Wheel covers are a fairly common form of car tuning, as well as protecting wheel rims from damage, dirt, and other negative factors.
The use of such accessories is especially important in winter, when roads are coated with various chemicals that negatively impact rims. To choose the right accessories, it's important to understand the different types and what to look for when choosing them. That's what we'll cover.
So, all caps can be roughly divided into:
— Original hubcaps are made for a specific car brand and selected based on the wheel radius, for example, R14 hubcaps. These products are quite expensive, but the range of models allows you to choose the best option for your car. One downside is that their high cost makes them attractive to thieves who steal them for resale.;
Universal models are unique in that they fit wheels of any car brand and are therefore selected based solely on the wheel's radius. They are affordable and come in a variety of colors and designs, allowing for easy replacement without breaking the bank.
According to their design, they are divided into:
- Open models, which have fairly large ventilation holes. The advantages of these products include excellent brake pad ventilation and a striking appearance. However, they offer relatively poor protection for the wheels from dirt, dust, and other harmful elements;
- Closed-type models have virtually no holes, allowing for maximum concealment of any damage to the wheel rim. They look great and protect the rim from dirt and dust, but brake pad cooling is quite poor when using these types of rims.
As for the material from which the caps are made, it can be:
- Plastic is the most common due to its low cost, durability, and ease of use. When choosing, pay attention to its quality and degree of rigidity. Hard plastics are more susceptible to damage.;
- metal is more durable than plastic, but it has many more disadvantages: heavy weight, susceptibility to corrosion, high cost, more susceptible to deformation, etc.;
- Rubber ones are durable, but are rarely found on sale.
Wheel caps come in flat and puffy varieties, and also vary in size (wheel radius).
When choosing such accessories, pay attention to their quality and price. They should be free of any damage or dents, have all the necessary fastening elements, and be compatible with your vehicle's wheels. It's also worth checking the stiffness of the mounting springs.