Wheel Center Caps for Acura TL

Acura TL Wheel Center Caps

A wheel center cap covers the central portion of many steel and alloy car and truck wheels and tires. Other than to protect the wheel bearings and lug nuts from dust and dirt, the purpose of Acura TL wheel center caps is essentially cosmetic.

Center caps are attached in one of two ways. Most use clip-on retention. Here, a steel or plastic spring clip attached to the inside of the center cap aligns with a groove in the wheel and snaps into place. The second method involves bolting the center cap directly to the lug nut. Both methods are prone to failure. In the case of clip-on attachments, they can lose their grip when the tires and wheels hit jarring bumps in the road and pop free. Bolt-on attachments are more likely to vibrate loose over time and eventually fall off.

If Acura TL wheels center caps have the misfortune of separating from the wheel, there are a number of replacement options. Like many other Acura TL appearance accessories, center caps are available in a variety of shapes and styles. You will find Acura TL covers made of steel, cast aluminum, and ABS, a heavy-duty plastic. Some Acura TL center caps use a combination of these materials. You will also find TL caps with different finishes. They can be matte black or silver or coated with black or gold paint or chrome.

The size of the center cap is related to the size of the wheels and tires. In the case of the TL, 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch wheels and rims were offered as original equipment at various times during the models run. There are also different sizes for different rim styles. For instance, caps for spoke wheels and rims will be different than caps for solid wheels and rims.

From a design standpoint, center caps for Acura TL wheels from the factory had either the Acura caliper symbol or the official Acura lettering at the center. Because these designs have been trademarked, they are available only from Acura or Acura-licensed manufacturers. There are also center caps for the TL that carry brand identification from the manufacturers of vehicle performance or racing parts.

Of course, there are a variety of unbranded center caps that can be used on any number of vehicles, including an Acura TL. Like OEM caps, they are made from different materials, including steel, aluminum alloy, or ABS plastic, and come in a variety of styles and finishes. If the Acura TL you are driving has aftermarket wheels and rims, you’ll need to seek out center caps that work with that particular brand.