Wheel cover apparatus, vehicle having a wheel cover apparatus and method for operating such a vehicle

A method for operating a wheel cover apparatus of a vehicle, comprising:

• a) detecting an operating state of the vehicle, in which the wheel cover apparatus of the vehicle comprises:
• an upper planar portion for at least partially covering a wheel outer side of a steerable wheel, which is arranged at least partially in a wheel arch of the vehicle;
• a lower planar portion for at least partially covering the wheel outer side of the steerable wheel;
• an adjusting device for adjusting a position and/or orientation of the upper planar portion;
• and
• a positioning device for positioning the lower planar portion, the positioning device being a traction mechanism drive, wherein
• the upper planar portion is arrangeable on a body of the vehicle so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction,
• the upper planar portion and the lower planar portion are connected to one another so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and
• the upper planar portion is coupled to the adjusting device such that, in a functional installed state in the vehicle, the upper planar portion is movable relative to the wheel arch via the adjusting device;
• b) determining whether pivoting of the upper planar portion of the wheel cover apparatus is required in dependence on the detected operating state of the vehicle;
• and
• c) if yes, pivoting the upper planar portion by way of the adjusting device of the wheel cover apparatus.