We put the Niva on 29-inch wheels and send it for diagnostics and prevention

To choose tires for mud, you must correctly take into account the operating parameters of the vehicle. The 4x4 wheel arrangement of an SUV has an advantage over a 2x4. The lack of a track is not a hindrance for Niva at all. Next, we will look at which tires the 2-axle Niva is capable of showing results on on-road and off-road tests.

The Niva, shod with high-profile tires, can easily overcome rolling deep ruts; wide-profile tires are indispensable for driving on snow and mud.

Choosing mud tires for Niva

Niva SUVs are equipped by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant.
When installing tires on a car, you should pay attention to the tires of the Kama I 511 model. They are available in studded and studless versions. Today there are a lot of different models on the market, so you need to pay attention to additional criteria. The main thing is the tire size, which will be discussed later. The right choice will help the Niva to be used in mud without additional modifications.

You also need to pay attention to the load factor and speed index. If frequent driving while loaded is expected, then the first criterion is dominant, if fast driving on a well-rolled dirt road is the second one.

The heat resistance index (preservation of tire characteristics when air temperature changes) is important. There are three parameters: A, B and C, the best is marking A. Careful owners need to pay attention to the wear resistance index (the conditional maximum mileage value under standard conditions) – the best is also index A.

Tire sizes

The Niva SUV leaves the factory with standard rollers with a diameter of R16. Their size is 185/75 P16 with an outer tire diameter of 28 inches. However, many owners prefer to install tires with sizes 215/70/R16, 215/75/R16 or 215/65/R16. Increasing the tire width provides a larger contact patch and better off-road traction.

Some people refuse rollers with this radius, preferring smaller R15 wheels with typical sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. This choice has a positive effect on the smoothness of the ride and reduces the noise from the tires making its way through the wheel arches.

Without lift and cutting arches

Obviously, stock wheels are a universal solution that does not always provide reliable traction when driving in mud. If the driver has increased requirements, then it is necessary to install other wheels - fortunately, many options are equipped with standard wheels.

One of the most popular is the Yokohama Geolandar MT, whose unique technologies have made a splash in the world of tires. They provide optimal contact with the heavy canvas in almost any conditions and do not wear out quickly. For lovers of budget options, we can recommend the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71, but it is designed for off-road use and wears out quickly on asphalt.

With lift and arch cutting

The quality is not inferior to foreign analogues, and the price exceeds them. But this tire is designed for lifting , just like the Cordiant off-Road, which at the same price (4 thousand) has excellent grip on mud and tolerates asphalt surfaces well.

Winter off-road tires for Niva

If you often have to drive off-road in winter, where there is a lot of snow, then it makes sense to install the BFgoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 mud kit. It is a universal option for traveling in deep snow or severe off-road conditions. Does not flatten even with low pressure and provides maximum grip.

Dimensions

The manufacturer installs tires of a strictly regulated size on the Niva model.
By default, the wheels here are sized 185/75/R16. These are the wheels that are relevant for Niva 2121/2131 or 4x4 models. Depending on operating conditions and driver preferences, the manufacturer allows the installation of tires of a different radius or size. Many people abandon R16 wheels in favor of 15 rollers to improve ride smoothness and reduce noise. The most popular non-standard sizes are 185/75/R16, 205/70/R15 or 205/70/R16.

You need to understand that not only the appearance, but also the handling of the car, as well as other characteristics, depend on the size of the tires. The 205/70/R16 tire has a nicer design, but will perform worse when driving off-road than 205/75/R15 rollers. Below is a table that gives an idea of ​​changes in the behavior of the car depending on the type of shoe (15th or 16th wheels).

Which mud tires are better?

Footwear for a car should be selected depending on the operating conditions. Obviously, stock tires are an average choice and if there are increased requirements, they must be replaced. It is best to pay attention to the markings to understand which tires are the best.

If you often have to drive on asphalt, rarely turning off the road, then it is better to take wheels marked A/T (all-terrain). But such all-terrain tires are universal and lose to mud tires.

The latter are always marked M/T, but they come in different types. The inscription M/T Lite denotes a lightweight version with medium-depth checkers and a small pattern. The Classic version is an average option, and the Extreme type is suitable for lovers of serious off-roading.

VAZ 2121

If we are talking about a standard three-door Niva model, then the inexpensive Ya-569 Bear would be a good choice. A classic tire costs about 4 thousand rubles, does not tan in the cold and copes well with snowy surfaces.

Niva 2131

If we are talking about a five-door version, then it is better to install the Hankuk Dinapro MT RT03. This model has many fans around the world. Excellent for moving on asphalt or moving through mud due to its softness and good self-cleaning system.

Niva 21213

There are good budget tires for this model - Cordiant Off-Road. Despite the low price, it provides good performance on almost any surface. When driving on asphalt, it does not wear out, does not harden in the cold, and in deep mud it provides good grip.

Chevy Niva

The joint model of Russian-Korean production does not have such off-road skills, but an option such as the Bridgestone Dueler D673 is perfect for it. They combine good grip and properties with a stylish design with beautiful white lettering on the sides.

Niva Comforcer

A good option is BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain. It is a universal choice for road traffic, as well as for fishing or hunting trips. An excellent safety margin, a developed tread and a good cleaning system allow you to feel confident in any situation.

Niva Safari

For this model, Federal Souragia MT would be a good choice, since they are as close as possible to extreme models. There is a developed tread, large blocks and lugs. So excellent cross-country ability in any conditions is simply guaranteed.

Extreme tires

• Simex Extreme/Jungle Trekker are excellent tires. But there is no way to do without modification. And you won’t get off with just an elevator. Here we cut the arches and change the pairs. In general, a whole list of changes, after which you will be able to experience all the delights of driving on such tires. The cost may scare those who are used to mud shoes for 4 kopecks. Such “shoes” cost 12 thousand. Essential for most growers. But loving a car requires financial sacrifice.
• If it’s expensive, then there is a Russian version that costs a little less than 5,000 - Forward Safari 500. Good for off-road use. Useless on asphalt. The downside is that it doesn’t go particularly well on the track. But you can do without an elevator by simply trimming the arches. Easy to clean. In general, the tread is very pleasing in the most difficult conditions.
• Silverstone MT-117 XTREME - costs almost the same as Simex. Thanks to the lugs on the sides, it can get out from where the Safari gets stuck. The tires are designed for dirt, and on normal roads they wear out too quickly. He is not afraid of clay - he does not get washed out.

Many drivers believe that Safari is too heavy for the Niva. Because no one wants to load bearings and hubs.

The debate about which tires for the Niva 4x4 are the best is still going on. Some people manage to drive in mud on standard tires, others take the Bear for the winter and for mud. And a fair percentage “pray” to Goodrich, who is essentially very versatile. If you are not an extreme sports enthusiast, then there is little point in buying tires for 12,000 rubles. You just need to clearly understand why you are buying tires. If you are traveling for work, hunting, fishing, etc., then in each case you need to correctly understand where to go, on what road, at what time of year and in what weather. Otherwise, you can either get stuck or ruin tires that are clearly not suitable for certain conditions.

Often, some even experienced tire drivers install good tires, kill them on the asphalt, and then scold them on all forums for their weak tread. Unfortunately, driving experience and understanding are not the same thing.

What is good in mud, and even in snow, can be 100% useless on ice and clean asphalt. The specification of each set of tires for Niva cars is very unique. But we tried to talk in general terms about what is most suitable and for what purposes. So that when you buy tires for Niva, you get exactly the result on the road that you wanted to see. And don’t forget that no less depends on driving skill than on tires, no matter how much they cost.

Niva is one of the few Russian cars that can even participate in prestigious rally races. Therefore, considerable experience has been accumulated. Cars of this model perform quite well in the toughest off-road races.

One of the Niva’s greatest successes was 2nd place in the 1983 Paris-Adjir-Dakar rally. A year earlier, another crew also received silver, and they took bronze in 1981.

Lada 4×4 performs quite well not only on mud, but also on sand, which becomes an obstacle for many Dakar crews. And the reason for this is the correct choice of tires. Perhaps it is precisely thanks to the versatility of the Niva and the ability to adapt it to different tires that athletes from many countries really like it.

Under normal standard conditions, the best wear resistance is shown by the most common domestic tires K-156-1 and Y-457. They managed to beat the expensive Dunlop Grandtrek AT2. And the point is not the poor quality of the latter, but the fact that the Dunlop tread turned out to be too shallow.

We managed to avoid obstacles on the road using the Kama-232. While on imported tires I had to seriously slow down. When braking on wet asphalt, the result is similar, not comforting for foreigners and pleasant for Kama tires. Having tried braking on dry asphalt and snow, we again found that the Kama copes better.

During testing, the car crawled out of mud and ditches better with the K-156-1. The worst in this ranking were the Ya-457s, but the Dunlops were quite good. They turned out to be the best in braking on snow and ice, leaving domestic models far behind. So the foreigners have completely rehabilitated themselves by showing good statistics for the winter.

Now we have a general idea of ​​the recommended tires, the capabilities of standard tires, and comparisons with foreign models. Based on your personal needs and financial capabilities, all that remains is to choose the type of tire that suits you best.

We wish you to successfully cope with any off-road conditions and not end up with your Niva in places from which you can’t get out on any tires without a tractor. Good luck on the roads!

In general, there are many videos about the correct choice of tires not only for the Niva, but also for SUVs in general. You can find one of these videos below:

Top 10: Off-road tires for Niva

Below is a rating of the most popular mud tire options, which includes both cheap Chinese options and products from world-famous brands.

Domestic manufacturers are represented by the following models:

There are many more foreign options - here:

• Cordiant Of Road;
• Kumho Road-Venture MT KL71;
• Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2;
• Hankuk Dinopro MT RT03.

Fans of extreme tires, which are aimed at serious off-road use, can turn their attention to the following models:

• Simex Extreme;
• Forward Safari 500;
• Silverstone MT-117 Extreme.

Reviews

This is not the first Niva in my practice, I tested a variety of models. There were all sorts of tires: K-156, Kama 232, Bear, Cordiant off-road, BFG KM2. The last option performed best, but not everyone can afford its price.

Taking into account the change in course, I began to look for an alternative. I chose Federal Couragia m/t. I figured out the price for it and didn’t look for anything else, took it in size 235/75 15. And I’ll tell you, friends, it was not for nothing that I chose it.

Arkady, 43 years old.

I have never used extreme mud tires - it’s not my thing. But active recreation is the norm, so there is a need for such tires. Since the spring of 2015, I also have Cordiant off Road in size 215/75R15.

If you look at the main qualities, then everything is fine. The price tag is quite reasonable for these tires; they don’t get washed out in the mud, so it’s easy to get to the right place. Yes, and it can be installed without an elevator or modifications.

I’m not an extreme sports enthusiast, deliberately looking for deep viscous mud is not my thing, but I don’t disdain fishing and hunting, as well as other outdoor activities. Here she shows herself perfectly.

Reading time: 8 minutes

The VAZ-2121, also known as the famous Niva, is rightfully considered one of the most popular and sought-after domestically produced SUVs. It is valued for its unpretentiousness, convenience, ease of operation and maneuverability. Many Niva owners install so-called mud tires on their wheels, which will be discussed in this article.

What types are there?

• One of the most popular manufacturers is Cordiant; in terms of price-quality ratio, they are the best, the cost starts from four thousand rubles.

• The Bear has gained great popularity in the market due to its excellent road grip.

• The Kumho Road Venture is popular due to its affordability and unusual tread pattern. The price for this type of tire is budget and starts from twenty thousand rubles

• Federal Couragia is popular due to the fact that it retains its properties for a long time and also has excellent adhesion properties. Good for those who love extreme holidays

• BF Goodrich Mud Terrain, when compared with other types, this tire differs from others in that it has excellent off-road performance, as well as excellent grip on asphalt. The price for a set starts from twenty-seven thousand rubles.

Concluding all of the above, it can be noted that the final decision on what type of tires to choose will be up to the car owner, and the main decision can be made based on the conditions in which the SUV will be used.

Source

Mud tires for Niva

Mud tires are all-season tires for SUVs, in this case for the Niva. These tires are designed for use on powerful and off-road vehicles, such as the VAZ-2121, in the most extreme conditions: completely off-road, on dirt roads, country roads, forest roads, and in wild nature.

Mud wheels on Niva

The Niva is equipped with classic mud tires, characterized by a rather large tread pattern and powerful lateral lugs. It is soft enough, which is necessary for adhesion to surfaces in off-road conditions. It is used by motorists in cases where they drive about 80 percent of their journey on mud and dirt roads and only about 20 percent on highways and city roads. When using these tires on asphalt, they wear out extremely quickly. On asphalt, almost all models of mud tires are characterized by increased noise.

Niva behavior in winter on all-season tires

For the cold season, you should choose softer tires. This will give better grip on snow and ice, and they will cling to the asphalt well, which will keep the car’s handling at the proper level. And it is better to give preference to wider wheels due to the larger contact patch between the tire and the road surface. At the same time, a slight increase in fuel consumption is a small price to pay for the stability of the car.

It is not forbidden to use a car with “original” tires off-road; on compacted snow, the car obediently follows the turn of the steering wheel. Shallow mud and muddy dirt roads will not cause any inconvenience in driving. But ice and swampy terrain will help replace the standard with Kama Flame 515.

This model is available in studded and studless versions, 15 and 16 inches. Deep, loose snow is her element, ice and mud rides are more confident than on the Kirovskaya 185/75/R16. The price of Flame is very reasonable. And the resource is considerable - 70-80 thousand km.

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.

Advantages and disadvantages of Niva as a result of installing 29 tires

Undoubtedly, the majority of car owners, in their desire to tune the Niva, want to achieve increased cross-country ability, because most often these are people who lead an active lifestyle, are fond of hunting or fishing, or simply live in a completely off-road situation, for example, farmers or rural residents.

The main parameters for assessing cross-country ability are:

• Clearance value;
• Overhang angles;
• Angles of roll and longitudinal passability;
• Angle of transverse static stability.

Installing 29-inch wheels will increase the ground clearance from the existing 228 mm to 232 mm, which is especially important for the Niva Urban with a low ground clearance of 190 mm. This is especially noticeable if you compare the location of the bumper

The difference in ground clearance is a result of switching to 29 tires.

The overhang angle is the maximum slope angle at which a car can move or drive on its own without the body touching. For Niva this is 32° on the way up and 37° on the way out. A larger wheel diameter improves the lift angle to 35, but due to a shift in the center of gravity, it reduces the departure angle to 33°. And the losses and achievements are not so significant as to seriously increase the level of cross-country ability.

The longitudinal flotation angle is the maximum possible angle that a car can overcome when moving from a slope to a horizontal surface. The roll angle reflects the opposite situation, leaving a horizontal plane with a downward slope. These figures are mainly affected by the wheelbase distance. But Niva drivers noted an improvement in driving down an inclined plane due to an increase in ground clearance as a result of replacing it with 29 tires.

The angle of lateral static stability determines the maximum trim of the vehicle from the central axis, which will be followed by a rollover on its side.

For Niva, this angle is 6.5°. The wheel diameter increased to 29 inches, on the one hand, should theoretically worsen stability indicators due to a shift in the center of gravity of the car; on the other hand, a larger wheel offset and wider tires compensate for this, especially on straight sections. In areas with a large curvature of the trajectory, the Niva loses its dynamics. Reduces the dynamics and deterioration of the parameters of the body's streamlining by wind flows when driving, by increasing the ground clearance.

The negative consequences of installing 29-gauge tires also include an increase in the load on the hub units due to spacers to increase the offset of the wheel rims. In order to slightly relieve the unit, double-row bearings are used in the steering knuckle. Such modernization increases the cost of the entire tuning.

The improved exterior of the body, increased cross-country ability with a general improvement in driving performance, exceeds the negative aspects of increasing the wheel diameter to 29 inches. Installing 31-inch wheels is undesirable, as it will require mandatory modifications to the suspension components.

Trimming the arches of a Chevrolet Niva has a similar algorithm.

The most effective tires for off-road driving on the Niva

The most effective options for off-road wheels for the Niva are the following models:

• Ya-569 Medved is a budget-class model made in Russia; the price of these tires starts from 3,700 rubles*. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This tire is quite suitable for winter conditions: it is quite soft in the cold and performs well in the snow. The tires of this model pass ice and summer asphalt quite poorly, showing poor handling. Available in a single standard size 235/75 R15;
• Cordiant off Road are also domestically produced M/T tires. It can be used both on asphalt and off-road. Cost per unit from 4000 rubles*. These tires tolerate asphalt well. Available in standard size 225/75 with dimensions R16-R15;
• Hankook Dynapro MT RT03 M/T tires, produced in size 235/75 R15, prices start from 4,500 rubles*. For installation on the Niva, a 5 cm mini-lift is used. On asphalt, the tires of this model show high wear resistance and are perfectly cleaned off-road. The tires are equipped with holes for self-studding and are very soft;
• Kumho Road Venture mt kl71 – M/T tires made in Korea, characterized by a rather aggressive tread pattern. Available in size 235/75 R15 (28.9 inches). The cost starts from 5800 rubles*. They are distinguished by good self-cleaning even in clay, the tread is quite large with large distances between the blocks. The rubber is quite soft, the sidewalls cling well to the ground, and there are lateral lugs. It wears off quite quickly on asphalt;
• BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 is considered one of the most successful choices of mud tires. For Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable (cost from 5,200 rubles*). The tires do not wear out on asphalt and are quite durable and self-clean well;
• Federal Couragia m/t is one of the standards of mud M/T tires; its tread is as close as possible to extreme. This rubber has lateral lugs and fairly large self-cleaning tread blocks. It is very soft and squishes very well in liquid mud. For the Niva, the standard size is 205/80/R16 (28.9 inches), its cost starts from 4,200 rubles*. The option is less common than other tires with the traditional Niva size 15, but is welcomed among supporters of installing mud tires on the Niva 4x4 size R16;
• Simex Extreme/Jungle Trekker is an extreme type of off-road tires that is installed on a Niva after lifting and cutting arches, replacing pairs and other modifications to the car. Installed in standard size 320 x 95 R15, cost per unit starts from 12,000 rubles*. The model is professional, passes well through clay, and the tread has a high degree of self-cleaning. The tread has a directional off-road type pattern. It is one of the most optimal options for mud tires for Niva 4x4;
• Forward Safari 500 is a domestic model of extreme tires for installation on the Niva, which requires a significant lift. On the VAZ-2121 it is installed in standard size 235/75 R15, the cost of which starts from 4900 rubles* per unit. Installation of this size requires spacers. Rubber is hard, quite heavy, and self-cleaning well.

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.

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

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

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.

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).

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.

Tires for lifting and without

The cornerstone of the tire selection issue is the need for additional modifications. There are a number of proposals that fit perfectly onto a standard VAZ 21214 car wheel and do not require widening of wheel arches, etc. work. It is important to understand which tires require mandatory lifting, and which ones will become like native tires on your Niva without any problems.

If you are one of those drivers who don’t need an extra headache, then the almost standard version of tires like 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15 is exactly your choice. Having a large profile width and height, they absolutely painlessly replace standard wheels, seriously adding cross-country ability and aesthetic power to your iron horse. If you select tires for standard rims, then the 215/65 R16 option is perfect; a further increase in the tire profile, even by reducing the radial diameter, will certainly lead to rubber rubbing during deep turns on the wheel arch protectors (we are talking about 215/75 R15 and higher , it’s better not to install such wheels without modifications).

Some tire options can only be installed by widening the arches

Lifting slightly expands the range of choices and also significantly increases the cross-country ability of your car. A spartan kit that allows you to raise the height of the suspension costs about 4 thousand rubles and is easy to install with your own hands right in the garage thanks to detailed instructions. The clearance of the VAZ 2121 increases and it becomes possible to install really serious off-road tires (235/70 R16, 235/75 R15 or 240/80 R15).

Mud “slippers” for Nivka - how to choose, review of models

I think it’s no secret to anyone that the overwhelming majority of people in the regions drive Nivas or UAZs.
These are 2 icons of the Russian automobile industry, who have long proven to everyone that they are simply created for our off-road conditions. However, you shouldn’t think that if you bought a Niva, you can immediately drive far with it)) Not at all. In order for Nivko to become a truly prepared SUV, it needs to be properly “shod.” What kind of tires come from the factory? It seems like a regular Kama-232 size 185/75R16. The tread of this tire instantly becomes clogged with mud, as soon as you drive out into even light muddy conditions. And this size is very mediocre, the car’s seating position is low, almost “puzoterka”. And you can do wow. How to do this - read on))

Now the choice is simply huge, many manufacturers compete in the niche of mud tires. But first you need to decide on several points:

• 1. Will you do a suspension lift?

• 2. Will you be cutting the arches?

• 3. How do you plan to use the car (what percentage of driving is on asphalt and off-road)?

• 4. Will you be able to spend extra money on buying new 15″ wheels from Chevy Niva?

• 5. Based on all of the above, we will choose tires

The suspension lift on the Niva allows you to install tires of increased diameter, which means that the ground clearance can be significantly increased compared to the standard one. Lift kits are sold everywhere, they cost 3-4 thousand and with your own hands, if you have them sharpened properly, you can do a standard suspension lift of 5 cm.

Cutting the arches is a more extreme option, so to speak; most often they are cut when they install really huge tires over 29″. If your car is new, then you are unlikely to want to cut it. Therefore, the only option left is the elevator (see above). Thanks to the lift alone, you can fit 215/75R15 tires. But this will already be cool compared to standard tires.

If you can spend 10 thousand rubles on new 15-inch wheels, then the number of tire options will expand significantly. I know from my friends - they all installed wheels on 15″ rims on a regular Niva. Why - read on.

So, the easiest option to improve the off-road characteristics of your Niva is to install sneakers larger than the standard ones - 205/70/R16. Tires of this size will fit on Nivko without any lifts or other modifications. One of the popular tires of this size is the domestic Kama Flame - it’s inexpensive for the money and rides more or less in the mud. But, of course, if you evaluate the off-road properties of the Kama Flame on a 10-point scale, you can give no more than 5. Because there are options that are many times cooler.

Remember what I said about my fellow hunters who spared no expense and bought 15-inch wheels? Well, they installed aggressive Cordiant Offroad mud tires on them, the size is just perfect - 205/70/R15. And all because there are no suitable “Kordikov” for 16 wheels. It's a pity, of course, but what can you do? But on the Cordas we drove through real mud, the tires are good for everyone - they are inexpensive (when compared with imported analogues), and wear-resistant, they ride great everywhere. I just don’t recommend using it in winter, otherwise you’ll be like a cow on ice.

Next, if you have an old Nyvka and don’t mind converting it for off-road use, then grab the angle grinder and go ahead and cut the wheel arches. You can also make a suspension lift for the heap. And then you will have a wide choice of real wheels for extreme sports enthusiasts - sizes 235/75/R15 and even larger.

By the way, size 235/75/R15, if converted to inches, will be equal to 28.9″. Almost 29 inches! These are the tires that are installed on the new Niva “Lynx”. Therefore, if you need real off-road sneakers and you want to make a “rogue” out of the Niva, then you definitely need to set the size to at least 235/75/R15/

And there’s plenty to choose from:

Cordiant Offroad - tires in this size will cost you 4,000 rubles apiece. An excellent choice in my opinion. You can read the review and see photos by clicking on the link. In general, we can say that this is perhaps the most popular tire in villages and villages, as many as Nivasov has seen - all of them on Kordikas. Apparently the tires really are on fire, since so many people are cutting them through the mud.

Kumho Road Venture M/T71 - price tag for 1 cylinder is 4,700 rubles. A little more expensive, but I’ll say right away - the tire is just a beast, it has a very large tread pattern, plus it slowly wears out on the asphalt, and it kneads the dirt just flawlessly. The rubber is soft, which will be a plus when overcoming swampy areas and places with muddy soil (spring fields, for example). Just lower the tire pressure to 0.8 atmospheres and the permeability of the rubber will increase significantly. It is considered one of the best Mud Terrain tires.

Choosing between MT and AT

A couple of words should also be said about the correct marking of tires for the VAZ 21214. Initially, it comes in several types:

• universal, AT (from the English word All Terrain - Any Terrain), well suited for cases when the driver travels more on an asphalt road and to a lesser extent off-road;
• mud, MT (from the English word Mud Terrain - Mud Terrain), this is already heavy Russian off-road, swamps, sandy surfaces, etc.

The problem of choice is that normal off-road tires on the VAZ 2121 are only good off-road. You can’t really accelerate with it on an asphalt road; it consumes extremely quickly and uneconomically on hard asphalt, has an extended braking distance, and performs poorly in cornering and handling. But all this only applies to city roads and highways; on muddy and swampy terrain, MT tires simply flourish, allowing you to confidently storm even the most unrealistic obstacles for conventional AT wheels.

The main differences between mud tires on the VAZ 2121:

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• increased off-road capability of the vehicle;
• special tread pattern, more reminiscent of a tractor, special rubber edging;
• a special rubber compound that provides increased softness (VAZ 21214 mud tires can also be operated with reduced pressure and can easily withstand collisions with rocks, towing on clay, sand, mud, etc.);
• self-cleaning anti-pollution system;
• increased fuel consumption.

In the Mud Terrain tire class for VAZ 21214 (Lada 4×4) there are a number of special offers. For example, mud tires for the Niva labeled Lite are the simplest, they can withstand forced driving on asphalt most easily, but do not have a deep enough and complex tread pattern. Classic - for lovers of rational choice and a whole bunch of specialized rubber: Extreme - the deepest tread with large and sparse patterns; A special shape of the pattern, as well as Modern - well-proven in handling on asphalt roads.

A couple of worthy candidates

In the end, how can we do without a few specific examples? Moreover, the experience of domestic nivovods, and not only them (there is a club of VAZ 2121 fans even in Japan) is very rich and people are not at all lazy to share with a friend a couple of useful tips on purchasing. We will start from different price ranges.

3,500-4,500 rubles. The minimum red price tag, for which it is quite possible to find a number of worthy offers for the VAZ 21214 The same “Bear” of the Y-569 series (good off-road, but extremely susceptible to wear on summer asphalt and absolutely uncontrollable on ice), Cordiant “off road” - here the problems with the asphalt road are less pronounced. All these are domestic manufacturers with good reputations).

8,000-12,000 rubles. For American quality on the domestic Niva you will have to pay about 8 thousand “wooden” ones; the BF GOODRICH brand, the Mud Terrain series of types KM1 and KM2, have proven themselves to be excellent. The price, of course, bites, but the cross-country ability really justifies the stated price tag. Well, from “Olympus” the most expensive offers are waving at us extreme tires from Silverstone such as MT-117 (but they are only suitable for off-road driving; on asphalt this “treasure” simply wears out ungodly quickly).