What wheels are suitable for the Lada Kalina?

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Lada Kalina is the first car of the Russian concern AvtoVAZ, produced in 2 generations over 14 years, from 2004 to 2022, and had an appearance close to Western competitors in this class of compact cars. In terms of the cost of the basic equipment, Kalina was always ahead of its European competitors. The high reliability of this Lada made it possible to operate it for 8-10 years, which led to the need to replace worn parts, and the main ones were always the wheels.

Wheels for Kalina

The wheelbase, technical characteristics of the engine, as well as the traditional compact size are an invariable feature of absolutely all VAZ cars, with the exception of the iconic Niva. Numerous car owners of domestic cars are largely limited in the choice of wheels, since the dimensions of the car in the basic configuration simply do not allow them to install something exotic. If we talk about the factory version, then the wheels for the Kalina are supplied with the following characteristics:

Lada Kalina

This is a traditional 58.1 mm drill and 4x98 bolt pattern for the brand, which, in principle, is not bad, as it provides versatility and interchangeability. In addition, the standard European size 4x100 is also suitable for these parameters.
The simplest configuration of the Lada Kalina is equipped with stamped wheels 5.0J x 13 ET40, which corresponds to 175/70/R13 tires. Such a small size is especially convenient for tire fitting, since you can even “change the shoes” of the car manually, and the car also becomes more passable on snowy roads.
As standard, the manufacturer equips this car with wheels with the specifications 5.5J x 14 ET37 or 6.0J x 14 ET37, and the ideal tires for this size are 175/65/R14 and 185/60/R14, respectively. As a rule, they also come in the “stamping” version, but are covered with decorative plastic caps in the original version.
More expensive modifications of the Kalina are equipped with 6.5J x 15 ET35 wheels and 195/50/R15 tires. This is the best option, since with such a size, the car enthusiast does not need to change the shoes of his “iron horse” twice every year, and he can immediately install all-season tires and change them only as they wear out.
The luxury version of the car is considered the most expensive and comes from the factory with an automatic transmission and alloy wheels, which can compete with the equipment of compact cars from the world's leading automakers. So, the size of this product is 6.5J x 16 ET45, and the tires have dimensions of 195/45/R16.

Factory wheels for Lada Kalina

If we consider a car option like the Kalina Sport, intended for high-speed travel around the city, then it is highly not recommended to install R13 wheels on this modification due to the tire profile being too high. The risk is that on sharp turns the tires may simply fly off the side of the rim, and this will inevitably lead to an accident. Thus, the wheels on the Lada Kalina Sport have a width of at least 6.0J-6.5J and a radius of 15 inches and above.

How to choose the best wheels with a diameter of 16 inches

Let's calculate what the outer diameter of tires of the following standard size is: 195/45 R16. The resulting value is 582 mm. Which is 2 mm less than the outer diameter of the tires installed by AvtoVAZ itself. And the rim of an alloy wheel with an increased diameter should not be narrower than 7 inches (7Jx16 wheels are needed). It’s interesting that Kalina-2 Sport uses 195/50 R16 tires, but we are going to install lower-profile tires.

Various Kalina-2 hatchbacks with 16-inch wheels

Now, let's talk about the meaning of departure. It is clear that it should be from the range ET-35 - ET-38. When using a larger value, we eliminate the possibility of rubber “catching” metal, but we add load to the chassis. In general, wheels with an offset of ET-38 can be installed if the warranty is not needed.

The value recommended by AvtoVAZ, ET-35, is suitable: many owners of VAZ cars purchase 7Jx16 ET-35 wheels, if we talk specifically about 16 inches. On such wheels they mount tires 205 mm wide and 92 mm high, and somehow the whole thing rides. Our conclusions:

205/45 R16 – not recommended, but viable;
195/45 R16 is quite suitable.

Note that the conclusions refer to the option of using disks of the following standard size: 7Jx16 ET-35.

In conclusion, just in case, we will list which discs are installed on the Kalina-2 from the factory. If we are talking about casting and a diameter of 15 inches, the width of the rim can only be 6 inches (no less). Another option used is 5.5Jx14. This information must be taken into account when choosing - you cannot buy narrow alloy wheels with a large diameter.

The mounting holes for some disks are located on a circle with a diameter of 100 mm. We need 98 mm, but we won’t be able to distinguish one from the other by eye. Therefore, when making a choice, be careful. It is unnecessary to remind you that installing disks with an incorrectly selected PCD parameter value is prohibited. Happy tuning!

How to choose wheels with radii R13 and R14 for the Lada Kalina

These wheels have the following distinctive features, knowing which, the owner will quickly decide what kind of wheel he needs:

R13 wheels on the Lada Kalina should not be considered in the “cast” version, since they will not add beauty to the car due to their small size, and they will not be cheap compared to stamped products (1.2-1.7 thousand rubles .* per wheel).
Alloy wheels for 14 on the Lada Kalina are presented on the market with many options, from which you can choose the most suitable products both for aesthetic reasons and based on the most reasonable price.
The width of the wheel rim cannot be less than 5.0J, since otherwise the disks will simply lose stability, but not more than 6.0J, so that the driver does not have to look for a non-standard offset.
Rubber must be selected only with a high profile, 65-70 mm, which excludes the possibility of comfortable high-speed driving, however, with a smaller cross-sectional size, the car will drop so low above the road that the driver will have to go around every bump to avoid damage to the bottom.
The most popular brands of these wheels are domestic giants, such as AvtoVAZ itself or franchise concerns - K&K and SKAD.

choice for 14 and 15-inch wheels

In the “Lux” trim levels of Lada Kalina-2 cars, alloy wheels with a diameter of 15 inches are installed from the factory. For more affordable versions, such as “Norma”, “stamping” with a diameter of 14 inches is standard. VAZ installs only universal, that is, all-season tires on all new cars. Of course, if we are talking about a crossover, the buyer will be offered universal Pirelli tires. However, the option of using all-season tires is not suitable for winter. Let's consider what is better to choose for a station wagon and for a hatchback of the “berry family”, if we are talking about the need to install a “spike”.

Winter tires for “Standard” and “Norma”

Those who purchased a car with a 14-inch “stamping” are in the most advantageous position. In this case, the owner will be able to choose anything from a huge list of studded tires, including imported ones. AvtoVAZ recommends using the following sizes:

For winter, obviously, the first option is suitable: narrower tires have better cross-country ability.

It must be remembered that the use of tires of any size other than those recommended may void the suspension warranty. You can choose the most suitable size using the table below. The best option will be highlighted in black.

Each cell of the following table contains the outer diameter of the wheel:

See column number 14

As a result of tests carried out by different publications, a list of products that meet the above goals was formed. The list contains the names of brands under which studs of size 175/65 R14 are offered:

Hakkapeliitta 8 – good grip properties, even on ice. Add to this high cross-country ability and low fuel consumption. Comments can be made regarding directional stability in the snow.
Continental ContiIceContact - the owner can count on ideal traction properties, including on ice. Good braking on asphalt is guaranteed, but fuel consumption will be quite high.
Michelin X-Ice North 2 - the balance of all indicators is complemented by good grip properties demonstrated on snow. Fuel consumption will be low, but increased noise will be noted.
Gislaved NordFrost 100 – ideal deceleration on wet asphalt. To it we must add good handling, as well as stability and cross-country ability in winter.
Nokian Nordman 4 – option suitable for snow and asphalt. Fuel consumption will be moderate, but braking on dry asphalt will not bring pleasant emotions.
Kama EURO 519 – poor deceleration on wet asphalt, and in general, these tires are only for snow.
Cordiant Polar 2 – the worst grip on snowy roads, high fuel consumption. There are no comments only when driving at low speeds.
Amtel NordMaster ST is an asphalt tire that holds its course well on snow.

Based on the information provided, you can easily choose the appropriate option.

This is what the tread of modern winter tires looks like

How to choose wheels with radii R15 and R16 for the Lada Kalina

Those car enthusiasts who choose 15 and 16 radius wheels for their Lada Kalina save less on their budget and often think about the appearance of their “iron horse”.

With a radius of 16, the “casting” has a relatively large mass, given that the car itself is very compact and light. Therefore, when driving at high speeds, a driver with such discs will definitely feel a decrease in the dynamic characteristics of his car. Thus, R16 should only be purchased in a forged version, since the specific gravity of a lightweight alloy will be lower than on cast wheels.

When adjusting the factory wheel width 6.5J x 15 ET35 or 6.5J x 16 ET40, it should be taken into account that it is necessary to carefully select the ET dimension, since the disk must be under the wheel arch and at the same time not touch the stationary parts of the car. In addition, if the wheel protrudes beyond the dimensions, the driver will need to purchase additional plastic protection against dirt around the perimeter of the wheel arches.

For a spare wheel, it is better to purchase an inexpensive stamped version; it will cost less than “casting” or “forging”, and besides, this wheel is used extremely rarely.

Among the most well-known manufacturers, various companies of both Russian and foreign production predominate, with the exception of those listed above, in particular IFree, YST, Yokatta, VSMPO Aurora, NZ, Alcasta and some others.

Alloy wheels on Lada Kalina Sport

Steel or light alloy: which is better and why

Based on the manufacturing method, models are divided into two types. Steel ones (also called stampings) are distinguished by the fact that during production all parts are welded. This is a simple technology, so their price is low. The positive aspects of this option: discs are easily restored even with deep deformations, they are highly reliable, durable, and repairs are simple and inexpensive. Negative aspects: difficulties with auto-balancing, increased weight, uniform appearance (it is possible to modify it with caps or paint), low corrosion resistance.

Light alloy products are modern and more popular; they include aluminum and magnesium alloys. According to the production method, they are divided into cast, forged, combined, and titanium.

View	Manufacturing	pros	Minuses
Cast.	The metal is poured into molds, then the frozen surface is processed. This production method makes the metal structure grainy.	Low weight.	During long-term use on broken, bumpy roads, microcracks appear that can split the disc with a powerful impact. Repairs are expensive; products are straightened on a machine. But after such a procedure there is no guarantee of reliability during operation.
Forged.	Manufactured by hot stamping. The texture of the metal becomes fibrous and durable.	Low weight and high strength.	Forged wheels are produced from aluminum or magnesium (luxury quality, stronger than aluminum, the price is much higher, made by pre-order).
Combined.	Cast and forged parts are connected using special bolts.	They are subject to repair, and the rim can be replaced, but the central part can be left.	A considerable price, which provoked mass counterfeits - with decorative bolts.
Titanium.	Due to the large weight of the metal, the thickness of the disks is reduced during manufacturing.	The most durable.	They have a high price. A small number of models are produced.

When choosing cast specimens, you should pay attention to the metal that is part of the alloy: magnesium - lighter in weight, but with reduced strength; aluminum - less susceptible to cracking. So what products are most suitable for Lada Kalina ? Every driver strives for maximum safety on the road. When choosing wheels, you should analyze the condition of the surfaces on which the car will be driven and your driving style.

The advantages of steel wheels are their attractive cost. In addition, there is the possibility of restoration after deformation. When impacted, they do not split, but are crushed; suspension and steering parts are minimally damaged.

Alloy wheels for Kalina have such advantages.

Wide range of different models. Additionally, there is the possibility of painting.
Low weight increases the dynamic parameters of the suspension, which improves driving safety.
Better performance of heat removal from brake units.

In Europe, alloy wheels are more popular. In the Russian market, due to the quality of roads, most drivers choose steel or forged ones.

Car owners know that VAZ recommends only three tire sizes for Kalina-2. Two of them are standard - we are talking about the standard size 185/55 R15 (used with “casting”) and 175/65 R14 (option for “casting” and for). We looked at all this before, and here we are going to talk about what other standard sizes, not included in those recommended by the factory, are suitable and proven options. The review is based on publications by tuning authors.

Characteristics of wheels on Lada Kalina Cross

Starting in 2014, Russian engineers of the AvtoVAZ concern slightly adjusted the suspension of the Lada Kalina station wagon and they got a crossover, since the car was raised a few more centimeters above the ground. In addition, the necessary attributes for a small SUV were added to this version, and a fundamentally new car rolled off the assembly line - the Lada Kalina Cross. Of course, in order to match the qualities of the SUV, the car is equipped with slightly different rims.

The wheel size for Kalina Cross in the simplest configuration is 5.5J x 14 ET35, and for a slightly more expensive modification - 6.0J x 15 ET33, which corresponds to tires 175-185/55-65/R14-R15, but in this In this case, the car does not look very impressive due to too large gaps between the rubber surface and the wheel arches. Therefore, many car enthusiasts change the tire profile without touching the wheels to 70 and even 75 mm, which creates the effect of a real SUV.

In richer trim levels, the car is equipped with a slightly larger radius of wheels with parameters 6.5J x 15 ET30, and 195/55/R15 tires fit perfectly on them. This size is in high demand among buyers, as it is optimal for both smooth asphalt and off-road trails.

Characteristics of standard wheels of different configurations

The first generation Kalina models are equipped with 14 and 13 inch products. The light-alloy version was released with a diameter of R14. With this reduced tire profile, it is also possible to install R15 (this was done in the sports version).

For all modifications of the sedan, hatchback, station wagon, and sport models of the first generation, released in 2004–2013, the following dimensions were used:

5J wheels on 13 ET40, matching tires - 175/70R13;
5.5J on 14 ET37 - 175/65R14;
6J on 14 ET37 - 185/60R14;
6.5J on 15 ET35 - 195/50R15;
6.5J on 16 ET45 - 195/45R16.

All modifications of cars (hatchback, station wagon, cross, sports of the second generation (since 2014) were equipped with the following types of wheels and tires:

5.5J on 14 ET35, tires - 175/65R14;
6J on 14 ET35 - 185/60R14;
6J on 15 ET35 - 185/55R15;
6.5J on 15 ET35 - 195/50R15;
6.5J on 16 ET35 - 195/45R16.

The “norm” and “standard” packages of the second generation do not have factory alloy wheels. In the luxury package, the buyer can choose cast R14 and R15.

Lada Kalina wheel size: tires, wheels, bolt pattern

Lada Kalina owners often wonder what kind of wheels and tires are suitable for this car? In this case, the manufacturer provided an answer to this question and compiled a list of possible options for installing different wheel and tire options on Kalina. But the bolt pattern also plays a big role.

Tire size on Kalina (factory)

According to the manufacturer's data, three tire sizes can be installed on the Lada Kalina. It depends on the year of manufacture of the car. So, let's look at what options exist for installing tires on the Lada Kalina:

The most common size option is 175/70R13. This is the standard size of “Zhiguli” tires, which takes its history back to the “Classics”.
The second most popular size on the VAZ, but the most common on the Lada Kalina is 175/65R14.

14th radius on a Lada Kalina with Kama-217 tires (this is a classic!)

The wheel rim with which the Lada Kalina comes off the production line in the most popular “Norma” configuration

From a different angle, the same tires and the same wheels

The third standard tire size option is 185/65R15.

Standard version of wheels for Lada Kalina in LUX configuration: 6.0×15 4*98 ET 35 dia58.6

All other tire size options are non-standard and are not recommended for installation on the Lada Kalina.

Visual table of tire applicability for Kalina

Visual table for selecting tire sizes for Lada Kalina

Disk size

There are two options for installing disks on the Lada Kalina according to the technical documentation:

5.5x14

Wheel rim 5.5*14*98

6.5x15

Standard rim R15

Appearance on 15th wheels

To install other discs, you will have to replace some suspension and control parts.

Bolt pattern and possible options

Bolt pattern is the fastening of the wheel to the hub using bolts or special studs. Simply put, this is the size of a car's "shoe."

Wheel rim for Kalina with bolt pattern 4*98

For all generations of Lada Kalina, the bolt pattern is standard 4x98, although there were experiments when some cars came off the assembly line with a non-standard parameter - 4x100.

17" casting machine

See what the Kalina-2 hatchback might look like on 17-inch wheels:

Kalina-2 on 17-inch casting, with and without lowering

There are two tuning options presented here, with and without lowering, and in both cases the wheels used are: 7Jx17 ET-38. Tires – 205/40 R17. According to the author of the first method, there are no problems as a result. That is, the wheels do not cling to the body anywhere even when the car is loaded. The only thing is that when you turn the steering wheel all the way, one of the wheels still slightly touches the metal, but this can be neglected.

You need to take into account the following: if you simply take and install wheels with 205/40 R17 tires, the seating position of the Kalina-2 hatchback or station wagon will increase to 175 mm (the standard value is 160 mm). In general, the next step should be a competently executed understatement. Author's version: the front suspension uses struts and springs shortened by 90 mm, the rear suspension is also equipped with shortened shock absorbers and springs (–90 mm). You don’t have to lower anything, but simply install new wheels, and this tuning method has been tested by owners in reality. But it is unlikely that a car with a seat height increased to 175 mm has better handling than the factory version. We will leave the choice to the owner.

Tires and wheels for Kalina (compatibility and photos)

External tuning of a car begins with replacing standard stamped wheels with cast ones. And here the first question arises: what wheels to put on Kalina? In this article we will look at the size, parameters of Lada Kalina wheels and their compatibility.

Standard tire and wheel sizes for Lada Kalina

From the technical characteristics of the car it turned out that, depending on the configuration, the standard size of Lada Kalina wheels can be as follows:

175/70R13
175/65R14
185/60R14

Lada Kalina tires and wheels have the following parameters:

Tire size, load capacity index	175/70R13 82T, N	175/65R14 82T, N	185/60R14 82T, N
Wheel rim (disk) width, inches*	5J	5J, 5'/2	5J, 5'/2J
5J, 5'/2J, 6J	5J, 5'/2J, 6J	5J, 5'/2J, 6J
Wheel rim offset (ET), mm*	35	35	35
35-40	35-40	35-40
Air pressure in tires front/rear when loaded with more than 3 people without luggage, MPa (bar)	0,19/0,19 (1,9/1,9)	0,20/0,20 (2,0/2,0)
Air pressure in tires front/rear at maximum permitted load, MPa (bar)	0,19/0,21 (1,9/2,1)	0,20/0,22 (2,0/2,2)
Diameter of mounting holes, mm	98
Diameter of the central hole of the wheel (disk), mm	56
Minimum tire tread height, mm	1,6