Does 2010 Prius NEED wheel covers???

I was told the covers were to help the aerodynamics.

 

^ +1... there is a slight hit to FE. Plus, in my case, the wheels get dinged/scratched pretty easy without them. But hey, they don't last forever.

 

Lots of threads here on the wheel cover subject. I've been running without them for over a year and no problems with mileage reduction. The bigger issue is that the covers can become loose if not properly re-applied and then they fly off during driving.

You can get electrical knock-out covers (1 3/4 inch) at Ace that will cover the center hole nicely. I painted them silver with a clearcoat and you can't tell them from the wheels.

 

I removed mine, no mpg penalty.

For a more "factory" look, I got chrome factory center caps with the Toyota emblem on them for about $15 each from an online Toyota OEM parts supplier.

 

$60 for four bitty bits of chromed plastic...

 

For my 2011 II went on ebay and got mine 4 for $16. They were slightly larger but fit after removing the metal ring from inside the center cap.

the mechanic at the dealership told me to order caps for 2008 corolla, they should fit more easily.

 

2010 Prius wheels are hubcentric rather than lugcentric. I have noticed more rust on hubs run without hubcaps, making wheels harder to remove. This could be annoying if you're on the road trying to change a flat. I've had to lower the jack and roll the car with slightly loose lug bolts to get the wheel off.

 

Hey, the >$20K you already spent included a lot of plastic......

 

Re: Does 2010 Prius NEED wheel covers???

No.
Unless you're trying to squeeze the last 0.000000000124 MPG out of the car, or you're not very good at parking close to curbs. Americans usually solve the latter problem by parking about 12 inches away from curbs anyway.

While I'm no big fan of the "tuning fork" wheels that are underneath the $1.99 plastical wheel coverings, they do serve to protect the rims while you're exploring the Prius' blind spots during the first few months of ownership.
As others have pointed out, eBay or Lowes stock metal covers for the holes if you want to take them off.
You can make a clock out of the plastical covers, sell them on eBay, or save them in case you find that you want to sell the car, or if you grind one of your wheels against a curb.

Your call.

 

Anyone got pictures of their wheels without the covers?
I have a '12 Prius v and the wheels are aluminum spoke, with wheel covers over them.
I'm thinking about removing them provided the wheels underneath look good and I can do something with the center caps.

 

Search the forums for "3 buck alloy wheel center caps" (priuschat won't let me insert a link)

 

I removed mine a year and a half ago. I bought centers off e-Bay for about $20. I sold my covers of $100 on e-Bay. The look is much better and I figure I'm $80 ahead. Another way to save money with a Prius!

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ons/79133-3-buck-alloy-wheel-center-caps.html

 

I've now driven 10,000 kms without the covers and have noticed no difference in long term economy.

 

Thank you for that link. Still hard to believe there are nice alloys under the wheel covers. I'll be doing this project this weekend.

 

I removed the wheel covers the day after I brought the Silver Prius 2010 home in Sept. 2010. I bought electrical box covers at Lowe's for a dollar each. The wheel covers look much nice hanging on the barn wall than they do on the car. I hope someone steals them.

 

There are those who would argue that they provide aerodynamics, and others who argue that they protect the alloy rims. I do not get that.

Personally, I took mine off last year and have never looked back.

Here is a thread that may provide some clues:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...88538-2010-prius-w-15-tires-covers-off-2.html

 

Are you guys buying the 1.5" size knockout seals, or 1.75"?
I just bought the 1.5" ones and they seem too small... you have to really bend the spring clips out pretty far to get a snug fit.

 

I believe you need the 1 3/4 knockout seals. I found the best ones at Ace as those did not have any markings stamped into face. Granted, you will need to tweak the catch tabs until you get a firm grip in the center hole.

I also suggest you get a tiny spray can of silver paint and a can of clear coat to go over the face for a perfect finish. Once installed, you can't distinguish the difference from the paint on the wheel. Good luck.