Hubcap
A wheel cap or wheel (ornamental) aperture is a cover of the rim , which today mainly of plastic is manufactured. It is used to beautify the wheels , to protect the hub and the wheel nuts from dirt or to reduce air resistance . It is attached to the wheel with a tension ring, barbs or screws . Hubcaps made of nylon are unbreakable and therefore more durable than hubcaps made of ABS plastic . In Germany there is no general legal obligation to attach hubcaps. However, according to Section 30 c StVZO , there may be an obligation, since no parts may protrude from the outline of vehicles in such a way that they more than unavoidably endanger traffic. For a long time, however, rims have been designed in such a way that the wheel nuts or bolts lie in a protective recess. With some steel rims, however, the hubcap is absolutely necessary to support the valve, as otherwise the valve would constantly kink and tear as a result. The decisive factor for ensuring that a hubcap fits on a rim is the rim diameter , which is usually specified in inches and is printed on the tire .
Special events around the hubcap
The hub cap throwing world championship has been held annually in Meppen (Emsland) since 2007 . Here it is a matter of throwing a standard hubcap as far as possible. Every year 150 athletes compete in mixed teams of three people to fight for the world championship title.
photos
1950s: chrome-plated hubcaps
Mercedes hubcap from the 1970s and early 1980s in body color, made of chromed steel
Usual silver colored plastic wheel cap
Web links
- Official homepage of the hubcap throwing world championship with all information about current records, world champions.