wheel covers

pete katz · 05-05-2004, 11:29 AM

why does the Prius come standard with those little plastic liners in the beautiful cast aluminum wheels? What purpose do they serve? It sure looks better with them off the car!!!!! :|

htmlspinnr · 05-05-2004, 11:35 AM

Feel free to do a search - we've covered this topic a few times.

In summary - several reasons:

* It's cheaper to replace a plastic trim cover if you bump a curb than an entire rim.
* The plastic cover reduces drag (wind resistance)
* The plastic cover allows the overall wheel to be lighter than it would be if it were solid aluminum alloy. This is especially true since the reduced weight is at the outer edge of the wheel which reduces the effects of inertia when accelerating, decelerating, and during vertical travel over bumps (unsprung weight).

The Euro 16" wheels appear to be covers as well - and unlike the US 15"ers, the majority feel the wheels look better with the covers on. I'm mixed on the 15", but I'm letting functionality win over asthetics.

05-05-2004, 11:29 AM	#1
pete katz Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: medford oregon Posts: 7 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	wheel covers why does the Prius come standard with those little plastic liners in the beautiful cast aluminum wheels? What purpose do they serve? It sure looks better with them off the car!!!!! :\|

05-05-2004, 11:35 AM	#2
htmlspinnr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 1,305 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Feel free to do a search - we've covered this topic a few times. In summary - several reasons: * It's cheaper to replace a plastic trim cover if you bump a curb than an entire rim. * The plastic cover reduces drag (wind resistance) * The plastic cover allows the overall wheel to be lighter than it would be if it were solid aluminum alloy. This is especially true since the reduced weight is at the outer edge of the wheel which reduces the effects of inertia when accelerating, decelerating, and during vertical travel over bumps (unsprung weight). The Euro 16" wheels appear to be covers as well - and unlike the US 15"ers, the majority feel the wheels look better with the covers on. I'm mixed on the 15", but I'm letting functionality win over asthetics. __________________ Rick Johnson - Linux Geek, Private Pilot 2004 Prius - Tideland Green Pearl - Pioneer #3 (#9 pkg) - 107K miles - Factory EV Button, Homemade fog lamp grills, Goodyear Allegra tires 2002 Prius - Blue Moon Pearl - All options except NAV - 51.5k miles - Coastal Hitch Family Prius Score: 4 (2 mine, 1 parents, 1 aunt/uncle)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking to buy 07 Touring wheel covers	RexChu	Private Sales	13	06-25-2008 12:32 PM
Steering Wheel covers	dongwoo	Prius Modifications	8	11-15-2007 12:11 PM
Plastic wheel covers	FreshAirGuy	Prius Modifications	11	01-20-2006 11:31 AM
Wheelskins wheel covers	rookie	Prius Modifications	52	08-04-2005 07:48 PM
Removed wheel covers...	Batavier	Prius Modifications	3	10-21-2004 04:33 AM