The 16" Alloy Rims (Touring) are UNDER a cover??

[macmaster05]

Hey everyone, I just bought my 2009 Touring a few hours ago. Believe it or not, I just learned from the dealer that the 16" 7-spoke alloy rims are actually UNDER that plastic cover. I did not know this! - I always thought those were the rims themselves. I guess it was because all of the stock pictures of the Touring seem to have that cover on.

Examine: http://priuschat.com/forums/attachme...as-wheels2.jpg


My question is, does anybody ever take off those plastic covers/hubcaps to show the true alloy rims? Should I? Or will I just risk scraping them, getting them stolen, etc? What's the normal thing to do?

[Rokeby]

macmaster05,

There is divided opinion as to whether the Touring model wheel covers are
intended to function as "curb rash" preventers (which they do) or as aero aids
(which they might, no hard data though).

On or off is a personal matter. The wheel is a darker tone of gray. So take
one off and see how you like the darker wheel color with the color of your
new baby. (Just grab the inner edge of the cover and pull.)

If you do remove the covers, you will want center caps to fill the hole in
the center of the wheel. Use the search function to find the many threads
on this.

There are also many threads about the +/- of removing the wheel covers,
and pictures appear randomly. Again, the search function is your friend.

Best of luck with your new car. Let the fun and savings begin.

[spinkao]

Originally Posted by macmaster05

Hey everyone, I just bought my 2009 Touring a few hours ago. Believe it or not, I just learned from the dealer that the 16" 7-spoke alloy rims are actually UNDER that plastic cover. I did not know this! - I always thought those were the rims themselves. I guess it was because all of the stock pictures of the Touring seem to have that cover on.

Examine: http://priuschat.com/forums/attachme...as-wheels2.jpg


My question is, does anybody ever take off those plastic covers/hubcaps to show the true alloy rims? Should I? Or will I just risk scraping them, getting them stolen, etc? What's the normal thing to do?

Yes, this is exactly what I have on mine. I left the covers on because I don't like the darker colour of the alloys themselves, and also to protect them from kerbs (as I am very much a kerb-loving person ).

I think you could take them off if you like to - no harm doing that, if you trust yourself enough regarding the kerbs . Perhaps you might leave them on for at least the first couple of days/weeks until you get used to the dimensions and parking qualities of your new car. I totaly agree with Rokeby above me - it is only up to you and your own liking .

[hill]

Yes ... welcome to 2004

That's how long it's been that folks have been taking them off & throwing them away. Supposedly there's a miniscule mpg hit, but many like the look better.

.

[Boo]

Here's metagrey's photo of her Touring wheel with the cover removed but with the chrome center cap and a chrome trim ring added:



PriusChat Forums - metagrey's Album: A Few Changes - Picture

If you want the chrome center caps they can be purchased from parts.com (among other places) for $10.48 each plus shipping:

2004 Toyota Prius Center cap - Parts.com

If you want the chrome trim rings they can be purchased from autoamenity.com for $54.50 for four plus shipping (note - get the 16" size listed; and as metagrey noted in her photo album you might need a rubber mallet to gently bang them on):

Flat Narrow Chrome Trim Rings Stylish Look, Great Prices, AutoAmenity