Wheel Trim Ring Taste... Keep them on or Pop them off?

If they are broken, like two of ours are, then I vote pull them. Too bad the wife is over ruling me on this one. It's her car, I just drive it and maintain it. Hence my vote of keep them on...

Ron (dorunron)

 

1. The trim rings help to protect the aluminum wheels so if members of your household like to use the Braille method when driving, it may be wise to keep them on.

2. If you wish to replace the broken trim rings, you can buy replacements for around $38 each plus shipping from your favorite Toyota dealer selling discounted parts over the web, for example toyotaworld.com

 

Definitely on. It makes the wheel look bigger which is the main problem with Prius wheels/tires, they look too small on the car. I might add them and put my hubcaps back on vs. the all the black alloy.

 

Off

 

I liked them off until I scratched one of my wheels. Now I leave them on.

 

Off. Sell covers on eBay for $100.

 

Patrick,

I called Jake today at toyotaworld.com (Champion here in Houston) looking for the trim rings that MSAGRO is talking about. Can you confirm if the part # for those rings is 4260247030? Looking on their website, they don't list that particular ring for the 09, but that is what seems to be on all the 09's I have seen including ours. I am definitely looking for two rings to replace the two that are broken, but am hesitant to order online without verifying the number. Jake @ toyotaworld.com gave me the number. Been googling the number, and am not 100% positive it is the right one. I have found that number listed on some sites that show the correct picture, but they also show the car year 2004 - 2006, which doesn't make sense to me.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Jake quoted that part # at 38.96 each.

I try not to use the Braille method, but it does look like someone before me did. Original owner was a rental car company out of Florida... Bought this one as second owner (Certified) at Champion here in Houston.

Ron (dorunron)

 

Hi Ron,

I can confirm that 42602-47030 will fit 2004 and 2007 wheels. It likely will fit the 2009 but I do not have personal experience with that. Sadly, my daughter and wife are known to occasionally use the Braille method and I therefore have bought a few replacement trim rings over the years.

 

Patrick,

Thank you very much for your help. I really do appreciate it.

Ron (dorunron)

 

Definitely leave them on. They are there for added mpg.

 

I read it on the fuel economy forum a while back. I am sure it is not that much of a factor.

 

I took em off and think the car looks better

 

I went onto ebay and bought 4 wheel covers for less then 40$. They are brand new but not made by Toyota. They are a perfect match fot the trim rings on the car. Now I have a couple of spairs.

 

Toyota Prius Trim Rings | eBay

Not OEM, but if they fit and stay on, there they are.

 

I like them off. To each their own

 

Why does my preference matter? It's your car!

Last time I checked, the car does not drive "horizontally".

If wheel profile was so important to MPG, you'd either see solid hubcaps, or fenders covering the wheels... it just ain't that important!