The reason why centre caps aren't included with the 15" rims....

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2010.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ... is because the covers don't fit with the centre caps installed. I found that out yesterday when I decided I want the covers back on for the summer...


    Does anyone have any idea how to remove the centre caps short of jacking up the vehicle & taking out the entire wheel?
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2010
  2. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    I'd try a thin flathead screwdriver to ease them out. Try to pry easily at four different 90 degree locations, then grab them with your hand and pull out. This method worked fine for me on another model car with somewhat simular wheel caps.

    However, the Toyo caps seem be have a plating that could get damaged at the pry points this way , so the safest way is probably to remove the wheels as you mentioned.

    But lastly, why do you want to put those cheap plastic wheel covers back on? And what does summer have to do with making your wheels look ugly with the cheap plastic covers again?
     
    #2 Fstr911, Apr 15, 2010
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'll try. I tried using small keys lol. They seem quite flush to the alloy.


    summer = drive home = highway = would like to maximise every thing Toyota has added to the Prius.

    IOW, I dun have the choice like I do with the old Prius I can take them off and put them on any time I want.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2010
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Really? I have my caps and my covers on currently. No problem. I am waiting till all the winter crud is off the roads before taking off the covers.
     
    #4 spiderman, Apr 15, 2010
  5. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

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    You must have the same dome type i do. Take a dremel tool and grind off part of the ears in the center of the cover then you'll have clearance.
     
    #5 LRKingII, Apr 15, 2010
  6. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Yeah, aren't there two different sets of center caps, one more domed than the other? I have the domed set and the covers won't fit with them inserted. They may work fine with the flatter set. Or if the covers are modded as noted above.
     
    #6 Pohaku, Apr 16, 2010
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wouldn't that damage the finish of the centre caps?

    Good point. The ones on the Corolla are flatter. I'm using the domed one found on the last gen Prius.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2010
  8. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    Tideland,

    Were you successful in getting the center caps off without taking the wheel off the hub? Just curious because I am thinking about switching out my caps and am looking for an easier/quicker way to remove them without unmounting the wheels.
     
    #8 HI MPG, Apr 22, 2010
  9. vegasjetskier

    vegasjetskier New Member

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    Just an idea, but what about a suction cup, maybe from your Garmin?
     
    #9 vegasjetskier, Apr 22, 2010
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Actually I tried snapping the covers back on again. This time I held the centre of the cover over the wheel caps and push at least half of the cover in. Once is semi-secured, I just "hammered" the rest of the cover into place with my fist. I haven't hit a pothole yet but it seems to be hold up. I haven't lost a cover yet.

    Not sure why my usual method of snapping the covers didn't work (hence my assumption that the centre caps were bulging too far out). I'm not sure if there's any stress on the plastic covers or not.

    IOW, I didn't remove the caps.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Apr 24, 2010
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