Removing plastic wheel covers

A no cost option for sure.

 

Me too.
One of my plastic rim covers disappeared one day. Rather than pay for a new one, I took the other three off! Looks fine to me.

 

I did the same thing when I heard about it. I'm glad they're easy to take off!

It makes me wonder though if anyone has had the inclination to paint or chrome or otherwise trick-out just the trim rings, and then put them back on the car! I challenge someone (other than me) to do something funky with their trim rings and post pictures

p.s. Darwood, don't know if there are lots of other Prii where you live, but it'd be super easy to "5 finger discount" a replacement trim ring for you car

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(splashback @ May 4 2007, 08:52 AM) [snapback]435371[/snapback]</div>

This thought occured to me when I saw the outer wheel covers came off. So seriously does the car look strange with them off? Or is it sportier?

 

It's like pealing off the plastic junk on the front of a DVD player ... and you thought it was just an ugly faceplate, until you remove the film ... then WHAM! "hey, these now look pretty nice!"

To those who like their DVD faceplate film analogy wheel trim ... sorry!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ May 4 2007, 10:22 AM) [snapback]435399[/snapback]</div>

Have a look here for yourself if your curious: http://www.evnut.com/prius_wheel_trim.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusFTW @ May 4 2007, 09:23 AM) [snapback]435400[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the link. They definitely look a lot nicer, are there any drawbacks to this?

 

Yes, you have to find some way to hide or dispose of the trim rings!

 

Ok I searched and found this thread http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=22844&st=0 if you want more pro's and con's. I definitely think they look better without the trim rings, although if you want a negative effect one poster claims Toyota says the rings add .4 MPG FE!

 

Good pics. Popped them off this morning. Rubber bumper protector is next, a Corolla part?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mywhitenoise @ May 4 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]435437[/snapback]</div>

You'll find that out the first time you graunch a naked rim up against a curb. Damaged trim rings are definitely easier to replace than wheels.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darken @ May 4 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]435445[/snapback]</div>

That would not surprise me if that is true.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darken @ May 4 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]435445[/snapback]</div>

"Claims" being the operative word. Go ahead, make their day . . . ask and see

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darken @ May 4 2007, 08:57 AM) [snapback]435445[/snapback]</div>

Yup, and my dealer says my Rav4EV uses gasoline.
And other dealers say that the B on the shifter is for "battery."

I'm sure it was done for some air-tunnel test. Probably get that same 0.4mpg back if you remove the antenna, or put 1 more PSI in the tires, or drive 0.05mph slower.

 

I have a 2007 Mag Grey Touring Prius and I just removed the plastic covers, and discovered rust on a screw bolt that juts out right in the middle of the front wheels, right under where the center-caps would go (they don't exist in the back wheels). What is this piece of metal for?

Also, since I haven't received the center-caps I ordered yet, I've decided to keep the plastic covers on the front wheels to cover up the "jutting screw bolt thing", and leave them off in the back. I actually like the way this looks, though I think when I received the center caps I may switch it around (on in the back, off in the front). Does anybody think that "unbalancing" the wheels in this way is a bad idea?. Thanks for any input.

 

Alternatively, http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/pix/quad-rings.jpg
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 4 2007, 01:05 PM) [snapback]435492[/snapback]</div>

Well what do you know I was told about the B standing for 'battery mode' In case my sarcasm didn't come through the stood for big deal at saving .4 MPG

I've said it before on here Darell you are one lucky dog to own the RAV4EV, my '99 RAV4 (Guzzler) was the best car I ever owned, (prior to my prius of course) when I heard they were making an EV model (via the catalog) I was astounded....but never saw a one out here in the East.

 

Now, why would Toyota design and add to the car a totally useless part?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ May 4 2007, 06:46 PM) [snapback]435803[/snapback]</div>

You'll have to ask them. And while you're there, ask why there are THREE ways to switch on the vanity lights behind the sunshade, please.