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Hundreds of hubcaps have been piling up on the Oswaldo Cruz Highway, puzzling drivers! The phenomenon is caused by the brakes overheating when going downhill. DER-SP collects around 2 pieces per month, but the mystery continues to draw attention. Learn how to avoid losing your car's hubcap!
Drivers heading towards the north coast of São Paulo They often come across a curious scene on the Oswaldo Cruz Highway, especially on the mountain stretch.
Along the shoulder, hundreds of vehicle hubcaps accumulate, creating a real enigma for those passing through the region.
The phenomenon, in addition to arousing the curiosity of drivers, represents a risk to both road safety and the environment.
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According to Coastal Diary, the São Paulo State Highway Department (DER-SP) estimates that around 2 thousand hubcaps are collected monthly along the highway.
The problem is particularly concentrated on the mountain stretch between Taubaté and Ubatuba, where the combination of steep descents and sharp curves favors the detachment of these parts from the vehicles.
The road, known for its winding curves and built in the 18th century, requires drivers to face a challenging route.
In just 8 km, drivers have to deal with a descent of 1.000 meters of altitude, a factor that demands high performance from the cars' braking system.
What causes hubcaps to come off?
DER-SP explains that the loss of hubcaps occurs due to brake overheating 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 loose more easily on curves or over holes in the track.
Furthermore, the impact when driving over speed bumps and irregularities in the asphalt contributes to the detachment of these parts, especially in vehicles with snap-on hubcaps without additional locks.
This phenomenon does not occur with the same intensity on other highways in São Paulo, which reinforces the influence of the challenging route of Oswaldo Cruz in this type of occurrence.
Collection and environmental impact
To minimize the impacts of this problem, DER-SP carries out continuous work to collection of lost parts.
Teams walk along the highway every week to collect hubcaps scattered along the shoulder, preventing accidents and preventing this waste from damaging the vegetation of the Atlantic Forest.
Despite the workers' actions, the high volume of parts continues to attract the attention of those passing through the area.
Many drivers report the feeling of being in a “hubcap graveyard”, such is the amount of accessories unintentionally discarded on the side of the road.
In addition to safety risks, there are environmental concerns.
Because they are made of plastic and, in some cases, metal, discarded hubcaps can lead to years to decompose, in addition to representing a risk to local fauna.
Small animals can get trapped between objects or be injured when coming into contact with pieces scattered throughout the vegetation.
How to avoid losing your hubcap when going down the mountain?
Experts recommend that drivers adopt some practices to avoid brakes overheating and the consequent loss of hubcaps:
- Using the engine brake: This technique, which consists of reducing the vehicle's gear to control speed without excessive use of the brakes, is essential on long, steep descents.
- Preventive maintenance: Before hitting the road, drivers should check the condition of their 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 coming loose during sawing sections.
According to Coastal Diary, in addition to preventive measures, an alternative that has been adopted by some drivers is replacing plastic hubcaps with alloy wheels, which do not require the accessory.
This change reduces the chances of loss, as well as improving heat dissipation and the durability of the wheel assembly.
Even with efforts to raise awareness and maintain the road, the phenomenon of lost hubcaps continues to impress drivers.
Who walks the Highway Oswaldo Cruz still encounters this peculiar scenario, which has become an unusual feature of the route between the Paraíba Valley and the northern coast of São Paulo.
And a very common phenomenon in nature, called besebrequeza!
Where are the images? I want images!!!
These hubcaps on the road towards the coast of São Paulo mean that in that place there it will be possible to see the sea that will advance, dragging cars and horsemen. What will happen on the roads of São Paulo will be devastating, and I'm not just talking about the roads, a part of the world that we know better is in isolated places, houses near the interior, hills, remote places.