The well-known VAZ-2121 Niva car has managed to establish itself as one of the most popular SUVs, characterized by an excellent price/quality ratio and high off-road performance.
And Niva owners often face difficulties in selecting the appropriate tires, because the car is bought mainly for driving in difficult terrain, and the all-season tires installed by the manufacturer are not at all suitable for such harsh conditions.
Niva and dirt - romance
It is very important to approach the choice of tires with caution, because not every model can be installed on a car without appropriate modifications and lifting, so you cannot do without knowledge of tire markings and what sizes can be installed, both with and without lifting. Let's start with the fact that the standard tire size is 175/80 R16 and 185/75 R16 , and most VAZ-2121 owners switch from 16 to 15 wheels, because there are quite a lot of choices, especially models with an aggressive tread for driving in conditions off-road.
A few links on the topic for reference:
- All-season tires: why are they bought in Russia if in fact they are useless?
- Rain tires: features of this rubber and difference from ordinary summer tires
- Road tires - which drivers need them?
- Universal summer tires for off-road and asphalt
- Summer off-road mud tires - what's good for mud?
- Reinforced tires with run flat technology - cool technology or marketing perversion?
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.
Which size is better to choose
Large tires are perfectly compatible with standard wheels. An excellent choice without installing a lift would be tires 205 75 15 or 205 70 15 or wheels with a radius of 16, the height of such tires will be 26-28 inches. This type of wheels will perform well both in light off-road conditions and in city conditions.
If you still need to overcome serious obstacles, it is better to install 28-29.5 inch tires on the Chevrolet Niva, but then you will need to lift the SUV.
Advantages and types of mud tires for Niva
Note! The advantages of mud tires for all types are excellent cross-country ability on dirt roads, mud, clay, swamps, and snowdrifts. For areas with no roads, this is an ideal option for traveling by car.
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.
Depending on the terrain and conditions in which the car owner will have to travel, you can make the appropriate choice of the type of mud tires for the Niva car.
Mud tires on Niva 4x4 Attention! On certain models of off-road tires there are often recommendations for use in the ratio of asphalt roads to off-road conditions: 60/40, 50/50, etc.
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
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.
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.
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).
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:
- 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.
table-01
The braking distance was measured on dry asphalt in the range of 100–5 km/h, although we did not brake to a complete stop - keeping in mind that at very low speeds the ABS may not work correctly. Kalina brakes best on Yokohama tires, and Barum turned out to be on par with Kama-217 - that is why at the first stage we give preference to Barum Brillantis 2 tires: Kalina rolls much better on them (this is the main indicator of our comparison!), and brakes no worse.
AND NOW - Hellas
We evaluate directional stability, controllability and comfort already on an electric vehicle. Ratings on a ten-point scale are given in the diagrams.
The Kama tires received the main comments regarding directional stability: even on a straight line, Hellas yaws unpleasantly from side to side, and reacts to steering turns with a noticeable delay, requiring the steering wheel to be turned ahead of time and at significant angles. The best ratings come from the “wide” Continental.
In terms of comfort, Kama takes the leading position. Most of the complaints were directed at the “narrow” Continental - it is louder than others and transmits more vibrations from road irregularities. Barum and Yokohama received not outstanding grades, but not failures either - equal in all disciplines.
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
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.
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-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 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 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Hiking tires for Niva
Since the old models are no longer produced, you don’t have to remember about the tires on which they came off the assembly line. VLI-5 has been out of production for a long time, and it is unlikely that anyone has survived to this day. Therefore, we will not consider them even as wheels for a used Niva.
The Yaroslavl Ya-192, which also appeared as a first-equipment tire, may still be available on old Nivas. But it is only good on hard ground, and if the car gets on sand or peat, it will certainly get stuck.
There are other purely domestic tires - not the fruits of joint production with eminent companies, but invented by Russian minds. Even those tire models that are declared by their creators to be OFF ROAD (off-road tires) are not actually such.
For example, Cordiant. Next to a good off-road tire, it pales in comparison – not only in appearance, but also in performance.
Pictured are Cordiant Off Road mud tires
The tread of the same Cordiant Off Road seems to be deep, but due to the mediocre composition of the rubber, when artificial rubber is used instead of natural rubber, the tires do not get the properties they need.
In addition, they are very unsuited to working at low pressure, which worsens the car’s well-being on real off-road conditions. This tire is not used for the first configuration, and if you are driving outside the city, we do not recommend installing it on such a car.
Then what wheels can be installed on the Niva so that it copes with the task as well as possible?
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.
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.
I-569 Medved
A budget-class model of domestic production, the price of which starts from 3,700 rubles. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This “mudovka” is not inferior to many foreign analogues, and is ideal for a beginner SUV. Quite suitable for winter: very soft in the cold and loves snow. It does not tolerate ice and summer asphalt well: it is almost uncontrollable on both surfaces. There is one dimension - 235/75 R15 (about 29 inches), so here you either cut the arches (but without a lift), or make a minimal lift, but without interfering with the body.
Popular manufacturers in Russia
Rating the popularity of mud tires is not an easy task.
Firstly, too much depends on the car on which the tires are installed. Even on different models of the same brand, tire behavior can vary significantly.
Secondly, as already mentioned, operating conditions significantly influence. Tire models that are popular among residents of cool and swampy areas are poorly suited for conquering hot deserts and arid steppes. And yet, we will try to highlight the manufacturers of automobile mud tires, whose products have earned a certain authority among car owners of our large country.
In the video, winter tires for 4x4 SUVs:
Maybe
What is the difference between OFF-Road tires and off-road tires?
Despite the fact that off-road tires allow you to realize the all-terrain potential of a car, mud tires are more suitable for driving in difficult conditions and overcoming obstacles. This is facilitated by:
- a specifically designed tread that consists of intersecting grooves;
- unique tire edging;
- the composition from which rubber is made. Tires are quite soft and elastic, it all depends on the percentage of rubber composition;
- protects the tread from dirt while driving.
Those who are planning to buy mud tires should take into account that they are most suitable for off-road driving, because... when used on hard surfaces (asphalt), it is noisier.
Mud tires are not included with vehicles and must be purchased separately. Before buying mud tires, it would be a good idea to inquire in advance what they are like.
What's most important
What is the difference between winter tires and summer tires How to distinguish winter tires from summer tires a few simple recommendations
When choosing mud tires, you should pay attention to the following features:
Tread pattern and depth. Large lug spacing provides better traction on loose or wet soil
It is critical that the lugs are developed along the side edge of the tire, as this arrangement allows for movement in deep ruts.
Durable sidewall. When driving off-road, the wheels experience strong lateral loads.
Sharp rocks found in the ground can cut or pierce a weak sidewall.
Reinforced cord. It is clear that it will not be possible to determine its design by eye. But as a rule, the heavier the tire, the more powerful the structure of its frame. Metal cord, which demonstrates its advantages at high speeds, will not last long in the absence of roads. Preference should be given to Kevlar, Mylar or combined cord.
You should not install wheels on a car whose outer diameter is significantly larger than the dimensions specified in the technical specifications. The point here is not only that the tires will cling to the wheel arches. As the outer diameter of the wheels increases, the load on the transmission increases, which can lead to its breakdown.
Tread material rigidity. It is selected based on specific operating conditions.
In the video - all-season tires for 4x4 SUVs:
For high temperatures, driving on gravel, sand or steppe salt marshes, it is better to prefer a stiffer option. For cold weather, mud or snow, a softer material is suitable.
