VW Rims - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

SwamiSalami · 05-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Curious about wheel covers I found online. Are these the kind that only work in place of "hubcaps" I've only ever had "rims" (pictured below).

Thanks for expertise.

Look forward to hearing from some of you!

Old Mechanic · 05-01-2011, 08:58 PM

Fairly sure they will only work with steel wheels.

regards
Mech

SwamiSalami · 05-02-2011, 10:53 AM

Thanks. I know this seems like an elementary question.

Christ · 05-02-2011, 10:58 AM

You can probably get some steel and cash to buy the covers in trade for your current wheels, if you really like the smoothie style.

SwamiSalami · 05-02-2011, 11:41 AM

I do really like that and feel like that would help with my aerodynamics, but sheesh! that just seems like an awful lot of work.

I wonder how much more weight steel wheels are?

I also wonder if this would effect the resale value of my car?

:S

metroschultz · 05-02-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbeetle

I do really like that and feel like that would help with my aerodynamics, but sheesh! that just seems like an awful lot of work.

1]I wonder how much more weight steel wheels are?

I also wonder if this would effect the resale value of my car?

:S

1] some steelie are less weight than the aluminum they replace.
2] yes, steelies are less value that "Rims". so save your rims and reinstall them when you go to sell the car.

Christ · 05-02-2011, 01:56 PM

Steel probably is heavier by a good margin. You can sort of fix this by going to a smaller wheel with a slightly taller tire to keep the same circumference, but unless you drive mostly in the city, the impact will be minimal.

If you're worried about resale, go to the junkyard and buy a set of steel, clean them up and paint them, and keep your alloy around.

When you sell the car, the extra set of wheels will actually increase the take price, AND you'll probably keep the smoothies, so you can put them on the next wreck you buy.

COcyclist · 05-03-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christ

Steel probably is heavier by a good margin. You can sort of fix this by going to a smaller wheel with a slightly taller tire to keep the same circumference, but unless you drive mostly in the city, the impact will be minimal.

If you're worried about resale, go to the junkyard and buy a set of steel, clean them up and paint them, and keep your alloy around.

When you sell the car, the extra set of wheels will actually increase the take price, AND you'll probably keep the smoothies, so you can put them on the next wreck you buy.

Some of us in snowy climates have our winter tires on extra steel wheels. You can buy new tires mounted on steel wheels at Tire Rack if you are going to a narrower tire size. FWIW, I have had trouble with some hubcaps, like the ones in your original post, coming loose. If you are getting junkyard rims, you could go with the aluminum racing disks and drill and tap the outside edge of the rim, and bolt them on. The tire bead covers and seals the holes.

orange4boy · 05-04-2011, 02:54 PM

I'm with COcyclist. The original Moon Eyes attach with small screws and fit on the alloys so you can keep the low weight. They are aluminum.

I have the hubcaps you posted there on my Previa and they are very thin and easy to dent. I have had to fix them a couple of times because the "Grip Tite Fasteners" weren't gripping very tight any more. They needed to be bent out a bit. That said, they are inexpensive and I have not lost any. I would buy them again though, at $60 a set they are worth it but if I had alloys it would be the Moon Eyes.

aerohead · 05-04-2011, 04:57 PM

Perhaps you could fab up some temporary covers which would last long enough to demonstrate a mpg benefit or not,then make your decision based on results.