Rims, Wheels, and Hubcaps: What’s the Difference?

The terms wheels, rims, and hubcaps get tossed around a lot. But what are the differences between them, what do you have on your vehicle, and what should you look for when replacing or upgrading the look of your car or truck? We have the answers.

What’s The Difference Between Wheels And Rims?

Technically, there are differences. But, depending on where you’re at and who you’re talking to, the words wheels and rims are mostly interchangeable. A wheel refers to the equipment that grips the tire and attaches to the vehicle with lugs. Rims, on the other hand, can include the cylindrical outer edges of the wheel that seal the tire in place. At Les Schwab, we call them wheels. However, the industry does use the term rims for some custom options.

What Distinguishes Center Caps, Hubcaps, Wheel Covers?

A lot of vehicles sport center caps, hubcaps or wheel covers. Some of today’s EVs use wheel covers or hubcaps to boost range. But what are the differences?

Center Caps: Found most often on RVs and trailers, as well as offroad vehicles in the 1970s and 80s, center caps leave the lugs visible while attaching to the center of the wheel. These inventions were used to keep dirt out of the wheel bearings. Today’s vehicles that have center caps typically cover more of the overall wheel, including the lugs.

Hubcaps/Wheel Covers: These are the same thing. If your vehicle came with standard, black or steel wheels, you will likely find they also have hubcaps or wheel covers. This is for aesthetics as well as aerodynamics.

How Does a Hubcap Differ from a Wheel?

When looking at the wheels on a car or truck, it might not be easily apparent that there are hubcaps covering those wheels. A hubcap attached directly to the wheel is used to either hide an ordinary or unsightly wheel or add aerodynamics to a vehicle. Sometimes it does both. The wheel, on the other hand, is there as a way of attaching the tire to the vehicle.

While most aftermarket wheels do not come with hubcaps, they can often be added to some steel wheels to protect them from debris, preserve the wheel bearings, or increase fuel efficiency or range.

How to Choose Wheels and Rims for Your Car

Stop by your local Les Schwab where we can help you choose a new set of wheels for your car, truck, SUV, or CUV. Our pros understand wheel offset and how to help you decide on the perfect set for your vehicle. Want to start shopping right now? Check out our online wheel selector, or stop by any store and we’ll walk you through the process to ensure you get the right size, style, and type of wheel to fit your vehicle and budget.

Is It Possible to Replace Rims with a Different Size?

You can replace the wheels on your vehicle with a new, custom set. You can even choose a different size. This may require lifting or lowering your vehicle and buying different size tires.

One option is called plus-sizing. Essentially, we install larger diameter wheels with lower profile tires to improve and enhance the handling (thanks to an increased contact patch) and appearance (with a shorter sidewall or aspect ratio) of your vehicle.

Can Damaged Wheels, Rims, or Hubcaps be Repaired?

The wheels on your vehicle take a lot of punishment. There are times when even the sturdiest of wheels can crack, chip, dent, or bend and need to be repaired or replaced due to rocks and debris, potholes, de-icer and more. Even scratches, caused by rubbing on a curb or two, can happen to the best of us.

Don’t worry. Small scratches won’t typically affect the safety of your wheel, but chips and cracks do. Cracks of any size in any type of wheel cannot be repaired and the wheels should be replaced. And bent wheels? Steel wheels can sometimes be straightened after an accident. Aluminum wheels cannot.

At Les Schwab, we’re happy to give your wheels a visual inspection and help you decide if you need a new set.

Schedule an Appointment

How to Properly Maintain Rims and Wheels to Ensure Their Longevity

You’ll find a full array of wheel cleaners and polishes at your local Les Schwab. Stop by and pick up everything you need to keep your wheels looking new. In between those extra-special cleanings and polishes, the best way to care for your wheels is to simply clean them along with the rest of your vehicle.

First, hose them off, scrub them with soapy water, rinse them, and allow them to dry. That’s it. Try to avoid abrasives or car wax as these can damage the finish.

Let Les Schwab Help with All Your Wheel Needs

When you’re ready to add new wheels to your car or truck, stop by and talk with the pros at Les Schwab. We’ve been helping people find the perfect set of wheels for decades, whether it’s a custom set to enhance a specific color or style, or the need for added performance.

Schedule an Appointment

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Tires for Lifted Trucks: What To Know Before You Buy

Lifting your truck is undeniably cool and adds a certain bit of ruggedness to any rig, along with increased clearance and traction for off-road adventures. But to appreciate all the benefits of that lift, you need the right wheels and tires. Our professionals are here to help. Les Schwab has been lifting and leveling vehicles for decades, along with alignment services, once those lifts are complete. Here’s how to choose the right tires for your lifted vehicle.

Choosing the Right Tire Type for Your Build

Lifted trucks require the right set of tires, both for looks and functionality. Choosing the right tires starts by knowing what you want those tires to do. Are you looking for added performance, comfort on a daily commute, off-roading excellence, or simply something to get you to and from the store as well as out camping on the weekend?

Your three main options are all-terrain (AT) tires, mud-terrain (MT) tires, and rough-terrain (RT) tires.

All-Terrain (AT) Tires:

• Great for daily driving (performance)
• Some off-roading
• Camping and towing
• Offers an aggressive look
• All-weather traction
• Long tread life
• Durability

Shop AT Tires

Mud-Terrain (MT) Tires:

• Aggressive traction
• Maximum durability
• Ultimate traction in mud, dirt, rocks, and gravel
• Noisier than AT tires

Shop MT Tires

Rugged-Terrain (RT) Tires:

• Off-road looks
• Off-road performance
• Daily driving performance
• Year-round traction
• Comfortable ride in the city
• Quieter than MT tires

Shop RT Tires

Sizing Tires for Lifted Trucks

Lifting your rig does provide much-needed clearance for off-road conditions as well as work needs. It also makes it possible to switch out to larger tires and wheels to match. Just remember, the tires still need to fit inside the wheel well. If those tires are too large, they could scrape on the inside of the fender. While that can be fixed by trimming some plastic components, those larger tires can also affect your speedometer and odometer readings. You could be going faster than what your speedometer is reading, which can also increase how fast you put miles on your rig.

As you shop for tires, it’s important to consider the width of the tire, aspect ratio, and rim diameter.

• Wider tires = larger contact patch. That means you get more grip. But with the grip, you sacrifice MPG or range.
• The aspect ratio is a percentage of the sidewall height. The higher the aspect ratio, the better the tires are for off-road conditions. Lower aspect ratios are good for on-road use.
• The rim diameter must fit the tires you plan to use.

How Load Index and Speed Rating Impact the Safety of Lifted Trucks

When upgrading to larger tires, it’s critical that they meet or exceed your truck’s recommended load index and speed rating. These specs ensure your tires can safely support the added weight and driving demands of a lifted setup, especially when towing, hauling gear, or traveling at highway speeds.

Load Index

Load index indicates how much weight each tire can support when properly inflated. Lifted trucks often carry more gear, passengers, or tow heavier loads, making this rating especially important. Learn how to use load index and load range to pick the right tires for your vehicle to avoid excessive wear or potential tire failure.

Speed Rating

The speed rating is the maximum speed the tires on your truck are designed to carry the vehicle. The wrong tires with a less-than-adequate speed rating for your vehicle can cause safety issues, including tire failure and a loss in fuel efficiency. Most lifted trucks are not intended for speed, but it is an important number to meet or exceed. Use Les Schwab’s guide on how to read tire size and sidewall markings to find your tire’s speed rating and other key specifications.

Staying Within Safety Specs

Oversized or off-road tires still need to match your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended load and speed specs. Les Schwab’s experts can help you decode sidewall markings and ensure your tires are the right fit for your lifted setup.

Modifications You May Need for Larger Tire Fitment

Adding larger tires is totally doable in most situations. Once complete, there are some items you might consider, including:

• Reinforce steering components
• Adjust the alignment
• Adjust the suspension
• Recalibrate the speedometer
• Recalibrate the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
• Re-gear differentials (more common on older vehicles or extreme fitments)

Stop by Les Schwab for a look at your truck, lift kit (if you already have one), and what kinds of tire and wheel assemblies you need for safety and performance.

Let Les Schwab Help You Choose the Right Tires for Your Lifted Truck

Remember, when choosing the right tires for your lifted truck, ensure they match your overall needs. Will you be taking your truck four-wheeling, or are you planning to stay on the pavement most of the time? Plus, they need to meet or exceed the load index, speed rating, and other safety and performance indicators set forth by the manufacturer of your rig.

When you’re ready to lift your truck or get the right tires for your vehicle, you can trust the team at Les Schwab. We’ve been lifting, leveling, and helping people find the right tires for a long time. We’ll be here when you need us, too.

Mud Tires vs. Off-Road Tires: What’s the Difference?

The road less traveled can be packed with adventure. There’s a good chance it’s also riddled with ruts, rocks, huge holes, and long stretches of gravel and dirt. Having the right tires for mud and other terrain can help you get to where you need to go without breaking a sweat. Let’s take a look at mud-terrain tires along with other off-road options and what you should choose for your vehicle.

Understanding Off-Road Tire Categories

The right tires make navigating rocks, gravel, ruts, and severe weather conditions a breeze. For the best traction, your options include mud-terrain (MT), rugged-terrain (RT), and all-terrain (AT) tires.

When you want tires that can tackle off-road conditions, MT and RT tires make a lot of sense. Just keep in mind that MT and RT tires can wear faster, are typically louder on pavement than other options, and may handle differently on the highway than all-terrain tires. AT tires could also be ideal, especially if you need tires for your daily commute but also want something that keeps you in control on sand, rock, gravel, and snow.

When navigating rocks, gravel, mud, and challenging weather, specialized tires like mud-terrain and rugged-terrain options offer significant advantages. However, MT and RT tires typically wear faster on pavement than other tires due to their aggressive design. Here’s what you can expect from each of these tire types.

• Mud-Terrain (MT) Tires: Aggressive lugs and wide voids, ideal for deep mud and loose terrain.
• Rugged-Terrain (RT) Tires: Hybrid of MT and AT tires, offering moderate off-road traction with better on-road manners.
• All-Terrain (AT) Tires: Balanced design optimized for both pavement and moderate off-road conditions like sand, gravel, dirt, and occasional mud.

Key Differences Between Mud-Terrain and Other Off-Road Tires

Comparing MT/RT and other off-road worthy tires is easy when you have some basic information. The chart below can help you compare features of MT versus AT tires.

Prevent Mud from Caking With the Right Off-Road Tire

The specialized tread in MT and RT tires helps grip mud, rocks, and other terrain. This extra grip comes with larger spaces between the lugs as well as larger tread blocks. That same grip also keeps MT and RT tires from becoming caked with mud and the tread packed with rocks. Those voids and open areas on the contact patch, along with aggressive, open-shoulder designs, push mud and other debris away from the tire. Essentially, they’re built to clean themselves.

All-terrain tires, on the other hand, have fewer voids and tighter tread blocks. This makes them ideal for many types of terrain, including pavement. But it can also lead to mud and rocks lodging in the voids between the lugs. As you shop for off-road tires, it’s something to keep in mind.

When You Need a Mud-Terrain Tire

Mud-terrain tires are designed for off-road traction on most SUVs, light trucks, and some crossovers. MT tires are popular for those who face back-country roads, long stretches of gravel, or vehicle trails made of loose or unsteady surfaces. Forest service roads don’t stand a chance against MT tires.

However, there are some trade-offs for all of that off-road traction. Those include:

• More road noise (when on pavement)
• Less fuel and range efficiency
• Minimized winter traction
• Different handling characteristic on the highway
• Quicker wear when used on pavement

Key Benefits of Mud-Terrain Tires

MT tires give any rig an aggressive look that’s hard to beat. Plus, you get:

• Traction in soft, wet ground
• Reinforced sidewalls for added protection on rugged trails
• Tread that digs, grips, and clears debris

When an All-Terrain Tire Is the Better Fit

If your outdoor adventures have you facing mud, dirt, gravel, hardpack, rock, and some extreme off-road conditions, mud-terrain (MT) tires are a good option. But if you’ll be using your off-road tires to take you to work, the store, and long drives on the highway, AT tires could be a better fit.

Key Benefits of All-Terrain Tires

Overall, AT tires offer versatility. They’re great for rugged landscapes, including some mud. But they also provide traction on pavement, highways, snow-covered roads, and back-country dirt adventures.

• Designed for different road surfaces
• Comfortable and quiet ride
• Added MPG or range over a dedicated set of MT or RT tires
• Many AT tires carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMS) designation, qualifying them as a traction tire in more extreme weather conditions

All-terrain tires can last longer than MT or RT tires, especially when used on paved roads. However, all-terrain tires offer less tread life than a set of all-season or highway tires. Remember, time, weather, and vehicle maintenance (tire rotations, air pressure checks, alignments) can play a role in the lifespan of any tires.

Match the Tire to Your Terrain

Giving your vehicle added, rugged looks is nice. But it’s far more important to align your tire needs with your driving needs. For example, if you face heavy snowfall and ice-covered roads every year, a dedicated set of snow tires is recommended during the winter months. The same is true for off-road and highway use.

By matching the tires with what and where you drive, you’ll experience better traction and performance overall. That includes improved MPG or range when compared to a tire not designed for your needs. The choice between MT and AT tires can be paramount to your overall driving comfort and how well those tires get you where you need to go.

Let Les Schwab Help You Choose the Right Off-Road Tire

The tire professionals at Les Schwab understand the ins and outs of tire design and what those differences can mean for off-road as well as highway performance. We’ve even designed some of our own tires to match where and what you drive. Stop by and we’ll show you our recommended tire options.

Finding the Right Tires for Your Budget

Price is always a consideration, whether you’re buying a house or a dozen eggs. This is also true when shopping for new tires. While saving money is nice, the tires on your car or truck are what connect you to the road. That’s why finding the right tires that match your budget with your driving needs is essential. Let’s look at the overall cost of a set of tires, how to compare safety, quality, reliability, and price, and what America’s Best Tire Warranty can do for your budget.

Understanding Tire Costs Beyond the Sticker Price

It’s easy to get caught up in the price of an item. When something is dramatically cheaper, it can be difficult to look past that price and make a smart decision based on performance and reliability in addition to cost. When it comes to tires, saving money now can help with affordability. But will those tires last as long as their slightly less affordable cousins? And what about a warranty that covers replacement and repairs?

Most of the time, the answer is no. If you need to buy tires sooner because a set of discount tires wasn’t built to last, your savings will simply vanish. Additionally, you could end up spending more. You might even encounter safety limitations along the way, including reduced stopping power, limited handling, and other challenges. Additionally, if you ever get a flat or the tire fails, you might be stuck paying the bill if those tires did not come with a solid warranty.

The tires you put on your vehicle should be the best value long term. That means mingling price with warranty, longevity, comfort, handling, safety, specialized tread for rain and/or snow, as well as EV (electric vehicle) options.

At Les Schwab, our professionals will help you find the right tires for your budget as well as where and what car you drive. Plus, you get America’s Best Tire Warranty with the tires you buy. That warranty is designed to help you get the most life possible out of those tires, including free tire replacement for the life of the tire for punctures or cuts that are too large to repair, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, as well as free flat repairs, free tire rotations, free rebalancing, and free air checks. That’s a lot of freebies at no extra cost.

Balancing Price and Performance: What Really Matters

It is possible to find the right tires for your vehicle as well as your overall budget. The process starts by looking at your driving needs and what you expect from the tires you buy.

Consider Your Driving Needs

Understanding where and how much you drive can help you find the right tires.

The more you drive, the more you rely on your tires. Whether they are on sale or not, always choose tires that are built for the performance, longevity, comfort, and weather that best match your driving needs. Never sacrifice on the safety features that are most important to you.

What To Expect From Budget Tires

There’s a reason some tires are less expensive than others. The trade-offs between price and performance can include a reduction in overall safety (including stopping power, handling in the rain and other weather conditions, ride comfort, noise, etc.), as well as the overall warranty and lifespan of those tires.

Premium tires, which may cost more, can often last longer, include special tread patterns for specific weather conditions, as well as safety enhancements to improve braking, handling, comfort, and more.

Features Worth Paying For

When it comes to tires, certain features can be worth the extra cost. These include reliability, the treadwear rating (how many miles the tires are designed to last), whether or not they are designed for rain, snow, and other weather conditions, as well as safety performance (stopping power, handling, etc.). Other considerations include comfort and how quiet the tires are while driving.

Are Cheap Tires Really Cheaper?

The word cheap doesn’t always mean best. If those tires, found somewhere else, don’t come with an extensive warranty like America’s Best Tire Warranty from Les Schwab, you’re automatically at a disadvantage. You might be saving a few bucks on the initial purchase, but you could spend more down the road if/when you get a flat. Plus, those tires might not last as long as a more premium tire without free rotations and other warranty perks.

Smart Tire Choices at Every Price Point

The tires we carry at Les Schwab are designed for the roads you drive, the weather you face, and your everyday commute. Our professionals can show you numerous options, including budget-friendly tires that still deliver the handling you need and come with America’s Best Tire Warranty.

Compare Trusted Tire Brands by Value

Tire prices can vary greatly based on the size of the tires (the more rubber it takes to make a tire, the more it is going to cost), the overall life expectancy of the tires (mileage warranty), as well as the technology in those tires. Some brands pack a lot of punch into every tire they make, which can add to the overall price.

As with any purchase with varying levels of price and performance, there are trade-offs to consider. These can include comfort, control and traction, tire life, durability, fuel economy and the cost of a set of tires. The biggest difference often comes down to the warranty. When you buy your tires at Les Schwab, you get America's Best Tire Warranty, no matter how much those tires cost. It’s a big bonus you don’t pay extra for.

Flexible Payment and Credit Options

When it comes to the tires you buy, price should fall well below performance, safety, comfort, and longevity. But we know the price does matter. That’s why we offer Les Schwab credit and flexible financing.

We can help you afford the tires you need with:

Get Expert Help Choosing the Right Tires at Les Schwab

The right tires to fit your budget and driving needs are available now at Les Schwab. Stop by today, and our professionals will help you find the right fit for local weather conditions, your daily commute, weekend adventures, as well as what car you drive. Plus, you’ll get America’s Best Tire Warranty with the tires you buy.