Why cover mag wheels with hub caps?

No one knows.

One assumption is that the car gets better MPG with the hub caps.

Another is that Toyota does not want to be 'responsible' for curb damage, the hub caps are cheaper.

 

Aerodynamics

 

In the case of a low-emission, high-MPG car I am not surprised by the idea of combining a lightweight alloy wheel with the aerodynamics of a plastic cover.

By golly they could even call it a hybrid.

 

Wish there was a centerline style cover. Round cover that covers the whole wheel for aerodynamics.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

What does Tesla's Model 3 standard cover look like? Just as with the v, the wheel size is smaller and the wheel cover or hub cap is aero.

I too did the center cap and my original hub caps are sitting in the garage along with the drivers side floor mat and rear luggage compartment cover waiting for the next owner. I've never seen a comparison of MPG with or without the covers that was more than anecdote.

 

Someone please post a photo of the plastic cover It's either only in new/some models, or not available in Europe - I have not seen it, and want to see it.

 

Those suckers are $67 apiece (discounted online price, plus shipping):

Wheels for 2012 Toyota Prius V | Toyota Parts

(item 8)

I was puzzled by this too, in 2010, shopping regular Prius. Ended up getting the 17" wheel model, in no small part because of this. A year or so back I picked up some 15" PIP rims, for around $400 (US). Still haven't figured out what I'll do with them, likely snow tire upgrade.

They're not Prius v compatible though. Could there be a nice 16" Camry alloy rim?

 

Thanks for the photo
I thought it was something better than the alloy wheel that I have, but it looks pretty similar. This is the most common one here (mine too):
https://media.brcauto.eu/cars/all/806173_29.jpg?v=1546650989

If the wheel itself is lighter, then you'd gain fuel economy there. But aerodynamics cannot be that different.

 

I have replaced to OxGord Hubcaps for Toyota Prius V (Pack of 4) Wheel Covers,16 Inch, Silver 5 Lug
Excellent esthetic replacement/alternative to factory wheel covers to protect the stock Prius alloys; while reducing wind resistance and capturing an additional 2mpg average.

 

Once I got my first scratch on my OEM hub cap. I saw that the price was going for $90 new. Each.



There is no way I would want the bare rims damaged or scratched for sure and I did not want to scratch another $90 hub cap. So I decided to go with these $40 chrome caps for set of 4 on ebay.



And with chrome hub caps, can only come chrome door covers to match . $12 for all 4 on ebay.

 

Toyota Classic Silver (code 1F7) is exact match. You can get pen applicator through Toyota up here, and they maybe have brush applicator too, in the States. Most recently I got a Dupli-Color, also exact match.

 

Its my

 

Here I was about to post what size center cap for my alloy rims and find this post on the plastic hubcaps combination. No wonder I was having a hard time finding steel wheels for those hubcaps......