How to Prevent Center Caps from Being Stolen?

Wheel center caps can be a fun little detail to add to your customized wheels to make them look even better. These important pieces of equipment protect the wheels from dirt, debris and moisture while also giving vehicles a more distinct look. On the downside, they often get targeted by thieves. And to protect your center caps, you might need to use stainless steel cable ties or screws.

Finding your car with a center cap missing can be an infuriating experience. And unfortunately, it happens all too often due to increased crime rates in cities around the world. Don't let yourself become another victim of theft. Take steps now to protect your vehicle from falling prey to these criminals. In this article, we will look into different options you may find useful.

How Do You Secure Center Caps?

Securing wheel center caps is relatively easy. Most types of center caps come with a retaining ring that helps keep them in place, while others require a potent adhesive to secure them to the wheel itself. You can also invest in stainless steel cable ties or screws.

As Umer Brown, the founder of Warnockauto.com, suggests:

When parking, rotate the wheels.

Parking with its wheels rotated is another step you may take to prevent theft of your vehicle's wheels. Just so you know, when the automobile is parked with straight wheels, it is simpler to release the bolts. This might lessen the likelihood that your automobile wheels will be stolen, but it is not a foolproof approach because some skilled thieves may have tools to release the nuts.

If you are using a retaining ring, make sure it fits properly and can be tightened to ensure a strong hold. For those using adhesives, be sure to use one meant for automotive purposes, as regular glue may not have the same overall strength or durability. These methods will get you only this far. They help the caps fit perfectly and stay secured no matter the weather or road conditions, but they can hardly stop a thief.

So here is a brief list of benefits and drawbacks of methods against center cap theft:

Stainless steel cable ties

This is the most recommended option you can find. And there is a good reason for that popularity. We asked an expert in automotive wheels and maintenance, Aaron Telle, the CEO at Telle Tire, about the best way to protect center caps from being stolen, and he recommended using stainless steel ties:

"A straightforward, low-cost solution is simply using stainless steel cable ties. These ties can be referred to as wheel trim ties or wheel trim cable ties and are very effective and a good cost solution as well."

This video tutorial will lead you through the process of protecting the center caps with a stainless steel cable tie step by step:

The downside of this exact method is the installation process. To use the ties, you would first have to drill the center cap to loop the tie. Another problem that arises from it is that the other loop, tethering the cap to your wheel, must be secured with the same lug nut that holds the wheel in place. This can potentially lead to faster thread wear, loosened lug nut and uneven weight distribution.

Grub Screws

This method also involves some drilling. You need to remove all center caps and find the plastic taps that secure them to the vehicle in a locked position. Carefully drill two holes that align with the circles in the outer ring of plastic. Two opposite circles should be enough. However, be sure to exercise caution while drilling and stop once you reach the topmost point of each outlined circle and drill straight.

Once the drilling is done, use a tap to give them a thread and install the stainless steel grub screws. Using this material is important to avoid corrosion.

This method can be effective, but it also has two downsides. First, it can damage the plastic that holds the center cap and you might not notice it at the moment. Second, it takes a lot of effort to install the caps this way. But on the bright side, the lug nuts will be just fine.

Do People Steal Center Caps?

Unfortunately, wheel center caps can be a target for thieves looking for an easy score. Whether it's because of the look or because they are relatively easy to remove, some people choose to take wheel center caps for their own use. Thankfully, there are ways to protect your wheel center caps from theft, such as using locking bolts or using anti-theft devices that require a key to open. Taking these extra steps can help you feel confident knowing that your wheel center caps are safe and secure.

Are Center Caps Easy to Steal?

Center caps are quite easy to steal if you do not take extra measures to protect them. Depending on the type of wheel and car they are on, some caps may only require a simple twist or lever action to remove, while others might need specialized tools.

In any case, if you use stainless steel ties or scrub screws, there is usually a bit more difficulty involved in stealing center caps than one might initially assume. This can discourage thieves after just one cap and save your money.