I've just dusted off the winter steelies and swapped them over to replace the summer alloys.  Usually, I cable tie some plastic hub caps for their debatable aesthetics.  However, a question has popped into my mind.  Do hub caps actually protect the steelies and their wheel bolts from the worse of the salty, winter roads or, conversely, do they act as a haven for corrosive crud?  Anyone have any thoughts or experience either way that might address the question? 

 

Thanks in advance.

I have always thought the plastic trims are more decorative.

The other side of the wheel is open so not going to protect it all from corrosion, and they usually have protective black paint to protect from worst of rusting.

 

Unlike 1960s when wheels used nuts on rusty studs, nowadays have wheel bolts and they seem to be made from better steel or are galvanised, as don’t seem to get rusty streaks off them

 

 

10 hours ago, Ooopnorth said:

Do hub caps actually protect the steelies and their wheel bolts

They do keep the centre plates clean(er).

Thanks for your replies guys.  There is a sort of 'gangster' aesthetic about the black steelies, but I think you're correct re protection.  As I said, I tend to cable tie the hubs onto the rims which means I have to cut and replace them after a few hundred miles when I re-test the torque on the wheel bolts (I know, I know...but I'm a bit OCD on those issues) and an element of laziness was probably also behind my question

 

All the best.

I had VW Caddy centre caps, on my first Yeti winter wheels. I drilled the centers and fitted Skoda centre caps to cover the VW logo.

On my second Yeti I had to fit a set of Skoda Riff wheel trims as Mrs R didn’t like the rat look black steelies.

The answer to your questions is it’s really down to aesthetics, if your happy with the black that’s the way to go, and you can easily wash salt/ crud off as required.

Edited 6 November, 20214 yr by Kenny R

1 hour ago, Kenny R said:

I had VW Caddy centre caps, on my first Yeti winter wheels. I drilled the centers and fitted Skoda centre caps to cover the VW logo.

On my second Yeti I had to fit a set of Skoda Riff wheel trims as Mrs R didn’t like the rat look black steelies.

The answer to your questions is it’s really down to aesthetics, if your happy with the black that’s the way to go, and you can easily wash salt/ crud off as required.

Wow!  That Yeti looks really neat.  The vehicle I've swapped the alloys for steelies is a white Fabia, which belongs to my partner.  I think the black wheels against the white paint work with black seals around the windows and black mudguards looks tasty.  However, my partners going to have the final say and I think I'll be slapping the hubs on again soon (anything for a quiet life) - tsk! Sadly, I had to swap my trusty Yeti for a Subaru Outback,  which has had to have new winter tyres put on the 18" alloys as it's a 3 month waiting list for Subaru OE steelies to be shipped from Japan.

I've tried to fit a set of Caddy wheel centres 2K0 601 149 C to my Yeti steels.

 

The trims won't engage firmly with an encouraging click, I'm sure all 4 would be off before the end of the road.

 

Is there a knack, do I need difference bolts?