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

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Fuel Economy & Prime EV Range' started by Humble Bear, Sep 18, 2024.

  1. Humble Bear

    Humble Bear Member

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    Please also state your MPG and FWD or AWD.
     
  2. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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

    Humble Bear Member

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    If you put in the center caps then they look decent because I don't like plastics.
     
  5. Jotunn

    Jotunn New Member

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    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.
     
  6. Humble Bear

    Humble Bear Member

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    I ordered our Prius and should be getting ours early next month after 13 months of waiting. Judging from some pictures in the forum, I think the bare wheels look decent providing you put a center cap on them. I have yet to see this in person. I am just curious to see the MPG difference, probably not much if you mostly drive in the city.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    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.
     
  8. KitGerhart

    KitGerhart New Member

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    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.
     
  9. AddMoreGas

    AddMoreGas Junior Member

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

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    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.
     
  11. silvertounged devil

    silvertounged devil Junior Member

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    How much do they weigh?