Choosing Between Hubcaps and Wheel Covers for your Vehicle

Choosing Between Hubcaps and Wheel Covers for your Vehicle

Unless you're a car enthusiast, you're not likely to be extremely proficient with your vehicle. This includes knowing where all the parts go, what their purpose is, and the difference between different parts. One of the areas that tends to confuse a lot of vehicle owners is the difference between the hubcap and the wheel cover. While they both pertain to the wheel they are a bit different in function and design.

The Hubcap

The true portion of a hubcap on your car is to cover the hub-portion of your wheels. This is the part where the wheel mounts to the hub and the lug nuts attach or screw on. Hub caps don't generally cover the entire wheel. They actually fit over this center hub region and range anywhere from 2 inches to 10 inches in diameter depending mainly on the size of the wheel.

The hubcap is designed to easily attach to the wheel so as to offer easy removal in the event of a flat or tire change. The most common method used for attaching the hubcap is a snap system that holds the hubcap in place. Another alternative is available in some models where plastic or cheaper-material nuts hold the hubcap in place but these tend to cross-thread easily. Once the threading wears away the hubcap can fall off of the wheel - which tends to happen when you're driving down the expressway.

The alternative that's the most popular is the clip method that uses a tension wire in a circle around the interior of the hubcap. This is a far more secure method than plastic lugs as the wire created a force that presses against the interior of the wheel around the hub and the clips. This pressure keeps the hubcap from slipping loose but makes for easy removal when need be.

Vehicle Wheel Covers

The wheel cover is what tends to throw people off when they're referencing the two. While the hubcap has a primary role of covering the central hub to prevent damage to the bearings, the wheel cover is more about aesthetics. It does however serve a dual purpose in helping the central hubcap protect the inner workings of the hub and axle. Most modern vehicles with a higher price tag come with a nicer wheel system made from alloy. These alloy wheels surfaces in the late 60's and were a great alternative to the common ugly wheels most cars were sporting. This design continues today in mag-alloy wheels and quality custom rims but most common vehicles don't use these - the automakers instead rely on simple steel wheel designs to save money.

A lot of modern vehicles will invest in quality wheel systems, such as pickup trucks that use mag-alloy wheels that are precision cut and designed to not only be reinforced but to be aesthetically pleasing. Most other cars however are designed from an economy standpoint. Man y of these economic vehicle options are designed using simple steel wheels. These are inexpensive and easy to produce in the line assembly.

Steel wheels are easy to mass produce on a line and keep the production costs down on vehicles. The downside is that they're unattractive and require some form of wheel cover that extends over the bulk of the wheel. While the factor wheel covers are ok, most vehicle owners will spring for nicer versions that offer an unique or even custom fit to their vehicle.

These stock and custom wheel covers come in a variety of materials - from simple plastics made to fit any budget to more custom grade wheel covers manufactured with durable metals and other alloys. Overall, the primary function is to improve the look of the vehicle while hiding the ugly steel wheel underneath.

While hubcaps have had their place in American car culture as long as people have been driving cars, the wheel cover has had its place in our vehicle history for less than 70 years. As technology continues to improve, enthusiasts and automakers will continue to find ways to improve on the designs that we use to cover our inner wheels - from functional to attractive there will always be a wheel cover or hub cap to fit your style vehicle.

POST COMMENT

How to Enjoy A Snow Vacation inside a Persiher Blue Accommodation with out the Crowds Preparing Every thing You will need and Want for a Anxiety No cost Perisher Ski Vacation 3 Things You must Know About Car Hire India Preparation For Car Hire India Search Engine Optimisation Scotland - 3 Quick Tips! Using garage storage cabinets Choosing the correct garage storage cabinets doesn't need to be hard How different SEO Rise India from other Search Engine Optimization company Seminyak Vacations : Four Things To Experience Best Vacation in Seminyak Have More Fun and Better Party With Limo Bus Service Audi Car Leasings Vacations For Both Kids And Parents Kenneth Copeland Ministries: Find and Hear What He Has to Say