Sorry if this was discussed before. I looked into the threads but didn't have the patience to read each one. Does the Moon style full wheel aero disc covers affect brake cooling. In sports cars, they install air ducts leading to the brake calipers but how about in a Prius which is not always braked heavily? Any experiences from those already installed?
Prius brakes don't get much use, unless you drive on very big hills. The moon style covers will impede ventilation a bit, but that's not a problem for normal use. If you commute from the North Coll of Everest you might want to think about it, but otherwise the aerodynamic covers should be fine. Tom
Hi sd..., Here are some specifics. The Prius brakes electrically down to 7 mph for everyday usage. It only uses the friction brakes if you loose traction, and the car goes into anti-lock mode, or if you panic stop, and hit the brake pedal faster than a set limit. Another situation where friction brakes are used, is if your battery is nearly up to 80 % state of charge, after comming down a long hill. But for sedate commuting on a coastal area, out of the mountains, its not going to be any problem to have the full covered brakes. Indeed, it may extend the life of the rotors, preventing rust from forming on them as often. Since rain wont get splashed onto the rotors as the car is sitting outside in the rain. I have had mine on since December, and have had no problems in Chicagoland.
Thanks guys for your input. there seems to be several choices for aero wheels, including the original Dean Moon type and the Bonneville type that requires screws to be used and the snap-on type. Spun aluminum and polished stainless. Won't the snap on type scratch up the alloy wheels? I have 16" Touring wheels. Which type are you using? Thanks again for your suggestions.
You can't use a normal snap on as they will stand proud of the wheel. I purchased snapon caps then removed the snap on bit to rivet them to the trim rings. Not sure what to do with 16 inch wheels, never seen the domes in 16 inch. By patsparks, shot with FE270,X815,C510 at 2008-08-15
Pat, I see you have the sharkfin and aerowheel covers, did you run a highway loop with/without mods to see if you could detect a difference in fuel consumption?
It all makes no difference, don't change the car for better economy, you get better results changing the driver. My driving is 90% city so highway mileage is of minimal concern to me. Even so changing weather through the day would affect mileage more than the hubcaps.
Hi All, To keep reciprocating mass low, I used 10 mil thick roof flashing that I wrapped onto the trim rings. A few slots for a valve extender, and voila. Total cost about $30 and 4 hours. I already had the curve cutting tin snips arleady, though.
Pat, IMHO, those are some of the better looking disc covers I've seen... anywhere. I like the slight outward doming. Are they OZ specific? Can you give a website -- it is the word-wide web afterall. Amapola is a Touring model. The center of the rim extends maybe i/4 inch -- 6 mm? -- out past the rim. A flat cover won't do. I'd consider sacrificing a set of wheel covers for those discs! Yes, I know, my rims are 16" diameter. But maybe the maker is working on tooling even as we speak!
Hi SD, Here is a link to the thread, with pictures... http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/41338-aero-anticorrosion-mod-trim-rings.html Oh, that white stuff all over the ground is snow...
Thanks Donee, that's a clean installation. You are very skilled. The photos of your Prius in the snow look a little cold. SD.
