Can anybody give me a good reason to not rip off the ugly plastic wheel covers off the rims?

sl7vk · 08-02-2006, 05:45 PM

I think those stupid plastic wheel coverings are ugly as hell, and I don't understand why they are on the car. The rim itself looks just fine without it!

So please tell me why I shouldn't rip those ugly bastards off. Thanks!

**efusco** · 08-02-2006, 05:48 PM

They supposedly improve the aerodynamics of the wheels, but many others agree with your opinion of their appearance and have removed them with no measurable affect on mpg.

onerpm · 08-02-2006, 05:54 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 2 2006, 04:48 PM) [snapback]296566[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

They supposedly improve the aerodynamics of the wheels, but many others agree with your opinion of their appearance and have removed them with no measurable affect on mpg.
[/b]

Took mine off my 2005 after 18,000 miles and wondered why I waited so long to do it. No noticeable effect upon MsPG. Perhaps you would see a difference if the majority of your miles are (is?) on the highway.

Picked up my wife's 2006 Saturday, popped them off before we left the car lot (to the surprise of the saleswoman).

rpm

JimboK · 08-02-2006, 06:06 PM

Can't give you a functional reason, only an aesthetic one (ironically). Twice I've had curbs jump out in front of me in parking lots, and the trim rings took the hit instead of the wheels. If they get too scratched up, I'll be able to replace them a lot more cheaply and easily than the wheels.

Jim

Rancid13 · 08-02-2006, 06:07 PM

It's all a matter of personal choice. If you don't like them, by all means take them off!! I think any aerodynamic advantage they have is negligible anyhow. I took mine off, got a few opinions and ultimately decided to put them back on. It's totally up to you, and however you think the car looks best...

naterprius · 08-02-2006, 06:16 PM

I left mine off. The wheels tend to miss curbs without the rings. The notch in the wheel just clears most curbs.

Nate

ekpolk · 08-02-2006, 06:41 PM

You know, really, it's best if you don't actually hit the curb with your wheels. . . Now before any of you flame me for being an obnoxious, smart alec newb, I've got to admit that I just did this with my G35. It's an amazing sound concrete makes as it removes substantial quantities of aluminum from a wheel.

marjam · 08-02-2006, 09:40 PM

Take them off! Take them all off!

hobbit · 08-02-2006, 09:48 PM

What's hilarious is that this thread just popped up right *next* to
the "Prius Trim Rings Wanted" thread in the new-posts list.
So clearly, the "they're ugly" school needs to give all their trim
rings to the "i like them but mine are all beat up" crowd.
.
_H*

Rangerdavid · 08-02-2006, 09:49 PM

Anyone got a picture of the factory wheels without the wheel covers??? I too have heard the factory wheels dont look too bad, but i've never seen a Pruis without the covers. I too understand they are designed to reduce parasite drag and hence the drag coefficient it better with them on. I added mud flaps this past weekend, so for the sake of protection of the investment, I'm willing to sacrifice a couple of MPGs.

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08-02-2006, 05:45 PM	#1
sl7vk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 362 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think those stupid plastic wheel coverings are ugly as hell, and I don't understand why they are on the car. The rim itself looks just fine without it! So please tell me why I shouldn't rip those ugly bastards off. Thanks!

08-02-2006, 05:48 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,207 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	They supposedly improve the aerodynamics of the wheels, but many others agree with your opinion of their appearance and have removed them with no measurable affect on mpg.

08-02-2006, 06:06 PM	#4
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 1,990 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Can't give you a functional reason, only an aesthetic one (ironically). Twice I've had curbs jump out in front of me in parking lots, and the trim rings took the hit instead of the wheels. If they get too scratched up, I'll be able to replace them a lot more cheaply and easily than the wheels. Jim

08-02-2006, 06:07 PM	#5
Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA Posts: 2,455 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	It's all a matter of personal choice. If you don't like them, by all means take them off!! I think any aerodynamic advantage they have is negligible anyhow. I took mine off, got a few opinions and ultimately decided to put them back on. It's totally up to you, and however you think the car looks best...

08-02-2006, 06:16 PM	#6
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,830 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I left mine off. The wheels tend to miss curbs without the rings. The notch in the wheel just clears most curbs. Nate

08-02-2006, 06:41 PM	#7
ekpolk The Regenerator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 363 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You know, really, it's best if you don't actually *hit* the curb with your wheels. . . Now before any of you flame me for being an obnoxious, smart alec newb, I've got to admit that I just did this with my G35. It's an amazing sound concrete makes as it removes substantial quantities of aluminum from a wheel.

08-02-2006, 09:40 PM	#8
marjam Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 220 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Take them off! Take them all off!

08-02-2006, 09:48 PM	#9
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 2,976 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What's hilarious is that this thread just popped up right next to the "Prius Trim Rings Wanted" thread in the new-posts list. So clearly, the "they're ugly" school needs to give all their trim rings to the "i like them but mine are all beat up" crowd. . _H*

08-02-2006, 09:49 PM	#10
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,066 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Anyone got a picture of the factory wheels without the wheel covers??? I too have heard the factory wheels dont look too bad, but i've never seen a Pruis without the covers. I too understand they are designed to reduce parasite drag and hence the drag coefficient it better with them on. I added mud flaps this past weekend, so for the sake of protection of the investment, I'm willing to sacrifice a couple of MPGs.