I've rotated the tires/wheels three times now on my 2011 Prius Three. There is always a ton of dirt under the wheel covers. I use an air impact wrench to remove the lug nuts and the dirty really falls off the wheels! What gives? Is this a common issue everyone else has? I'm just north of Seattle, WA. I don't drive on particularly dirty roads. In fact a large portion of the roads on my almost 100 mile round trip commute to work everyday is newly paved!
It's more than brake dust. I wouldn't have any brake pads left if it was just that! It just seems like, at least on my Prius, the wheel covers really trap the dirt.
Navy guys are always worried about a little dirt. Must be the white uniforms. Just live with it, and just drive it.
Our Prius rims are the cleanest I've ever seen. All our previous Honda's, the front rims were noticeable brake dusty. Ours doesn't have wheel covers, fwiw.
