Hubcap is a threaded type of vehicle accessory that is placed on the center of the wheel. It is formerly called grease cap or dust cap and is nowadays called a wheel cover, as it is mainly used to cover a wheel. Vehicle owners can choose to use or not to use this accessory. The truth is that wheel covers are not considered an essential car part that can significantly affect a vehicle's performance. But while this is so, the use of wheel covers continues to grow in popularity.
These days, many car owners are starting to feel that using wheel covers has become extremely necessary. The main reason for such trend is because wheel covers are known for protecting the wheels from dust and other harmful elements. They keep these elements from getting into the wheels and harming crucial parts of the wheels. Constant exposure to these elements can sure affect not just the overall performance of the wheels but their appearance as well.
Using wheel covers to aesthetically enhance the vehicles may have been done during the early days, but they were not as widely used as they are right now. Today's market offers a huge variety of wheel covers. They differ in terms of styles, colors, and make, providing vehicle owners more options and more ways to enhance the look of their vehicles. In fact, these days, most owners choose to use a hubcap for the sole purpose of enhancing the look and style of their vehicles.
The very first designed hubcaps were introduced in the 1920s and 1930s. These hubcaps were manufactured with sleek art deco designs. The names of wheel cover manufacturers were prominently seen on the wheel covers. Phelps, Stewart, Houk, and Budd were some of the most popular brands of wheel covers during that time. Today, these brands are still available; although they're now much harder to find.
Today, wheel covers are designed for specific car models and make. Some are manufactured for less expensive and less luxurious types of vehicles, while some are built for more expensive, more luxurious and top-of-the-line vehicles. Today's wheel covers can also be made out of steel, aluminum, or high-grade plastic. Some may have plain and simple designs while some may come with intricate and more ornate designs.
The only bad thing that car owners will most likely encounter with a hubcap is that this car accessory is prone to falling off the wheels every time cars are driven along bumpy and rough roads. The bumpier the road is, the more likely it will fall off. And the more often cars are driven along these types of roads, the more it loosens and falls off the wheel. But of course, the length of time at which the wheel cover remains attached to the wheel largely depends on the type used.
There are two major types of hubcaps depending on the manner in which they're placed on the wheels. The first type is called bolt-in and comes with threaded fasteners, which is responsible for holding the cover in place. The second type is called clip-on hubcap and is designed with spring clips that are grooved into the wheels.
Such drawback, however, would be nothing compared to the many benefits of using a hubcap. The fact is that today's hubcaps have become much more functional. They're now used both for protection and for aesthetic enhancements. And because they can protect the wheels from harmful elements, they don't just help maintain the excellent performance of wheels but the overall performance of the vehicles as well.
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Hubcapzone.com is among the major online providers of brand-new hubcap , as well as custom-made ones. With more than 20 years inside the business, this on line store has been known to give a full line of top quality wheel covers for a large range of car make and models.