Not all vehicles have wheel caps installed. Moreover, if such spare parts were already installed, but they were unscrewed, the absence of a cap will not in any way affect the quality of driving and controllability of the vehicle.
Accordingly, many drivers have a question: how necessary and useful are wheel caps? Do they buy them only to decorate the wheels, or do small metal parts for valves have other more important functions?
Why do we need wheel caps
Drivers often choose wheel caps for this purpose to decorate them. However, such a detail has more than just an aesthetic function. It has a number of other advantages:
- Protection against water, dust and other contaminants getting into the discs. Which in turn provides reliable protection against corrosion and rust on metal coatings.
- Protection of brake pads from contamination. In this way, it is possible to extend the life of the entire braking system.
- Positive effect on the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle.
- The ability to hide external defects and deformations of the discs. With frequent use of a car, dents and dirt may appear on the wheels, which cannot be removed with detergents. Wheel caps will reliably hide them.
Key criteria for choosing wheel caps
If the caps installed on the valves are used both as a functional accessory and as a decorative element of the wheels, It is undoubtedly important to pay attention to the appearance of the part. Moreover, today manufacturers offer a huge selection of products, including those with interesting carvings, decorative inserts, etc. Look for spare parts that are in harmony with the design of the discs themselves.
At the same time, appearance, although important, is not considered key. First of all, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the spare part is made. Wheel caps today come in metal or plastic. Each of these types has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Metal ones are considered to be the most durable and wear-resistant, and can withstand a wide range of operating temperatures. Plastic ones can become deformed from extreme heat or frost. However, they are more budget-friendly and are often made in a non-standard design.
