Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers?

Muhahahahaz · 07-23-2009, 11:12 PM

Hi everyone! New owner here!

So I just discovered how to remove the plastic wheel covers on my 2007 Prius. I suspect that I may like that look better, although currently the rims are dirty. Apparently the dealer didn't clean underneath the plastic covers when I bought it used recently, but that's fine. I'm gonna get it washed soon anyway for some pictures!

Anyway, are there any down-sides to removing them? Will this expose the brakes/other wheel parts to possible damage, will MPG be negatively affected, etc? Which way should I go? (Total automotive newb here. I'm great with building computers though!

)

Thanks in advance!

dogfriend · 07-24-2009, 12:15 AM

Off with the ring! -- Trim Ring Poll

Plastic Wheel Rings

Boo · 07-24-2009, 12:43 AM

Consider getting Chrome Wheel Skins covers for around $70 delivered:

Discussed in this thread: Chrome wheel skins

Purchase for $70 delivered from here:

2005-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS 15" CHROME WHEELSKINS HUBCAPS:eBay Motors (item 360171629682 end time Aug-16-09 09:35:17 PDT)

Muhahahahaz · 07-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Oooh, those look nice.

I'll see how I like them off first.

Doc Willie · 07-28-2009, 04:19 PM

The trim rings do offer a small bit of protection to the alloy wheels if you scrape up against curbs.

Muhahahahaz · 07-31-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Willie

The trim rings do offer a small bit of protection to the alloy wheels if you scrape up against curbs.

Yeah, I did that to the plastic itself the other day... but I won't be doing that again now that I'm used to the car.

However, when I took all the rings off, I discovered that one of the alloys is already scraped anyway (since I got mine used), so I guess I'll leave them off. The wheels look so much better that way too.

a_gray_prius · 08-01-2009, 10:18 AM

I'm assuming you have a regular, non-touring prius in which case I don't think it makes too much of a difference. On the touring, the downside to taking them off is that the part normally covered by a center cap is exposed. Center caps are ~$10 if I recall correctly.

Genoz World · 08-01-2009, 11:32 AM

A GRAY PRIUS - you're correct, but you can get the center caps from the stock 15's. they will fit.

TOM - those chromies are beeeuuutiful! it doesn't even look like the stock rims. nice.

The_Gunrunner · 10-11-2009, 11:15 PM

There's one other reason to take the rings off. Dirt and other material get underneath the ring causing the tire to become unbalanced. Yes, even the smallest amount, an ounce or less, can cause a minor but no less annoying vibration. I had this problem and once I removed the rings and cleaned the rims well, it went away.

mbarlow · 10-28-2009, 09:43 PM

Another Prius guy in my parking lot at work told me how much he liked my "new wheels" (without covers). I told him I knew where he could get a set for $10 and he could have them today. He laughed when I told him to remove the covers and contribute $10 to his favorite charity.

07-23-2009, 11:12 PM	#1
Muhahahahaz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: CA Posts: 124 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? Hi everyone! New owner here! So I just discovered how to remove the plastic wheel covers on my 2007 Prius. I suspect that I may like that look better, although currently the rims are dirty. Apparently the dealer didn't clean underneath the plastic covers when I bought it used recently, but that's fine. I'm gonna get it washed soon anyway for some pictures! Anyway, are there any down-sides to removing them? Will this expose the brakes/other wheel parts to possible damage, will MPG be negatively affected, etc? Which way should I go? (Total automotive newb here. I'm great with building computers though! ) Thanks in advance! Last edited by Muhahahahaz; 07-23-2009 at 11:15 PM.

07-24-2009, 12:15 AM	#2
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 4,956 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 279 Thanked 175 Times in 147 Posts Friends: 11	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? Off with the ring! -- Trim Ring Poll Plastic Wheel Rings

07-24-2009, 12:43 AM	#3
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,286 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 166 Thanked 301 Times in 154 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? Consider getting Chrome Wheel Skins covers for around $70 delivered: Discussed in this thread: Chrome wheel skins Purchase for $70 delivered from here: 2005-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS 15" CHROME WHEELSKINS HUBCAPS:eBay Motors (item 360171629682 end time Aug-16-09 09:35:17 PDT) __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheelskins Wheel Covers & Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Sheepskin Seat Cover, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

07-24-2009, 01:30 PM	#4
Muhahahahaz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: CA Posts: 124 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? Oooh, those look nice. I'll see how I like them off first.

07-28-2009, 04:19 PM	#5
Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out there, somewhere Posts: 1,473 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 11	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? The trim rings do offer a small bit of protection to the alloy wheels if you scrape up against curbs.

08-01-2009, 10:18 AM	#7
a_gray_prius Rare Under-30 Priuschat Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 538 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: N/A Package: #3 Touring Thanks: 9 Thanked 32 Times in 23 Posts Friends: 9	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? I'm assuming you have a regular, non-touring prius in which case I don't think it makes too much of a difference. On the touring, the downside to taking them off is that the part normally covered by a center cap is exposed. Center caps are ~$10 if I recall correctly.

08-01-2009, 11:32 AM	#8
Genoz World ZEN-style living Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: La Canada Posts: 584 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 17	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? A GRAY PRIUS - you're correct, but you can get the center caps from the stock 15's. they will fit. TOM - those chromies are beeeuuutiful! it doesn't even look like the stock rims. nice. Last edited by Genoz World; 08-01-2009 at 11:36 AM.

10-11-2009, 11:15 PM	#9
The_Gunrunner Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? There's one other reason to take the rings off. Dirt and other material get underneath the ring causing the tire to become unbalanced. Yes, even the smallest amount, an ounce or less, can cause a minor but no less annoying vibration. I had this problem and once I removed the rings and cleaned the rims well, it went away.

10-28-2009, 09:43 PM	#10
mbarlow Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisville Posts: 25 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Keep or Remove Plastic Wheel Covers? Another Prius guy in my parking lot at work told me how much he liked my "new wheels" (without covers). I told him I knew where he could get a set for $10 and he could have them today. He laughed when I told him to remove the covers and contribute $10 to his favorite charity.

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