Replica hubcaps are made by independent companies and closely resemble the original equipment. Because of trademark laws, they are unable to place a factory logo within them. A reputable store should state plainly if an item is a replica copy. A company should have nothing to hide if they have confidence in their product. Not that there is anything wrong with replica covers, especially for the many older vehicles still on the road. For these older vehicles where there is a scarcity of original hubcaps, replica’s are a nice affordable option. Bottom line, if you want the genuine article, look for the logo.

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Your wheels need to be set up correctly in order to accommodate a bolt on hubcap. The lug nuts need to have outside thread for the hubcaps that screw down, or the lug nuts need to be flanges or contain a washer insert for the hubcaps that bolt on behind the lugs. In addition, all of the bolt on hubcaps are made to fit a particular wheel rim. The depth that the hubcap sits need to be perfect in order for the locking mechanism to reach the lugs and every wheel is different. Also the holes in the hubcap need to be the same distance apart as the wheel in order to bolt up and this differs from model to model.  In other words, there are no universal “bolt on” hubcaps on the market because every vehicle is different.

Most non lockable factory original hubcaps are designed with a wire retention system. The clips, or tabs that hold the retaining wire on the wheel covers are made of plastic and lost are quite fragile. Careless handling causes these tabs to break which takes the critical tension from the wire. This is when the losses happen Most of these hubcaps will remain on the wheel if handled properly,  so careful handling is critical when removing and installing the hubcaps.

If the hubcaps are already damaged and you wish to replace them with  good quality replica hubcaps. Make sure you select a style that is constructed with metal retaining tabs. The auto parts and bargain store brands are usually constructed with retaining tabs that are more fragile that the original ones that you are replacing, so make sure you choose a quality hubcap with a solid metal retaining system. Not unlike other purchases, you get what you pay for.

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One would think the simplest way to determine the size of an item would be to break out the old tape measure and measure it… right? Well… for most items this is true but not in the case of hubcaps, wheel covers, or wheel rims.

Measuring of wheels and hubcaps in the automotive world is done differently. It all corresponds to the tire size of the vehicle. If you look at the side of a tire on any vehicle, there will be a series of numbers ending in R14, R15, R16, etc. This final number will tell you what size wheel or hubcap you need.

For example, you have a 2001 Toyota Corolla and you need to replace the hubcap. You look on the side of the tire and find a number similar to this “P175/65/R14”. What this number (R14) tells you is that you need a 14″ hubcap or wheels. By physically measuring the hubcap, you would get a measurement of a little over 15″ and this is where the confusion comes into play. Always go be the size printed on the tire and you can’t go wrong.

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