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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions

86 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:13 PM

You are in the Toyota Prius Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Tires, Wheels, Hatchback, Sedan

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#72 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by 210delray Oct 15, 2009 (7:15 pm)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 15, 2009 4:06 pm) Because the Prius has relatively small tires, it's easy to scrape the wheels against even a low curb when parallel parking. The plastic covers protect the most vulnerable part of the wheels: the rims.   If you can assure yourself you'll never scrape a curb, you can remove them without losing any functionality.
#73 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by bytrain1 Oct 18, 2009 (3:54 pm)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 15, 2009 4:06 pm) A Toyota engineer told me that the covers represented an aerodynamic benefit resulting in about a two percent increase in fuel economy. Thus, I don't agree that their only functionality is to protect the allow wheels. Replies to this message: bioman (Oct 20, 2009 5:18 am) 210delray (Oct 20, 2009 7:01 am) pf_flyer (Oct 20, 2009 11:11 am)
#74 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bytrain1] by bioman Oct 20, 2009 (5:18 am)
Replying to: bytrain1 (Oct 18, 2009 3:54 pm) Thanks for the replies. I'm going to test the hypothesis that the covers provide an aerodynamic benefit. My wife came up with a solution to our problem. We lost one wheel cover. So, I purchased one new wheel cover from www.Centercaps.com. Their price was $15.00 cheaper than our local Toyota dealer and included shipping. In addition, I purchased four center caps because we like to look of the alloy wheels without the plastic covers. Over the next couple of weeks/months I will be observing mpg with and without the wheel covers to see what the data says. I guess I can "splurge" on the center caps using the money I'm saving driving the Prius relative to the Explorer the Prius replaced!!   Thanks guys,   Bioman Replies to this message: 210delray (Oct 20, 2009 7:01 am) pf_flyer (Oct 20, 2009 11:11 am)
#75 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by 210delray Oct 20, 2009 (7:01 am)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 20, 2009 5:18 am) If the covers provide only a 2% benefit in fuel efficiency, I think you'd be hard pressed to measure the difference. Replies to this message: pf_flyer (Oct 20, 2009 11:11 am)
#76 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [210delray] by pf_flyer HOST Oct 20, 2009 (11:11 am)
Replying to: 210delray (Oct 20, 2009 7:01 am) It may be difficult to measure because of variations in driving conditions, etc., but I sort of doubt the number. A 2% increase in mileage, applied across the entire population of cars would amount to a very large amount of fuel saved per year. I really don't think something as simple as a solid wheelcover is going to make that much of an aerodynamic difference. It certainly will make some difference (my gut is telling me a fraction of a percent) but 2% seems highly optimistic.   In a wind tunnel on a dyno, MAYBE, but even then it doesn't seem to intuitively make sense. Let me know the next time you do any extended driving in those conditions
#77 of 86 Use of Chains by swethog Oct 28, 2009 (11:43 am)
Can you use chains in snow and ice? Or should you get studded tires..Also in replacement tires, can you go a size larger than original? Replies to this message: hihostevo (Oct 28, 2009 1:38 pm) snowboarder4 (Oct 30, 2009 2:20 am) hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)
#79 of 86 Re: Use of Chains [swethog] by hihostevo Oct 28, 2009 (1:38 pm)
Replying to: swethog (Oct 28, 2009 11:43 am) I am curious about snow operation with the Prius also. I have had a 2008 model for two years, but only operated it in desert conditions (Las Vegas)... mostly dry with occasional rain.   I recently bought a low mileage 2005 model that I have up in Utah (approaching snow time). The previous owner put a set of Big O's top of the line tires on it even though it only had 22000 miles on it.   I am curious how these tires will fair in winter driving... I have heard good things about the Michelin Hydro-Edge in snow and slush, and of course there are the pure winter tires like the Blizzak and Xice2.   I am quite curious as to what most of you folks do who live in the part of the country where there is that "white stuff." Replies to this message: snowboarder4 (Oct 30, 2009 2:20 am) hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)
#80 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by 63pro Oct 29, 2009 (12:34 pm)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 15, 2009 4:06 pm) Hi, brand new to this forum, but your situation is also one of mine. I recently damaged a wheel cover on my new 2010 Prius via a car wash, and was pleasantly surprised by the good looking alloys that were underneath the covers. I wanted to put the center caps on, but found them quite expensive from Toyota. You mentioned you purchased center caps. If you don't mind, can you tell me where you got the center caps and how much you paid. My Toyota dealer is asking about $70 for for small plastic caps. Thanks for your help. Replies to this message: bioman (Oct 30, 2009 4:18 am) 63pro (Oct 30, 2009 6:58 am)
#81 of 86 Re: Use of Chains [hihostevo] by snowboarder4 Oct 30, 2009 (2:20 am)
Replying to: hihostevo (Oct 28, 2009 1:38 pm) I do not believe that you provided enough information concerning your use of a vehicle in Utah. I live beside the I-70 at Vail Pass. I have never felt the need for either chains or studs. I bought a 2007 Prius and replaced the factory tires with an All-Season Radial from Big O after only 22,000 miles.   My previous vehicle had AWD. I notice no less traction with my Prius. When I drove snowplow for CDOT, I usually had 20 vehicles in the ditch each shift on six percent grade in every snowstorm. I never had a problem with my vehicle. The people in the ditch were always driving at excessive speed for conditions. I climbed down an embankment to one car and felt for tread. There was none.   The disadvantage of using chains is that you can only travel a maximum of 35 MPH. That is why you will almost never see chains on a snowplow. They need to be able to drive faster than that to keep up with the storms. Now, I drive the county buses. Again, never chains. The buses need to travel at highway speed to maintain a schedule.   Studs are nice where state laws allow the use. Studs destroy roads. Only use them if you actually find a necessity for them. Parts of rural Idaho, for example, do not plow roads or salt down to pavement. However, my observations in Utah during a snowstorm were of excellent snowplow equipment, better than the equipment in Colorado. Road conditions were outstanding. Therefore, I would not invest in anything but an All Season Radial. If that gives you actual trouble at speeds of 35 MPH in one of your snowstorms, then experiment with Dedicated Snow Tires ~ studs ~ and chains or socks. Replies to this message: hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)

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