LE owners out there, have you tested the MPG differences with and without the hubcaps?

But the aero wheel covers look better than the bare wheels as well as aftermarket wheels.

 

The wheel covers look so much nicer than the bare wheels.

 

I didn't think it was possible that ANYONE would prefer those god awful hubcaps, and now I've confirmed there are at least two people.

 

Centre caps will also help with rust on the hub. Not a problem so much for OP (in LA).

Just my personal preference I guess, but bare black rims, that are relatively utilitarian in style, meant to be covered, look pretty funky. I much prefer designed-to-be-bare rims, painted silver. Easy to touch up too. Clearcoat over shiny metal are the worst to deal with, if you get curb rash.

 

It looks like no one answered the OP's question. I just remove my covers today. I'll see if I can tell any difference in mpg. The differece, if any, would only be at high speed.

 

In the Tesla world, its well studied and known that hubcaps typically have a ~3% improvement.

 

I've driven a 2005 with and without the hub caps. Never noticed a notable difference.

Toyota wouldn't have bothered with them if they didn't have an impact on efficiency and noise. It is just that the impact is small enough that out side of lab testing, an individual may not notice a difference. There are plenty of other variables on the road or drive that could hide or even amplify it.

 

How much do they weigh?