Wheel Caps and Wheel Covers

 

Wheel Caps are an accessory that can be added to your vehicle to give it a little facelift. Typically these are made of metal and can be either removable or fixed to the wheel. They provide a little extra protection from the elements and allow you to change your tires more easily. However, you must make sure that you have the right part for your car or truck. If you don’t, you could end up with a bad rim or a bad wheel cover.

Most car owners know that wheels have a “center bore” that reduces vibration. The center bore also makes certain parts of the wheel easier to access. In some cases, a wheel can be equipped with a hubcap, which has a similar function, but in a nutshell is a small disk that snaps into the wheel’s center bore. Hubcaps can be found on most cars, from small, budget vehicles to heavy-duty trucks.

Although hubcaps are not required, they do have their place. They protect the wheel from rust and keep dirt and water from splashing down under the vehicle. They also hide the lug nuts, which are the fasteners that attach the tire to the wheel.

Generally, they are made of metal or plastic, but can be made of aluminum. Many modern wheels are designed to make sure that debris doesn’t get inside the wheel and scuff the lug nuts. This is especially true with alloy wheels. It’s possible to install a new wheel without having to remove the rims, but the result is a less attractive and expensive looking vehicle.

Another type of hubcap is a wheel cover. Laptop car holder These are usually made of stainless steel or chrome, but can be made of plastic or other materials. Using a wheel cover will not only make your car look good, it will also help it last longer. Some full wheel covers even use removable center caps, which is a clever idea as it keeps the wheel itself intact.

One of the more practical uses of a wheel cover is to prevent saltwater from splashing under the car. A wheel cover can be an expensive piece of equipment, so preventing the corrosive effects of saltwater is a wise investment. Even if you have a metal or aluminum wheel, a wheel cover can be an excellent way to protect it from rust.

One of the more fun things about wheel covers is that they are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes. They may be shaped like a wheel hub, a disc, or they may be a full covering. You can find a wheel cover to fit your car or truck in several different sizes, including 14, 15, 16, and 17 inches. For best results, it’s best to match your wheels’ bolt pattern with the size of the wheel cover.

The most important thing to remember about wheel covers is that they don’t take the place of a rim. Rims will always meet the tire, and they are an integral part of the wheel. While wheel covers can make the wheel look good, rims are a real part that are meant to be seen.