At some point, we’ve all seen a car driving around without a hubcap. It doesn’t look safe, so you might wonder if it’s dangerous to drive without a hubcap. We answer that question and more in our guide on hubcaps.
It’s Not Dangerous, But It’s Not Smart Either
While driving without a hubcap won’t put you and your vehicle in immediate danger, it’s definitely not a smart driving practice. Hubcaps aren’t integral to your vehicle’s function and drivability but are important to your vehicle’s safety and longevity.
Hubcaps keep your wheels clean of contaminants; without them, natural debris can eat away at your vehicle’s wheels. While driving without a hubcap may not be dangerous, it can lead to expensive repairs.
What Do Hubcaps Do?
You know what they are and where they go on the car, but do you understand the purpose of hubcaps? While you may think they’re only there for aesthetic purposes, hubcaps are important for many reasons, such as keeping dirt, grime, sand, and road salt out of your wheels. We all know how dirt and road salt can eat away at wheels, so it’s always best to have hubcaps on your car to protect the wheels.
Types of Hubcaps
There are a few different types of automotive hubcaps. The standard version we’re all familiar with and have seen on most cars is often made of plastic and keeps dirt and debris away from the wheels. Lug nut covers are also common but are typically more decorative and snap onto the wheel. Still, they do a good job of keeping contaminants out of the wheels.
You might also see decorative and flashy hubcaps, like spinners. You’ve likely seen a car with spinner hubcaps, and while they’re more expensive, they protect a vehicle’s wheels.
Where To Get New Hubcaps
If you need to replace a hubcap on your vehicle or think your vehicle could use an upgrade, there’s no shortage of options. Practically every tire shop in the US offers hubcaps, and some exclusively sell flashy ones!
You can also buy hubcaps online, but it’s typically better to go in person to ensure your new hubcaps fit your car’s wheels before purchasing!
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
