plastic wheel covers- keep or remove?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jamarimutt, May 12, 2004.

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  1. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    Some owners remove the small plastic wheel covers while others keep them on. Is there a real advantage to keeping these small covers on? Any picks of the wheel without the covers?
     
    #1 jamarimutt, May 12, 2004
  2. randalla

    randalla Member

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    The advantage of keeping the trim rings on the wheels is primarily to protect the metal wheels from damage due to scraping curbs or whatever. It's also a matter of taste if you prefer keeping them on or removing them.
     
    #2 randalla, May 12, 2004
  3. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    My understanding is that they lend some aerodynamic value.
     
    #3 bruceha_2000, May 12, 2004
  4. ny888

    ny888 New Member

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    Is there a picture of these wheel covers somewhere ?

    The Prii I've been able to see in person have not had them.
     
    #4 ny888, May 12, 2004
  5. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    It's more likely that all the Prii you've seen had them; you have to look closely to see that the aluminum wheels have a short plastic cover along the periphery.
     
    #5 jamarimutt, May 12, 2004
  6. RobertO

    RobertO New Member

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    Amazing.

    Wheel covers for allow wheels. Uh-huh.

    Sort of like a Tin Fiddle.

    It's made out of tin and it's not really a Fiddle.

    Lose 'em.

    Mine are in a plastic bag hanging in the garage. Until I die, sell or trade my '04


    Bob
     
    #6 RobertO, May 13, 2004
  7. fred

    fred New Member

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    just went outside and rippedoff my plastic halos. set your wheels free!!!!. boy does it look better!. there is a neat 90 degree angle where the spokes meet the rim that you cant see with the plastic rings in place. looks much more custom. im impressed. also i expect the mpg to go up with the weight savings i made. all ican say is SET YOUR WHEELS FREEE!!!!!!!!! :D
     
    #7 fred, May 13, 2004
  8. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    Someone posted earlier that the halos provide an aerodynamic advantage and that they protect the rim from scratches. There must be some practical value to these rings; otherwise, Toyota surely would not have put them there.
     
    #8 jamarimutt, May 13, 2004
  9. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    I'm thinking of painting my plastic rims some hot color to contrast with the blue, but as of now, I have no plans to remove them permanantly.
    Photos of wheels with said rims removed? I might change my mind.
     
    #9 Bob Allen, May 13, 2004
  10. starla30

    starla30 New Member

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    someone post pictures! i can't decide till i see the result
     
    #10 starla30, May 13, 2004
  11. chris_b_01

    chris_b_01 New Member

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    Yeah - well said! I want to see too... before and after
     
    #11 chris_b_01, May 13, 2004
  12. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I'm in the camp that believes that everything on the Prius is there for a purpose.

    Especially if it cost them extra to put on.

    Since the rings obviously aren't there for looks :crazyeyes: I'm assuming they have a function, so, mine stay for now :D
     
    #12 Tempus, May 13, 2004
  13. DaveG

    DaveG Member

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    I popped mine off to take a look - I do like it more with the covers off, however the actual aluminum wheels underneath the covers were very dirty with brake dust and the like, so I'm going to wait to remove them until the next time I wash the car.

    Dave.
     
    #13 DaveG, May 13, 2004
  14. Jon

    Jon Junior Member

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    #14 Jon, May 13, 2004
  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Conclusion: the Sun is definitely brighter with trim rings on.

    Nevertheless I decided to leave mine off. The car looks a bit more rakish, and an amazing amount of brake pad dust collects behind them. Hey, maybe that's their function! Where is the nearest brake pad dust recycling collection center?
     
    #15 richard schumacher, May 13, 2004
  16. Jon

    Jon Junior Member

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    HAHA

    I guess a cloud rolled in just then.

    -Jon

    ---
    PriusXM
    www.priusxm.com
     
    #16 Jon, May 13, 2004
  17. starla30

    starla30 New Member

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    hmm, i think i actually prefer the before. after looks naked. thank you for saving me the time of popping them off. :)
     
    #17 starla30, May 13, 2004
  18. chris_b_01

    chris_b_01 New Member

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    Thanks

    I like them better WITHOUT the rims

    I wonder why Toyota would put them on there!


    Chris
     
    #18 chris_b_01, May 13, 2004
  19. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    Well, that's the scientific explanation. The thelogical explanation: God wants you to leave the trim rings on. :D

    Thanks Jon for the photos!
     
    #19 bookrats, May 13, 2004
  20. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    With the halos, the wheel looks like a cross between a mag wheel and a steel wheel. Without the halos it resembles that even more.
     
    #20 jamarimutt, May 13, 2004
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