The size of the tires and wheels greatly influences the behavior of the car on the road. AVTOVAZ recommends installing tires and wheels of a strictly defined size on Lada 4×4; only in this case the manufacturer guarantees the service life of chassis and suspension components and assemblies. In the review, we will tell you what the size of the wheels affects during the operation of the machine and what recommendations the manufacturer gives.
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).
| With increasing wheel diameter | As the wheel width increases | As tire width increases |
| Stylish car | ||
| Stability on the road | ||
| Obedience to the steering wheel | ||
| Road grip of tires | on a dry road | |
| Resistance to hydroplaning | — | |
| Off-road comfort | — | — |
| Noisiness | — | |
| Fuel consumption | will rise | will rise |
| Wear resistance |
Practical advice
The behavior of the car on the road depends on the parameters of tires and wheels. The manufacturer suggests using tires and wheels of a certain size on the Niva, only in this case it provides a guarantee for the chassis and suspension.
Before changing the size of tires and wheels, consider all the pros and cons.
In what cases can you change tires that are not recommended by the manufacturer?
- There is no way to buy typical size tires.
- The desire to purposefully change the smoothness of movement and the car's response to handling to suit your driving style.
- Choosing a cheaper option in order to save money.
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.
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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.
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.
Some options are quite good from the point of view of operation, but require some modifications such as trimming the arches or lifting the body. So, an affordable and reliable option is the Ya-569 Bear.
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.
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.
Which all-season vehicle is better for Niva?
Since Niva cars come from the factory by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant, the question of alternatives arises. Many Niva drivers prefer to choose the best rollers for the conditions in which their SUV will be used. Therefore, if you want to replace the standard with more suitable tires, advice will not be superfluous due to the abundance of choice and prices of such products.
When looking for all-season tires, you should pay attention to the following criteria:
- weather conditions of product operation;
- temperature regime;
- presence of precipitation;
- road conditions;
- using the machine for heavy loads.
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We will not take into account driving speeds; an SUV is not a sports car.
For the eldest of the Niv 2121 family, lighter tires are preferable due to lower power. Niva 21213 is equipped with a more powerful engine and a 5-speed gearbox. Larger sneakers are suitable for it - 205/70/R15, or Kama 232. The differences between 2121 and 2131 are that the latter has an injector and 21213 from 21214 too. This will not significantly affect the choice of shoes.
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.
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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.
SUV tire manufacturers
Let's look at manufacturers of tires for SUVs.
Cordiant is a modern domestic tire manufacturer. Tires are characterized by independence from temperature indicators and individual tread configuration. The Off Road model is designed for complete off-road use and has high cross-country ability in swampy and sandy areas.
Amtel is a company that specializes in all-season tires for SUVs. The tires are distinguished by a powerful tread that ensures vehicle stability, excellent road traction, and are effective in both snowy and rainy weather due to wide and deep grooves.
BF Goodrich is an American company. The range includes All Terrain T/A KO and Mud Terrain T/A KM models, which are suitable for Niva. Both models are designed for muddy, rocky, impassable roads. Thanks to the latest technologies, the tires of this company are additionally protected from punctures and impacts.
The Cooper manufacturer has off-road tires in its range. The Discoverer S/T and Discoverer STT models provide excellent handling in difficult conditions. The Discoverer A/T and Discoverer LT are versatile tires that are suitable for both road and dirt roads.
Michelin is a US tire company. The benchmark for off-road tires today is the BF Goodrich Macadam. It has a serrated tread that provides excellent maneuverability on slippery, difficult-to-pass dirt roads. Winter Michelin Latitude Alpins have proven themselves well in conditions of constant weather changes.
Maxxis International is a Taiwanese company and is one of the largest tire manufacturers. Models M-8060 Trepador and MAXXIS MT-762 are perfectly adapted for mud roads, have an aggressive tread pattern, and self-clean well. The MT-753 and MA-751 models are designed with a special design that ensures a comfortable and safe ride both on paved roads and in light off-road conditions.
As you can see, the tire supply market today is diverse, and it is difficult to single out one leader. Tires from domestic manufacturers have an acceptable price range. If we talk about imported tires, then their pricing policy is much higher.
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.
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:
- I-569 Bear;
- Kama 232b VLI-5.
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
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Arkady, 43 years old.
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Selecting tire width and profile height
The wider the tire, the:
- the car is more stable on a flat road;
- higher maneuverability;
- Her appearance attracts more attention.
The profile height in Russian stores is indicated as a percentage of the tire width.
If increasing the width by several sizes compared to the manufacturer’s recommendations is problematic due to the body structure, with the height of the profile the limitations are easier to overcome (disc diameter). However, you should adhere to the dimensions suggested by the factory. The value is calculated taking into account the load on the wheels. A significant deviation leads to premature wear of parts, in some cases to an accident.
Within the framework of the profile height values proposed by the plant, regularities should be taken into account. Comfort and braking distance increase with height.
Most consider 205/75 to be the most universal combination of width and height.
