Plastic Wheel Covers

[greenlv]

Newbie here. I just purchased my Prius a couple of weeks ago and have a quick question about the wheel covers. I've read many posts about them and I'm getting more and more confused. It seems that some models come with "rings" which do not extend down to the center of the wheel. Mine are in fact almost duplicate in shape to the Aluminum Alloy wheels below.

Just to see what the raw wheels looked like, I popped one off this morning and discovered that the bare alloy wheels don't look that great without the covers. There is a big hole in the middle which is normally covered by the plastic cover. With the center exposed, it really doesn't look very nice. I've seen other posts where some of you have removed what was on your car and the alloy wheels look great. It looks like for me, I would need some type of cap that could go in the center part of the wheel to make it look nicer. The dealer parts department doesn't seem to have anything like that.

Can someone please confirm whether or not the 08 models come with a different type of wheel cover then earlier models? Is it true that what is referred to as a "trim ring" is different then what I appear to have? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Boo]

Hi greenlv,

You have the Touring Edition which has different (bigger, nicer looking) wheels than the Standard/Base Prius.

Your Touring Edition wheels have the full covers you mentioned. The Standard Prius wheels have the trim rings you've read about.

Consider yourself lucky. IMO, I think if one had the choice (and the extra $350 - $900 depending on option package), the Touring Edition is the only Prius to get.

[Neicy]

Hi greenlv and welcome to PC.

My trim rings came off last summer and I'm so much more pleased with the look. I ordered the center caps from Toyota Scion Parts Accessories Discounted Prices - Metrotpn for 11.00 apiece and they just snap in.

I also ordered a "Touring" badge to add when the weather gets warm enough and I have the time to do it properly. Still don't have all the decals on yet either. Eventually.....

[greenlv]

Thanks for the info. This all makes sense now. I'll checkout the Metrotpn website and see about getting the missing caps.

[Toyota Fan]

I ordered the center caps from my dealership at $13.00 per cap. This center cap fits the 15 and 16 inch wheels. They have the Toyota logo on them.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by greenlv

Thanks for the info. This all makes sense now. I'll checkout the Metrotpn website and see about getting the missing caps.

I thought you also didn't like the dark gun metal gray of the Touring alloy wheels?

[greenlv]

You're right. My first thought was that it didn't look all that great but I think a large part of my negative first impression was due to the missing center caps. I want to see what it looks like with the caps installed and then I'll be able to make a fairer assessment.

[Boo]

Yes. Personally, I like the Touring wheel with or without its cover.

If I had a black or magnetic gray Touring, I'd probably like the wheel without the cover more.

If I had any other color Touring, I'd probably alternate between with and without.