The center cap of a vehicle's hub cap must be removed to loosen the lug nuts that hold the wheel in place. Center caps may contain the vehicle's brand name or logo, and are typically constructed of a durable plastic or aluminum. Because they can be easily removed by a thief, they are commonly stolen and sold on the secondary market. It is difficult to prevent them from being stolen, but you can buy and install a cap locking system to reduce the risk.
Purchase a center cap locking system. These systems are sold at many aftermarket vehicle stores and rim shops. They are made by such brands as Caploc. They can be installed at automotive shops or you can do the work yourself.
Remove the center cap from one wheel and loosen one lug nut. Jack the wheel off the ground and put a jack stand under the vehicle's frame. Unscrew the lug nut fully.
Drill a hole in the center cap with a drill bit that corresponds to the cap's material. Place the ring that is found on end of the cable in the cap locking system over the lug nut. Tighten the lug nut back onto the stud over the ring.
Insert the screw on the other end of the cable into the hole you drilled in the cap. Adjust the size of the hole to fit the screw, if required. Tighten the cable to ensure it runs taught between the screw and the lug nut.
Remove the jack stand and lower the vehicle. Torque the lug nut you removed to the specifications in your vehicle's owner's manual and put the cap in place. Keep the key that fits the screw attached to the cable in a secure location, such as your key ring. From now on, you'll need to insert it into the screw and release the cable before you can remove your center caps. Repeat the process on the other three wheels of your vehicle.
