People want to make the wheel something new these days and that often requires up sizing to 20 inch rims and tires. These rims gained notoriety in the urban environment, but the draw of these wheels, and the subsequent fuller wheel-wells is spreading to rural towns. These larger wheels, those 20 inches and larger, require a tire with a smaller sidewall to slide into the fender-wells of your vehicle. When you choose to go with 20 inch rims, there are many things to consider.

When looking at aftermarket rims, you have to decide what material you wish them to be made of. The most common materials used are polished aluminum and chrome. The benefits of aluminum rims are cost, weight and ease of care. Aluminum wheels, as a rule, cost a fraction of chrome wheels. They can be sprayed with off-the-shelf wheel cleaners and rinsed. The chrome rims require diligent care including polishing with a chrome polish and constant detailing.

To properly fit these rims onto your car, you must first make sure the wheels will fit. This normally requires a trip to a tire and wheel shop that has your particular rim in stock. Have them take your current wheel off and test fit the new rim to ensure a proper fit before parting with your hard-earned money. If the wheel fits, it is time to source a tire that is approximately the same overall height as what is on your vehicle, otherwise your speedometer will read incorrectly. Once this is done you can fit your dubs, as they are commonly called, inside your fender-wells and enjoy the new look of your car or truck.

To drive a car or truck with aftermarket wheels on it, one must take additional care while driving around. When you hit any object in the road, be it a rock, curb, bump or the potholes that seem to dot our roads, it can and will bend your wheels if hit with enough force. If the wheel bends far enough, it may longer be a viable option to run on your vehicle. Bends in an aluminum wheel can cause cracking and leaking, which can lead to a damaged, ruined tire.

Cleaning your new rims is a must. There are many different products that you can use for your new wheels. Make sure you use a product that is safe on chrome, alloy, or whatever type of wheel you may have purchased.

Theft is a big issue with larger wheels; it is like they are a magnet for attention. So what do you do to make sure they stay yours, and not stolen? Purchase wheel locks and an after market security system. The wheel locks are special lug nuts that require a special key that only you will have.

Last thing you need to do to care for your rims is winterize. Keep your old tires wheels, and put them on in the winter, especially if you live in a climate prone to snowy storms. This will keep your wheels clear of salt and no dents and dings from sliding on the ice!

The decision to purchase and fit 20 in rims is not an easy one, requiring hard thought and consideration. Once you make the decision to find a shop to fit your car with larger, more beautiful wheels, you will get a lot of stares and casual glances than your car ever got with your old rims. The proper wheel will set off the entire exterior appearance of the vehicle with the same styling that a good pair of shoes does to a woman's outfit. Wheels are the jewelry that you car wears and you can enjoy the feeling of knowing that your car looks better outfitted with these larger rims than it ever did before. Enjoy the process of buying and fitting the larger alloy wheels. Enjoy the new appearance of your ride even more.