Plastic part on 17" Touring wheel

And if someone does pull the plastic off: please post some pics.

 

I actually tried to do this. There are holes on the spokes. I tried to do it while the wheel was on the car, so I couldn't "pinch" the piece that went in the hole. But I don't think I'd want to see the holes.

 

Likely a lot easier with the rim off the car.

Thanks for posting this.

 

I have to take the wheels off to remove them. See my profile pic. They look very utilitarian, looks like I have spare wheels. I plan on painting the insert another color and put them back on.

 

Can you post additional pics? I was wondering how bad the holes looked with these off.

 

The holes are quite noticeable, that's why I plan on putting the insert back after painting them. I haven't been able to find rubber grommet/tabs to fill the holes, if I decide to go that route.

 

If it didn't have the holes, those would be some cool stock wheels. Thanks for posting.

 

Yes, very odd/unfinished looking without the plastic. Thanks for posting, looks just like the spy photos, but clearer. Now all the Prius come with plastic rims.

Are those EP422 plus? They look to have a decent rim protector.

 

That's a shame. Without those holes I would really like those wheels.

 

Meh. They're spindly, black.

 

Thanks snipercoder so much for showing the rims without inserts. The grommet idea isn't a bad one. How were the inserts actually attached to the holes? Would it be possible after all to remove them without taking the tires off the car?

Toyota got so much right with the new Prius. I absolutely love mine. But as usual, they didn't get the rims or covers right. Pure ugliness in all generations. I think they still wish to keep us down and never stylish enough to match the amazing rims on the road today, even on the cheapest of vehicles, unless we purchase aftermarket.

 

3rd gen 17" were purty. See attachment, my previous posting.

 

Yes, the tires are Ecopia EP422, the rim protector on these are really massive without looking like balloon tires. The sidewall reminds me of those stretched out low-profile tires, without the low-profile if you know what I mean.

 

I didn't try to remove the inserts without taking off the wheels because I didn't want to break the plastic insert. Once the wheels are off, I had to use pliers to pinch the piece that goes in the hole to get them off.

 

Snapped this the other day, ours on a rainy day. Really wish Toyo would wise up about this plastic.

 

Well, I decided to not be lazy and removed the plastic bits off of my rims, and oh boy am I very pleased. When I first bought mine I had hoped to remove them because the rims where just plain ugly compared to the design of the car.

Removing the tires took some work in itself but all in all not too bad. Be sure to wear gloves (I didn't) to keep your hands clean. Needle nose pliers are what work the best. The clips have a groove in the sides for the pliers to grab into. Push out each one and they come right off. The center piece comes out when popping the two clips out.

Are the wheels more utilitarian then a clean set of rims? Sure, but even with the clip holes, the rims look good in comparison to the cheap looking plastic pieces. I have the Midnight Black paint so black rims work with it.

Don't be afraid to take them off!