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Do Gen 2 Hubcaps Fit on a Gen 3?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BoldRoot, Jun 25, 2021.

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  1. BoldRoot

    BoldRoot Junior Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius Two which I bought used. Some time ago, I lost a hub cap on one of my wheels. When I went to replace it, I found that the hubcaps on my car appear to be from a Gen 2. I've attached photos of my current wheels- one with a hubcap and one without. Do Gen 2 hubcaps fit Gen 3 or am I mistaken?
     

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    #1 BoldRoot, Jun 25, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2021
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Not sure. Just a thought, could your rims also be gen 2??
     
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  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Probably not. As I recall, the Gen 2 and Gen 3 wheels are based on the Corolla platform. I think there was a transition from 13 inch wheels to 14 inch wheels in the transition to the newer series.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
  5. BoldRoot

    BoldRoot Junior Member

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    Mendel Leisk is right- the rims are probably from a Gen 2. I came to the same conclusion last night after posting. Some time after I bought the car, I noticed that it had tires that were sized for a Gen 2- that should have tipped me off to the possibility sooner. I had never heard of someone replacing the whole wheels instead of just the tires so it just didn't occur to me. I wish that I had realized this before I replaced the tires and the TPMS last fall. :( I haven't noticed any problems yet. Is this something that I need to worry about? What will happen in the long term if I continue to drive with mismatched rims (185/65R15) and tires (195/65R15)?

    A wrecked Gen 3 Prius just came available at a nearby scrapyard. I could switch out the wheels but I'd want to keep my current 6 month old tires.
     
    #5 BoldRoot, Jun 26, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2021
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  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Whoever sold you your Gen3 kept the Gen3 wheels and put on some old Gen2 wheels and Gen2 hubcaps... Bummer...
     
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    tire shops can remove your tires from your current wheels and put it on the gen 3 wheels.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I was squinting at the posted wheel/tire pics: THINK they’re 195/65R15 (gen 3 size). Gen 2 are narrower, 185/65R15??

    cheap route would be just score another gen 2 wheel cover. Preferably used/eBay.
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    mine are 185 65 16 size, and be in big trouble it I needed to driver faster than 84 mph. No wheel covers on either, no mpg hit or turbulence so if asthetic ain’t a thing, covers are not required.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Typo or no? Should the "16" read "15"?

    Interesting:

    Stock 195/65R15 OD: 25":
    Alternate 185/65R16: 25.5"
    Alternate 185/65R15: 24.5"

    Calc'd here:

    Tire Size Calculator
     
  11. BoldRoot

    BoldRoot Junior Member

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    @Grit: Why would you be in big trouble if you needed to drive faster than 84 mph? Because the tires would swell as they heated up during high speed driving?

    Upon further reflection, I recall a recent incident where the car jolted during a maximized U turn. I didn't make much of it at the time but perhaps this was due to the tire rubbing against the sidewall? While the wheel cavity of my car matches the size the of tire, because the rim is undersized, that would place the tire slightly closer to the interior sidewall of the car.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  13. BoldRoot

    BoldRoot Junior Member

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    Yes, the rims are totally different parts but might they be able to accommodate the same size tires? The descriptions for the two wheels are both just "15" with no other specs provided. I called a local Toyota dealership, a Costco tire shop, and an independent mechanic and all of them said that it's probably nothing to worry about. I'm just going to leave it as it is for now given that it has been driving fine. I appreciate everyone's advice.
     
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