I really don't have a preference. I'm partial to my American Flag Jeep cover that the dealer gave me. Might as well use it, even though it's faded. Too many car washes....LOL
I have mine uncovered. I have the same rime as you. If I had the steel rim I think I would cover it. It is all personal preference. Did you get a cover with it?
... the first thing i did was take off the tacky cover and slap on a locking lug nut. (i know i know, but hey) i got an 05 renegade and the wheels are WAYY too mean looking to cover up...efff that
Mine came with the "JEEP LIBERTY" cover and I like it. Tells people exactly what I am driving when I am in front of them. Promotes the Libby. I'll take off the cover in the Spring and evaluate the condition of the tire and wheel to determine if I keep it on or not.
I went about a year w/o touching it, and wow was it nasty. Nothing a little water couldn't wash away. I'd like to see a pic of what 3 years of crap looks like if ya don't mind.....lol rollinglaugh.gif rollinglaugh.gif
'04s+ didn't come with the locking nut. I keep mine on only to hide the fact that I don't have it. Maybe no one will steal it. \/ Oops, big mistake saying that!!!! =D>
Ditto. Got it online when I ordered the fogs. Factory steelies with badyears, so covering for me not a big deal. IMHO, it looks better covered w/ steelies. -Blu
Had it covered until a Canadian Maple started taking root in there. It;'s naked now and we both love it.
We've got an '05 Limited with upgrade 17" Chromies. We didn't get a tire cover when we bought it, and I noticed the sticker said we should have, so I'm all, wtf? Back we went to the dealer (for something else) and I said I want my cover. They gave it to me and the wife wanted it put on. I took it off 5 days later. Why hide nice big chromies and meguiar's shinable rubber with a baggy piece of crap? It just didn't look right. We bought the locking lugs but haven't put them on yet. They're riding around in the cargo net we had the stealer throw in for "free".
I always keep my tire cover on, but remove it at least three times a year to clean it and the tire/rim. Living in the Midwest, the cities love their salt and sand in the winter, and the location of the spare is perfect for collecting lots of it. I have noticed, particularly after the winter, a pretty bad haze and etching beginning on the spare (17in chrome) that takes a alot of buffing to remove. I waxed the rim this fall, so we will see if it is more protected come spring. There is also lots of dirt and leaves in there (and I live in a major city). Many may already know this, but the cover is functional beyond aesthetics. If you do not rotate all five tires, the spare should be covered to prevent the rubber from cracking. The sun can dry out the rubber, and combined with the fact the rubber is not being flexed like the drive tires, can rot out and be useless when needed.
as I;ve posted before I dont use my cover, though these past few months of snow/icy weather I've noticed a lot of build up in and around the lugs which if the weather is bad would hinder getting it off the rear when trying to change a flat...