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Gen III - Why the plastic covers for alloy wheels?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Fstr911, Oct 4, 2009.

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  1. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    I'm curious why my 2010 Prius has plastic wheel covers over the (nice looking) alloys.

    Is it for brake cooling, aerodynamics or what?

    Also what is the downside to taking them off?

    Thanks in advance to you Prius Guru's with fact based information.:confused:
     
    #1 Fstr911, Oct 4, 2009
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    There has been much discussion about this but one reason is fuel economy, though it is very slight. It helps in the aerodynamics around the wheel, but like I said it is slight.

    MANY have taken them off as some feel the wheels look better with them off. The MPG hit is negligible...
     
    #2 Paradox, Oct 4, 2009
  3. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    Only downside I see with them off is when the wife scrubs the curb with the alloys. Don't scrub the curb and I don't think there is a downside. I would like to put the Toyota emblems in the center though. All this has been discussed, even has a link to where to purchase the emblems
     
    #3 a64pilot, Oct 4, 2009
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    That's just my dads thinking in a way... He took his off and figures if he does hit a curb he'll just put the covers back on when the trades in a few years and all sins will be forgiven. ;)
     
    #4 Paradox, Oct 4, 2009
  5. namasteflc

    namasteflc New Member

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    If the plastic covers make the car more aerodynamic, why not go to the old 'moon covers' (solid dome covers that cover the wheel) of the 70's?
    I also remember something about reducing 'unsprung' weight of a car(wheel covers, wheel size, disk brakes, etc.) for better handling.
    Frank
     
    #5 namasteflc, Oct 4, 2009
  6. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    Frank,

    I know you mentioned the 70's (I'm a leftover surfer from those days) but I never did like those "moon covers" because they seemed to be a 50's thing (to me at least).

    Somehow I get the feeling Toyota likely expended the funds to do "real air tunnel" (aerodynamic) testing to justify the cost of these cheap plastic wheel covers.

    About: "I also remember something about reducing 'unsprung' weight of a car(wheel covers, wheel size, disk brakes, etc.) for better handling." True. I guessing these factory wheels are very light and this is not an issue here (is anyone tracking or autocrossing these Prius beasts?).

    Para and a64pilot, thanks for the good comments. But, a64 be careful about the wife making the skuff marks (I'm smiling here), I did that once and after a week skuffed em worse than her! Sh&% happens.
     
    #6 Fstr911, Oct 4, 2009
  7. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    Toyota put the covers on so we have a fast, easy, and cheap mod
     
    #7 SlowTurd, Oct 5, 2009
  8. octavia

    octavia Active Member

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    I thought taking them off would give my son a sense of cool about the car. He just looked at me with that disgusted 13 yr. old look and said:

    "Mom, the alloys on a prius are not like other alloys..."
     
    #8 octavia, Oct 5, 2009
  9. Tad Moody

    Tad Moody New Member

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    This is a job for "Mythbusters"
     
    #9 Tad Moody, Oct 5, 2009
  10. Grateful11

    Grateful11 Member

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    You mean like this:


    [​IMG]
     
    #10 Grateful11, Oct 5, 2009
  11. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    #11 Rokeby, Oct 5, 2009
  12. terryj

    terryj New Member

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    This is the quote I got when I emailed Toyota on this subject.

    "After doing research, the rims/wheel covers on the Prius were designed for appearance and not for air flow and better gas mileage."
     
    #12 terryj, Oct 5, 2009
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  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Err... what? They're twin spoke alloys. There are tons of twin spoke alloys. The 00-01 Camry XLE for example or the GS450h.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Oct 6, 2009
  14. JThayer

    JThayer Cubic Zirconium Member

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    Errrmmm..."designed for appearance"?

    If the goal was "cheesy appearance", then they succeeded. Otherwise, not so much...

    If there is one that I don't like about my Prius IV it is the cheap looking wheel covers. Yesterday, I noticed that one of the wheel covers had fallen off/been stolen/was missing and I discovered how good the basic wheel looks. I was considering removing all the wheel covers and was thinking "wouldn't it be great if you could buy a something with a Toyota logo to fill in the hole in the center..."

    Funny how this thread just happened along at just the right time...

    Thanks y'all...
     
    #14 JThayer, Oct 7, 2009
  15. octavia

    octavia Active Member

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    I do not know. This is the same kid who thinks Chargers are "ridonculously cool" :rolleyes:
     
    #15 octavia, Oct 7, 2009
  16. Ohpoh

    Ohpoh Junior Member

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    those are the alloy wheels underneath the caps on a 2010 prius? those look nice. I might have to take my caps off
     
    #16 Ohpoh, Oct 7, 2009
  17. pri-serious

    pri-serious New Member

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    I do like how the plastic cover looks, I just wish they are actual metal, not plastic.
     
    #17 pri-serious, Oct 7, 2009
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well then I can see where he's coming from lol. Are you sure he's your kid? =P
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Oct 7, 2009
  19. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yes. With:

    [​IMG]







    Without:


    [​IMG]
     
    #19 Paradox, Oct 7, 2009
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  20. octavia

    octavia Active Member

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    Yes. He has a big head, made for a memorable experience.

    He corrected me though... chargers are cool but it's challengers that are "ridonculous cool."
    :blink:
     
    #20 octavia, Oct 7, 2009
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