Can I remove ugly wheel covers?

You'll get used to them. I never noticed them after the first day. They're easier to clean than the raw wheels, and I don't really like them without the covers - which I've seen a couple with no covers (TAXIs mostly).

Try them for a while. TOYOTA indicate that they help with aerodynamics.

 

I took my wheel covers off at the dealership before I drove my car home on the first day. If there is a efficiency difference with or without I can't imagine it is worth worrying about.

 

And when it's driving, you can't see them - nor can anyone else!!



What colour is your car? [you might want to change your profile - from 2016]

 

If you take off the covers, I'd recommend to get centre caps, cover the small hub openings at centre of rim. Especially if you're in an area with salted roads through winter. This I believe is the correct Toyota cap, though there might be cheaper EBay knockoffs by now:

Center Cap - Toyota (42603-52170) | Toyota Parts

Also, consider getting a touch-up paint, in CLASSIC SILVER METALLIC 1F7, should be a perfect match for the rims. It's good for curb rash, and I suspect the Toyota wheel cover jaws chew up the alloy rims a bit.

 

Get a can of Fluid Film and spray in the hole where the centre caps would cover. This will coat the metal and prevent corrosion.

 

Do both.

 

I see a lot of aftermarket options for snap on wheel covers that look better than the monstrosity my LE shipped with. Does anyone have any experience with these aftermarket wheel covers?

 

You could just paint the covers trendy gloss black.

 

Very true, some very good examples on this forum. I think I will do just that. Thank you!

 

The problem that I'm having with the wheel covers is that it makes it harder to unscrew the caps off the valve stems to check the tire pressure. Once I accidentally dropped the cap under the cover - yes, my life really is that tragic - and so I had to figure out how to remove the wheel cover and then put it back securely. And, that much more work when swapping the snow tires.

I'm seriously getting the little center caps.

Lew

 

I'm surprised at how heavy, but also sturdy, the wheel covers are.

Center caps are on their way to me, here, probably arriving toward the end of the month.

 

Try Plastidip. Peels right off if you get tired of the color. Sprayed my 4Runner's wheels Anthracite gray and it's still solid after 2 years.

 

I think he was joking. Don't do that.

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The wheels look great without the covers.

 

I suspect he wasn't joking, but agree: not a fan of black rims. Well, I'm currently using black steel rims with snow tires through winter, but they're definitely not lookers.

 

When I took my wheel covers off I thought it improved the overall look of the car a lot! I painted my brake calipers red and that gave a real pop of color.

 

Black wheels are one thing; black Prius hubcaps would be hideous.

 

Hey - since you've done it, what torque are our wheels supposed to be tightened to?

 

Don't know. I spent years in the tire installation business and learned to basically ignore lug nut torque settings. Righty-tighty...