Most small parts of your car are often overlooked until they develop issues and need to be replaced. One such part is the hub cap. Read on to get the lowdown on this part’s function, types, replacement cost, best brands, and more.
What Is a Hub Cap?
A hub cap, also known as a wheel center cap, is the part that fits over the middle part of your wheel’s outer face. It covers the steel nuts and bolts that keep your wheel attached to your car.
Note that some hub caps don’t cover lug nuts. Instead, they have holes through the hub cap to remove the wheel. In this case, the hub caps are clipped on the wheels rather than bolted through.
Note that some hub caps don’t cover lug nuts.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Besides adding a certain edge to your ride’s overall look, the hub cap also protects your wheel from moisture and physical damage while you’re on the road. It’s usually made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two.
Why Is the Hub Cap Important?
Hub caps are important because they help keep your wheel clean, protect your lug nuts and improve stability. They also keep dust and debris from entering your car’s wheel hubs, protecting your wheel from premature wear.
Hub caps can also enhance your ride’s style by making the wheels look nice without breaking the bank. Many vehicle owners use them to cover generic plain steel wheels, upgrading their overall look.
Types of Hub Caps
Hub caps are made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. They also come in two main styles: clip-on and bolt-on.
Clip-on hub caps slot snugly into a groove, while bolt-on hub caps are hub caps secured with bolts and lug nuts.
Although hub caps have a distinct look to them, they are often mistaken for another component: rims. But how are they different?
Hub Caps vs. Rims
Unlike hub caps which are protective coverings, rims refer to the wheel itself.
Rims are always made of metal, while hub caps can be made of metal, plastic, or both.
The rim supports the tire and holds it firmly. The hub cap, on the other hand, protects the lug nuts from dirt and moisture. A hub cap can also be installed for purely decorative reasons.
Hub caps are also easier to install and replace compared to rims.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Hub Cap?
An aftermarket hub cap replacement can cost you anywhere from $20 to $100 on parts alone. The price of a hub cap depends on various factors, like the part’s brand, material, color or finish, quantity, and your vehicle’s specifications.
As for labor, you can expect to pay around an extra $20 to $200 to have your damaged hub cap professionally replaced. Of course, this is only an estimate and might vary depending on the rates in your area.
Top Wheel Center Cap Brands
Wondering which brands of hub caps to consider? Here are some of our top picks:
Dorman
Dorman offers high-quality vehicle parts and accessories, including industry-approved replacement hub caps. Hub caps from Dorman are built to last and made of various OE-quality materials. They also come in a wide array of colors and finishes. For heavy-duty hub caps designed to fit your ride perfectly, look no further than Dorman’s hub cap catalog.
GenuineXL
GenuineXL employs the latest technologies in developing innovative solutions for car parts repairs and replacements. Its hub caps have all gone through stringent quality control processes to ensure durability and exact fitment. So if you’re looking for hub caps that are built to last, choose from GenuineXL’s catalog of OE-grade replacements.
Eurospare
For premium hub cap replacements, you can’t go wrong with Eurospare. Eurospare is a trusted provider of Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Maserati parts and accessories for more than 30 years. All of its products have gone through stringent quality-assurance measures to guarantee their quality and durability. If you want top-notch wheel center caps for your vehicle that won’t break the bank, Eurospare is the brand for you.
Rekon Off Road
If you’re a fan of Weld Wheels, you’ll love its wheel parts manufacturing arm, Rekon Off Road. Rekon Off Road manufactures push-through or snap-in wheel center caps in various sizes and finishes. Choose from a wide range of styles depending on your preference and vehicle specifications.
What to Consider When Looking for New Hub Caps
Hub caps come in all sorts of colors, finishes, and materials, so shopping for new ones can be overwhelming. To help you narrow down your options, here are some factors to consider when shopping for new hub caps for your vehicle:
Application
Make sure to check for fitment before buying a new wheel center cap for your ride. Getting a hub cap that’s designed specifically for your vehicle’s year, make, and model guarantees a perfect fit and hassle-free installation.
Quality
Shop from a trusted brand to ensure the quality of your new hub cap. A hub cap helps protect your vehicle’s wheels from debris and dirt, so its replacement should be durable and made of high-quality materials.
Finding the perfect replacement hub cap for your vehicle should be easy as long as you follow the tips listed above and look through credible product reviews.
Order a Replacement Hub Cap From the Comfort of Your Home
Even the most durable hub caps wear out from prolonged exposure to the elements, road hazards, and other factors. While you can still drive with a bad cap, you might damage other wheel components that are costlier to repair or replace. Instead of ignoring the problem, order high-grade replacement wheel hub caps from CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, you get peace of mind when shopping for wheel hub caps. Plug the details of your car or truck into our website’s integrated vehicle selector to bring up a list of products that fit your application. We have multiple warehouses in strategic locations across the US, and the nearest facility will ship our on-hand products to your doorstep within several business days. Furthermore, we only source our hub caps from trusted brands, giving you confidence about the longevity and performance of the parts.
Make CarParts.com your one-stop shop for competitively priced, world-class hub caps for your vehicle’s wheels. Don’t miss out on excellent deals on wheel hub caps and shop today!
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
