Which tires to choose for a Chevrolet Niva and what should you pay attention to first?

Standard wheel sizes

The factory equipment of the Shnivy provides for the installation of two wheel options: 15- and 16-inch. Based on this, and also taking into account the dimensions of the wheel arches, the tire sizes are also binary: 205/75 R15 and 215/65 R16. When using wheels with such indicators, the manufacturer guarantees their trouble-free mileage in a variety of conditions, including even diagonal hanging.

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At the same time, some deviations from the factory settings are allowed. For example, 215/75 R15 tires fit well into existing wheel arches without catching wheel arches or other parts of the body even with maximum steering or when driving off-road. However, if you install “mud” tires of the same size in this car, then in some positions the side wheel lugs may abnormally catch the wheel arch liners or bumper. 225/75 R16 tires can behave similarly if the steering wheel is in one extreme position or another.

The standard wheels of the Chevrolet Niva ensure trouble-free operation of the vehicle in a variety of road conditions.

Tire markings are deciphered as follows:

• tire width in millimeters;
• percentage ratio of the tire height to its width;
• inner (landing) diameter of the tire in inches.

Tire sizes are directly related to their performance. Wide tires have a larger grip area and a shorter braking distance. In addition, wide wheels have a lower specific ground pressure, which improves the vehicle's maneuverability in off-road conditions. That is, the advantages of wide tires are obvious. However, there is also a downside to the coin, which worsens the good picture of using wide tires:

1. As tire width increases, rolling friction increases proportionally, which requires additional fuel consumption.
2. A large area of ​​contact with the road provokes aquaplaning, that is, sliding through puddles, which is less likely with narrow tires.
3. Reducing the specific ground pressure, which improves the vehicle's off-road performance, simultaneously worsens the vehicle's handling on country roads.
4. Wide tires weigh more than narrow tires, which puts additional stress on the suspension.

That is, the use of wide tires is justified only when the vehicle is primarily used in off-road conditions.

Based on the ratio of the height of the tire to its width, tires are divided into:

• low profile (from 55% and below);
• high-profile (up to 60–75%);
• full-profile (from 80% and above).

At the factory, high-profile tires are installed on the Chevrolet Niva car. In order to install full-profile tires on it, it is necessary to carry out a suspension lift. If you install low-profile tires on standard wheels, the ground clearance can reach a dangerously low level, which threatens the car’s components with damage.

2056017 with an overall wheel height of 31.4 inches and a 265/70/17 of 31.6 inches.

2358516 is 31.7 inches, 2657516 is 31.6 inches, and 2857016 is 31.7 inches.

215/75 R15 - 31.3 inches.

Without using lifting, you can install wheels on a Chevrolet Niva 4x4 with the dimensions discussed above. It should be taken into account that although these dimensions fit normally into the standard parameters of the car, when using, for example, “mud” tires, problems may arise with the wheels catching the wheel arch liners or bumper. Most often, Shniva owners install UAZ wheels with a diameter of 31 inches on their cars.

Often, car enthusiasts believe that lifting increases the ground clearance of the car. However, this is not an entirely accurate judgment. In reality, ground clearance is increased due to the use of wheels of larger diameter, which can reach 33 inches. But lifting helps to install such wheels.

• more aggressive surroundings of the car;
• possibility of installing mud tires on it;
• protection of components and assemblies from road irregularities due to higher ground clearance.

Most often, the lifted Chevrolet Niva 4x4 is equipped with wheels reaching a size of 240/80 R15.

Lifting allows you to install wheels of a larger diameter and with better maneuverability on your car.

The wheel size for this SUV is in accordance with the parameters of the installed wheel rim. The disk on the Chevrolet Niva has the following parameters: disk offset (ET) - 40 mm, bolt pattern - 5x39.5 mm, hub hole diameter - 98.5 mm. The mounting diameters of the wheels, depending on the modification of the SUV, come in sizes 15 and 16 inches.

"Niva Chevrolet"

As standard, the SUV is equipped with aluminum and steel stamped wheel rims. Owners can change them to purchased cast or forged ones.

All-season tires

Off-road tires

The wheel alignment angles on the Chevrolet Niva SUV are as follows:

• The longitudinal inclination angle of the turning axis is 3° 40' /-30'. This is the angle between the vertical and the projection of the line that passes through the centers of the ball joints onto a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine. It stabilizes the steering of the wheels in the direction of straight-line movement.
• Wheel camber angle - 0° 30' / -30'. This is the angle between the plane of rotation of the wheel in a straight position and the vertical. It is responsible for the correct position of the rolling wheel during suspension operation.
• The wheel toe value is 0/-1 mm. This is the angle between the plane of rotation of the wheel and the longitudinal axis of the car.

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Wheel alignment angles on Niva Chevrolet

The abbreviation stands for as follows:

• wheel rim width;
• surface diameter;
• reach length;
• tire width;
• height in percent;
• diameter of the metal rim.

The higher the disc is installed on the car, the greater the risk of skidding and reduced control efficiency. At the same time, excessively low wheels also negatively affect ground clearance, lower ground clearance, and limit the vehicle’s maneuverability.

• Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S - the tread consists of Velcro, which provides maximum traction on wet asphalt and loose snow. The maximum temperature of use is 25°C. The critical point is -35°. The average cost in online catalogs is from 8,500 rubles.
• Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1 - balanced price-quality ratio. The tire provides good traction on loose snow and ice at sub-zero temperatures. Average price from 7,000 rubles.
• Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is a soft compound rubber that is not susceptible to hardening when the temperature drops. The price of one tire is from 5,500 rubles.
• Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is a popular model among car enthusiasts in the CIS, including the Russian Federation. Good quality, technical specifications at an affordable price. The service life before replacement exceeds 60 - 70 thousand km. mileage The average price by region is from 5,000 rubles.
• Nokian WR D4 is an economical option for most car owners. High-quality grip, long service life, affordable price from 2900 rubles.

Summer tires for Chevrolet Niva:

• Goodyear Ecient is a high-quality tire at a premium price from a European manufacturer. The tire warms up within a few seconds, providing the widest possible contact patch with the road surface. Rubber guarantees grip, control, cornering, and a minimum percentage of skidding at medium and high speeds. Average price from 5000 rubles.
• Grip Performance is a budget option from a European brand. Better than standard tires in terms of technical characteristics, acceptable for use in urban conditions. Price from 5500 rubles.
• Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125 is also a budget model with a price starting from 6,000 rubles. Above average quality at an affordable price.
• Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 is a tire with unidirectional tread, which ensures high handling and minimal vehicle roll when cornering, regardless of weather conditions and temperature conditions. Average cost from 5200 rubles.
• Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT (size R16) - tires are similar to the previous ones, except that the tread pattern is asymmetrical. Price from 5100 rubles.
• Pirelli P7 Cinturato Blue - long service life is the main highlight of the rubber. The average service life exceeds 65,000 km before replacement. Average price from 5500 rubles.

Service station specialists strongly recommend changing tires strictly according to the seasons, and to a lesser extent using universal, all-season tires. The operating temperature range is several degrees lower than seasonal tires, resulting in reduced vehicle controllability.

To choose the right tire you need to be able to read the indices and other symbols on the tires, namely:

• “T” - the maximum permitted speed of movement is not more than 195 km / h. “H” - up to 205 - 210 km/h. It is not recommended to exceed the speed range, as there is a high probability of shooting, cord deformation, and, as a result, an emergency;
• “Q” - load capacity index: from 85 to 490 kg;
• “ET” is the metal rim bead extension coefficient;
• “KM” - partial and full load index: no more than three passengers, cargo in the trunk up to 50 kg;
• “M S” - full load - more than three people and over 50 kg in the trunk.

The main task of the controller is to monitor changes in air pressure in the tire and transmit data online to the electronic control unit. The latter compares the indicators with the programmed ones and informs the driver about a possible malfunction. Most often, this is a sound signal combined with light flickering.

Principle of operation

• A pressure measuring sensor is installed on the inside of the tire. This must be done with the wheel lowered.
• After activation, the controller measures the pressure every 3 seconds and sends the data to the ECU. Bluetooth technology is used as a means of communication.
• The electronic control unit analyzes the obtained indicators for each of the wheels and compares them with the specified parameters.
• The end result can be duplicated on a smartphone if a special application is installed on the latter.

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Tire prices

The cost of tires depends on the manufacturer and tire size. At the same time, summer, winter and all-season tires of the same manufacturer and size are almost the same in price. Only studded tires are noticeably more expensive.

Approximate cost of 15-inch tires for Chevrolet Niva:

• Kama Flame - 3600 rub.
• Dunlop - 4300 rub.
• Hankook - 4350 rub.
• Barguzin - 3000 rub.

Tires for Shniva with a seat size of 16 inches are slightly more expensive.

To increase the ground clearance of the Chevrolet Niva, ready-made or home-made “lifting kits” are used. When lifting a car at a high altitude, even shock absorbers, springs and some other suspension parts have to be changed. Thanks to this, it will be possible to insert tires of increased height into the wheel arches. Typically, lifted Shnivy tires are fitted with tires up to 240/80 R15.