Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels?

Rokeby · 10-05-2009, 12:44 PM

This discussion has been going on for many years. Here are three other
threads that tanken together pretty much exhaust the subject:

anyone else prefer running WITHOUT hubcaps?
Plastic Wheel Covers, why?
Are these wheel covers, or wheel protectors?

The search tool is your friend.

terryj · 10-05-2009, 05:53 PM

This is the quote I got when I emailed Toyota on this subject.

"After doing research, the rims/wheel covers on the Prius were designed for appearance and not for air flow and better gas mileage."

**Tideland Prius** · 10-06-2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octavia

I thought taking them off would give my son a sense of cool about the car. He just looked at me with that disgusted 13 yr. old look and said:

"Mom, the alloys on a prius are not like other alloys..."

Err... what? They're twin spoke alloys. There are tons of twin spoke alloys. The 00-01 Camry XLE for example or the GS450h.

JThayer · 10-07-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryj

"After doing research, the rims/wheel covers on the Prius were designed for appearance and not for air flow and better gas mileage."

Errrmmm..."designed for appearance"?

If the goal was "cheesy appearance", then they succeeded. Otherwise, not so much...

If there is one that I don't like about my Prius IV it is the cheap looking wheel covers. Yesterday, I noticed that one of the wheel covers had fallen off/been stolen/was missing and I discovered how good the basic wheel looks. I was considering removing all the wheel covers and was thinking "wouldn't it be great if you could buy a something with a Toyota logo to fill in the hole in the center..."

Funny how this thread just happened along at just the right time...

Thanks y'all...

octavia · 10-07-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Err... what? They're twin spoke alloys. There are tons of twin spoke alloys. The 00-01 Camry XLE for example or the GS450h.

I do not know. This is the same kid who thinks Chargers are "ridonculously cool"

Ohpoh · 10-07-2009, 02:24 AM

those are the alloy wheels underneath the caps on a 2010 prius? those look nice. I might have to take my caps off

pri-serious · 10-07-2009, 04:04 AM

I do like how the plastic cover looks, I just wish they are actual metal, not plastic.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-07-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octavia

I do not know. This is the same kid who thinks Chargers are "ridonculously cool"

Well then I can see where he's coming from lol. Are you sure he's your kid? =P

Paradox · 10-07-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohpoh

those are the alloy wheels underneath the caps on a 2010 prius?

Yes. With:

Without:

octavia · 10-07-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Well then I can see where he's coming from lol. Are you sure he's your kid? =P

Yes. He has a big head, made for a memorable experience.

He corrected me though... chargers are cool but it's challengers that are "ridonculous cool."

10-05-2009, 12:44 PM	#11
Rokeby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 1,525 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 96 Thanked 74 Times in 54 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels? This discussion has been going on for many years. Here are three other threads that tanken together pretty much exhaust the subject: anyone else prefer running WITHOUT hubcaps? Plastic Wheel Covers, why? Are these wheel covers, or wheel protectors? The search tool is your friend.

10-05-2009, 05:53 PM	#12
terryj Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nebraska Posts: 3 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels? This is the quote I got when I emailed Toyota on this subject. "After doing research, the rims/wheel covers on the Prius were designed for appearance and not for air flow and better gas mileage."

10-07-2009, 02:24 AM	#16
Ohpoh Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels? those are the alloy wheels underneath the caps on a 2010 prius? those look nice. I might have to take my caps off

10-07-2009, 04:04 AM	#17
pri-serious Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: LA Posts: 32 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels? I do like how the plastic cover looks, I just wish they are actual metal, not plastic.

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