Wheel Trim Rings- any downside to removing?

[larkinmj]

I think the Prius wheels look much better with the trim rings removed. I'm not a hydrodynamicist, but I don't see that they could make a significant contribution to reducing drag and improving mileage. I've read the posts here from people who have removed them and the consensus seems to be no effect on MPG.
My question is- is there any other reason not to remove them? I'm thinking that their actual function might be to direct cooling air to the brakes, and that removing them might contribute to brake wear. Are there any experts here who can answer that?

[ScottY]

I park on the street a lot. Those trim rings save my wheels couple of times. Other than that, I don't think there's any harm of removing them. Remember, the brake pads don't get use alot, M/Gs do most of the braking anyways.

[yakky]

Don't do it. It disturbs the cars natural balance and could cause you to get into a fatal car accident, possibly killing your loved ones!

Mine have been off since the day I took the car home. Makes the wheels easier to clean, and I think they stay cleaner. Those rings are definately an afterthought. My mileage is in the 50's so no real impact to mileage.

[Rancid13]

I think it's more a matter of personal preference than anything...I personally like the look with the trim rings on. I did take them off for a day, got some opinions and weighed my own, and ultimately decided to put them back on. I would much rather risk scraping plastic wheel covers against a curb when miscalculating a parallel parking job (oops!) than scratching the alloy wheel beneath. But that's just me.

I highly doubt any harm would potentially otherwise be done by removing them....

[TheForce]

I like the trim rings on. I think the wheels look to naked and old looking with them off. but I do like my racing hub caps better Racing Hub Caps

[TonyPSchaefer]

If you remove the wheel trims, be sure to limit your speed to under 107 MPH. At speeds exceeding that, the vibrations of the tubulance caused by the inward slant of the tire creates a rip in the space time continuum. Trust me, nobody wants that. So for everyone's sake, just leave them on!!

[ckbarnard]

I've been trying to figure out what the heck a trim ring or wheel trim is. I've owned by 2006 for almost 7 weeks and the only plastic I see on the tires is the wheel cover itself. What ring are you guys talking about?

[bsd43]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ckbarnard @ Apr 28 2006, 10:49 AM) [snapback]246736[/snapback]</div>

I've been trying to figure out what the heck a trim ring or wheel trim is. I've owned by 2006 for almost 7 weeks and the only plastic I see on the tires is the wheel cover itself. What ring are you guys talking about?
[/b]

The wheel cover is only a ring. The wheel itself is aluminum alloy.

[ckbarnard]

Never mind! I figured it out, mainly by looking at the pics at http://darelldd.com/ev/prius.htm, under Mods. Thanks, Derell!

[Prizzle]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ckbarnard @ Apr 28 2006, 02:01 PM) [snapback]246745[/snapback]</div>

Never mind! I figured it out, mainly by looking at the pics at http://darelldd.com/ev/prius.htm, under Mods. Thanks, Derell!
[/b]

We ( wife actually ) just got the Prius today ( White) traded the 04 Aviator. , Joined the forum and first mod that was obvious from reading was to pull the "vanity rings". Whatta difference! To heck with the .0000005674 loss in mpg.

Next is the lock mod, the nav lockout mod, tint the windows and tails, door guard trim, cargo mat, Sirius and Ipod mods, better bulbs for the fogs, think about some tC 17's and keep the stock wheels for Blizzaks.

Lambo doors???

K

My other car is a Chrysler 300C SRT8 425HP. Sorry.... Still, 28.5 avg CAFE between the two is not bad considering.