Most car owners are fairly oblivious to the parts that go in, on and around the vehicle. While most of the parts have their own technical names people commonly generalize those names which can create a lot of confusion - such as with hubcaps and wheel covers. Most car owners think they're the same thing but they're actually quite different.
The Hubcap
A hubcap does not actually cover the entire wheel on a vehicle - it's meant to only cover the actual hub area where the lug nuts attach or screw on. These vary in size ranging from 2 inches on smaller vehicles and wheel sizes to 10" inches in diameter for larger or common domestic wheels.
The hubcap is designed to attach easily to wheel, and most commonly these hubcaps will snap into place. This is the most widely used form of hubcap and has been in use since the dawn of the vehicle once they switched away from wooden wheels. While the snap was a popular method for keep hubcaps locked in place some models did use a system of plastic lugs that would thread over the existing lug nuts to secure the hubcap. The downside on this system as that the threads would easily wear away, causing the hubcap to lose its grip and easily fall off.
Today the most popular model found in stores use a snap or circular wire, tension and clips to hold the hub cap flush to the hub. This force fit keeps the hubcap from breaking away and flying off.
Vehicle Wheel Covers
People often get confused when wheel covers come into play but they're very different. While the hubcap only covers the central hub of the wheel, the wheel cover covers the entire interior of the wheel. The purpose is still the same in that it protects the working parts of the wheel but wheel covers are more decorative than hubcaps
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.
While these simple steel wheels are easy to mass produce for economy vehicles they are less than attractive when exposed. That's why most vehicle owners will invest in nicer hubcaps or wheel covers depending on the actual style of wheel they have on their car, truck or SUV. For most vehicles, a full wheel cover is needed to hide the look of a common steel wheel.
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 been a part of American car culture since the early 1900's, wheel covers have only been around since the early 50's where they debuted on American made vehicles. As technology always advances, the design was improved upon by Honda in the 80's into a design that's still used by car manufacturers and auto enthusiants to this day.
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If you need to find the right hubcap for your vehicle, whether it's a new model or a restoration, turn to the right source online. You can get quality hubcaps and wheel covers to make any vehicle look stylish. Don't go with just any dog bowl - get quality wheel covers today!
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