Why does the gen 3 have wheel covers even if you have alloy wheels. This only on the 15 inch wheels not the 17's.
What's the purpose of the wheel covers when you have alloys? Does removing it affect the performance of the car? Aerodynamic, wind resistance, mileage, and what not?
The answer that I have seen on here the most is aerodynamics and gas mileage. I have also seen several posts where the covers have been removed with either no noticeable or negligible reduction in mpg. I just bought some of the center cap plugs to cover the holes on the alloy wheels and have removed the plastic covers. I think the car looks so much better without the plastic covers.
I will see if I can get some pictures tonight. Yes, the plastic hubcaps just pop off. Reach just inside of the plastic hubcaps and pull towards you. The center caps just snap in the holes in the alloy wheels, also.
There are alot of threads discussing the center caps for the wheels with pictures, you can probably find one with the search. Here's one pic I have in my album but it's not a great one showing the caps in place.
i like the plastic covers over the rims. That was if you skin a curb or something similar, you can replace the cover vs. having to drive a scratched up rim.
You can order them on parts.com There are threads on here which can be found using the search with links to parts.com showing the part number. And I think there are 2 different styles which can be ordered. In the thread are pics of each and the part number for each...
Here's the thread with links and such: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...modifications/61201-15-wheel-center-caps.html
I just got a new center caps for less than a buck a piece. Here's where I got the idea from http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ons/79133-3-buck-alloy-wheel-center-caps.html
Here's a thought. For those of us leasing, hang onto the covers if you elect to take them off during your lease. Before turning the car in, be sure to put them back on or you might get dinged for a full set (not to mention covering up any minor curb rash).
For those of you that are opting to remove the "Gen3 wheel covers", is anyone willing to part with these wheel covers (hub caps)? One of mine flew off and someone ran it over. Please let me know if you are willing to part with one or more of your old wheel covers. This would be for a 2010 Prius IV 15" wheels. Thank you very much!!
Paradox, where do you get the plugs??? I went to that site cheaperparts that you had posted in another forum and there is an error on the page when it loaded.
"Danger Will Robertson ... " When buying the center caps, if you've not already run into this discussion elsewhere, you should know that there were two very, very similar looking center caps ... which were not interchangeable ... when we went shopping for Gen II caps. Slight difference in diameter. The correct one had the Toyota symbol surrounded by a smooth chrome-like surface. The wrong one has the Toyota symbol surrounded by a fine-mesh chrome-like surface. I'd wager a guess that the same ones which fit the Gen II Prius also fit the Gen III. When I had my Gen II, I finally joined the ranks of many who simply bought them from a dealership, as the total cost wasn't much more than they go for on eBay etc., and that way I knew I had the right ones. In fact, the service manager took them from me when I returned from parts and put them on the car for me.
