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It is not uncommon to see bigger rims on SUVs, but what about bumping up the wheels on other vehicles? What if you want to upgrade your stock wheels and increase the size? Well, here are tips for buying 22 inch wheels to add a bit of style to your ride.

Take a look around and you will notice custom rims have become popular. In fact, car manufacturers have taken this trend and started adding upscale wheels to newer models. This does not come without an additional cost, but you can purchase aftermarket rims on your own and save big.

Before adding 22's to your vehicle, speak with a suspension professional to make sure this is able to be done. You cannot always just put on a new set of wheels and rollout with any car. Sometimes this will require alternations to your suspension system to accommodate the change in size. Some vehicles will have to get lifters or added suspension parts to hold the added weight. This depends on the make and model of the car.

22's Carry A Lot Of Weight

Most people adding 22's to their vehicle are doing it for the look. You cannot deny that huge shiny chrome wheels are an eye catcher, but you must make sure your vehicle can accommodate such large wheels. What you see on the videos or at the car shows is just that - for show and not for daily driving. Larger vehicle may be able to take 22 inch rims without a problem; however, some vehicles will need to be altered to fit the large wheels. The first thing to know is the larger your rim, the smaller your tire must be. Low profile tires are more expensive and often result in a harder ride.

Choosing The Right Size

There are a few things to consider when deciding on new rims. When doing a lot of city driving in stop and go traffic, alloy wheels are the best bet. Alloys rims help keep the brakes from overheating, believe it or not. Typically, upgrading two to three inches from stock wheels is best. Not all cars can accommodate all sizes. When a wheel is too large it can create clearance issues and decrease the fuel economy on your vehicle. Steering issues can make your vehicle unsafe when wheels are too large, not to mention damage to the suspension if the wheels are not properly aligned.

Choosing The Right 22's

The bolt pattern varies on different makes and models. They generally have 4, 5 or 6 lugs. You can tell this when changing a tire by the number of lugs you have to take off. When purchasing rims, they should have the same number of lugs. Adding the wrong chrome rims can be hazardous and some just will not fit.

Another thing to consider is the weight of the rims. Larger rims add weight to the vehicle. This added weight is not supported by the current suspension and could cause damage to your car over time. When you must go big, you may need to alter the vehicle's suspension system to handle the large load.