Hub Caps? Two questions...PLEASE ANSWER...Thanks!?

Question

This may be a stupid question - but i was curious. i really now nothing about cars other than how to drive them.

the other day my wheel hit the curb and cracked (2003 Hyundai Elantra).

first off out of curiosity - what is the purpose of a hub cap? is it just for decoration cause the tire looks bare w/o it or does it protect the tire? i can obviously drive my car w/o it, so what is it's purpose.

secondly how much does a new hub cap cost?

do you know any places or web-sites that sell them cheap or are they cheap - I really don't know.

I was borrowing the car from my mom so I owuld like to replace it, but if it is too expensive she won't care but i'd like to get a new one.

Answers appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hubcaps (or wheelcovers as they're called these days) are mostly for looks. They do however, serve as a minimal amount of protection for the wheel/tire. When you rub against a curb, you will hear the hubcap scraping before the wheel hits the curb, alerting you to move away from it. As for replacing it, try your local salvage yards first. There are plenty of Hyundais in the junkyards. Expect to pay about $10-15 for it there. If they don't have one, try Ebay. You can usually find just about everything there. Expect to pay around $20 + shipping for it there. As a last resort, hit your local Hyundai dealer. They'll probably have to order it, expect to pay around $60 for it there. One last option, is Walmart, or your local parts store. They will not have a factory replacement, but you can buy a set of 4 aftermarket caps that will look pretty decent for around $20-30. Good luck and watch those curbs!!

Answer 2

I'm not familiar with that vehicle.



What cracked? Your existing hub cap or the wheel?



If that car doesn't have hub caps but nice wheels and you've cracked one, it must be replaced.



The hub is the part at the middle where the wheel connects to the spindle/axle. Fancy wheels are intended to be decorative on their own. The hub cap is to cover the hub on a plain steel wheel which is not particularly attractive. Hub caps are decorative only.

Answer 3

I have seen this happening in some urban areas. It is not a new thing - kids on the block used to take them to use as Frisbees. Today, buying just one hubcap or wheel trim as they are now called, is virtually impossible - they are sold only in sets of four. Some are more expensive than others - try Volvo, where a set will cost you over £100 GBP. Thus, now they are a 'value' item, kids will take them for profit (and most of these 'kids' are well into their twenty-somethings), OR some car owner who can't afford a new set, will chance getting caught by the law .

Answer 4

Hyundai Elantra Hubcaps

Answer 5

Wheel Covers are mainly decorative and have really existed to fill the gap between the vehicle you can afford and the one you saw on TV or in the magazine.... Usually the ones shown are higher optioned packages with all the bells and whistles however they usually don't show the price but rather saying starting at $xx,xxx which usually buys just base model with wheel covers and nowhere near the one you were drooling over. Wheel Covers can be purchased new or used and one spot is from the original company in business for nearly 40 years

Answer 6

Hub caps are designed to do a few things. A side from making the wheel look more complete and compliment the car, they also help to keep dust, water, and mud from reaching the disk brakes. They are also designed in many cases to help direct air in to the wheel to cool down the brakes. You can locate many hub caps in wrecking yards, there are also businesses that sell just hubcaps, check you phone book for listings.

Answer 7

hub caps are for decoration only, cost about 20 bucks a piece

Answer 8

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axT9s



The hub cap gnomes,beacause they can only carry one at a time.

Answer 9

hub caps do help to protect the lug nuts from to much dirt etc getting on them. try http://uneedapart.com/ it sends your request to junkyards all over the united states

Answer 10

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Answer 11

They're for looks only and much cheaper than alloy wheels. Try looking in an auto wrecking/salvage yard. You can get good used parts a lot cheaper there than buying new parts.

Answer 12

they are for decoration purposes only and walmart sells them in automotive for like less than 30 dollars for a set of 4

Answer 13

you can actually take off all your hub caps. theyre useless

Answer 14

most junk yards or used car lot have them

Answer 15

Just decoritive,try e bay