I don’t know if you remember the 80’s, but I do. It was back there, between Boy George and Oliver North, during a time when imports were the exception, that the Honda Motor Company patented and developed the first hubcaps and wheel covers that fastened on the vehicle’s lug nuts. It’s one of those “DUH” moments in history where a concept is so simple you wonder why it was ever any different. The oddity is that it took more than 15 years for any other company to copy the concept. You can patent a bolt design, but you can’t patent the nut and bolt concept, so there was nothing to stop other companies from designing their own assemblies.

It has been said that there are few companies that can match the quality of a Honda hubcap, even today. While it takes more than the old snap-and-drill method old hubcaps used to attach them, the small amount of extra effort is a fair trade for knowing your hubcaps aren’t going to fall off a cliff while you’re driving for a few days. There was one occasion when an observant cyclist saved himself from a host of potential injuries by managing to notice and avoid one of the rogue “click on” hubcaps on the shoulder in his path. It had been obscured by some short grasses, but it was large enough to have kicked up and caused some damage.

Honda’s design is surprisingly simple. The Honda hubcap uses a chrome nut with a pressure washer. The washer keeps the hubcaps in place. The washers are held in place by the nuts themselves that surround the central hub where the logo is usually stamped.

If you have a Honda but for whatever reason you don’t have the factory wheel covers, take note. If you want to fit wheel covers, you’ll first need to make sure you have at least the washers. Without them, your wheel covers won’t stay in place. You will need at least half the total number of washers present on the lugs. If you need to purchase washers or wheel covers, they can be purchased at any Honda dealer.

When shopping for hubcaps or hubcaps, you should also make sure you buy a compatible model. There are not only lug pattern differences, but also lug extension issues. For example, the hubcaps on the Honda Accord cannot be interchanged with those on the Honda Civic because the lug spacing on the Honda Accord is 115mm and the bolt pattern on the Honda Civic is 100mm. These two vehicles have their own unique covers that you must replace accordingly.

When searching for the perfect wheel covers, you need to consider more than just the pattern and spacing of the lugs. Although not all change every year, there are model-year and model-specific differences. Mainly this has to do with the overall appearance and size of the tire. You will need to use a hubcap reference guide to be absolutely sure you are ordering the correct parts.

Also, don’t be afraid of aftermarket parts. If you can find replicas, they may not have the logo, but they should work just as well. The main functions of hubcaps are cosmetic, and they also protect the inner wheel from dirt and debris. Although some people prefer the authentic parts for the fun of it, the functionality is available to those who don’t require paying more for the name.