What does a hubcap do? Hubcaps, sometimes called wheel covers, attach to your wheels and cover the wheel’s center: the hub. Hubcaps often have unique, decorative designs. They’re not designed solely for aesthetics. They can also protect the wheel hub and fasteners from dirt, moisture, and debris: materials that would, over time, shorten your wheels’ lifespan and dampen their performance.
Popular Hubcaps
Hubcaps on cars and trucks can be made with a variety of materials. These materials include durable plastics like ABS, metals like aluminum, and premium options like stainless steel. Each material offers varying levels of protection and different aesthetics. Different materials have different strengths and drawbacks; for example, metal hubcaps are more durable, but also heavier and more expensive.
While it’s common to find hubcaps on cars, trucks, and SUVs, some makes and models don’t include them. Several modern cars use wheels made from styled alloy or steel and don’t need hubcaps, but more budget-friendly models may still include them for protective and decorative purposes. Some car owners might remove their hubcaps as a personal preference.
Hubcaps can fall off if they’re not properly installed, if they are made from lower-quality materials, or if they’re broken by driving hazards like potholes or curbs. Fortunately, you can take measures to make your hubcaps attach more securely. You may use additional fasteners to attach them to your wheels. You can also check your hubcaps’ size and alignment to see if they fit your wheel’s design. The easiest way to prevent hubcap detachment is by purchasing OEM hubcaps specifically designed for your vehicle.
Bolt-on hubcaps use bolts and lug nuts to secure them onto your wheel. They can be more secure than other hubcap designs. A bolt-on hubcap typically features a traditional five-pronged appearance and requires careful installation to stay properly attached. Compare this to the more common hubcap design, ”pound-on” hubcaps, which use clip-ons for easy installation. Both designs have their advantages: bolt-on hubcaps are more secure, while pound-on hubcaps are more convenient and easier to install.
We hope this article gives you some insight into what hubcaps are and answers some other questions about hubcaps that you may have.