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Wheels and wheel covers.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by mhl0125, Feb 12, 2010.

  1. mhl0125

    mhl0125 New Member

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    Has anyone taken off the plastic wheel covers and used the alloy wheels without them. If so, how does it look. Is there any problem with dirt if this is done. Any recommendations for good-looking aftermarket wheels?
     
    #1 mhl0125, Feb 12, 2010
  2. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

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    #2 SDM44, Feb 12, 2010
  3. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    :scared: I hope he not Scotish
     
    #3 Airbalancer, Feb 12, 2010
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Wheel covers ON:

    [​IMG]



    OFF:


    [​IMG]





    Another view OFF:


    [​IMG]







    My dad has his off and they don't get dirtier than with the covers on IMO. Spray em with wheel cleaner and hose it off.
     
    #4 Paradox, Feb 12, 2010
  5. vegasjetskier

    vegasjetskier New Member

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    Maybe I'm weird, but I prefer the "ON" look.
     
    #5 vegasjetskier, Feb 12, 2010
  6. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Check out the posting by Bengolf in Thread "What did you do to your Prius today?" Benggolf installed wheel center caps (P/N: 42603-52020) at cost of CAD14.96 each. He posted pictures too. I think it looks very nice. Here is the picture from his thread:

    [​IMG]
     
    #6 toyolover, Feb 12, 2010
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    My dad has center caps on his too... I do not know, many people like them without the wheel covers. I'm not a fan of the wheel cover design Toyota chose, but if I had 15" rims on mine I'd probably leave them on, it just seems like something is missing with them off. Like the rims look way too small on the car. The covers make them appear bigger.
     
    #7 Paradox, Feb 12, 2010
  8. SDM44

    SDM44 Señor Member

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    This.

    The Prius looks good without the wheel covers on, but it makes the 15" wheels look like 13" or 14" wheels on the Prius. Maybe a different size tire (lower profile, skinnier tire so it stretches more on the rim for less 'side wall bubble' look), lower the car and put on some spacers, then I think the Prius would look good with those wheels. However that's more effort and money spent when you could've just upgraded to different wheels & tires.

    That's just my personal opinion, as others have different tastes.
     
    #8 SDM44, Feb 12, 2010
  9. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    I thought I was the only one thinking/feeling that. Yes, it definitely look smaller to me.
     
    #9 hlkc, Feb 14, 2010
  10. FL2MI

    FL2MI LMT

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    I was wondering if anyone has taken off their plastic wheel covers and noticed a difference in the gas mileage? I was told that the plastic covers are more aerodynamic and increase MPG.

    Anyone have any experience with this?

    Thanks,
    FL2MI
     
    #10 FL2MI, Feb 20, 2010
  11. BlizzardJ

    BlizzardJ New Member

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    I have my covers on at the moment but will be removing them once I can find some center caps at a much lower price than what the dealers and online vendors are asking for (craigslist & ebay?)

    I do agree that they look smaller with the covers off but I like the "tuner" look that they have. Maybe paint them a dark bronze and lower the Prius just a tad will do the trick.
     
    #11 BlizzardJ, Feb 22, 2010
  12. tomy2green

    tomy2green Junior Member

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    I lost a wheel cover on my 2011 Prius and found that they were quite expensive... I went to Home Depot, as suggested somewhere on this site, and bought myself four, inch and a half KO (knock out) seals, of which are normally used to fill unused holes in electrical panels...Once I opened up the prongs to fit the center hole tightly, I painted them to match the rims and it looks great... Each KO seal cost 95 cents plus a $5 dollar can of spray paint...I,m not sure if every Prius has the same size center hole...
     
    #12 tomy2green, Apr 3, 2012
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