Hi everyone! New owner here! So I just discovered how to remove the plastic wheel covers on my 2007 Prius. I suspect that I may like that look better, although currently the rims are dirty. Apparently the dealer didn't clean underneath the plastic covers when I bought it used recently, but that's fine. I'm gonna get it washed soon anyway for some pictures! Anyway, are there any down-sides to removing them? Will this expose the brakes/other wheel parts to possible damage, will MPG be negatively affected, etc? Which way should I go? (Total automotive newb here. I'm great with building computers though! ) Thanks in advance!
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Consider getting Chrome Wheel Skins covers for around $70 delivered: [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/14121d1239917381-chrome-wheel-skins-dsc00225.jpg[/imglink] [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/14122d1239917381-chrome-wheel-skins-dsc00222.jpg[/imglink] [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/boo-albums-prius-picture1558-chrome-plastic-wheel-skins.jpg[/imglink] [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/boo-albums-prius-picture1701-sunroof-chrome-wheel-skins.jpg[/imglink] [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/16475d1247144536-chrome-wheel-skins-chromeskins1.jpg[/imglink] [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/16476d1247144536-chrome-wheel-skins-chromeskins2.jpg[/imglink] Discussed in this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/60560-chrome-wheel-skins.html Purchase for $70 delivered from here: 2005-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS 15" CHROME WHEELSKINS HUBCAPS:eBay Motors (item 360171629682 end time Aug-16-09 09:35:17 PDT)
The trim rings do offer a small bit of protection to the alloy wheels if you scrape up against curbs.
Yeah, I did that to the plastic itself the other day... but I won't be doing that again now that I'm used to the car. However, when I took all the rings off, I discovered that one of the alloys is already scraped anyway (since I got mine used), so I guess I'll leave them off. The wheels look so much better that way too.
I'm assuming you have a regular, non-touring prius in which case I don't think it makes too much of a difference. On the touring, the downside to taking them off is that the part normally covered by a center cap is exposed. Center caps are ~$10 if I recall correctly.
A GRAY PRIUS - you're correct, but you can get the center caps from the stock 15's. they will fit. TOM - those chromies are beeeuuutiful! it doesn't even look like the stock rims. nice.
There's one other reason to take the rings off. Dirt and other material get underneath the ring causing the tire to become unbalanced. Yes, even the smallest amount, an ounce or less, can cause a minor but no less annoying vibration. I had this problem and once I removed the rings and cleaned the rims well, it went away.
Another Prius guy in my parking lot at work told me how much he liked my "new wheels" (without covers). I told him I knew where he could get a set for $10 and he could have them today. He laughed when I told him to remove the covers and contribute $10 to his favorite charity.
OFF!!! Off with those ugly plastic rings! On with the full chrome caps if you have the few dollars to spend.
