BMW 528i Wheel Center Caps
Wheel center caps add a sport or luxury look to your BMW 528i while offering protection from mud and grime for the vehicles lug nuts. If your BMW 528i wheel center caps are lost or damaged, you may want to get them replaced. Learning more about these caps will allow you to find a design that works for your BMW 5 series sedan.
What is the purpose of a wheel center cap?A wheel center cap is also known as a hubcap. Its the small disk in the center of the wheel that covers the lug nuts bolted to the wheel stem. The reason that the caps are there is to offer protection for the lug nuts against the elements. If water or dirt gets into the lug nuts, it can cause corrosion and make it difficult to remove when changing the wheel or tire.
What are the caps made from?The caps for a BMW model sedan can be made from an array of materials. You will want to select a material that is strong enough to handle the elements you commonly encounter, such as snow or mud.
- Titanium
- Tungsten carbide
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Steel alloy
You can change the aesthetic of your BMW by replacing the wheel center caps with a different design. Its a chance to add your personality. Various designs that can be found include:
- Spokes
- Colored enamel
- BMW logo
- Various emblems
Center caps are easy to install. The first thing you have to do is remove the existing caps, which is done by lifting them up or using a flat head screwdriver to pry them up. From there, you need to clean the center to remove dirt and moisture. Once thats done, you can snap on the new cap. Many caps have small clips that help to keep them in place. If the design has an indent, you will want to place the indent at the location of the valve stem. Some metal wheel center caps are screwed directly to the wheels.
What is an OEM auto part?Manufacturers will often make parts specifically to be branded by an auto manufacturer. When this happens, it is given the term OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer. The parts are used at the factory and at dealerships. If you find wheel center caps that are identified as OEM, they are genuine BMW parts that are just like what was installed when your car came out of the assembly line. The alternative option is aftermarket, which covers all other brands that are on the market. Aftermarket manufactures tend to offer a wider variety of options.