Choosing tires for a Chevrolet Niva and the parameters of the rubber used

Classification of mud tires

Tires for SUVs are produced and labeled conditionally into classes, taking into account their particular use on different road surfaces. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the markings on the tire to understand what type it is.

The difference between AT rubber and MT rubber

AT tires
Universal AT (All-Terrain) tires are suitable for all roads. It is used for driving on good roads and off-road:

• A distinctive feature is a large aggressive tread pattern;
• AT tires on the Chevrolet Niva have increased cross-country ability;
• with good grip, rubber is able to withstand lateral loads when turning and maneuvering;
• designed for driving both on asphalt and light off-road;
• performs well on rocky and dry loose soils and on paved roads;
• the sidewall is reinforced and more rigid;
• braking distance is longer than on ordinary tires;
• noisier than highway cars due to their design;
• have increased rolling resistance, which slightly increases fuel consumption.

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Mud tires MT (Mud Terrain) are designed for driving in poor road conditions: on sand, mud, and marshy areas. Distinctive features are the tread depth, the distance between the blocks and the presence of lugs, which help the car to better pass difficult roads.

The tread of such tires is rough and deep, with a large distance between the elements. It is important in the grip and stability of the wheels: they become less clogged with dirt, the side lugs help and the car keeps moving.

The products have good grip in mud and on soft soils, but ride quality deteriorates on asphalt. The bad behavior of tires in winter is the rubber compound used. Rubber hardens and becomes like plastic. It is stiffer, even harder than the AT, and does not behave very well on asphalt and ice.

On asphalt the grip is not very good. For this reason, tires have a longer braking distance (especially on wet asphalt). The high profile worsens the car's cornering behavior. MT mud tires are characterized by high noise - the tread makes noise when driving on hard surfaces. Has greater rolling resistance, which leads to increased fuel consumption. The rigidity of MT products reduces ride comfort.

Note!

If you compare the AT and MT models, the difference will be obvious.

To drive a car mainly on asphalt and a little off-road, AT tires are sufficient. When the roads are difficult to pass, the best choice is MT.

Standard tires "Niva Chevrolet"

The standard tire sizes and the manufacturer's recommended tire length and width parameters for the Chevrolet Niva are 215/65. This size is provided for the LE trim level. For the basic L and LC versions, the tire size is 205/75 R15 or 205/70 R15.

All standard tires on the Niva Chevrolet are radial. The manufacturing plant equips cars with domestically produced tires from Kama, Altai Tire Plant and others. Car owners rarely leave standard factory tires on the wheels of purchased cars, changing them to suit their needs and preferences.

Wheel alignment angles "Niva Chevrolet"

On a note!

To ensure good stability and controllability of the car, the front wheels are installed at certain angles to the body and suspension elements. Three angles are adjustable: the caster angle, the camber angle and the toe angle. There is also a lateral tilt angle of the rotation axis, but it is not adjustable.

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

Note!

All these angles are regulated by wheel alignment, which you can do yourself or contact a specialized center.

Ten good “All Terrain” tires

Content

Of course, for many, our Niva is an icon of off-road fighting, and therefore we reviewed the best M/T and Extreme class tires. You can read it here -. But not everyone installs “mud” tires; many prefer a compromise so that they drive a little on mud and don’t wear down or hum on asphalt.

Therefore, today we will go through the ten most optimal models of all-season tires for the Niva of the “All Terrain” class.

Maxxis AT-771

For the regular size, a 225/70 R15 tire is available (4,300 rubles), but it can rub a little. For a raised Niva, 225/75 R16 is suitable for a price of 4,400 rubles. Doesn't fly on asphalt. Comes out of turns well. It's a little fluffy and doesn't wear out much. Excellent balancing.

It taxis well in slushy snow. The muzzle “does not prowl.” Comes out of any rut well. Gets out of any dirt. Even if it’s “at the very threshold.” Thanks to the winter pattern, it tolerates winter well. It grinds a little on the ice. And it paddles in the snow exemplarily, better than some wintering models. For more details and photos, read our review -

BFGoodrich AT (so-called “worms”)

Suitable for Niva in size 215/75R15 and costing 7,000 rubles. The lifted one can be fitted with 235/75 R15 for 7,700. The rubber holds the asphalt well: hydroplaning is practically zero and handles the steering wheel perfectly. In winter, you can safely move until the first 10 degrees below zero. Kneads snow loose “like on tracks.” It is better not to ride on ice in severe frost. The car in these “slippers” gets thrown all over the lane. It tramples normally in medium mud. And he digs into the dirt “like an adult.” Even on a mud-covered slope it stands rooted to the spot. Thanks to a well-made tread pattern, it has a high degree of self-cleaning.

Yokohama Geolandar A/T

A 215/65 R16 tire (5,800 rubles) will fit on the original size, and 235/70 R15 (6,050 rubles) on a “lifted” one.

Quiet and soft. Perfect for long distances. Good for balancing. Self-cleaning normally. In summer it does not “spread” all over the asphalt. Even at high speeds it does not howl. It copes well off-road: it passes through mud and large puddles with a “whistle.” I even raked it out of deep sand and “up to my belly” from liquid clay. In winter it is better not to skate on ice. It glides “like on glass.” However, like most all-season mud tires, they are intended purely for summer; you can drive in winter, of course, but very carefully.

Goodyear Wrangler AT/SA

The “lift” tire will fit 235/75R15 for 5,600 rubles; the “no-lift” tire will fit a 215/75R15 tire for 5,200 rubles.

Thanks to the use of Kevlar, it is very durable. Remains soft even at 15 below zero. If the temperature is lower, it becomes very dull. Self-cleaning at a high level.

On wet ground and clay, it drifts sideways at low speed. But if you accelerate, it starts to cling. The snow loosening goes through with a bang. It rides predictably when it's rolled. Great option for everyday use. The tread pattern shows a similarity with the Bears 569, which behave very similarly. The option is very worthy, but it will not be easy to find on sale.

Dunlop Grandtrek AT3

The usual size 215/65 R16 of these “slippers” costs 6,800. A 225/70R16 tire for 7,100 rubles is suitable for lifting.

On normal roads it is a little noisy at speeds above a hundred. Soft, “swallows” all holes well. It doesn't whistle or skid when turning.

Off-road it slips slightly on wet clay and mud, but does not drift sideways. Poorly cleared of small pebbles. More for the city than off-road. Looking at the tread pattern, we can say that it is suitable for very light off-road use; it is advisable to take rubber with a slightly larger pattern.

Hercules TERA TRAC A/T

Tires in size 215/70 R16 cost 5,000. For a raised Niva, the 225/70R16 tire costs 6,100. It holds the course perfectly and makes little noise on the asphalt. Loves speed. These “American slippers” last a long time. Some managed to skate on it for 6 seasons. Poorly balanced.

It doesn’t get washed out on small off-road terrain. It’s still driving on watery “shit”. On the rest of the off-road it slides and gets out sluggishly. Doesn't flatten well.

She overcomes snow normally, but ice is not her element. It doesn't hold turns well and skids steeply. In general, a good AT vehicle with fairly high wear resistance and decent cross-country ability.

Toyo Open Country A/T

Size 215/75R15 costs 4,700 rubles. For the Niva, a 235/75R15 tire is available on spacers for RUB 5,400.

Soft. It makes little noise. It holds any asphalt well and absorbs all the unevenness on it. Not very suitable for off-road use. Lathers on any clay. Shit is not her element. It crawls sideways in the mud (the lugs on the side of the tread are only for “furniture”). Afraid of stones and holes.

In winter, at the level of medium Velcro. Soft in the cold. Because of this, the tread clings well, all parts of which have different heights. Not a bad option for everyday use, but more for comfortable travel on the highway than on dirt.

Bridgestone Dueler A/T

Tire 215/75 R15 priced at 4,600 rubles. For “lifting” it is available in size 225/75 R16 for 5400 rubles. Low noise, but the tread wears out a lot.

According to "shit" he gets a C grade. It gets very washed out in the mud under the hill. On clay, the tread becomes completely clogged, but this can be predicted by looking at the tread. Also strong hydroplaning, in this they are similar to Goodrich’s “worms”. It rides smoothly on the highway and absorbs all the bumps. It slides on the snow and drifts sideways. But it slows down well. More suitable for summer and the city than for winter and off-road. Pure summer tire.

VLI-5

"Ateshka" made in Russia. Available in one size for Niva, 175/80 R16, priced at RUB 2,200.

An excellent option as a first “mudovka”. On the highway at speeds after 70 it starts to howl “like a dog at the moon.”

It is quite suitable for sub-zero frosts. Afterwards it begins to tan and becomes square. It runs well on the shit. Doesn't like ruts, the car can turn completely around. In general, it’s a cheap tire with average performance; it’s better to add a thousand per cylinder and get something much superior.

Kama Flame

Domestic all-season. For a regular Niva, 205/70 R16 costing 3,600 rubles will be just right. Available in one size.

A detailed photo review is here.

A little narrow for the original Nivov disk. It runs well on sand and snow. No snow or ice conditions. You can't get out of a rut without a shovel. At the same time, standing in one place, it does not even hold on to the sides. Doesn't wear out much. It drives through the “shit” with effort. Noticeably hydroplanes on asphalt. Poor self-cleaning. According to all characteristics, it's a C grade, it's fine on the highway, but on dirt it's not worth it.

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