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Prius v wheels and wheel covers

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tom60, Dec 6, 2012.

  1. Tom60

    Tom60 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The 2012 Prius v 2 has plastic wheel covers over good looking 16" spoke wheels. Does anybody know why or what the advantage might be? Would there be any harm in removing the wheel covers?
    My dealer didn't know the reason and couldn't answer these questions.

    If I do remove the wheel covers it looks like I would need center hub dust caps. Any suggestions on a cheap source for these?

    Thanks for your help.
     
    #1 Tom60, Dec 6, 2012
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Search the GenIII forum for dust cap sources besides eBay. All the info you need is in multiple threads there. :)
     
    #2 F8L, Dec 6, 2012
  3. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    I took the wheel covers off when I got home from the dealer. Some say the wheel covers are designed for aerodynamics. I'm sure there is a reason but it doesn't affect my mileage what so ever. I took the car on a 2400 mile trip when I first got it and managed 52.4 MPH average.

    The center caps are all over eBay. I believe they are 56mm. I painted mine Black then removed the paint on the Toyota loggo to reveal the chrome... looks good!!!
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 BZzap!, Dec 7, 2012
    Smoter and ewxlt66 like this.
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    People have used electrical box knockout covers from Home Depot as center caps as well.
     
    #4 xliderider, Dec 14, 2012
  5. Rich Baril

    Rich Baril Junior Member

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    That's what I used. 2 inch diameter works just fine. Got them at Lowes. You can always get a Toyota decal and apply it if it matters. Cost like $2.00 each.
     
    #5 Rich Baril, Dec 22, 2012
  6. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    Sweet set up!
     
    #6 ewxlt66, Dec 22, 2012
  7. anewhouse

    anewhouse Active Member

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    Definitely - lose the plastic wheel covers. Given that they're exactly the same shape as the (perfectly nice) alloy wheel underneath, I really can't believe they'd help with aerodynamics or gas mileage. And in fact, since they weigh about a pound each, they might actually HURT gas mileage (rotational weight is a bigger deal than static weight inside the vehicle). I took mine off almost as soon as I got my v, sold them on ebay, and haven't missed them a bit. I bought some Toyota center caps so they look nice, but there are alternatives - other makes of cars use the same diameter, so you could play with people and put a Pontiac or Mercury center cap on your v... Or maybe it's just me who thinks stuff like that is fun.
    Anyway, to summarize my answers to your questions:
    I've done quite a bit of reading and can't find a believable BENEFIT to the wheel covers
    I personally believe there could be a slight benefit (in terms of mileage) to REMOVING them
    Cheapest source for center caps, besides the electrical knockouts, would be ebay - especially if you don't need them to look like the OEM toyota ones.

    Have fun!
    Andy
     
    #7 anewhouse, Jan 3, 2013
    Chazz8 likes this.
  8. Smoter

    Smoter Junior Member

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    BZzap!, that looks very nice.
     
    #8 Smoter, Jan 11, 2013
  9. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Wander onto the Main Forum for the Prius v and look at a recent thread on wheel caps. Pictures and links and part numbers there. Just ordered mine.
     
    #9 mikefocke, Jan 11, 2013
  10. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Thank you! The all chrome look just look like an afterthought.
     
    #10 BZzap!, Jan 11, 2013
  11. Mike047

    Mike047 New Member

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    I purchased mine here 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V Center Cap Sales They were high quality and shopped fast. They also sell these on ebay under lewisenterprises014
     
    #11 Mike047, Dec 14, 2013
  12. Tom60

    Tom60 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info. Problem solved.
     
    #12 Tom60, Dec 14, 2013
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