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Wheel Covers on Alloy Wheels?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by wernolabound, Feb 7, 2011.

  1. wernolabound

    wernolabound Junior Member

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    Any idea why my car has hubcaps instead of finishing off the alloys?
     
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Great Question!

    But first..... Greetings and :welcome:

    They put the plasticky covers on the alloy wheels for fuel efficiency (of all things!)
    I'm told it makes 1-2 MPG difference in fuel efficiency over the uncovered OEM alloys. Now that you know, there are several schools of thought on what you should do next.

    SOME say leave it as is.
    SOME say it's easier to clean the OEM wheels w/o the covers.
    SOME of the younger drivers out there think the OEM wheels are crap, covered or uncovered, and opt for aftermarket rims.
    Takes all kinds.....
    What I would do is to buy 4 of the metal "Yota" caps and get rid of the covers...unless you parallel park a lot, and then I would actually take 100 miles and get used to the car first.
    I like to park like----1-2" from the curb and I actually embarrassed myself by putting a 1-inch scrape on my plasticky cover by 'missing' my first curb.
    Stuff happens.

    Anyway...that's the reason they're there!
    Good luck w/whatever you do next!
    :)

    Good Luck!
     
  3. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    For improved mpg, and to protect the rims is my guess.
     
  4. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    :welcome: to PRIUSchat. :cheer2:

    ETC(SS) did a good job summarizing the frequently revisited matter of
    the Prius' wheel covers.

    The only point I'd add is that there seems to be a larger number of 2010
    Gen III owners reporting losing a cover than Gen II owners. Don't know
    why.

    To look into whats been said in the past, some would say further
    discussion is :deadhorse:, use the search tool with "wheel cover."
     
  5. tonyrenier

    tonyrenier I grew up, but it's still red!

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    I removed mine and purchased the centercaps. I get as good or better mileage as many here. I think they're cosmetic and like the incorrect MFD display of MPG they are supposed to make us feel better(your mileage will be lower than the display, but hey last summer it showed a little over 70 mpg, I'm not going to kick about upper 60s). I do love my Prius but I guess lots of things come equipped with BS.
    Just my thoughts
     
  6. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    +1
     
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I think they are there to protect the rims from curb rash. A lot cheaper to replace a plastic cap than a wheel.
     
  8. priuscritter

    priuscritter I am the Stig.

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    i took those things off relatively quickly.