Those car owners who have ever tried to choose winter tires for a Niva are well aware that the choice is relatively small. The standard sizes of Niva tires with a diameter of 16 inches leave few options for tire brands and models.
To expand the number of options for winter tires suitable for installation, many Niva owners prefer to replace standard wheels with a diameter of 16" with 15" wheels, for example, from the Chevrolet Niva, which fit without any modifications.
From this article you will learn:
- Standard 16" tire options
- 15" tire options
- Top 10 models of winter tires for Niva
The editors of the website "First on Tires" have selected the top 10 best options for winter tires for the Niva.
Factory tire parameters
Not all Russian roads have smooth and high-quality surfaces. We are not talking about large cities with a population of over a million, although here too there are often unpleasant “surprises” on the roads in the form of potholes and other irregularities. Today we are talking about the outback and country roads. Off-road requires an appropriate level of car. VAZ-2121 is the optimal vehicle for off-road driving.
VAZ-2121 is the best car for Russian off-road
Relatively comfortable off-road driving and driver safety depend on the technical characteristics of the car. Tires play an important role in driving a vehicle. The vast majority of VAZ-2121 are produced with factory tires VLI-5 R16 175/80. Basic tires have many disadvantages:
- poor handling on flat road surfaces;
- increased noise at speeds of 60 km/h or more;
- loss of elasticity and softness at sub-zero air temperatures.
Standard tires for Niva 2121
Standard products for Niva 2121
As a rule, the standard body of this vehicle is not subject to lifting. Its high ability to overcome wet off-road conditions, especially on clay soils, is also noted. Another plus is the low cost of components.
Important!
The number of disadvantages of rubber outweighs its positive qualities. This is why most owners decide to use alternative options.
In conclusion, it should be noted that instead of standard tires, you can install more serious, expensive tires on the Niva. For example, if desired, you can install off-road mud tires without modifications. But an alternative method is also being considered - to make a lift and some other modifications to the suspension, only after that put real wheels on the Niva 2121. This way you can ensure maximum safety and comfort when moving off-road.
Tire sizes and specifications
So, let's figure out what tires can be installed on the Niva. The standard tire size for the VAZ-2121 is 175/80 R16. Finding replacement narrow and tall tires with a diameter (not to be confused with a radius!) of 16 inches will not be easy. But it's worth a try.
According to reviews from motorists, the basic 16-inch tires for the Niva can be replaced with the following options:
- Hankook Winter Ipike;
- Nokian WRC3;
- Michelin Agilis X-ice North;
- Kama Euro LCV;
- Nokian Hakkapeliita C Cargo;
- Amtel K182A;
- Cordiant Business;
- Continental VanContact.
Many owners of domestic SUVs install R15-sized wheels on their cars. Such a replacement does not require additional modifications or changes. The main advantage is a large selection of tires with a diameter of 15 inches. So, for the Niva you can use the following tire models:
- Yokohama F700Z;
- Amtel NordMaster;
- Toyo Observe Gsi-5;
- Tunga Nordway;
- Gislaved NordFrost 100;
- Cordiant SnowCross;
- Cordiant Off Road;
- Kumho KW 7400;
- Nokian Nordman RS, etc.
How long to pump winter tires
In winter, it is customary to slightly reduce blood pressure compared to summer. This helps improve traction. Thus, the indicators can be reduced for soft rubber to 0.8 atmospheres, and for regular tires to 1.2.
Standard testing of winter tires, carried out by experts from leading auto publications such as Autoreview, is designed to find out how tires behave in the following conditions:
- ice tracks;
- snowy road;
- clean highway.
And also inside and outside the city. The indicators check the grip level by determining the braking distance, acceleration speed and cornering control.
When choosing suitable winter tires, you should pay attention to its cost and compare it with the budget that you are willing to allocate for it. Today the market offers models of three price classes - low, middle and premium. At the same time, within each of them, products are ranked depending on the authority of the brand.
The lower price category includes brands such as Cordiant or Kumho. The cost of their tires for the cold season ranges from 3-4.5 thousand rubles per piece. Prices in the middle price category, which includes Nordman, BF Goodrich or Nokian, range from 5-8 thousand rubles. And over 8 thousand sell premium-segment wheels.
Responsible owners of iron horses have a separate set of wheels for each season: summer and winter. Many even purchase special tires to overcome mud. This approach seems to be the most correct. Although there are still those who believe that since the Chevrolet Niva is positioned as an SUV, there is no need to change summer tires with the onset of cold weather.
However, savings in this case are unacceptable.
- The aerodynamics of an SUV are not its strongest side, so a car with all-wheel drive and high ground clearance does not have high stability on slippery surfaces.
- Off-road qualities are manifested not at all on an icy road, but off-road.
- The weight of 4x4 vehicles is significantly higher compared to their passenger counterparts, which is why they are characterized by greater inertia and, accordingly, longer braking distances.
So you can’t ignore the rules that apply to owners of regular hatchbacks or sedans. As you know, for different seasons, tires are made from certain rubber compounds that differ in ductility in different temperature ranges. Summer tires lose their elasticity, which largely determines the car’s behavior on the road, already at 5 degrees; all-season tires can be used down to -5.
When choosing tires, you should focus on the climatic conditions of the region. Many people are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to install all-season wheels on a Niva. If there is no frost or snow in winter, then you can opt for these tire models. Frequent trips to icy surfaces require the installation of studded tires.
And, of course, do not forget that the tires change on both axles and all tires must be the same (from the same manufacturer and the same parameters).
Only by observing these requirements can you ensure comfort and safety for yourself and others.
Previously, at the factory, cars were equipped with Kama tires with standard sizes 185/75 R16. However, it should be noted that the Niva has a rather low landing. And these tires are not intended for an SUV at all, as they instantly become clogged with dirt.
For winter, it is recommended to opt for tires in sizes 215/65. But, in addition to geometric parameters, a well-chosen brand of winter tires is important. For those who are studying winter tires for Niva 4x4: this review can help you understand the range offered.
Also interesting: Niva tuning: 145 photos of ideas on how to improve the VAZ 2121 with your own hands
This tire is designed specifically for 4x4 SUVs. It behaves well not only in cold weather, but also during temperature changes. The profile, slightly rounded, helps not to lose traction when turning.
Designed specifically for countries with cold climates in winter, these tires perform well on the road in all weather conditions. A drop in fuel consumption for cars equipped with these tires was also noted. This option is worthy of consideration by those choosing winter wheels for the Niva.
Cordiant Polar SL
Tires without studs, the cost of which is quite budgetary, perform excellently when the thermometer readings drop below -5 degrees. Therefore, it is not recommended to visit a tire service long before frost. In winter, rubber copes well with ice, and even better with slush.
Kumho I'Zen KW22
Tires with studs perform well when moving on ice. They are budget friendly. However, over the course of a season, you can lose almost a fifth of your studs (especially if you drive on asphalt surfaces).
The rubber is characterized by decent cross-country ability; it starts and brakes well on ice crust. The spikes are quite securely fastened; they practically do not fly out when driving. The tires don't handle snow so well. In addition, they are characterized by a high noise level (when driving at speeds greater than 60 km/h). The price of tires is quite reasonable.
Reviews from those who have already tested this rubber testify to its merits, even without taking into account the brand. What can we say about the tires: they are not too noisy and perform well on icy surfaces. Thorns are practically not lost during the season. Wheels dressed in this tire cope somewhat worse with loose snow slush. But in terms of price/quality ratio, these are good winter wheels for the Niva.
In the middle price segment, this model stands out for its ability to hold both icy road surfaces and loose snow slush well. Moreover, in the latter case, it does this no worse than tires designed for driving on mud. The studs that are installed on the tires have an interesting shape. They are square. Due to this they have special tenacity. Moreover, they hold quite firmly in the tire.
If the car accelerates to a speed of about 70 km/h, a noise can be clearly heard. However, this is typical for almost all tires with studs. In connection with the above, this option can be recommended to those who are deciding which winter tires are best for the Chevrolet Niva.
The purchase of winter tires should not be delayed until the onset of cold weather. It’s better to worry about equipping your iron horse in advance.
The purchase of winter tires should be based on the area of use of the car. If the car is used primarily for hunting and fishing, you will need an aggressive model installed on standard stampings. Serious lugs combined with rolled steel provide decent grip and minimal likelihood of damage to the sidewall when hitting an obstacle.
The most popular solutions for 3 and 5 door Niva on the market are the following tires:
- KAMA Euro LCV;
- Rossava LTW;
- Good Year Cargo Ultra Grip;
- NOKIAN WRC3;
- Gislaved Nord Frost 100;
- Kumho KW 7400.
The choice of tire type depends on the area where the vehicle is used. When asking whether it is necessary to install studs on a Niva, you should refer to the use of a car. If driving is carried out in the city, where the roads are normally cleaned and there are no strong sweeps, installing studded versions is unprofitable. Thanks to all-wheel drive, the car velcros out even from difficult sections of the road.
It's another matter when the car is racing in deep snow. Here the presence of metal inserts will not be unnecessary.
How to choose tires for Niva
Tanks (in our case, Nivas) are not afraid of dirt. Accordingly, the choice of tires for a Russian SUV should be carefully thought out and justified.
Selection options
We bring to your attention several important characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing tires to replace the factory set:
- Operating conditions (smooth and high-quality asphalt pavement within the city or typical off-road conditions).
- The need for additional modifications, in particular widening the wheel arches or bending the sides outward.
- Technical characteristics (pattern, height, tread width) and offers from leading manufacturers.
- Seasonality – all-season option or double set for summer and winter.
- Estimated budget.
When choosing tires for the Niva, you need to take into account the operating conditions
Summer-winter or all-season
An all-season or summer-winter option is the first stumbling block. Winter tires are soft and resistant to sub-zero air temperatures. It is important that tires do not tan in the cold. Otherwise, the likelihood of an accident increases. The main quality of winter tires is excellent grip on snowy or icy road surfaces.
The summer version, on the contrary, should be hard and resistant to wear. The rubber used to make summer tires is characterized by high resistance to elevated temperatures. Do not forget that the temperature of the asphalt pavement in the open sun can reach 50–55 °C.
The chemical compositions used for the manufacture of all-season tires are characterized by average statistical parameters. These tires perform well both in summer and winter. But with a strong increase in air temperature and heating of the road surface, tire wear increases. At the same time, an all-season vehicle is not the best option for driving on snow-covered or icy roads.
MT or AT
The next selection criterion is universal or mud tires.
AT (All Terrain) is a universal type of tire that is distinguished by an increased level of cross-country ability and a special tread structure. Bulky blocks with wide grooves promote rapid self-cleaning of the wheels. When operating in urban environments, the noise level may increase.
MT (Mud Terrain) – marking mark for mud tires. Such tires are used for cars that are driven off-road and on poor quality dirt roads. Distinctive features of MT tires are large grooves and a powerful pattern. “Evil” tires, as mud tires are often called, are unsuitable for use within the city. On a smooth, high-quality asphalt surface, there is an increase in noise and rapid wear of the rubber. Driving speed and driving comfort are low.
Distinctive features of MT tires are large ditches and powerful tread.
Tires for lifting and without
What is a lift and why is it needed? A lift is a modification of the suspension: trimming wheel arches, installing spring blocks with a large number of turns, installing spacers for ball joints, etc. Such manipulations allow you to replace the base rubber with a higher and wider profile.
Tires without a “lift” can be safely called the best option for motorists who are satisfied with the basic equipment or replacement options that do not require additional modifications.
Where is rubber made?
Which plant produces rubber?
The production of special lifting kits is carried out in Tolyatti. Thanks to these developments, the wheel axle is reduced to as much as 40 mm. Installing this tire size on the Niva 2121 is very easy and simple. This procedure can be performed independently without the help of specialists.
After completing the work, it is not recommended to touch the shock absorbers and springs. This action will not help in adjusting the required tire size on the Niva 2121 car. After all, in fact, the product will not provide the expected power and speed.
Note!
To prevent the wheels from coming off in the middle of the road, you need to use special spacers. They are created using aluminum.
With this improvement, the hub assembly will have an increased load. For this reason, experienced auto mechanics recommend installing hubs that have double-row bearings in the steering knuckle. Despite the ease of installation, it will require certain material costs for the purchase of rubber and related spare parts.
You may be interested in this About filling car tires with nitrogen
Lifting kit:
- cross rod;
- upgraded spring cups;
- spring spacers;
- reinforced longitudinal rods;
- spacers for the ball joint.
If you install this kit correctly, the shock absorbers and springs will fit as they should.
But this does not end with just installing this kit. To ensure a comfortable/safe ride, some replacements still need to be made. The manufacturer recommends that Niva car owners replace the front or rear gearbox pairs if they are damaged. If they come from the factory at 3.9, then in the future you need to set them to 4.44. This option increases the acceleration dynamics. Consequently, the additional load on the motor and clutch is reduced.
The best summer tires for Niva
Summer tires must withstand high temperatures and be resistant to wear. However, for regions with frequent precipitation, when the asphalt surface is constantly wet, too hard rubber is not suitable. Hard tires have poor grip on wet asphalt.
So, when choosing a summer tire set, the climatic features of the region and the technical characteristics of the car are taken into account. The size must comply with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer, but the tread pattern and tire width can be selected at your discretion.
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 has good lateral and linear grip.
What tires should I put on the VAZ-2121 in the summer? According to reviews from avid supporters of the domestic automobile industry, the Niva performs well with Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 all-season tires. The design of the model is radial, the sealing method is tubeless, there are no studs. R15 wheels are fitted with 205/70R15 tires, and R16 wheels are fitted with 185/75R16 tires.
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 – standard tires. With this modification, “re-shoeing” the car for the summer is not required. High directional stability is ensured by the wide central part of the all-season vehicle.
The linear pattern with Z-shaped blocks provides excellent lateral and linear grip, while the type of road surface does not play a special role.
Pros:
- strength and reliability;
- relative noiselessness;
- good vehicle handling on dry or wet road surfaces;
- low fuel consumption.
Minuses:
- relatively low degree of wear resistance;
- Despite the manufacturer's statements about all-season use, it is not suitable for driving on icy roads.
Niva 2121
The standard wheel size is R16. The rim offset does not exceed 58 millimeters. You can also install other models with a smaller size on the car - R15. They are in great demand in mountainous areas.
The rubber is thick, so there is no damage to the disc. The tires provide excellent shock absorption when the car moves over large potholes or pits.
On the Niva 2121 you can install wheels from the Chevrolet Niva, without any additional work. You can also install high profile wheels, size 215 R15. The tire offset should not exceed 40 millimeters.
You can install wheels with a large radius, but to avoid touching the fender liners, you need to choose the right size of the disk and tire. Typically, such work is performed during tuning operations.
The best winter tires
Native tires for the winter are not the best solution for the Niva. Still, in winter, when the road is covered with ice or strewn with snow, driving a car requires a lot of experience, skills and professionalism of the driver. Of course, it is easier to drive a car when it is “shod” in the appropriate “sneakers”. We are talking about car tires for winter use.
Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T
Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T has a unique design.
Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T studded tires are suitable for crossovers, SUVs and SUV cars. The model has been awarded the Nordic Swan environmental label. Has a V-format tread pattern. There is no hydroplaning due to the rapid removal of water and mud. Low noise production and increased traction and grip qualities are the result of using an optimized stud arrangement. This model is characterized by a 6-row arrangement of studs.
Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T has a unique design. Ribbed grooves increase maximum traction on snow and ice. Side slots ensure rapid removal of moisture and snow mass.
Pros:
- excellent grip on road surfaces, including snowy or icy ones;
- quiet running;
- strength and reliability;
- softness;
- good wear resistance.
Minuses:
- At high speed, skidding is possible when entering a turn;
- not suitable for extreme driving.
Niva Urban 2121
A new model, available in several versions. The dimensions remained unchanged. Exactly the same as a regular Niva, R16 wheels are used. The main one is 185 / 75 / R16.
To make it easier to choose the wheel size for Niva Urban, we provide a summary table of popular parameters.
Tire recommendations | Disc recommendations |
Factory size | Factory size |
2205/70R15 | 6J15 5×139.7 ET48 Dia98 |
205/75R15 | 6J15 5×139.7 ET40 Dia98 |
175/80R16 | 6J15 5×139.7 ET58 Dia98 |
185/75R16 | 6.5J16 5×139.7 ET40 Dia98 |
205/70R16 | 6J16 5×139.7 ET50 Dia98 |
205/70R16 | 6J16 5×139.7 ET50 |
The best off-road tires
Among the off-road vehicles of the domestic and foreign auto industry, the all-terrain Lada (Niva) 4x4 is highly popular among motorists. The car performs well not only on smooth or compacted road surfaces, but also in off-road conditions. The main thing is to choose the right all-terrain tires.
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame holds the road well.
Russian off-road conditions require “toothed” tires. This is how you can characterize Kama-Flame car tires. The tires performed well in a mess of melted snow, water and clods of mud. They are distinguished by their reliability and versatility, and are easily “adapted” to any weather conditions of Russia’s changeable climate. Ideal for driving a car in some outback, where you can only dream of roads with high-quality surfaces.
Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame is installed on R16 wheels. Thanks to the continuous contact patch with the road, the likelihood of hydroplaning and sliding is reduced.
Increased grip is provided by 3D siping of the tires.
Pros:
- softness;
- strength and reliability;
- holds the road well;
- reasonable price.
Minuses:
- noisiness;
- rapid wear;
- increase in braking distance.
Niva 21214
In the factory configuration, the car is equipped with disks, which are fastened with five bolts.
- Circle diameter – 139.7 mm;
- Bolts M12x1.25 mm;
- Departure ET58;
- The diameter of the hub hole is 98.5 mm.
Of course, other models can be installed on the car, but only with a certain standard size:
Size | Rim width and offset |
175/80 R16 | 5J, 51/2J – 48-50 |
195/70 R15 | 51/2J, 6J, ET 45 |
205/70 R15 | 6J, 61/2J, ET 40 |
Niva Chevrolet
The standard wheel size for this car is R15. Mostly they install alloy wheels, which have gained great popularity. But if the car is used in Russian off-road conditions, it is more promising to install wheels of larger diameter - 16-17.
It must be said that their installation will require additional work. To increase the ground clearance, you will have to install special spacers. It will also be necessary to slightly change the design of the chassis.
Diameter | Departure | Width | Wheel hub hole, mm | Number of hub mounting holes | Bolt pattern of holes | Wheel size |
R15 – R17 | ET 40 -48 | 6.0 – 6.5J | 98,6 | 5 | 139,7 | 205/75R15 |
215/65R16
Wheel markings may have several letters and numbers. In order to choose the right wheel for a Chevrolet Niva, you need to clearly understand the meaning of all the parameters indicated on it. Let's take, for example, the marking 6.5Jx16H2 PCD5x139.7 ET48 DIA98.6.
J – rim type and profile type,
16Н2 – mounting diameter equal to 16 inches,
Н2 – number of protrusions preventing rubber from slipping,
PCD – English designation for dimensions of attachment to the surface of the hub,
5 – number of mounting holes,
139.7 – diameter of their location,
ET – indicator of the disc extending beyond the plane of the car,
The size of the tires and wheels greatly influences the behavior of the car on the road. AvtoVAZ recommends installing tires and wheels of a strictly defined size on the Niva; only in this case the manufacturer guarantees the service life of the components and assemblies of the chassis and suspension. In the review, we will tell you what the size of the wheels affects during the operation of the machine and what recommendations the manufacturer gives.
Unnamed-1
Unnamed: I have hernias on my 2-year-old Bridgestone Turanza er300 tires, I want to change them for the new season. But here's the problem - they don't make them anymore! They were replaced by Bridgestone Turanza T001. The picture is very similar, only the maximum speed index is different. Can I install them on one axis?
I believe that there are no serious contraindications to such a configuration. I want to give the only advice - put new tires on the rear axle. Then you are guaranteed to get slight understeer. If you put new tires in front, but the rear ones are already thoroughly worn, the car may have a tendency to skid.
Unnamed: What do you recommend for a Volga Cyber car size 205/60R16? I have my eye on the Pirelli Cinturato P7 92H TL, but the letters at the end are confusing - TL.
In my opinion, a good choice for those who like to drive. The letters TL should not be confusing. Today, almost all tires are TL (TubeLess), that is, tubeless.
g900: Is it worth buying new summer tires that have been in storage for 2 years?
The theoretically guaranteed service life of tires is 5 years. Then (over the next 5 years), the owner of the car must decide for himself whether to continue using it or not. The decision is made based on an assessment of the condition of the tread and sidewall, mainly focusing on the presence of microcracks in the rubber. Not to mention the remaining tread groove depth is at least 1.6 mm.
Based on these recommendations, these tires have only “legal” service left (10 - 2 = eight years. Another important point is where and how the tires were stored for these two years. If outside, under the sun, rain and snow, which very often happens, and even in high stacks, when the lower tires are deformed, I would not. If in a warehouse indoors, in low stacks, you can probably buy it. Try to pay attention to the week the tire was manufactured - on the sidewall of each tire you can find a welded stamp from four digits. The first two indicate the week of production, the second two indicate the year. It is important that the entire set is manufactured in the same week or with minimal variation.
Heading into Summer: Frequently Asked Questions
The head of the “Behind the Wheel” tire test group, Sergei Mishin, answered questions from our readers about summer tires on the eve of the spring-summer re-shoe season.
How to choose the right tires and not overpay, how to navigate tire labeling, is it worth buying used tires? Sergei Mishin, head of the tire test group of Za Rulem magazine, answered these and many other questions about winter tires online in the fall. In the spring we opened a new round of the tire hotline.
Shina
Artem Artemov: Light alloy wheels sometimes “cut” the tire - will switching to a higher load index help solve this problem? And what are the risks of such a transition?
It will help to some extent. As an example, I can give foreign cars sold in Russia: most of them today have an excessive load index.
Nothing terrible will happen - the car will become a little stiffer and less comfortable. But hardly anyone can answer the question of how much the probability of sidewall breakdown will be reduced.
At the same time, excessively hard tires will negatively affect the life of the suspension elements, since the load on them will increase.
Life experience tells me that the most durable tires are usually Bridgestone. But due to their thick sidewalls, they are also usually the heaviest, which negatively affects the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
Alexey: When changing wheels seasonally, tire fitters swapped the left and right wheels so that they rotated in the opposite direction from the correct direction. I felt better vehicle stability and increased wheel noise. Tell me, besides rapid wear and tear, what did I risk from a safety point of view?
Absolutely nothing if these tires are not directional. When the tire rotates in one direction, when starting and braking, its tread over time becomes likened (of course, exaggeratedly) to a kind of ratchet that slips slightly in one direction. And now it has been forced to rotate in the opposite direction - of course, the protruding “corners”, bumping into the asphalt, will make additional noise. But not for long until the tread wears in and takes on the appearance corresponding to the direction of rotation. If you have driven about 100–300 km, depending on driving modes, there is no point in turning the tires over, since you will step on the same rake.
15" tire options
A wide number of modifications of the Niva car are usually equipped with one type of tire: 185/75 R16.
The standard size provides the necessary cross-country ability and acceleration of the vehicle on different road surfaces. Users prefer to replace their original wheels with similar ones of different dimensions, arguing that the action is due to improved driving characteristics and design. For such purposes, the plant provides information on the tolerances of tires suitable for Niva without modification of the suspension or body:
- 175/80 R16;
- 205/70 or 75 R16;
- 215/65 R16;
- 195/75 R15;
- 205/70 R15;
- 215/70 R15.
The manufacturer limited the maximum wheel width to 215 mm. The size is set justifiably. Since the car belongs to the off-road class, installing larger ramps can greatly reduce cross-country ability, increase the load on the hub units and increase fuel consumption.
For the very first version of the Niva, the plant recommends using 175/80 R16 tires. The narrow version of the tires provides the best traction in mud and easily copes with snow. Increasing the tread width leads to improved appearance, but entails a decrease in vehicle performance. Due to the design features of the chassis, the car clings worse to slippery areas and floats on clay.
Acceptable wheel sizes:
- 205/70 or 75 R16;
- 215/65 R16;
- 195/75 R15;
- 205/70 R15.
Also, some car enthusiasts install tires up to 225 or even 235 profile. This is possible by replacing standard wheels with modifications with a larger offset.
At the same time, some car enthusiasts insist on compatibility with 235/75 R15 tires. The only caveat is the purchase of rims of non-standard size and design.
Users often choose off-road models as the best tires for the 21213 modification. The asphalt version is not very common due to the car being used 80% in rural areas or for hunting and fishing, where there are no quality roads at all.
According to the tolerances, everything is standard here. The car comes off the assembly line with tires of 175/80 diameter 16. According to manufacturers, users give preference to popular brands:
- Rossava;
- Belshina;
- Michelin;
- TOYO;
- Nokian.
At the factory, the modified Niva is equipped with domestically produced tires in size 175/80 P16. Thanks to the modernized suspension, the car has improved cornering stability and increased reliability of shock absorber mounting. In terms of acceptable standard sizes, everything is standard, tires are interchangeable with similar cars. Among the assortment, buyers often use offers from companies:
- Goodyear;
- Yokohama;
- Sailong;
- Landstyle;
- Firestone.
The purchase of winter tires should be based on the area of use of the car. If the car is used primarily for hunting and fishing, you will need an aggressive model installed on standard stampings. Serious lugs combined with rolled steel provide decent grip and minimal likelihood of damage to the sidewall when hitting an obstacle.
The most popular solutions for 3 and 5 door Niva on the market are the following tires:
- KAMA Euro LCV;
- Rossava LTW;
- Good Year Cargo Ultra Grip;
- NOKIAN WRC3;
- Gislaved Nord Frost 100;
- Kumho KW 7400.
The choice of tire type depends on the area where the vehicle is used. When asking whether it is necessary to install studs on a Niva, you should refer to the use of a car. If driving is carried out in the city, where the roads are normally cleaned and there are no strong sweeps, installing studded versions is unprofitable. Thanks to all-wheel drive, the car velcros out even from difficult sections of the road.
It's another matter when the car is racing in deep snow. Here the presence of metal inserts will not be unnecessary.
According to the Niva car service manual, it is possible to install 5 types of wheels on the front and rear axles without modifications:
- 175/80 R16;
- 185/75 R16;
- 205/70 R16;
- 225/55 R16;
- 215/65 R16.
If necessary, it is possible to install different tires on the car. However, traffic regulations limit such procedures and prohibit some variations.
- Installation of tires with different treads on one axle.
- Differences in wheel diameter or width.
The installation of low-pressure cylinders on the Niva is accompanied by significant modifications to the suspension and body panels of the car. The transmission and chassis are also affected.
Basically the sequence of actions looks like this.
- Production of drawings. Serious remodeling begins with design. Any mistake can cause unnecessary costs.
- Body modification. Arches are cut out, bridge fastenings are strengthened.
- Complete transmission replacement. Installing huge, heavy wheels overloads the gearbox and gearboxes.
- Installation of a new suspension adjusted to wide rims.
- Installation of wheels and decorative elements.
- Running in the car.
A similar sequence is standard when converting any domestic car to low pressure cylinders.
Data from the vehicle's owner's manual.
Tire size with load capacity and speed indexes* | Disc size | Tire air pressure (MPa (kgf/cm2) | ||
rim width (inches) | rim offset (ET), mm** | front wheels | rear wheels | |
Installed by the manufacturer | ||||
185/75 R16 92Q 95T | 5J*** | 58*** | 0,21 (2,1) | 0,19 (1,9) |
175/80 R16 88Q | 5J*** | 58*** | 0,21 (2,1) | 0,19 (1,9) |
Allowed to be installed in operation | ||||
195/70 R15 92Q, T 205/70 R15 95Q, S, T | 51/2J, 6J 6J, 61/2J | 45 35-40 | 0,19 (1,9) 0,19 (1,9) | 0,19 (1,9) 0,19 (1,9) |
Lada 4×4 Urban | ||||
175/80 R16 185/75 R16 |
- * Speed indices: Q – up to 160 km/h, S – up to 180 km/h, T – up to 190 km/h. Load capacity indices: 85 – 515 kg, 88 – 560 kg, 92 – 630 kg, 95 – 690 kg.
- **Rim offset (ET) is the distance from the mating plane of the disc to the middle of the rim.
- In operation, it is allowed to install wheels with a rim width of 51/2J and a rim offset of 48-58 mm.
- R is not a radius, but a designation of the radius of the tire, and the number is the diameter of the rim in inches.
The wheel hub bolt pattern is 5×139.7.
When choosing tires for the winter, use the table above. In addition, it is allowed to use winter tires (MS) of the above dimensions and index Q with a corresponding limitation of the maximum vehicle speed (up to 160 km/h).
Choose winter tires on your Lada 4×4 that are as narrow as possible so that the pressure of the car on the surface is greater, this will improve traction. Also remember that wide tires are more sensitive to the ruts on the road.
The choice of tires for R16 wheels is not large; most often they choose sizes 185/75 R16, 175/80 R16, or 215/65 R16. Due to the paucity of choice, many SUV owners install R15 wheels on their Lada 4×4.
R15 wheels can be borrowed from Chevrolet Niva wheels, which fit without modifications. Thus, the choice of tires will increase significantly and you will be able to choose the appropriate tires for certain operating conditions. In addition, a car with such wheels will look more stylish. In addition to standard tires for R15 wheels, you can install 205/75 R15 tires.
Do you dream of a Lada 4×4 with big wheels, but don’t want to cut the arches? The maximum tire size for a Lada 4×4 without modifications is 215/75 R15, and the rims must have an offset of 40, otherwise the tires will touch the fender liners. Finally, install alloy wheels on your Lada 4×4 and you will get a stylish SUV!
The green color indicates the minimum deviation of the wheel diameter (up to 3 mm); Orange indicates a diameter deviation from 3 to 6 mm.
When installing tires or wheels that differ in parameters from those recommended by the factory, you can:
- be refused warranty repair of the chassis;
- be stopped by a traffic police inspector, who has the right to draw up a report on the car’s non-compliance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations;
- fail to pass technical inspection.
Increasing disc diameter | Increasing rim width | Increasing tire width | |
Car style | will improve | will improve | will improve |
Road holding | will improve | will improve | will improve |
Steering precision | will improve | will improve | will improve |
Tire grip | Will not change | Will not change | will improve, but only on dry roads |
Resistance to hydroplaning | Will not change | Will not change | will get worse |
Comfort on rough roads | will get worse | Will not change | will improve |
Road noise | Will not change | Will not change | will intensify |
Gasoline consumption | Will not change | will increase | will increase |
Tire wear | Will not change | Will not change | will increase |
The smaller the unsprung mass (this includes the mass of tires and wheels), the better the car will hold the road and accelerate faster. For example, if you put wheels on a car that are 2 kg lighter each, then acceleration to 100 km/h will be reduced by 0.2 seconds.
As a reminder, for safety and to increase tire life, you should maintain your tires at the recommended pressure. Other modifications to the Lada 4×4 can be found in the tuning category and by content.
Keywords: 4x4 wheels | 4x4 tires | Lada 4x4 urban
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The best choice would be studded tires. The Niva is an SUV with a short wheelbase and therefore skids easily. In this case, the spikes will provide the necessary grip on the road. In addition, spikes will be the best choice for moving on snowy surfaces.