones at the bottom sure don't want to let go. I just pushed it down and twisted some and it eventually released. Sorry I can't be of more help.
I used a screwdriver on the most difficult two tabs and the taped over them for future ease in removing. Most ornery tabs are closest to left fender and most forward. The most inner tab is easiest to get to and I pry from bottom with finger. Holds fine with tape over and much easier to remove. Not being able to R&R total assy. to inspect I can't figure out exactly how they work either? (except with difficulty).
It comes off really easily if you just release the catch on the short bottom edge. Then it hinges straight up and off. IIRC, you just push in a bit of plastic above the lower catch, and the catch is released.
Thank you KMO. By simply pressing on the plastic latch on the narrow end of the fuse box (toward the front of the car), the box unsnaps and lifts straight up. I don't suppose I would have discovered this without your tip. Regards,
The fuse box was one of the reasons I feel I got my money's worth from renting a Prius for a weekend, while I was waiting for mine to arrive. I felt no compunction at all about opening the hood, the fuse box, etc., of a rental, to figure out where everything was. (I had the "new car checklist" form, and wanted to know what I should be looking for before mine arrived.)
I should've read this thread first. I tried to take my fusebox cover off and ended up breaking the two tabs off at the top. Maybe it's my age but fuseboxes shouldn't be this difficult. I'm using a piece of duct tape to hold on the cover now. I'm not confident at all to replace my drivers headlight assembly due to condensation. Gotta remove trim and the drivers side of the bumper to get it out. Looks each on the youTube videos but I doubt I'll be able to do it now Kelvin
Well you're here so I'm guessing you didn't touch anything orange on the rental Other things you won't be able to do w/o special equipment and software: bleed the brakes, replace inverter and ICE coolant. I also strongly caution you against touching anything orange in either the hood or trunk of your Prius.