How to choose the right tire for a 4x4 field: choose the size, tips, photos

Features and purpose of mud tires

The main thing that distinguishes tires for driving on mud is their special pattern with large, deep lugs.
Similar wheels can be seen on a tractor. Thanks to the large distance between the tread elements, the tires are independently cleaned of dirt.

Mud tires are made of harder rubber. This provides them with high off-road durability.

Unlike standard ones, they do not tear when exposed to stones and other hard elements.

Typically, mud tires are higher than standard tires. They provide greater ground clearance and make it easier to overcome high obstacles.

With off-road tires you can easily get out of a muddy rut. However, they are not intended for permanent use on asphalt.

Mud tires on hard surfaces have three serious disadvantages:

• High noise level.
• Poor handling.
• Accelerated tread wear.

Therefore, installing such tires on a Chevrolet Niva only makes sense for those who constantly have to drive off-road. For use in urban conditions, it is better to buy road tires.

Classification of mud tires

Tires for SUVs are produced and labeled conditionally into classes, taking into account their particular use on different road surfaces. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the markings on the tire to understand what type it is.

The difference between AT rubber and MT rubber

AT tires
Universal AT (All-Terrain) tires are suitable for all roads. It is used for driving on good roads and off-road:

• A distinctive feature is a large aggressive tread pattern;
• AT tires on the Chevrolet Niva have increased cross-country ability;
• with good grip, rubber is able to withstand lateral loads when turning and maneuvering;
• designed for driving both on asphalt and light off-road;
• performs well on rocky and dry loose soils and on paved roads;
• the sidewall is reinforced and more rigid;
• braking distance is longer than on ordinary tires;
• noisier than highway cars due to their design;
• have increased rolling resistance, which slightly increases fuel consumption.

You may be interested in this About bracelets for car wheels

Mud tires MT (Mud Terrain) are designed for driving in poor road conditions: on sand, mud, and marshy areas. Distinctive features are the tread depth, the distance between the blocks and the presence of lugs, which help the car to better pass difficult roads.

The tread of such tires is rough and deep, with a large distance between the elements. It is important in the grip and stability of the wheels: they become less clogged with dirt, the side lugs help and the car keeps moving.

The products have good grip in mud and on soft soils, but ride quality deteriorates on asphalt. The bad behavior of tires in winter is the rubber compound used. Rubber hardens and becomes like plastic. It is stiffer, even harder than the AT, and does not behave very well on asphalt and ice.

On asphalt the grip is not very good. For this reason, tires have a longer braking distance (especially on wet asphalt). The high profile worsens the car's cornering behavior. MT mud tires are characterized by high noise - the tread makes noise when driving on hard surfaces. Has greater rolling resistance, which leads to increased fuel consumption. The rigidity of MT products reduces ride comfort.

Note!

If you compare the AT and MT models, the difference will be obvious.

To drive a car mainly on asphalt and a little off-road, AT tires are sufficient. When the roads are difficult to pass, the best choice is MT.

Types of mud tires

Depending on the type of tread and purpose, SUV tires are divided into 3 classes:

• HT (short for Highway terrain or Half Terrain - tires for highways and poor quality asphalt roads. It can be used on dirt roads, but it will be difficult to overcome off-road on it. But such tires do not make noise and have a speed limit of 180 km/h. Therefore, these tires are bought by those who drive mainly on asphalt.
• AT (short for All Terrain) are tires designed for asphalt, dirt and light off-road use. Manufacturers recommend different mileage ratios on hard and unpaved surfaces: 60/40, 50/50, 40/60. This is a good tire for those who have to drive in rural areas. The AT tire tread provides average off-road capability.
• MT (short for Mud Terrain) is a tire with an aggressive profile that is designed exclusively for driving on dirt and off-road. Although you can find MT tires with a speed rating of R (160 km/h), their use on asphalt is not recommended. These tires are designed to take you off-road and reveal the potential of your car there.

The most famous domestic company that produces MT tires for the Chevrolet Niva is “Bear”. This brand offers mud tires made of high-strength rubber, which are not inferior to many foreign analogues.

Basic characteristics of tires for Niva

Throughout the 42-year history of the most famous domestically produced SUV in the Russian Federation, engineers have tried to achieve the optimal price-quality ratio, which led to improvements in the power unit, the emergence of new options, electronic safety features, and changes to the exterior. However, the wheelbase of each new restyling configuration remained virtually unchanged. Thus, the bolt pattern, bore diameter, range of widths and diameters of rims remained without adjustments, and today you can purchase cars shod with rubber with the following parameters:

Tires R15 for VAZ 2121

• The simplest configurations of the brand with a minimum set of options are equipped with summer tires or all-season tires with a seat diameter of 15 inches, a sole width of 205 or 215 mm and a tire side surface height of 70 or 75 mm. These indicators are quite comfortable for winter driving on studded or friction tires, as well as if it is necessary to install mud wheels.

Thus, a high profile provides a sufficient air buffer to prevent rapid wear of metal parts, as well as to ensure lateral grip of the tire on the ground or loose snow.

• In the mid-price category, with the presence of additional modern electronics and decorative elements, the Niva on large wheels is equipped with domestically produced mud tires with dimensions 215/65/R16 or 225/65/R16, which have a deep and powerful tread to provide a scrap effect when driving off-road.

Also, in some cases, dealers offer cars with the same wheels, but in summer or all-season versions. It should be noted that off-road tires for the Niva, as a rule, can only be used in rural areas, since in winter they are practically useless on a slippery asphalt road.

• The “Prestige” package is equipped with the largest 225/60/R17 summer tires, and such cars have the best cross-country ability, but at the same time, in order to install an off-road tire with a high profile, the driver needs to additionally buy 4 smaller rims.
• Depending on the tire size, different amounts of air are injected into them. This means that as the size of the wheel assembly increases, the pressure should increase, and if for the R15 it is 1.9 atm, then in the R17 version it should already be 2.3 atm.
• Despite the fact that the classic Niva in the 3-door version weighs only 1.3 tons, and its load capacity does not exceed 500 kg, the load and speed indices must be at least 95Q-97S, which in terms of natural values ​​means the ability of the wheel withstand a load ranging from 690 to 730 kg and drive in this condition from 160 to 190 km/h for at least 30 minutes without the risk of tire disassembly.

You may be interested in this About pit bike wheels

R17 wheels for Niva

Important!

In order for a driver to correctly select new tires for his VAZ-2121, he needs to know the initial parameters of the disk, as well as understand exactly where and at what time of the year he plans to operate his vehicle.

Selecting tires by parameters

Recommendations from the manufacturer. Depending on the modification of the Chevrolet Niva, R15 or R16 wheels are installed on the factory assembly line. Therefore, before going to a car store, you should find out the equipment of your iron horse. The most common tire sizes are:

1. 205/70R15;
2. 205/75R15;
3. 215/75R15;
4. 215/65R16.

Seasonality. For different times of the year, you should select seasonal “shoes” for the Chevrolet Niva.

1. Summer tires behave well in the warm season, allowing the driver to enjoy a fast ride. It is quiet and has good rolling power.
2. Winter tires are indispensable when operating a car on snowy or icy roads. Friction models are recommended for the southern regions of the country, and for northern routes it is better to prefer tires with studs.
3. For those who like to ride through meadows and forests, special mud tires are recommended. It features an aggressive deep tread that is easy to clean off the ground. The only disadvantage of special tires will be noise on asphalt.

And also interesting: Review of the standard alarm system Niva Chevrolet
Speed ​​and load index. Many Chevrolet Niv owners use their cars as workhorses. Some reckless drivers are trying to set a speed record on paved highways. Therefore, when choosing tires, you should pay attention to the speed and load index.

1. Speed ​​characteristics are encrypted in letter designation (Latin letters). For example, “T” indicates a top speed of 190 km/h, and “V” allows you to accelerate to 240 km/h.
2. The Chevrolet Niva can be seriously loaded, but only if you have the appropriate tires. The load index has a digital designation. If with the marking “60” the maximum weight per wheel is 250 kg, then with “113” this value will increase to 1150 kg.

We have selected the 14 best tires for the Chevrolet Niva for review. All models are sold in auto stores in our country. When distributing places, the editors of the journal expertology took expert opinions as a basis, taking into account the reviews of Russian crop farmers.

When choosing tires for a car, you should remember their intended purpose. Ground clearance, comfort, noise level and cross-country ability depend on a number of parameters.

Which mud tires are best for a Chevrolet Niva in size?

When selecting suitable mud wheels, even if conversion is planned, Chevrolet owners need to focus on the car parameters that were initially set at the factory. The stock equipment is standard and it is this that determines the possible choice of tire sizes.

The manufacturer equips the car with wheels (alloys are no exception) capable of supporting wheels of a slightly larger diameter than those installed at the factory. And no lifting is required. The standard solution for a crossover is sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. Any tire with a 16-inch diameter is suitable, of which there are more than fifteen-inch versions on the market.

Large inch tires easily fit both steel and alloy wheels. In this case, the wheels can reach a height of 26 to 28 inches. Wheels of similar sizes are good for moderate off-road conditions and standard dirt roads in the rural areas of the Middle Zone or the South. And, as noted above, they do not require additional manipulations from the owner in the form of lifting.

Operation in more extreme conditions will require mounting the wheels higher. Most often, tires are installed with a height of up to 29.5 inches, capable of overcoming most types of dirt, but they already require lifting the car. The offset of such wheels reaches 35 millimeters, and as for the diameter, it can equally be either 15 or 16.

Some owners install 31-inch tires. Tires of this height are capable of passing through terrain where there is not even a hint of a path and perform well in the Far North. But the standard size 31/10.5(9.5)/R15 will require a serious reconstruction of the Niva, including not only lifting, but also alteration of the body. As for the diameter of the rims, such extreme wheels are usually installed on the R15.

And also interesting: Do-it-yourself bumper for a cornfield from a channel – All about Lada Granta

Large tires are perfectly compatible with standard wheels. An excellent choice without installing a lift would be tires 205 75 15 or 205 70 15 or wheels with a radius of 16, the height of such tires will be 26-28 inches. This type of wheels will perform well both in light off-road conditions and in city conditions.

If you still need to overcome serious obstacles, it is better to install 28-29.5 inch tires on the Chevrolet Niva, but then you will need to lift the SUV.

Depending on the diameter of the “native” Chevrolet Niva wheels, you can install R15 and R16 tires on the car. It should be taken into account that the height of mud tires is higher than standard ones.

You won't find tires lower than 225/75 R15. However, the space under the Niva's wings is not designed to accommodate nineteen-inch wheels. Therefore, you will have to raise the car a little by doing a “lifting”.

For this purpose, special kits are sold, including some suspension parts and special spacers for springs. As a result, you will get an SUV with increased cross-country ability and increased ground clearance.

But you can’t do without cutting the arches when installing R16 mud tires. Their outer diameter exceeds 20 inches, so the rubber will rub against the wheel arches even with the suspension raised.

Mud tires on Chevrolet Niva

Mud tires are equipped with an aggressive tread with multiple lugs for traction when driving in completely off-road conditions. If you plan to operate the Niva away from cities, such products will be appropriate and the car will not let you down in any road conditions.

Tires for Niva It is not very economical to use mud tires constantly on asphalt roads, since the rubber compound on it is softer than usual and driving on hard surfaces leads to accelerated wear of tires.

Features of mud tires:

• special tread with a pronounced pattern, reminiscent of a “tractor”;
• high tread height;
• lamellas with a large area and a wide distance between them;
• massive lugs;
• reinforced cord protects the product from damage.

Note!

Specially designed track tread pattern allows mud to pass through; The lugs additionally propel the vehicle through sand and mud.

All terrain tire manufacturers

The following models are most in demand for the Chevrolet Niva:

• Medved I-569 are budget mud tires, the installation of which does not require modification of the wheel arches. Before installing Medved 235/75 R15, it is enough to do a light lifting. This soft rubber performs well in mud and snow. However, on summer asphalt or ice the car becomes almost uncontrollable. The price starts from 3700 rubles.
• Cordiant off Road is another Russian-made mud tire. Unlike the Bear, these tires perform well on asphalt. Its size (225/75 R16) allows it to be used on a Chevrolet Niva after a light lift. Price - from 4000 rubles.
• Hankook Dynapro are optimal tires that wear out slowly on asphalt and are capable of pulling a car out of muddy clay or black soil. Installation of these tires (235/75R 15) requires only a small lift. Hankook price - 4500 rubles. The tires are equipped with holes for studs.
• Kumho Road Venture is a tire with an aggressive tread designed for professional off-road racing. The side lugs grip the dirt securely. However, on asphalt these tires wear out very quickly. Size 235/75 R15 does not require modification of the Niva's wheel arches. The price of one tire is 5800 rubles.
• The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain is a true mud tire that wears slowly on asphalt. For a lifted Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable. After reworking the arches, you can install 240/80 R15. The price of one tire is 7,100 rubles.

Ten good “All Terrain” tires

Content

Of course, for many, our Niva is an icon of off-road fighting, and therefore we reviewed the best M/T and Extreme class tires. You can read it here -. But not everyone installs “mud” tires; many prefer a compromise so that they drive a little on mud and don’t wear down or hum on asphalt.

Therefore, today we will go through the ten most optimal models of all-season tires for the Niva of the “All Terrain” class.

Maxxis AT-771

For the regular size, a 225/70 R15 tire is available (4,300 rubles), but it can rub a little. For a raised Niva, 225/75 R16 is suitable for a price of 4,400 rubles. Doesn't fly on asphalt. Comes out of turns well. It's a little fluffy and doesn't wear out much. Excellent balancing.

It taxis well in slushy snow. The muzzle “does not prowl.” Comes out of any rut well. Gets out of any dirt. Even if it’s “at the very threshold.” Thanks to the winter pattern, it tolerates winter well. It grinds a little on the ice. And it paddles in the snow exemplarily, better than some wintering models. For more details and photos, read our review -

BFGoodrich AT (so-called “worms”)

Suitable for Niva in size 215/75R15 and costing 7,000 rubles. The lifted one can be fitted with 235/75 R15 for 7,700. The rubber holds the asphalt well: hydroplaning is practically zero and handles the steering wheel perfectly. In winter, you can safely move until the first 10 degrees below zero. Kneads snow loose “like on tracks.” It is better not to ride on ice in severe frost. The car in these “slippers” gets thrown all over the lane. It tramples normally in medium mud. And he digs into the dirt “like an adult.” Even on a mud-covered slope it stands rooted to the spot. Thanks to a well-made tread pattern, it has a high degree of self-cleaning.

Yokohama Geolandar A/T

A 215/65 R16 tire (5,800 rubles) will fit on the original size, and 235/70 R15 (6,050 rubles) on a “lifted” one.

Quiet and soft. Perfect for long distances. Good for balancing. Self-cleaning normally. In summer it does not “spread” all over the asphalt. Even at high speeds it does not howl. It copes well off-road: it passes through mud and large puddles with a “whistle.” I even raked it out of deep sand and “up to my belly” from liquid clay. In winter it is better not to skate on ice. It glides “like on glass.” However, like most all-season mud tires, they are intended purely for summer; you can drive in winter, of course, but very carefully.

Goodyear Wrangler AT/SA

The “lift” tire will fit 235/75R15 for 5,600 rubles; the “no-lift” tire will fit a 215/75R15 tire for 5,200 rubles.

Thanks to the use of Kevlar, it is very durable. Remains soft even at 15 below zero. If the temperature is lower, it becomes very dull. Self-cleaning at a high level.

On wet ground and clay, it drifts sideways at low speed. But if you accelerate, it starts to cling. The snow loosening goes through with a bang. It rides predictably when it's rolled. Great option for everyday use. The tread pattern shows a similarity with the Bears 569, which behave very similarly. The option is very worthy, but it will not be easy to find on sale.

Dunlop Grandtrek AT3

The usual size 215/65 R16 of these “slippers” costs 6,800. A 225/70R16 tire for 7,100 rubles is suitable for lifting.

On normal roads it is a little noisy at speeds above a hundred. Soft, “swallows” all holes well. It doesn't whistle or skid when turning.

Off-road it slips slightly on wet clay and mud, but does not drift sideways. Poorly cleared of small pebbles. More for the city than off-road. Looking at the tread pattern, we can say that it is suitable for very light off-road use; it is advisable to take rubber with a slightly larger pattern.

Hercules TERA TRAC A/T

Tires in size 215/70 R16 cost 5,000. For a raised Niva, the 225/70R16 tire costs 6,100. It holds the course perfectly and makes little noise on the asphalt. Loves speed. These “American slippers” last a long time. Some managed to skate on it for 6 seasons. Poorly balanced.

It doesn’t get washed out on small off-road terrain. It’s still driving on watery “shit”. On the rest of the off-road it slides and gets out sluggishly. Doesn't flatten well.

She overcomes snow normally, but ice is not her element. It doesn't hold turns well and skids steeply. In general, a good AT vehicle with fairly high wear resistance and decent cross-country ability.

Toyo Open Country A/T

Size 215/75R15 costs 4,700 rubles. For the Niva, a 235/75R15 tire is available on spacers for RUB 5,400.

Soft. It makes little noise. It holds any asphalt well and absorbs all the unevenness on it. Not very suitable for off-road use. Lathers on any clay. Shit is not her element. It crawls sideways in the mud (the lugs on the side of the tread are only for “furniture”). Afraid of stones and holes.

In winter, at the level of medium Velcro. Soft in the cold. Because of this, the tread clings well, all parts of which have different heights. Not a bad option for everyday use, but more for comfortable travel on the highway than on dirt.

Bridgestone Dueler A/T

Tire 215/75 R15 priced at 4,600 rubles. For “lifting” it is available in size 225/75 R16 for 5400 rubles. Low noise, but the tread wears out a lot.

According to "shit" he gets a C grade. It gets very washed out in the mud under the hill. On clay, the tread becomes completely clogged, but this can be predicted by looking at the tread. Also strong hydroplaning, in this they are similar to Goodrich’s “worms”. It rides smoothly on the highway and absorbs all the bumps. It slides on the snow and drifts sideways. But it slows down well. More suitable for summer and the city than for winter and off-road. Pure summer tire.

VLI-5

"Ateshka" made in Russia. Available in one size for Niva, 175/80 R16, priced at RUB 2,200.

An excellent option as a first “mudovka”. On the highway at speeds after 70 it starts to howl “like a dog at the moon.”

It is quite suitable for sub-zero frosts. Afterwards it begins to tan and becomes square. It runs well on the shit. Doesn't like ruts, the car can turn completely around. In general, it’s a cheap tire with average performance; it’s better to add a thousand per cylinder and get something much superior.

Kama Flame

Domestic all-season. For a regular Niva, 205/70 R16 costing 3,600 rubles will be just right. Available in one size.

A detailed photo review is here.

A little narrow for the original Nivov disk. It runs well on sand and snow. No snow or ice conditions. You can't get out of a rut without a shovel. At the same time, standing in one place, it does not even hold on to the sides. Doesn't wear out much. It drives through the “shit” with effort. Noticeably hydroplanes on asphalt. Poor self-cleaning. According to all characteristics, it's a C grade, it's fine on the highway, but on dirt it's not worth it.

Other tire and wheel reviews:

Niva M - about a car without embellishment

Niva pickup - modifications and their comparison

What is a snorkel, how much does it cost and how to install it on Nivka

Comparing Niva and Jimny - does the frame steer?

Samoblok on Niva - from personal experience of use

Niva "Lynx" - review and comparison with a regular 3-door

Which size is better to choose

First of all, you should remember that universal tires, which are installed from the factory, perform very mediocre on and off the track. An experienced car owner approaches the choice based on several conditions:

1. Conditions (road surface);
2. The presence or absence of tuning (lifting, widening of wheel arches);
3. Price;
4. Manufacturer's authority.

Together with the above list, it is necessary to decide on the parameters that were written above. But not every buyer can take into account so many indicators at the same time, so let’s conditionally divide tires into two categories: some are more suitable for urban conditions and the highway, while others are adapted for off-road use.

There are several types of tires that are designed for off-road driving:

1. Tires marked as H/T are intended for use in areas with minor off-road conditions. Such tires can withstand loads much greater than standard ones.
2. Tires marked A/T have excellent cross-country ability, both off-road and on roads where there is asphalt. It gives the car excellent stability while driving.
3. Tires marked M/T are classified as extreme types. It is used where there is really severe off-road conditions.

Also interesting: Tire size for a field, all-season tires for a 4×4 field, mud tires, the best winter tires for r16 wheels

It is used only in off-road conditions, and if you drive it on an asphalt area, this can lead to such factors as:

• Increased noise
• The tread will wear out quickly
• Poor vehicle control

Based on what is said above, we can conclude that the best option would be to use a second type of tire for standard wheels, namely A/T. Another mistake would be if different tires are used on the front and rear axles.

Which tires are better to choose?

There are several types of tires that are designed for off-road driving:

1. Tires marked as H/T are intended for use in areas with minor off-road conditions. Such tires can withstand loads much greater than standard ones.
2. Tires marked A/T have excellent cross-country ability, both off-road and on roads where there is asphalt. It gives the car excellent stability while driving.
3. Tires marked M/T are classified as extreme types. It is used where there is really severe off-road conditions.

It is used only in off-road conditions, and if you drive it on an asphalt area, this can lead to such factors as:

• Increased noise
• The tread will wear out quickly
• Poor vehicle control

Based on what is said above, we can conclude that the best option would be to use a second type of tire for standard wheels, namely A/T. Another mistake would be if different tires are used on the front and rear axles.

Why you shouldn't ride on asphalt with off-road tires

The coefficient of adhesion to asphalt of all off-road tires, regardless of price and manufacturer, is inferior to road tires. As a result, the braking distance increases, the risk of skidding increases and controllability deteriorates. These factors must be taken into account when driving into the city on mud tires.

Another reason why you should not use mud tires on the track is purely economic. Off-road tires are much more expensive than traditional tires and wear out quickly on asphalt. Therefore, before trips to the city and, especially, long trips along the highway, it is advisable to “change” the car to road tires that correspond to the season.

Off-road tires for a Chevrolet Niva may well be inexpensive. But you shouldn’t count on a low price when it comes to extreme wheels. Of course, domestic models are mostly cheaper than foreign ones, but this difference is not always great.

Photos of the protectors of each model can be found on the sellers’ websites.

Read news about the new Niva

• Tire size for the field, all-season tires for the field 4×4, mud tires, the best winter tires for r16 wheels
• Tire rating for Chevy Niva
• Niva tire rating 2121
• What tires to put on Niva 2121 21214 2131 in winter: the best options
• Wheel size for Chevrolet Niva - tires and wheels R15 and 16, choice of winter and summer tires
• KAMA tires - price catalog, where to buy in online stores: sales, characteristics, descriptions, comparison | E-Katalog
• Tires for Niva 2121: selection of the best tires for any occasion
• Sava - European quality tires