Did anyone notice the wheels have plastic covers on them that come off. Why are they there? anyone know? They cover the aluminum wheels , I took mine off and the car looks so different. I'm confussed. Thanks Rudy
Rudy, do a search for threads on "wheel trim/rings" Most feel that they are there to improve the mileage but some of us have removed them with no impact on mileage. Welcome!
I took mine off too (after waiting a year). Some keep them on as they help to prevent scratches on the wheel itself when hitting a curb.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rudyp @ Jun 4 2006, 12:43 AM) [snapback]265444[/snapback]</div> and if you look on the energy screen of the info display, you will see that the little wheels on the car do NOT have the trim rings. Take them off - be wild - go ringless!
I took mine off the night I got the car. A few days later I went to a hybrid workshop at my dealer where that very question was asked. Why oh why are there those ugly plastic wheel trim rings? The guy didn't know but another PriusChatter who was also at the workshop piped up and said he had heard that they reduced the noise in the wheel well. And since noise = energy, the rings were essentially cutting down on energy loss. Whether or not it is a significant energy loss is another issue. It's not. My wheel trim rings are still off.
When I bought my car the dealer I asked said the rings were there to protect the alloy wheels from scratches. Mine are now hanging in the garage. B)
I had my car for about 1 month. I took a trim ring off just to look behind them and what do you think I saw? CORROSION! Already starting because all the dirt and road crap gets behind the plastic ring and sits against the expensive aluminum mag wheel. I took the rings off. There is absolutely NO difference in MPG. I think some people are way too obsessed with keeping a car bone stock. Toyota wasted $$ on those cheap, cheesy trim rings. Hope this helps. B)
....same as above above, after reading about it here took the rings off day two, my kids thought the car looked "tight" , the rings now hang in the garage ....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 4 2006, 11:11 AM) [snapback]265567[/snapback]</div> Mine are in storage for hiding the scuff marks when I go to sell or trade
I lost 20 MPG after taking them off..... No, but really, they make the wheels look so small. If your not going to get new wheels, by all means take them off.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(walt @ Jun 4 2006, 11:28 AM) [snapback]265578[/snapback]</div> Woo Hoo! I went Ringless Baby. Im free, its like eating a York Pepermint Patty!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jun 5 2006, 06:24 PM) [snapback]266364[/snapback]</div> ...right next to my dealership license plate frames... they should know advertising ain't free!
I think the wheels look soooooo much better without the plastic rings on them....but I, too, am afraid that if I remove them, I'll scratch the alloy wheels with some curb rash. What should I do? Just this weekend, had a close call with a curb in DC, trying to avoid a wayward pedestrian--didn't scratch anything...guess I should just take them off and get over it? One more thing--just received my BT Chassis Stiffening Plate yesterday---can I really slide under the car and install it myself? It seems so low, I don't see how my nose won't scrape the underbelly--and no, my nose isn't that big.
Does anyone have before and after pictures of the wheel rings? This is the first I have heard of them. I am getting my Prius in the next few weeks and am interested in what you guys are talking about. Thanks!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tmash @ Jun 6 2006, 07:51 AM) [snapback]266565[/snapback]</div> photos here http://darelldd.com/ev/prius_wheel_trim.htm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(walt @ Jun 6 2006, 05:29 PM) [snapback]266977[/snapback]</div> Hey! I was just coming here to add that! Funny thing - I made that page because nobody else seemed to have done it!
I've posted this elsewhere, but when I attended a dealer training event back in 10/2003 (Thanks Dianne!), the Toyota engineer answering the Q&A explained that the trim rings accomplish the following: 1. Reduced wind resistance 2. Reduced unsprung weight compared to solid alloy in it's place - lighter rims while still accomplishing #1 3. Protect the rims, if you scuff a curb, you only need to replace the trim ring rather than repair/replace the rim. Incidentlally, two of mine are cracked for one reason or another - one I think from a tire monkey, and one from failing to avoid a retread on the road. Hit a few other parts too, but only left rubber marks there - but ended up slightly cracking the trim ring. Ironically, I've got some damage on the alloy itself where the curb or stone just missed the trim ring and hit the rim itself. FYI - the 16" rims also use plastic covers AFAIK.
