Abstract: A wheel cover retention system (10) for use with motor vehicle wheels includes a plurality of lug nuts (16) and a wheel cover (12). Each lug nut (16) has a decorative outer surface (42) with a flange (36) and a driving head which includes wrenching flats (42). The driving head sustains installation torque required to fix the wheel (14) to a vehicle. An intermediate body portion (40) of the lug nut (16) is smaller in diameter than the flange (36) is disposed between the flange and an end of the lug nut. The wheel cover has a plurality of apertures (28) accommodating passage therethrough of the body portion of the lug nuts (16).