Wheel
covers or hubcaps,
are molded covers that fit over your existing steel vehicle rims
to enhance the appearance of painted steel rims. The reason vehicle
manufactures put wheel covers or hubcaps on their vehicles is
to improve the appearance, at a lower cost than adding expensive
alloy type wheels. Wheel covers and hubcaps are typically mounted
on vehicles that do not have the more expensive and lighter alloy
wheels.
Wheel center caps are also
sometimes mistakenly referred to as hubcaps or wheel covers.
However, wheel covers and hubcaps cover the entire wheel (full
coverage) unlike wheel
center caps that typically
will only cover the
very center of the wheel.
However, there are also a few styles of wheel center caps that
cover
the wheel lug nuts.
Wheel center caps in the majority of cases are not generic fit.
Typically modern day wheel
covers and hubcaps are made out of plastics. Many styles of wheel
covers and hubcaps have chromed simulated lug nuts which are
non functional. The sole purpose for simulated lug nuts is to
improve the wheel cover or hubcap appearance and hide the actual
wheel lug nuts which are typically not chromed and not very attractive.
How do I know what size
wheel cover or hubcap I need?
Your vehicles wheel cover
or hubcap size is the same as your tire size. If your vehicle
takes 14" tires, your wheel cover size is 14".
If I lose a hubcap or wheel
cover do I have to replace it with a original equipment part
ordered from the dealer?
No, many brand new factory
replica wheel cover styles are available and usually at a significant savings over OEM (original equipment manufacture)
parts. These styles often look very
similar to original equipment
parts. There are also thousands of used original
equipment wheel covers and hubcaps available. Often it is possible to buy a brand
new set of replica wheel covers or hubcaps for around the same
price as 1 used original equipment part.
Retention:
Most modern wheel covers and
hubcaps use spring steel clips and or wire retention. These type
of retention systems are usually quite secure as long as the
hubcaps or wheel covers are fully seated into the wheel. If they
are mounted properly to the wheel they will not come off unless
you need to remove them to change a tire. Note: wheel covers
/ wheel covers should only be installed on painted steel wheels
for proper fit and are not designed to secure properly to chrome
plated wheels. A few vehicle manufacturers make wheel covers
or hubcaps that bolt on to the steel wheels under the lug nuts.
Unlike spring steel / wire retention hubcaps and wheel covers,
lug nuts must be removed in order to install bolt on styles.
Can I get "Bolt On"
wheel covers for my vehicle?
Bolt on wheel covers are available
for very few vehicles. Bolt on style wheel cover and hubcaps
are only designed to fit specific make, model, and year applications.
The majority of wheel covers
in use today (millions) use a wire retention type system rather
than bolt on retention. Proper installation is easily accomplished
without tools on spring steel clip / wire type retention hubcaps
and wheel covers.
Tip: ALWAYS CHECK to see that
your wheel covers are securely fastened and seated properly to
the wheels rim edge after taking your vehicle to a garage, if
your wheel covers had to be removed for service.
How do I know that a different
style of wheel cover or hubcap other than the original equipment
style will fit my vehicle?
In 99% of the cases, wheel
covers and hubcaps are interchangeable among different makes
and models as long as you stay within the same tire size. In
other words, most wheel covers in the correct size will fit 99%
of all vehicles on the road today. For example, in the majority
of cases, a 14" wheel will take any 14" wheel cover
and fit fine. The same is true with all other wheel sizes. Feel
free to choose the style of wheel cover that appeals to you within
your wheel / tire size.
*However, the old adage is
"there's an exception to every rule" and in this case
the exception is a few 1980s vehicles with 13" tires / wheels.
For example, If you have a
1980s Front Wheel Drive vehicle with 13 "wheels, you should
choose a wheel cover / hubcap style that is similar to your current
style, especially if your current style does not have simulated
lug nuts. This a safe way to go. assuming you had wheel covers
on the vehicle at some point. Wheel covers and hubcaps with simulated
lug nuts require slightly more clearance to fit properly. This
fact can present a fitment problem on some of older front wheel
drive vehicles with wheels that have wheel centers, that are
equal in height to the wheel outer edge.
A few, older model front wheel
drive vehicles with 13" tires have "high crown"
wheels ( the center of the wheel protrudes beyond the wheel rim
edge.) You can easily see this if you look at your wheel. These
few vehicles need either a more convex design wheel cover or
a style without simulated lug nuts.
For all other wheel sizes,
fit in general has not been a problem for years. Never measure
your wheels to determine the correct wheel cover / hubcap size:
tire size = hubcap and wheel cover size. A vehicle with 15"
tires requires 15" wheel covers / hubcaps.
Can I buy just 1 wheel
cover if that is all I need?
In most cases yes, but most
reputable dealers will not guarantee a exact match
unless your original set was purchased from them.
Can I purchase aftermarket
wheel covers or hubcaps with the original factory emblems?
No. aftermarket wheel covers
and hubcaps cannot be sold with original equipment trademarks.
This principal applies to all mfgs. of aftermarket parts, whether
they make fuel pumps or wheel covers.
Aftermarket wheel covers sell
for significantly less than original equipment parts. If you
want the emblem or trademark you'll
have to buy an original equipment part.
Are metal hubcaps or wheel
covers available?
Metal wheel covers and hubcaps
are nearly obsolete even at the original equipment level. The
situation is similar to that of metal dashboards which are now
obsolete but once were the material of choice for car makers.
Modern wheel covers and hubcaps are made from high-tech plastics,
the material of choice for most of the worlds car makers and
wheel cover manufacturers. Today, automobile interior and exterior
parts, including body panels are being made out of plastics.
Also, please be aware that
there are different grades of plastic. There is a clear quality
difference between professional grade wheel covers and hubcaps
and consumer grade caps. "Have everything" retailers
typically sell the cheapest grade cap they can buy. These cheap
wheel covers and hubcaps are typically made from low cost recycled
plastics which are brittle and easily break.
Professional
grade wheel covers and hubcaps feature a 2 step base coat/clear coat finish for
excellent durability, in sharp contrast to what is often sold
at have everything retail stores.
Base coat / clear paint
systems are also used at the OEM level. Typically professional
grade wheel covers and hubcaps have excellent durability and
will provide years of trouble free service. Professional wheel
covers and hubcaps also have added expensive flex agents, that
insure performance under the harshest weather conditions.
The only metal styles available
are RV related, some trim rings, dually
wheel liners or wheel simulators, baby
moons, stainless steel wire styles, and racing
disks.
The truth of the matter is
that there are many wheel cover and hubcap manufacturers. Quality
varies widely from one manufacturer to the next. This is sometimes
not obvious to those not in the trade as the manufacturers. making
the cheap, inferior products, often produce very similar styles
as the manufacturers making the professional grade products.
They may look similar but in fact the quality is quite different
from professional
grade wheel covers and hubcaps. More information is available
at: http://www.autoenhance.com