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Hundreds Of Hubcaps Accumulate On The Oswaldo Cruz Highway, Intriguing Drivers! Phenomenon Is Caused By Overheating Of Brakes On The Descent Of The Mountain. The DER-SP Collects About 2,000 Pieces Per Month, But The Mystery Keeps Calling Attention. Learn How To Avoid Losing The Hubcap Of Your Car!
Drivers heading to the north coast of São Paulo often encounter a curious scenario on the Oswaldo Cruz Highway, especially in the mountainous stretch.
Along the shoulder, hundreds of vehicle hubcaps accumulate, creating a real enigma for those passing through the region.
The phenomenon, besides sparking the curiosity of drivers, poses a risk both to road safety and to the environment.
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According to Diário do Litoral, the Department of Highways of the State of São Paulo (DER-SP) estimates that about 2,000 hubcaps are collected monthly along the highway.
The problem concentrates particularly in the mountainous section between Taubaté and Ubatuba, where the combination of steep descents and sharp curves favors the detachment of these parts from vehicles.
The road, known for its winding curves and built in the 18th century, requires drivers to navigate a challenging route.
In just 8 km, drivers need to deal with a descent of 1,000 meters in altitude, a factor that demands high performance from the braking system of the cars.
What Causes Hubcaps To Come Off?
The DER-SP explains that the loss of hubcaps occurs due to overheating of the brakes during the descent.
The heat generated during braking is transferred to the wheels and, consequently, to the hubcaps, which are predominantly made of plastic.
This heating causes a slight deformation of the parts, making them come off more easily on curves or potholes in the road.
Furthermore, the impact from going over bumps and irregularities in the asphalt contributes to the detachment of these parts, especially in vehicles with press-fit hubcaps without additional locking mechanisms.
This phenomenon does not occur with the same intensity on other São Paulo highways, which reinforces the influence of the challenging layout of the Oswaldo Cruz on this type of occurrence.
Collection And Environmental Impact
To minimize the impacts of this problem, the DER-SP conducts a continuous effort of collecting lost parts.
Teams walk along the highway weekly to gather the hubcaps scattered along the shoulder, preventing accidents and avoiding that these waste materials harm the vegetation of the Atlantic Forest.
Despite the workers’ actions, the high volume of parts continues to draw attention from passersby.
Many drivers report the feeling of being in a “hubcap graveyard,” given the sheer quantity of accessories discarded involuntarily along the roadside.
Besides the safety risks, there are environmental concerns.
Since they are made of plastic and, in some cases, metal, discarded hubcaps can take years to decompose, in addition to posing a risk to local wildlife.
Small animals may get trapped among the objects or suffer injuries upon coming into contact with parts scattered in the vegetation.
How To Avoid Losing The Hubcap On The Downhill?
Experts recommend drivers adopt some practices to avoid overheating the brakes and the consequent loss of hubcaps:
- Use Of Engine Brake: This technique, which consists of downshifting the vehicle to control speed without excessive use of brakes, is essential on long and steep descents.
- Preventive Maintenance: Before hitting the road, drivers should check the condition of the tires, wheels, and suspension system to ensure they are in good condition.
- Hubcap Fasteners: Some vehicle models allow the use of clamps or other types of extra fastening to prevent the part from detaching during mountainous stretches.
According to Diário do Litoral, in addition to preventive measures, one alternative being adopted by some drivers is replacing plastic hubcaps with alloy wheels, which do not require the accessory.
This change reduces the chances of loss, in addition to improving heat dissipation and the durability of the wheel set.
Even with efforts towards awareness and road maintenance, the phenomenon of lost hubcaps continues to impress drivers.
Those traveling on the Oswaldo Cruz Highway still encounter this peculiar scenario, which has become an unusual mark of the route between the Paraíba Valley and the north coast of São Paulo.
Poderiam vender bem barato essas calotas pro povo ou até doar quem sabe ne
Eu ja perdi as calotas do carro lá. E olha que tinha rodas de liga leve e a calota era só a rodinha central. Quando cheguei em casa que notei e depois descobri na CC da Volks que cada rodinha de plastico custava 30 reais.
Essas calotas na estrada rumo litoral de são Paulo quer dizer que naquele lugar alí vai ser possível ver mar que avançará arrastando carros e cavaleiros será devastador o que vira sobre as estradas de são Paulo e não digo só as estradas uma parte do mundo que conhecemos melhor estar em lugares isolado casas perto do interior morros lugares afastados