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2006 Rims - What’s With The Plastic?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Artric, Oct 24, 2017.

  1. Artric

    Artric Junior Member

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    So I have a 2006. It has alloy rims, but it still seems to also have a plastic piece, almost like a hubcap, on it as well. What is the purpose of that?
     
    #1 Artric, Oct 24, 2017
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    A rumor (unconfirmed to my knowledge) is that it is more aerodynamic so yields better EPA MPG.
    Certainly it protects the aluminum from scrapes.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Oct 24, 2017
  3. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Would you rather pay to repair/replace a thrashed wheel, or a $20 plastic trim ring?
     
    #3 egg_salad, Oct 25, 2017
  4. Artric

    Artric Junior Member

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    Are they really only $20? And I noticed there is actually some curbing under one of them. Luckily it’s covered up pretty well.

    Where’s the best place to get replacements? Mine are pretty old. I could also use a few knickknacks around the car.
     
    #4 Artric, Oct 25, 2017
  5. Artric

    Artric Junior Member

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    And I’d prefer full aluminum rims with no scrapes. :)
     
    #5 Artric, Oct 25, 2017
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Sold mine on eBay 10 years ago. There's still some on there.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Oct 25, 2017
  7. Artric

    Artric Junior Member

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    You ran without? Does it look weird?
     
    #7 Artric, Oct 26, 2017
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I think the wheels look alot better without the plastic rims but very easy to curb rash the edge of the wheel without that protector on it.
    Lots and lots of people run without that cover.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Oct 26, 2017
  9. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I had mine (on my 2004) for several years until one broke. I then drove the car for 8 years sans plastic wheel covers.

    JeffD
     
    #9 jdenenberg, Oct 26, 2017
  10. Artric

    Artric Junior Member

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    What does it look like without them? Haven’t pulled them off yet.
     
    #10 Artric, Oct 28, 2017
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Better in most people's opinions (including mine). It takes about one minute to find out if you like it or not. ;)
     
    #11 jerrymildred, Oct 28, 2017
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Many people just throw 'em in the garbage, thinking no one would ever want 'em, since the actual wheel looks a lot nicer than hoaky plastic frisbees, & the alleged 1/2-ish mile per gallon they may or may not save wouldn't be worth keeping them on ... even if it was proven to save 2 or 3 mpg.
    your opinion & ymmv ...
    ;)
    .
     
    #12 hill, Oct 29, 2017
  13. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    My opinion is that they neither offend me nor impress me, so leaving them there is simply less work than removing them.
     
    #13 egg_salad, Oct 29, 2017
    jerrymildred likes this.
  14. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Agreed!

    Yet we have all four on our car.
     
    #14 05PreeUs, Nov 4, 2017
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