2020 L ECO has alloy wheels with plastic covers. Do the plastic covers offer any aerodynamic advantage? Thank you.
Some people assume that they do because why else would Toyota add them. I tend to think otherwise and say that the added weight is counter-productive to MPGs. Plus the wheels look better without them.
If they improve mpg, then it's only by an infinitely negligible amount. I agree that the wheels look better without the covers. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
With other/older Prius models I would say yes, but these don't look to have been designed with aero particularly in mind. Typically these hubcaps weigh close to about 1 lb. That amount of weight reduction is negligible. I popped one off when I got my car recently to see how the wheel looked and I noticed the wheel didnt come with OEM center caps. I really don't feel like buying them for what they cost, so I just put the cap back on for now. I had considered a lightweight wheel, but it is so hard to find anything anymore in a 15" 5x100 pattern as almost nobody makes one. You have to go back and find used wheels from yesteryear back when 15's were a more common size. Anyway, I'm trying to stop myself from wanting to do that even, altho I would like more traction. I'm considering a 17x7 wheel with a 205/50/17 size tire, but prob won't end up doing it.
