In the minds of many Chevrolet Niva drivers, it is already invariably associated with the image of an SUV capable of conquering almost any off-road terrain. At the same time, the car is actually capable of overcoming almost any obstacles, thanks to the presence of permanent all-wheel drive on all four wheels and an engine of sufficient power. But, in order to fully realize all the capabilities of the car, it is necessary, first of all, to ensure reliable traction of the wheels with the surface. And to do this, you should install wheels on it that have a large tread. The best choice would be to use special mud tires, which can be selected for wheels of any size.
There are several types of tires that are used on a car depending on the season of operation and type of surface:
- Summer
- Winter
- All-season
- Road
- Mud
Each type of tire allows you to provide optimal traction under certain conditions. Mud is no exception. It is used by car owners exclusively for driving in off-road conditions. This is not necessarily dirt; these include sand, marshy areas and similar soils when a special tread pattern and its size are required. The use of this type of rubber allows you to increase cross-country ability by 40% compared to standard ones. In addition, there are several more advantages:
- Increased ground clearance due to tread height
- No dirt sticking
- Maximum grip
- Tire wear resistance
- Smooth running due to high radius.
But at the same time, some disadvantages inherent in such rubber should be taken into account:
- Maximum speed limit
- Increased fuel consumption
- Difficult to install on disks
The third drawback is relatively controversial, since it can be eliminated by using specialized tools or carrying out work in a specialized service station.
Why buy new tires for your SUV?
Good tires will allow you to do much more than just get around town.
If you drive a trailer or camper, then you need tires with a high load index.
And if, for example, you travel long distances, you need tires that help reduce fuel consumption.
Benefits of new tires
- New tires can improve the functionality and speed of your vehicle.
- If you need to go off-road for any reason, you can find a set of extra-durable tires that can withstand mud and slush.
- New SUV tires help the traction control system work more effectively, providing better traction.
- If for any reason you have to brake suddenly, quality SUV tires can shorten your vehicle's stopping distance on both dry and wet surfaces.
How to choose tires for the Niva and what sizes of tires come from the Niva assembly line?
Despite the fact that the Niva car is presented in a wide range of modifications, all models are equipped with one tire size: 185/75 R16. It is these tires that provide the necessary cross-country ability of the tire on different types of road surfaces.
But many car owners prefer to replace factory wheels with tires from other brands to improve the appearance of the vehicle and increase its technical characteristics.
It should be remembered that the maximum wheel width should be no more than 215 mm. This is quite reasonable, since installing larger tires will increase fuel consumption, increase the load on the stepped units and have a negative impact on cross-country ability.
In addition to the standard size, when choosing tires for the Niva, pay attention to several more important parameters:
- Seasonality . To make summer and winter tires, different types of rubber compounds are used, which differ in their level of hardness. Due to this, the tire maintains its performance characteristics even in hot weather and at extremely low temperatures.
- Presence of thorns . Studded tires are installed not only for winter travel. If the car owner often drives off-road or in mud, it is also worth giving preference to studded tires. For urban conditions, the use of such tires is unprofitable.
- Quality of moisture removal . The drainage system of the tire is responsible for this criterion. It is important that there are deep and wide grooves between the tread blocks, which remove moisture from the contact patch and provide excellent traction even with wet grass, mud and puddles.
Choosing summer tires
To select the right tires for an SUV, you need to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and take into account the operating conditions of the vehicle.
Tread pattern
The tread on the tires is different, not for beauty. The performance characteristics depend on this parameter. There are three types of patterns:
Symmetrical, without direction. A classic tread option, suitable for driving around the city and on the highway. This pattern is often used on inexpensive budget tires. The characteristics do not depend on the direction of movement and operating conditions. Standard option from the manufacturer.
Symmetrical, with direction. Rubber with a similar pattern is characterized by good grip and effective removal of water from the contact patch. Excellent for high-speed driving, including in rainy and spring weather. They cannot be installed on any hub, as they have a strict direction of movement, indicated by an arrow on the cord. Asymmetrical. The universal pattern is equally suitable for wet weather and dry weather. It is found not only on SUVs, but also on sedans and family station wagons. This rubber has different patterns on the inside and outside
When installing, you also need to pay attention to the inside/outside designation.
Each of the listed tread patterns has both advantages and disadvantages.
Speed index
An important parameter for choosing tires for the Chevrolet Niva. Markings in the form of Latin letters indicate the maximum speed that can be achieved on these tires.
For civilian versions of tires, the maximum speed reaches 300 km/h. It’s not worth considering all of them, since for the Chevrolet Niva, a speed of 140 km/h is already the maximum - its power unit will not be able to handle more. Tires with a high index are much more expensive, and there is no point in overpaying for it.
Load Index
The parameter determines the load that the tire can withstand when driving at maximum speed. This is the weight of a car with passengers and cargo allowed on one wheel. The index ranges from 70 to 120, which corresponds to a load from 335 to 1400 kg. If you plan to transport passengers and heavy loads, then it is better to take tires with a high index. But buying tires with an index that does not correspond to the maximum load allowed by the manufacturer is also not worth it.
Tire carcass
By design, tires can be radial or diagonal. The latter are practically not used today. The letter R in the radius designation indicates that this is a radial tire. There are also reinforced tires designated C (Cargo) or LT (Light Truck). They are usually used to transport heavy loads. You can combine all the available information and choose tires for the summer, guided by three main scenarios:
- Relaxed driving around the city and on the highway. For such conditions, tires with a medium profile, symmetrical tread pattern without direction or asymmetrical with a speed index of up to 140 km/h are suitable.
- Driving at maximum speed. It is better to choose tires with a lower profile and a high speed index.
- Off-road driving. To do this, choose high-profile tires with a deep tread - mud tires.
Advantages and types of mud tires for Niva
Mud tires for Niva come in the following variants:
- A/T tires are universal rubber designed for movement on both asphalt surfaces and various light off-road options. Tires of this type have a moderately aggressive tread pattern and protected sidewalls. Tires are suitable for asphalt, dirt roads, sand, stone, snow. They get stuck in deep ruts and clay. This is an ideal option for drivers who mostly drive on city roads and occasionally go off-road.
- M/T tires are a more classic version of mud tires. They have a tractor-type tread and fairly powerful side lugs. These tires are much more difficult to clog with dirt than regular ones and tend to self-clean when driving. They are much harder than All Terrain tires and perform poorly on asphalt and highways (they wear out quickly), as well as on ice. These tires are perfect for off-road driving, mud, rough roads, and solid snow.
- Extreme tires. This includes tires for tractors and special equipment. They have a diagonal cord design, their tread pattern is quite thin and quite large. Tires have a center track. The size range of the vast majority of these tire models starts from 29-31 inches. Some Niva owners install tires up to 31 inches in size, first changing a number of car structures, for example, filing the wheel arches. In addition to mud, these tires also work well on rocks and clay; they can also be used on asphalt.
Tires for Chevrolet Niva - a selection of excellent AT tires R15
Chevrolet Niva, judging by a survey on the website, is the second most popular SUV among Russians. However, very few people exploit it harshly (like Niva, for example). And it turns out that for many Shevik is a kind of expedition vehicle, which for the most part is driven on the highway, dirt roads and just a little bit on mud.
That is why the most popular tires, of course, are the All Terrain mud tires. They are not as muddy as the Mud terrain class, but you can also drive quite far on them. But driving on the highway is comfortable, and such tires do not wear out as quickly as MT mud tires.
In our selection, we will look at ten excellent AT class tires - for use 80% on the highway and 20% on dirt. These are universal tires, many of which are all-season tires and are used all year round.
Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10
One of the best ATs for the Chevrolet Niva, I have one in size 215/75/R15 (the front ball spacers are 2 cm, because the front springs are sagging, and this size easily fits into a stock car). My mileage is already 60 thousand km and the front wheels are worn down by 40 percent, the rear wheels are only 20% worn. The most killer tires, soft, comfortable, in the mud they once competed with Kordikas and looked very decent. The cords sometimes went further, but driving them on the highway was a complete chore. And Hankuk is beautiful. Highly recommend. I used it all year round, even in severe frost (-32 Celsius) the tire remained soft and did not tan. Really, the best all-season mud tire, and we tried 5-6 of them for sure.
Maxxis AT-771 "Bravo"
The 771 Maxis are also among the top all-season vehicles, which are optimally suited for expeditioners of the Chevy Niva class. Soft, comfortable, they don’t sharpen quickly, they handle dirt just fine for an AT-shki. The tread pattern of all AT tires is very similar to each other. Well, there are white letters here, maybe this is also important for someone)) In general, Bravo can very often be seen on Nivas and for use 80/20 dirt/dirt is ideal.
Bontyre Stalker A/T
New for the 2015 season, it has already collected a lot of positive reviews. Nivovods note the softness of the tire, comfort on the highway, sidewall strength and excellent cross-country ability for a tire of this class. True, there are only sizes 205/75/R15, as well as 215/65/R16. That is, for a cross-car, these sizes are perfect. The price tag isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s definitely 25 percent cheaper than top-end imported tires.
Kumho RoadVenture AT KL78
Another amazing All Terrain tire. The tread pattern is large enough for an AT tire, and as a result, it has good off-road capability (be careful, this is not a Mud Tire). On the highway it’s comfortable, the tire is soft, on the Shevik you can maintain a cruising speed of 100-110 km/h and drive without strain. Off-road - the distance between the tread blocks is quite wide, so it removes slurry from the contact patch quite well. The downside is that there are no side teeth (lugs), so it doesn’t go well out of the ruts, but show me at least one AT tire with lugs)) For your money, this tire is just super, you can drive a lot on asphalt, and then take it go fishing and wrap yourself in mud. If you are driving alone, then having a winch is a must, because good AT tires drag so hard that you begin to believe that you can drive everywhere))
Matador MP 71 Izzarda
Matador is a division of Continental, and the Germans know how to make rubber. True, more of a road one)) But this model turned out to be very good, the tread pattern is aggressive and large, the blocks are large and the distance between them is decent. You can rarely see them on Sheviks, since most people roll more famous tires. But pay attention to the Izzarda, a typical cross-country tire, ideal for dirt roads and light off-roading. Compared to highway cars, gasoline consumption increases by at least a liter per hundred, this is the price to pay for versatility, because now you can easily go fishing.
Cordiant All Terrain
A long-known and proven tire. Not as popular as Cordiant Offroad, nevertheless ideal for a touring car - not bad on the highway, excellent on dirt roads, light off-road - not bad. Positioned as an all-season product, but it is better to use only in the summer. Indestructible, moderately comfortable, a good budget option. The tread pattern, of course, is biased towards “driving on the highway and dirt roads”; if you often leave the highway, it is better to look for something more off-road.
Bridgestone Dueler A/T D697
A classic of the AT rubber genre, large tread pattern, large blocks and a decent distance between them. Ideal for light off-road use, indestructible, strong sidewall. It will, of course, get washed out in clay; it’s still not pure mud. There are a lot of positive reviews - people ride for 70 thousand km, the tire wears out quite slowly. That's why many people install it - it lasts a long time, it's excellent on the highway, excellent on dirt roads and fields, and excellent off-road. It’s not worth using in winter, even if it reaches zero it gets tanned and becomes plastic. In this regard, Hankuk is much cooler. But in terms of cross-country ability, the Bridge is in no way inferior, dragging through the mud to the last. For AT tires the result is simply amazing.
Cooper Discoverer A/T3
Expensive, but really worthwhile tires. I saw it live once and how it drove through the mud - it was cool, it gave the impression that the Shniva had purely mud tires installed, because the Nivka was like a tank. Premium tires are expensive, but they last for 4-5 seasons and no matter how long you drive on asphalt. There is minimal sharpening on the highway, although the rubber is soft, that’s what quality import means. It can be difficult to find on sale in the right sizes. Of the AT-shke, this is definitely in the top 3 in terms of its characteristics. Super tires.
All these 8 models can be safely taken and installed on a Chevrolet Niva, there are the required sizes - 215/75/R15, 205/75/R15 or 205/70/R15, some models are also available in the 16th diameter. Leave your reviews on tire models in the comments, and recommend something else from your experience.
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.
Radius 15
R15 mud tires are the most common family. Almost all manufacturers of tires for SUVs can boast of models for wheels with this diameter. It is among such modifications that you can find inexpensive foreign models, like HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT and BF Goodrich Mud Terrain. As well as the domestic “bison” I-569 “Bear”. All of them are presented in the most popular sizes 205/75/R15, 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15.
Radius 16
Unfortunately, the list of mud tire models with a diameter of R16 offered by manufacturers is not that large. The most popular wheels for such rims are, of course, made by the Cordiant brand. But, there are also such high-class foreign tires: Mud Terrain, Kumho Road Venture, Michelin Latitude, Lassa Competus. The last two models belong to the standard size 215 65 p16. You can find out how such tires behave on a Niva Chevy from the video.
Tire sizes for Niva (VAZ) of different models
Despite the fact that the Niva does not have a reinforced frame or a solid front axle, it still belongs to the category of SUVs, not SUVs, and copes well even with complete off-road conditions.
Although this concept can be completely different: a dirt village road without covering; mountainous terrain; deep ruts that become impassable after rain; a swamp where the soil is peaty and quite loose.
Car enthusiasts are faced with all these options:
- fans of recreation in the forest and mountains,
- participants of berry and mushroom marathons,
- lovers of summer and winter fishing.
When purchasing a car, which is designed to help overcome all the hardships of active recreation, the owner first of all strives to test it in the harsh realities of the local terrain.
To avoid disappointment at the very first difficulties, it is advisable to immediately take care of choosing good tires after purchasing a car. The one that is produced in Russia, unlike the Niva itself, does not belong to this category, and cannot compete with imported ones at all.
First, let's find out which wheels can be installed on a Niva without cutting the arches in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and then we'll go through the tire models.
VAZ-21214 (LADA 4×4)
This model is one of the few that was produced for export. It was also supplied to Japan, which is why it is right-hand drive. And this is the only Russian car allowed into the country, which is the queen of the global automobile industry.
For reference: On a Niva 4x4, regardless of the model and restyling, all four wheels are driven and must have the same profile.
That is, the car has all-wheel drive. Which wheels are suitable:
Factory parameters are 175/80 R16.
To replace:
- 185/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
VAZ-21213
The name Taiga, which this model initially received, never caught on. Although the car itself is quite popular, it has been produced since 1994, and became the prototype for many export models. The wheels on Niva 21213 are the same as those on the previous model.
VAZ-21215
This car with a diesel engine from Peugeot was produced only until 2007. It was also exported, so small batches were produced and better assembled than for the domestic market. Nevertheless, such Nivas also run along our roads.
Factory dimensions: 175/80 R16.
Replacement options:
- 185/75 R16,
- 205/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
Niva 2121
This Niva model went into mass production back in the late 70s, and over such a long period of time it has proven its right to life. No matter how much motorists scold AvtoVAZ assemblers, many people drive exactly this version. Tires for Niva 2121 will have the same dimensions.
From the factory: 175/80 R16.
To replace:
- 185/75 R16,
- 205/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
VAZ-212180 “Fora”
This Niva model was called Fora for its body lengthened by 30 cm, increased width of door openings and a wider rear seat than other models. Among other things, the “handicap” also affected the size of the wheels - 15-inch ones are no longer installed here.
Factory tires: 175/80/R16, 205/75 R16.
Tires with dimensions 215/70 R16 are suitable for replacement.
Niva 2131
Another extended model, but with 5 doors. Its popularity, judging by the copies sold, has not yet surpassed the VAZ-2121, but is already close to it.
Factory tire size is 175/80R16.
Replacement tires:
- 185/75R16,
- 195/70R16,
- 205/70R16,
- 215/65R16.
Niva 2123
The production of a pilot batch of this car was carried out in 2002. However, it ended up in the series when, due to financial difficulties, the production license was sold to General Motors.
As a result, a Chevrolet badge began to appear on the car’s bumper. This also affected the size of the wheels.
Base tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R15.
What to replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva
Later, the Americans made some changes to the design of the VAZ-2123, due to which it began to be considered a different model and received the proud prefix Chevrolet to the name Niva.
Factory tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
To replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 (VAZ-21236)
In 2006, a new Chevrolet Niva model was released, now with an Opel engine. However, after a couple of years it was discontinued. What wheels should I put on the Niva Chevrolet FAM-1? The same as the predecessor.
The factory installs tires with the following dimensions:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
Replacement tire sizes:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva Trophy
Previous Chevy Niva models were not adapted to off-road conditions in the same way as the Trophy model.
There are many features used here that help you drive on bad roads: a snorkel that protects the car from water hammer when driving through water, a chain tensioner that has become mechanical (it was hydraulic), transmission breathers under the hood and much more.
Factory tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
To replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva after restyling
In 2009, the Chevrolet Niva was updated, which was worked on by Italian designers. This mainly affected the appearance - the car began to look the way it is customary in the orderly ranks of General Motors. The wheels for the Chevrolet Niva remain the same.
Basic sizes:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
Replacement:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Some readers are interested in what large wheels can be installed on a Niva? If you cut the bridge and remove the arches, you can get such a miracle of technology as in the photo. But first, think carefully: is this necessary, and how much will it cost?
Some people believe that the best wheels on a Niva can be removed from a tractor
Which tires are better to put on the Niva 2121 - MT or AT?
The choice of the type of off-road tires for a Niva M/T or A/T directly depends on the type of roads on which the car owner will drive more often.
A/Ts are good for rural conditions and occasional off-road trips. In conditions of viscous clay and swamps, these tires can simply get stuck. Each model has its own recommendations for the ratio of asphalt and off-road - 50/50, 60/40, 40/60, etc.
A/T tires
M/T are more suitable for unpaved and off-road conditions. They are characterized by high noise on asphalt roads, long braking distances on asphalt, comparatively worse handling when driving only on asphalt road surfaces, and wear out and wear out extremely quickly. These tires show excellent driving performance in mud.
What's the difference
In addition to the difference in the purpose of roads and handling in certain conditions, tires differ in tread pattern. A/T have a medium aggressive tread pattern. M/Ts have a more powerful and aggressive tread pattern, which provides them with greater cross-country ability in mud.
Mud tires are an indispensable option for those owners of the Niva car who have to travel in the absence of roads, along rural, country roads, dirt roads, and forest clearings. These tires are indispensable for tourists, hunters, fishermen and travelers. They are an excellent way out of situations where ordinary wheels are powerless.
*Prices are valid for February 2022
Tires are usually divided into several types: highway or road tires, universal, mud and extreme. The first type is suitable for passenger cars that are not going to leave the road. Extreme tires are only suitable for off-road use; driving on them in the city is difficult to imagine. For SUV owners, the most interesting are mud and all-purpose tires that can be used both in the city and off-road.
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.
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.
Off-road tires 215 75 15 for the domestic car "Niva" 21213
For the VAZ-2121 car, the non-standard tire size is tires for size 15 wheels, namely 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15. When switching to these sizes, the choice becomes more extensive, the width and height of the profile increases, cross-country ability and grip on the road surface increase.
Car owners who install off-road tires of this size on their Niva recommend the following models:
Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure
- The Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure is great for off-road use, with large tread blocks and deep drainage channels for fairly quick and effective self-cleaning. The tires have a reinforced frame, and powerful sidewalls greatly increase resistance to deformation. The rubber has a special composition of silicon and polymers, which reduces noise and vibration during movement and also extends its service life. The price is about 7,000 rubles* per unit;
- YaShZ Ya-569 are also off-road tires of size 15, installed on the Niva. They have a special tread pattern with characteristic sharp edges, allowing the tread to cut through a layer of dirt and thereby provide outstanding cross-country ability. There are large channels between the tread blocks that allow the tire to quickly clean itself. The tires have a reinforced frame and sidewalls, which provide resistance to deformation and additional stability. The price per unit is from 7,000 rubles. It is one of the most passable off-road tire options for the Niva.
YaShZ Ya-569
Manufacturers
At the moment, Cordiants are the best in terms of price/quality ratio. They are relatively inexpensive. The cost is in the range of 3500-4000 rubles per tire. They behave well off-road, but can lose control on asphalt surfaces.
Bear. Another popular tire manufacturer. They are currently out of production, but if you are lucky enough to find such tires on the market, you can achieve good cross-country ability. To the advantage of such tires you can add good grip on asphalt surfaces.
Foreign analogues of the Bear that are currently produced include Kumho Road Venture tires. The cost can be from 5,000 rubles for one blank, and it is worth noting a good asymmetrical herringbone tread pattern. In addition to good traction, this allows the wheels to self-clean when clogged with dirt.
In addition, you can consider the Federal Couragia M/T model. It belongs to low pressure tires, which allows it to be used at 0.8 atmospheres. The special tread pattern ensures good off-road performance.
What are mud tires for?
This tire is needed for those who operate their SUV in off-road conditions. By replacing standard tires with mud tires, the vehicle’s maximum off-road driving properties are increased, and the following advantages appear:
- Increases wear resistance when operating an SUV in off-road conditions
- The tread increases traction parameters with the ground
- Dirt stops sticking to tires
- The car begins to move off-road smoother and more confidently
- Due to the high tread, ground clearance increases
In addition to the fact that installing this type of rubber provides many positive aspects, with all this there are also disadvantages, such as:
- Can't reach high speed
- Fuel consumption increases
- Removing such rubber from rims is problematic.
Also a huge disadvantage is that if the car is driven on normal roads where there is asphalt, then such tires quickly wear out. But the owners solve these problems by having special tools.
Tire size for Chevy Niva
In addition to different standard sizes, tires also have a specific purpose that corresponds to their operating conditions.
In order to correctly select the most suitable rims for wheels on the Shniva, you need to know what types of rims are available and how they are made:
- For example, stamped ones, being the cheapest and easiest to produce, are made by stamping from rolled steel. They are easily restored after deformation, but are heavy in weight, which affects the condition of the suspension and worsens the car’s handling. In addition, stamped discs are susceptible to corrosion and bend easily.
- Cast wheels, made from aluminum and other light alloy metals, are not as heavy as steel, have an attractive appearance and do not corrode. But at the same time they are noticeably more expensive and suffer from excessive fragility.
- Forged wheels, being the most expensive ones, become lighter and stronger through additional mechanical and heat treatment than cast ones.
The most popular wheels among Chevrolet Niva owners are from the following cars:
- "Suzuki Grand Vitara";
- "Suzuki Jimmy";
- "Kia Sportage";
- "Volga".
Car wheels differ greatly both in appearance and in the manufacturing method.
First of all, you should remember that universal tires, which are installed from the factory, perform very mediocre on the track and beyond. An experienced car owner approaches the choice based on several conditions:
- Conditions (road surface);
- The presence or absence of tuning (lifting, widening of wheel arches);
- Price;
- 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.
Car owners often decorate steel wheels with decorative plastic caps. You can install linings with a radius of 15 or 16 inches on standard Chevrolet Niva wheels.
However, you need to take into account that the hubcaps often fall off when driving on rough roads. You can try to save them in a simple way - fasten them to the disk with a plastic tie.
However, this method does not help on serious off-road conditions. Plastic does not withstand heavy loads when driving in deep mud, sand or snow.
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- Tire size for the field, all-season tires for the field 4×4, mud tires, the best winter tires for r16 wheels
- Tires for Niva Chevrolet. Which one to choose?
- TOP 10 best brake pads for VAZ and Lada (Front, rear)
- Rating of the best tires for Chevrolet Niva
- Tire rating for Chevy Niva
- Niva tire rating 2121
- Tow bar for Chevrolet Niva: review, installation, models and owner reviews
Rating of TOP 9 best tires for Niva 2021-2022
Place | Name | Price |
TOP 3 best summer tires for Chevrolet Niva for 2021-2022 in terms of price/quality | ||
1 | Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 215/70 R16 100H | Find out the price |
2 | Cordiant Comfort 2 SUV 215/70 R16 104T | Find out the price |
3 | Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 215/70 R16 100H | Find out the price |
TOP 3 best winter tires for Chevrolet Niva | ||
1 | Nokian Tires Nordman 7 SUV 205/70 R15 100T | Find out the price |
2 | Nexen Winguard WinSpike WH62 205/70 R15 96T | Find out the price |
3 | Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer 215/70 R16 100T | Find out the price |
TOP 3 best all-season tires for Chevrolet Niva | ||
1 | Nitto Dura Grappler 215/70 R16 100H | Find out the price |
2 | MAXXIS Bravo AT-771 205/75 R15 97T | Find out the price |
3 | Triangle Group TR292 215/75 R15 100/97S | Find out the price |
Choosing tires: where to start?
Why change tires at all? An experienced VAZ 2121 driver does not have such questions. Nivovod begins to think about replacing tires not because of a good life, nor in search of extreme sports or unusual sensations. The thing is that all-season factory tires 185/70 R16, being the result of compromises, unification and budgetary frameworks, turn out to be a very mediocre assistant both on the city highway, and when driving off-road, and in winter.
Off-road variant of Cordiant
Here you already have to choose tires for yourself, based on a number of basic parameters:
in what operating conditions will the future wheels be used, whether the car will have to cut through asphalt road surfaces or more, after all, off-road; how far the driver is ready to go in the matter of tuning his iron horse, will the owner’s heart tremble to send his brand new VAZ 21214 under the knife (some tire sizes require widening the wheel arches or bending their sides outward, lifting the suspension, as well as lifting the body of the VAZ 21214 directly above the frame ); based on the budget (a lift kit costs about 3-4 thousand rubles, it can be easily installed even in your garage, a completely acceptable set of tires can cost 3.5-4.5 thousand rubles, and the most “juicy” offers reach up to amounts of 8-12 thousand
rubles); take a thorough look at the offers of various brands (it’s worth paying attention to already proven brands, since good tires are not just a beautiful tread pattern, but also the correct chemical composition. And you can be sure that you won’t get a “pig in a poke” only by trusting a manufacturer with a good reputation).
You can’t do without basic knowledge of tire labeling. Typically, the name of the tire indicates three main parameters (for example, 185/70 R16). Where 185 is the tire width in mm, 70 is the profile height expressed as a percentage of the width and R16 is the radial diameter of the rim in inches. There is also almost a dozen additional information, incl. regarding the type of tire (M+S - all-season, AT or MT, these abbreviations are discussed in more detail below), manufacturer, operational and technical characteristics, braking coefficient (A - good, B - acceptable, C - so-so) and much more.
Sizes with 15 and 16 diameter discs
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.
Help: there is another way to increase the space for installing wheels - changing the design of the arches. However, this method requires welding and high bodywork skills. Therefore, most car owners prefer lifting.
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.
Rating of the best all-season tires for an SUV
The desire to travel, work, fishing, hunting force domestic motorists to travel along roads where asphalt has ended or has not yet begun at any time of the year. Let's talk about the best models of all-season tires for SUVs.
Bridgestone Dueler A/T 001
Description of the tire. The letters on the tire markings of the Japanese company A/T mean that this is a universal all-season tire, suitable for use on asphalt roads and off-road.
The original tread pattern allows the car to confidently “feel” the road in the metropolis and beyond. Computer-aided design of the location of drainage channels on the tread can reduce the rolling resistance of a car and reduce fuel costs.
Tires 235/60 R16 100H are in high demand. They can be used at speeds up to 210 km/h (index H), the maximum permissible load on one wheel is 800 kg (index 100).
Dimension. The range of tires in this series includes sizes suitable for wheels from 15 to 18 inches.
Pros of Bridgestone Dueler A/T 001
- An ideal off-road tire for asphalt roads.
- Long working life.
- Soft rubber, rides great on roads with uneven surfaces.
- Reliable sidewall, resistant to mechanical contacts.
- Short braking distance.
Cons of Bridgestone Dueler A/T 001
- They make increased noise.
- Overpriced.
BFGoodrich Urban Terrain
Description of the tire. Taking into account the difficult operating conditions of tires, manufacturers took care of their strength: they strengthened the structure of the carcass and belt.
Despite the asymmetrical tread pattern, the load distribution during tire contact with the road occurs evenly throughout the entire area.
The location of drainage channels and lamellas was created using a computer program.
This allows the tire to show good results on roads with any surface.
The model line allows you to choose tires not only for SUVs, but also for crossovers and passenger cars.
Index range. Loads: 96-109 (710-1030 kg per tire). Speeds: HV (210-240 km/h).
Dimension. The size range of tires from this American brand allows you to choose tires for wheels from 15 to 18 inches.
Pros of BFGoodrich Urban Terrain
- Long service life.
- Excellent handling.
- No hydroplaning.
- Minimal noise when driving.
- “Indifference” to the rut.
- Economical.
Cons of BFGoodrich Urban Terrain
- Slightly overpriced.
- Not the quietest tire.
General Tire Grabber AT3
Description of the tire. These tires from an American company, part of the transnational concern Continental, are produced for off-road vehicles, pickup trucks, and crossovers.
Powerful lugs prevent the car from sliding into the mud when off-road and protect the grooves from small road stones getting into them.
Index range. Speeds: from 190 (T) to 240 km/h (V), loads: 710 (96) – 1000 kg (108).
Dimension. The presence of a wide network of factories on various continents allows the company to produce tires of various sizes: 15 - 22 inches.
Pros of the General Tire Grabber AT3
- Excellent handling.
- The side “shoulders” protect the tires when hitting a curb or obstacle.
- Stable braking on any road.
- Perfectly balanced.
- Low noise tires.
- Acceptable price.
Cons of the General Tire Grabber AT3
- Increased fuel consumption.
Cooper Discoverer A/T3
Description of the tire. American all-season tires are designed for installation on SUVs, crossovers, and pickups.
The use of silica in the production of rubber compounds makes the rubber more durable and resistant to deformation.
Three-dimensional 3D MicroGauge sipes provide excellent grip on the road surface in all conditions.
The arrangement of the tread blocks, optimized using a computer program, reduces noise when driving the car to 71 dB.
The presence of a wear indicator on the sidewalls allows the owner to timely determine the time of tire replacement and balance them.
Dimension. This is a relatively new model in the company’s line, so their range is limited to sizes of 16, 17, 18 inches.
Pros of the Cooper Discoverer A/T3
- Comfortable passage of road holes and potholes.
- Excellent maneuverability.
- Wear-resistant, durable rubber.
- Low noise.
- No hydroplaning.
- Beautiful tread pattern design.
Cons Cooper Discoverer A/T3
- It gets washed out on a dirty road.
- They go away a little when turning.
- Soft sides.
TOP 3 best winter tires for Chevrolet Niva
Winter tires for Niva can boast excellent performance characteristics, so the owner will not have any difficulties with driving even in severe frost, on snowy or icy roads.
Nokian Tires Nordman 7 SUV 205/70 R15 100T
The winter model from the famous Northern European brand is specially designed for comfortable and safe driving on slippery and snowy roads..
The technologies used for production increase the tire's wear resistance and guarantee stable traction on almost any road surface.
The size of the tire is ideal for almost all SUVs, including the domestic Niva.
The design solutions used to produce the tire allow it to demonstrate excellent grip properties even in the most difficult climatic conditions.
Special teardrop-shaped recesses on the blocks are equipped with anchor spikes . This further increases the directional stability of the vehicle and allows you to perform complex maneuvers even on snowy and icy roads.
Specifications:
- profile width/height 205/70 mm;
- maximum speed 190 km/h;
- load up to 800 kg.
pros
- the spikes do not fly out even during regular off-road trips;
- the size is suitable for almost all SUV models;
- soft rubber compound makes it easier to pass road obstacles;
- The tread design reduces braking distance, regardless of the road surface;
- good abrasion resistance.
Minuses
- controllability in slushy snow is lost;
- not very good balancing.
Nexen Winguard WinSpike WH62 205/70 R15 96T
This winter tire, despite its affordable price, is superior in many characteristics to similar models of its competitors.
For its production, advanced technologies and modern materials were used, which guarantee a long tire life and provide excellent grip on the road, even on icy roads.
In order for the car on which these tires are installed to boast stable and predictable handling, the manufacturer has provided a whole range of measures.
These include a special breaker design, synthetic cord and a special rubber mixture, which increases the rigidity and resistance of the product to deformation.
Specifications:
- profile width/height 205/70 mm;
- maximum speed 190 km/h;
- load up to 710 kg.
pros
- excellent quality of South Korean assembly;
- costs less than analogues without loss of performance characteristics;
- behave stably and predictably on ice and snow;
- make minimal noise;
- The tire allows you to take turns quickly and accurately.
Minuses
- not the shortest braking distance on ice;
- in deep snow they start to slip.
Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer 215/70 R16 100T
Studded winter tire designed for medium and high power SUVs.
It differs from the previous version with a reinforced frame and sidewalls. But this is not all the advantages of the tire. The running part of the tread has a directional design with large elements.
The central part is represented by a monolithic rib with elongated lamellas . The transverse edges are located nearby.
In combination with similar shoulder elements, this increases traction and braking efficiency on ice and loose snow.
In addition, numerous small sipes run across the entire tread area..
Their side walls are located at a special angle, which provides additional grip on the road surface and guarantees a significant reduction in braking distance.
Specifications:
- profile width/height 215/70 mm;
- maximum speed 190 km/h;
- maximum load up to 800 kg.
pros
- excellent grip on icy roads;
- predictable control on loose snow and slush;
- relatively low cost;
- makes much less noise than other studded tires;
- high-quality screwed-in studs.
Minuses
- in very severe frost, handling suffers a little;
- not very good directional stability at high speed.
What to look for when buying SUV tires
SUVs are versatile and can carry a large number of passengers, plus haul a heavy load on a tow bar.
So if you have an SUV, you can hook up an RV, camper, or trailer to it.
A set of good, reliable tires with an aggressive tread pattern will allow you to haul more weight more efficiently and improve the functionality of your SUV.
Tire size
If you're simply replacing your SUV's old, worn tires with new ones, pay attention to the size of your original tires. The tire must match the wheel rim
The tire must fit the wheel rim.
You can find your tire size on the sidewall of the rubber.
For example, 245/65R17 means that the tire width is 245mm and its height is 65% of its width.
To find out what size is right for your SUV, you can also refer to your vehicle's owner's manual.
Load capacity
Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing new SUV tires is their load capacity.
Each tire can support a certain maximum weight.
The load index can be found on the sidewall of the tire in the form of a number or letter designation from A to F.
Tread pattern
There are three types of tread patterns on SUV tires: symmetrical, unidirectional and asymmetrical.
Symmetrical patterns are likely a better option because they have a longer lifespan and wear more evenly over time.
Treads with a unidirectional pattern tend to wear out faster.
The asymmetrical tread pattern is a mixture of the previous two and increases the effectiveness of the traction control system.
Which wheels are best to install on a Niva 4×4?
As such, there are no separate summer tires for this type of car, that is, in most cases these are factory, standard passenger wheels for driving on asphalt roads.
For winter, the manufacturer offers VLI-10 or Voltyre VLI-5. These are fairly cheap tires and therefore the disadvantages include the short service life of such wheels.
In general, when choosing tires for your Niva 4×4, you should take into account not only prices, but also the area where you will be driving. For example, wide low-profile AT wheels are suitable for all types of surfaces, while narrow wheels are only suitable for asphalt. Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires are suitable for off-road use, and Radial tires for cold climates. The owner of a Niva 4x4 has plenty to choose from, since there are many manufacturers of wheels for such vehicles and for different climatic conditions, both domestic and foreign. Among Russian ones, these are factories in Nizhnekamsk, Kirov, Barnaul and Altai, and among foreign ones, these are at least China and Japan.