Plastic wheel covers on steel wheels

I would like to take them off. Is there a reason for the covers other than cosmetic?

There is no reason to keep them that I can see. Road salt and moisture will stay trapped between the plastic and steel wheels.

 

You have hubcaps on your tacoma?

 

You got a pic? I didn't know that a 3rd gen came with hub caps. Just steel wheels on some SR and SR5s depending on year & options.

 

If you are actually talking about the hub cover, Its not airtight, so it wont trap anything but dirt. You can drive without that center section, I did for a year when one cracked and I removed the others to match and saw no ill effects.

 

Thanks for the replies. Steel wheels with full black plastic covers, not just hub. I am the second owner so maybe they are aftermarket.

I am 2nd owner, but they look factory. i'd prefer removing them and painting steel wheels black.

 

I imagine this is whats under the black. the standard SR5 steelie

 

I believe they are aftermarket. I was the 2nd owner of a 2010 and it came with the chrome set. Nothing under there but the steel wheel.