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Author Topic: Should I wheel covers?  (Read 2205 times)

Offline huy397

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Should I wheel covers?
« on: November 14, 2006, 11:40:35 pm »
Hello there...

here's what my winter tire looks like ( 205/65/16 Michelin X-Ice with Mapack rims )... my concern is the part that's hanging out, it appears to be part of the axle ( or something else ). Should I get a hubcap to cover it up?

I have noticed a lot of cars with steel rims and no covers at the same time... so I am confused as to whether I should really worry about it.

Thank you
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Offline auto_enthusiast

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2006, 12:49:58 am »
It's no big deal to leave it exposed.
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mdxtasy

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2006, 12:51:19 am »
Quote from: auto_enthusiast on November 15, 2006, 12:49:58 am
It's no big deal to leave it exposed.

Let your nuts hang out.   :-X
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Offline Trainman

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2006, 12:52:55 am »
We do not cover ours and it does not seem to hurt.

Our van has steel wheels for summer and winter tires, so has factory wheel covers.  But in winter, there is more risk to losing them and also they are more prone to damage from sand/rocks, so we do not bother putting them on.

The Pathy has alloys for summer and steel for winter and I do not bother with them either.  I think it is more a cosmetic issue.

But if I am wrong, I am sure someone will let me know   ;D
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Offline morty

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2006, 03:10:11 pm »
Either way the debris gets in there, so it is more of a personal preference thing. You should try to have the dust covers that typically cover the hub of the vehcile.
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Offline ovr50

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2006, 03:12:05 pm »
From an appearance POV, I would cover them. Dust and dirt will get in there regardless.
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Offline Trainman

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2006, 03:21:21 pm »
Quote from: ovr50 on November 15, 2006, 03:12:05 pm
From an appearance POV, I would cover them. Dust and dirt will get in there regardless.

Were is your Canadian spirit?   :rofl2:

It is a true symbol of winters in Canada to have no wheel covers.

 ;D   ;D
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Offline to905416

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2006, 04:27:49 pm »
Hey Morty,

Where does one get those dust covers you speak of?
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Offline ovr50

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2006, 04:51:17 pm »
Quote from: Trainman on November 15, 2006, 03:21:21 pm
Quote from: ovr50 on November 15, 2006, 03:12:05 pm
From an appearance POV, I would cover them. Dust and dirt will get in there regardless.

Were is your Canadian spirit?   :rofl2:

It is a true symbol of winters in Canada to have no wheel covers.

 ;D   ;D

Not for this puppy, thanks.  ;D ;D When I first bought wife's '99 Solara and changed it over to winter tires on steelies, she complained bitterly about the crappy looks of the black, stud-showing steelies. I was able to trade back the steelies for some alloy wheels, and have never run steelies since. I had to agree with her - they looked lousy. We don't have much salt on the roads here in the winter, so alloys are fine.
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Offline airbalancer

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2006, 05:36:26 pm »
Quote from: ovr50 on November 15, 2006, 04:51:17 pm
Quote from: Trainman on November 15, 2006, 03:21:21 pm
Quote from: ovr50 on November 15, 2006, 03:12:05 pm
From an appearance POV, I would cover them. Dust and dirt will get in there regardless.

Were is your Canadian spirit?   :rofl2:

It is a true symbol of winters in Canada to have no wheel covers.

 ;D   ;D

Not for this puppy, thanks.  ;D ;D When I first bought wife's '99 Solara and changed it over to winter tires on steelies, she complained bitterly about the crappy looks of the black, stud-showing steelies. I was able to trade back the steelies for some alloy wheels, and have never run steelies since. I had to agree with her - they looked lousy. We don't have much salt on the roads here in the winter, so alloys are fine.

 :iagree:

Send all kinds of money for a nice looking car, then put steelies on it ::)
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Offline huy397

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2006, 09:28:52 pm »
Thanks for all your input.

The reason I ask is that my Pontiac Vibe has the same set up with the same part exposed and it started to rust about 3 months into winter.  So my main concern is rusting and perhaps any potential problem that might come with it down the road.

I will look around town this weekend to find a set of hubcaps at the same time.

Thank you

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Offline ovr50

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2006, 10:09:07 pm »
It may still rust if covered, but it's not serious rust, just surface rust and you can get it off with a wire brush in the spring.
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Offline morty

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2006, 12:35:08 am »
Check with your dealer. Should be just an OE part. Usually brass in colour and just fits over the open hub...
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Offline articsteve

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2006, 01:32:44 am »
Go to a Krown anti-rust shop and buy a can of T-40 and spray them occasionally or you can brush some axle grease in there.
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Offline dr_spock

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2006, 01:40:02 am »
I use covers on my steelies (my car came originally with steelies and covers).   They do prevent your axle nut from getting directly splashed on with salty slush and other road gunk from passing cars. 
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Offline Snowman

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2006, 06:41:25 am »
Might as well go from one extreme to the other:
http://www.plasticwheelcovers.com/
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mdxtasy

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2006, 07:23:54 am »
Quote from: Snowman on November 16, 2006, 06:41:25 am
Might as well go from one extreme to the other:
http://www.plasticwheelcovers.com/


I saw a Corolla with a set of those.....simply awesome.   :P ::) ;D
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Offline huy397

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2006, 10:22:28 pm »
I saw a set of spinner @ Canadian Tire the other day and actually thought about buying it too.

Thanks for your tips, I think I will buy a can of anti-spray and some hubcaps too... just to be on the safe side.

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mdxtasy

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Re: Should I wheel covers?
« Reply #18 on: November 17, 2006, 12:06:05 am »
Quote from: huy397 on November 16, 2006, 10:22:28 pm
I saw a set of spinner @ Canadian Tire the other day and actually thought about buying it too.


We can chalk that up to a brain fart....hopefully.   ;D :o :shake:
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