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Removed wheel covers

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by dz302, Nov 14, 2011.

  1. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Were his lips moving when he said it?
     
  2. dz302

    dz302 Prius Rookie

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    Must be there for a reason.....just can't figure it out. Maybe there is something to the aerodynamics. Heck, 2% is real over the life of a vehicle.
     
  3. RAYDAHS

    RAYDAHS New Member

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    I found this MY12 Toyota Prius v in my research. Scroll down to the "Efficiency" video, a lot of thought went into the aerodynamics. The answer might be 15 seconds into the video?
     
  4. dz302

    dz302 Prius Rookie

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    Sounds plausible.
    My dad always said "the devil is in the details".....
     
  5. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    Why didn't Toyota just design the wheels to be aerodynamic instead of adding the after-thought wheelcovers? They have been so thorugh in everything else.
     
  6. dz302

    dz302 Prius Rookie

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    My "guess" would be that it was cheaper to manufacture the add on rings than to design the details into the wheels.....but that's just a guess.
     
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Maybe -

    * in consumer research, base model owners showed preference for wheel covers because they get upset when scraping a wheel, but not so much when scraping a plastic cover

    * it is easier / cheaper to make a lighter wheel, then fill in gaps with a cover

    ------------------
    Plastic wheelcovers are very common in lower trim cars - Corolla, Camry, Prius, Civic, Accord, and so on, they all have plastic covers in lower trims.

    >> at least we get nice alloys underneath as most conventionals get the rather ugly black steel wheels underneath plastic wheelcovers.

    I'm keeping mine on the '11. I think they are nice looking wheel covers :)
     
  8. blueznl

    blueznl New Member

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    Seems in NL we'll get the same wheels, yet black... Not sure if that's better or worse...
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Cheaper as dz202 suggested as well as weight savings. Plastic is lighter than aluminium alloy.

    Besides, what other vehicle has two wheel designs built-in? It's like having two sets of rims and you can change the design as you feel like it =)
     
  10. jimlyons

    jimlyons Junior Member

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    I lost one of my wheel covers the other day. A couple of other had chips or cracks from parking.

    So I removed them, and cleaned up the wheels (2010 Prius).

    Does anyone have the link to the center hub covers? I would like to get a set as soon as possible.

    Happy Holidays!
     
  11. jimlyons

    jimlyons Junior Member

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    Thanks for the link - please ignore my other post! Please thank your son for his service and Happy Holidays!
     
  12. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    Took my hubcaps off and used the 1-1/2 knockout cover from a hardware store then ordered these stickers.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wheel-Cente...es&vxp=mtr&hash=item20bf096049#ht_2267wt_1344

    Here's a pic of the finished center cap. Total cost for the four wheels, about $10.00
     

    Attached Files:

  13. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    290520736879

    That's Thomas' auction # for the wheel caps that look best and are OEM parts. I have them on my own car ... and agree - they look great! :)
     
  14. kharris31

    kharris31 Junior Member

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    Nice, We have the same two cars. 2006 XB and 2012 V. Word!
     
  15. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I mentioned this in another thread but I recommend leaving the ugly wheel covers on during the winter as the uncovered wheels are a bear to clean. The next time I wash my Prius this winter, the wheel covers are going back on.
     
  16. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I do not know, those bare alloys, to me, look like a wheel that's supposed to have a cover on it given the groove along the outer edge. I prefer the plastic covered wheels on looks and less stress about scraping a curb.

    But, mine will get pulled off every couple months to clean, and they'll get pulled off just before going in for service. I'll get to see the wheels right before and after the service and have easy access to check the wheel nuts.
     
  17. Capt Ed

    Capt Ed Junior Member

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    Maybe it's the "Old Timer" in me , but I miss the old days of distinctive full wheel covers. I find the open spoke with full view of calipers and rotors style very unappealing. Is there a reason why this has become the virtual standard on all cars?? Has anyone tried any aftermarket full covers?
    Thanks ...

    Ed
     
  18. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    Yea, if I could find a set of 15in baby moons:cheer2:
     
  19. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    Or those fake wire wheel covers I had on my '80 Cadillac Seville. Now that's style.
     
  20. Capt Ed

    Capt Ed Junior Member

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    That's exactly what I had in mind!!!

    Ed