Tires with a small mounting diameter are designed for installation on budget Russian-made cars and some foreign cars (for example, basic versions of Volkswagen Polo or Skoda Rapid).
The rating of R14 summer tires, compiled on the basis of customer reviews and statistics from large trading companies, allows us to determine the most practical, durable products.
Decoding tire markings
On the side surface of the tire there is an identification marking containing information about:
- geometric parameters (disc mounting diameter, profile width and height);
- permissible load index, machine speed;
- maximum load value and pressure;
- model and manufacturer;
- tire type (with or without tube);
- compliance with ECE standard;
- direction of rotation or orientation (for tires with an asymmetric tread pattern);
- place of production (indicating the calendar week and year).
For example, the European designation 195/60R14С 84T indicates the following characteristics:
- 195 mm - treadmill width;
- 60 — height of the side part of the tire (in% of the tread width);
- R - contrary to popular belief, does not indicate the radius of the rim, but the type of tire (Radial - radial, specifying the direction of the cord threads, sometimes diagonal tires are found on the market);
- 14 — wheel rim diameter;
- C - the tire is intended for commercial use, not used on products for standard passenger cars or crossovers;
- 84 - load capacity indicator (determined from tables);
- T is the permissible speed index (as the letter approaches the end of the Latin alphabet, the maximum possible speed increases).
In addition to standard markings, special designations may be used. For example, on tires with a profile height increased to 80%, the percentage value is not indicated on the sidewall.
If the tire is produced for the American market, then the marking indicates the outer diameter of the wheel in inches, after which the tread width is indicated (in the same measurement system).
An example of a tire designation for the US or Canadian market is 35/12.5R15 113Q (rim size, speed and load capacity indices correspond to European ones).
Tires and wheels for Kalina 2 (compatibility and photos)
Standard tire and wheel sizes for Lada Kalina 2
If you look at the technical characteristics of the car, you can see that the standard size of Lada Kalina 2 wheels can be:
Lada Kalina 2 wheels have the following parameters:
- 4x98
- ET-35 departure
- DIA-58.5
- rim width 5, 5.5 or 6 inches.
Marking of wheels and tires
About tire size Kalina 2
If you decide to replace the Lada Kalina 2 wheels with non-standard ones, with a different size of rubber (tyres), then before purchasing, make sure that they fit. Compatibility table for tires and wheels Lada Kalina 2:
It is worth noting that the Kalina 2 is in many ways similar to the Lada Granta, including the parameters of the wheels (tires and rims). Therefore, when choosing discs of non-standard sizes, you can rely on the reviews of Grantovodov.
Alloy wheels Kalina 2
To visually understand how low-profile Kalina 2 tires change the appearance of the car, just look at the photo comparing R17 wheels with standard R14:
However, it should be taken into account that after installing such large wheels, the ground clearance of Kalina 2 will increase from 160mm to 175mm, and the car will be raised. Therefore, along with installing low-profile tires, you need to think about proper lowering (author):
Photos of the car on different wheels (for comparison). Black R14 wheels on Kalina 2 (author):
R15 wheels for Kalina 2 (author):
R16 wheels for Kalina 2 (tires 195/45) (author): R17 wheels for Kalina 2 (wheel width 7 and offset 38, tires 205/40). According to the author: “surprisingly, it doesn’t touch anything anywhere; when you turn the steering wheel completely, it seems to catch, but almost not.”
By the way, do you know how to properly lower Kalina 2?
About the place to purchase quality goods
It is recommended to buy car tires in specialized shopping centers that provide a guarantee on the supplied products.
Many stores offer free wheel assembly or a discount on steel or alloy wheels when purchasing a set of tires.
By completing a transaction at a large retail outlet, the buyer reduces the risk of purchasing products that were stored in improper conditions and have lost their characteristics (for example, ultraviolet radiation or improper storage position negatively affects the strength of rubber).
What to look for when purchasing
When selecting and purchasing, you should consider:
- the type of tread on which the vehicle’s cross-country ability depends;
- index of load capacity and speed (for example, for Grant or Kalina passenger cars, tires marked 82T or 82H are required, which can withstand acceleration to 190 and 210 km/h);
- date of manufacture (it is not recommended to purchase tires manufactured more than 30 months ago due to the natural aging of the rubber compound);
- external condition of the treadmill, sidewalls (cracks or traces of mechanical damage are not allowed).
What kind of tires can still be put on the car after modifications?
Many Lada owners do not limit themselves to the list of products approved by the car plant, but install rollers of non-standard sizes.
Wheels with tires measuring 15, 16 inches, even R17 on Priora, fit without modifications with a tire width of up to 215 mm. Naturally, low-profile tires are used. For 17-inch wheels – profile 40-45%. For example, 205/40 R17, 195/45 R17. When installing such “rollers” you will need to remove the fender liners. It is difficult to find a product of this size with a drill and mounting hole standard for Priora. It is necessary to use spacers, centering rings, and eccentric bolts.
When installing non-standard rollers, it is necessary to pay attention to the disc overhang. With some parameter values, the wheel will not fit into the wheel arch, so you will have to trim the latter or make other changes.
Tires play an important role in safety, comfort of movement, and ease of driving. Therefore, you need to carefully select these consumables and monitor its condition.
The best summer tire manufacturers
The highest quality car tires are produced by European, Japanese and Korean manufacturers. To reduce production costs and reduce logistics costs, many manufacturers have opened production facilities in the Russian Federation.
Wear-resistant rubber is used to produce summer tires, ensuring trajectory stability when driving on both dry and wet roads.
The average cost of standard 185/65R14 tires manufactured by companies from the top 9 is shown in the table.
| Manufacturer | Price, thousand rubles |
| Nokian Hakka Green 2 | 3,1 |
| Nokian Nordman SX2 | 2,7 |
| Michelin Energy XM2+ | 3,9 |
| Michelin Energy XM2 | 3,8 |
| Kumho Ecowing ES31 | 2,4 |
| Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | 2,9 |
| Yokohama BluEarth ES32 | 2,7 |
| Toyo NanoEnergy 3 | 2,5 |
| Toyo Proxes CF2 | 2,5 |
| Toyo Tranpath mpZ | 2,8 |
| Continental EcoContact 6 | 4,1 |
| Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 K435 | 2,9 |
| Hankook Optimo ME02 K424 | 2,9 |
| Matador MP 47 Hectorra 3 | 2,4 |
Finnish company Nokian
For installation on Lada Priora and similar cars, tires of the Hakka Green 2 and Nordman SX2 series, which are produced at the Russian Nokian plant, are offered.
Nordman SX2 tires have a road tread pattern with grooves that reduce the risk of aquaplaning, and the rubber compound is highly wear-resistant.
The improved Hakka Green 2 model ensures reduced fuel consumption, increases vehicle stability when driving on wet roads, and the service life (compared to the previous series) is increased by 15%.
Famous Michelin tires
If the car owner plans to take good tires for the summer, then you can choose Energy XM2+ or XM2 products from the French concern Michelin.
To make tires, a special rubber mixture with strong intermolecular bonds is used, which increases wear resistance.
The sidewall is made using Ironflex technology, which reduces the risk of cord failure when hitting the edges of holes or running into curbs.
Fluid drainage channels located on the treadmill increase the speed at which hydroplaning begins.
Korean Kumho tires
Inexpensive South Korean Kumho tires are supplied to the assembly lines of automobile factories and the spare parts market.
If a driver is looking for lightweight tires, then they should pay attention to the Ecowing ES31 model (introduced in 2022) with a diameter of R14, which comes in several sizes, including the standards 175/70 and 175/65 suitable for VAZ cars.
The product reduces fuel consumption, and the soft sidewall helps reduce noise when driving on asphalt roads.
Bridgestone Company
The Ecopia EP150 tires offered by the Japanese company Bridgestone provide a reduction in fuel costs (according to the manufacturer's measurements, savings reach 7.1%).
The rubber mass has increased hardness, which reduces the rate of wear, but car owners note poor braking performance on wet and dry surfaces.
Touring FS100 tires manufactured by the American branch of Firestone, which have similar performance characteristics, are occasionally found on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Budget tires from Yokohama
If a car owner is deciding which tires to buy for summer use, then you can purchase Japanese Yokohama BluEarth ES32 tires, which provide reliable contact with dry or wet roads.
The original tread pattern allows you to evenly distribute the load in the contact patch and reduce the wear rate.
The rubber mixture was developed using nanotechnology, which made it possible to reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption.
Japanese manufacturer Toyo
The Toyo plant's production program includes several models of R14 tires:
- Toyo NanoEnergy 3, created using Toyo Nano Balance technology. The tires have increased resistance to aquaplaning, reduce fuel consumption, and increase comfort when driving on paved roads and dirt roads.
- Toyo Proxes CF2, made from a mixture of silicone and polymer additives. They are characterized by increased wear resistance and provide acoustic comfort in the car interior.
- Toyo Tranpath mpZ with an original asymmetrical tread pattern developed using T-Mode technology.
Continental tires
The company offers tires of the EcoContact 3, 5 and 6 models, which differ in the composition of the rubber compound (the latest generation uses Green Chili 2.0 material with increased abrasion resistance). The tires reduce fuel consumption and noise levels due to a special tread pattern.
The advantage is a reduction in braking distance on both dry and wet road surfaces.
Hankook is a Korean company
The South Korean manufacturer offers 2 models of tires with size R14:
- Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 K435, which has widened side grooves on the treadmill to improve hydroplaning resistance. In addition to the polyester tape carcass, an expanded metal belt is used, which improves the tire's performance on dry or wet surfaces.
- Hankook Optimo ME02 K424, made from a mixture with increased wear resistance and thermal strength. The advantage of the tires is the reduced noise level (due to the use of rib-type blocks on the shoulder area of the tread). To increase the strength of the sidewall, a filler with increased hardness was used, which further improves directional stability.
Matador Company
The Matador manufacturer, part of the Continental concern, offers budget MP 47 Hectorra 3 tires that provide increased driving safety on wet road surfaces.
By increasing the hardness of the rubber mass, an increase in mileage has been achieved while reducing noise.
Symmetrical grooves on the tread ensure fluid drainage from the contact patch, and additional blocks in the central section increase traction force transmission.
Characteristics of wheels on Lada Kalina Cross
Starting in 2014, Russian engineers of the AvtoVAZ concern slightly adjusted the suspension of the Lada Kalina station wagon and they got a crossover, since the car was raised a few more centimeters above the ground. In addition, the necessary attributes for a small SUV were added to this version, and a fundamentally new car rolled off the assembly line - the Lada Kalina Cross. Of course, in order to match the qualities of the SUV, the car is equipped with slightly different rims.
In richer trim levels, the car is equipped with a slightly larger radius of wheels with parameters 6.5J x 15 ET30, and 195/55/R15 tires fit perfectly on them. This size is in high demand among buyers, as it is optimal for both smooth asphalt and off-road trails.
When purchasing a car, drivers try to choose exactly the modification that was initially equipped with alloy wheels from the K&K company, with 5 standard spokes in Silver color, because the caps on top of the stamped products often fly off and break when used on bad roads.
For those budget-conscious buyers, the most basic modifications come with stampings in both 14- and 15-inch radii, and they look pretty good when paired with branded plastic hubcaps.
Those same car enthusiasts who try to install R17 and higher wheels on this VAZ modification, with low-profile tires, taking advantage of the relatively high ground clearance, risk completely damaging the shock absorbers in the first year of operation of the vehicle. Thus, if the edge of the wheel extends too far relative to the axis of its attachment to the hub during maneuvers on the road, a significant load is placed on the mating element, which can cause deformation of the axle along with the brake disc, hub and studs, which will lead to their inevitable replacement.
Best tires by size
In addition to the standard size 185/65, the car owner can purchase tires with an increased tread width or a higher profile.
The selection is carried out subject to the tolerances specified by the car manufacturer (the permissible tire sizes and pressure are given on the sticker located in the driver's door opening).
Please note that non-standard tires may snag on wheel arch liners, fender edges or suspension components when driving both on uneven roads and when turning.
195 70
The rating of 195/70R14 tires includes:
- Toyo Nano Energy 3, featuring the best combination of characteristics and price (from 3 thousand rubles). The rubber mixture has increased abrasion resistance and reduces fuel consumption.
- Kormoran Road, made on the basis of a mixture with silicone additives. Additional lamellas on the treadmill increase braking performance on wet roads and remove water from the contact zone. The tire has a symmetrical tread pattern and is distinguished by a low price (from 2.8 thousand rubles).
- Michelin Energy Saver Plus, made from an Eco Grip rubber compound with increased durability and reduced rolling resistance. According to the manufacturer's measurements, tires can save up to 60 liters of fuel over their entire service life. The disadvantage is the high price (from 5.3 thousand rubles), which covers all the benefits from reduced fuel consumption.
- GT Radial FE1 City (price from 2.6 thousand rubles), providing a reduction in braking distance and improved grip on wet roads. The disadvantage is low slip resistance when changing lanes and noise when driving (the perception by the driver and passengers depends on what kind of sound insulation is installed in the car interior).
Tires 185 60
When selecting 185/60R14 tires, you should pay attention to:
- Toyo NanoEnergy 3 or Nokian Hakka Green 2, characterized by high stability of characteristics, quality workmanship (price is 2.4 and 2.9 thousand rubles, respectively).
- Toyo Proxes R888R, equipped with a large tread pattern, designed for use on the race track and in city conditions. The tires warm up quickly and provide close contact with the road. The price starts from 4.9 thousand rubles, it must be taken into account that with intensive movement on the track, the treadmill quickly wears out, leading to a drop in acceleration and braking characteristics.
- Cordiant Road Runner has a tread made of a soft outer layer and a hard backing layer that provides mechanical strength to the tire. The tire material is designed for long-term movement at a stable speed; the rubber is not intended for sudden maneuvers. You can buy a tire for 2.1 thousand rubles. (model with speed index 82H).
- Nitto NT860 (price from 2.3 thousand rubles), designed for long-term operation in quiet mode. The Japanese manufacturer used a tread with deep grooves that drain water and reduce acoustic noise. Due to the uniform distribution of the load in the contact area, mileage is increased and the risk of uneven wear is reduced (provided the installation angles are correct).
Rubber 175 70
The rating of 175/70R14 format tires includes products whose prices and main characteristics are shown in the table.
| Model | Speed and load index | Price, thousand rubles |
| Nokian Hakka Green 2 | 88T | 2,8 |
| Nokian Nordman SX2 | 84T | 2,6 |
| Toyo Tranpath mpZ | 84N | 2,9 |
| Yokohama BluEarth ES32 | 84N | 2,7 |
| Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | 84N | 3,0 |
Tires 175 65
The best 175/65R14 tires are produced by Nokian, Toyo, Yokohama and a number of other concerns; prices are shown in the table.
| Model | Speed and load index | Price, thousand rubles |
| Cordiant Comfort 2 | 86N | 2,2 |
| Toyo NanoEnergy 3 | 82T | 2,3 |
| Nitto NT860 | 86N | 2,2 |
| Continental Premium Contact 5 | 82T | 3,3 |
Other tires
In addition to the products listed, the following tire formats can be used on machines:
- 155/65 or 165/55, used on Japanese-made cars for use in their country. The Russian market includes Dunlop SP Touring R1, Hankook Optimo K715, Kormoran Road tires with permissible load capacity and speed ratings of 75T (other formats are not provided).
- For commercial vehicles (such as vans or light trucks), tire sizes are available in 205/80 or 205/70. Tires are marked with the letter C and are characterized by increased load capacity while simultaneously reducing the permissible speed. Representatives are tires of the Toyo H08 or Kumho KC53 models, having the index 109S and 109Q, respectively.
- For commercial use, size 215 R14C is intended (for example, Toyo NanoEnergy Van tires designed for minibuses). There are special tires designed for drive axles of Asian-made trucks (for example, radial Bridgestone RD-650 Steel with a road tread width of 235 or 265 mm).
How to choose the best wheels with a diameter of 16 inches
Let's calculate what the outer diameter of tires of the following standard size is: 195/45 R16. The resulting value is 582 mm. Which is 2 mm less than the outer diameter of the tires installed by AvtoVAZ itself. And the rim of an alloy wheel with an increased diameter should not be narrower than 7 inches (7Jx16 wheels are needed). It is interesting that the only configuration of the Kalina-2 Sport uses tires of size 195/50 R16, but we are going to install lower-profile tires.
Various Kalina-2 hatchbacks with 16-inch wheels
Now, let's talk about the meaning of departure. It is clear that it should be from the range ET-35 - ET-38. When using a larger value, we eliminate the possibility of rubber “catching” metal, but we add load to the chassis. In general, wheels with an offset of ET-38 can be installed if the warranty is not needed. The value recommended by AvtoVAZ, ET-35, is suitable: many owners of VAZ cars purchase 7Jx16 ET-35 wheels, if we talk specifically about 16 inches. On such wheels they mount tires 205 mm wide and 92 mm high, and somehow the whole thing rides. Our conclusions:
- 205/45 R16 – not recommended, but viable;
- 195/45 R16 is quite suitable.
Note that the conclusions refer to the option of using disks of the following standard size: 7Jx16 ET-35.
In conclusion, just in case, we will list which discs are installed on the Kalina-2 from the factory. If we are talking about casting and a diameter of 15 inches, the width of the rim can only be 6 inches (no less). Another option used is 5.5Jx14. This information must be taken into account when choosing - you cannot buy narrow alloy wheels with a large diameter.
The mounting holes for some disks are located on a circle with a diameter of 100 mm. We need 98 mm, but we won’t be able to distinguish one from the other by eye. Therefore, when making a choice, be careful. It is unnecessary to remind you that installing disks with an incorrectly selected PCD parameter value is prohibited. Happy tuning!
Reading time: 7 minutes
Lada Kalina is the first car of the Russian concern AvtoVAZ, produced in 2 generations over 14 years, from 2004 to 2022, and had an appearance close to Western competitors in this class of compact cars. In terms of the cost of the basic equipment, Kalina was always ahead of its European competitors. The high reliability of this Lada made it possible to operate it for 8-10 years, which led to the need to replace worn parts, and the main ones were always the wheels.
Test results of the tires reviewed
Car magazines annually test tires of different sizes intended for summer use. Testing is carried out at test sites that allow simulating changing road conditions.
To measure indicators, special equipment that has passed preliminary testing is used.
The experiments are carried out at air temperatures ranging from +20°...25°C; the tire carrier in the test in question is a Grant car with a 106-horsepower gasoline engine with a manual gearbox and an ABS system.
When checking tires with dimensions 185x60 R14, the following results were obtained:
- The best tire is the Continental Premium Contact 5, which has shown reduced braking distances both on dry roads and on water-covered roads. The tires have improved traction on the highway, allowing you to increase speed when changing lanes.
- The Russian-Finnish Nokian Hakka Green 2 was in the second stage, demonstrating good performance on dry and wet road surfaces. Additional advantages include reduced noise levels and reduced rolling resistance.
- Another representative of the Nokian company took third position. The Nordman SX 2 summer tire is suitable for driving on wet roads, but when driving on dry asphalt there is a deterioration in handling (only when making sharp maneuvers, which should not be done under standard operating conditions).
- The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tire showed the best directional stability while simultaneously reducing the noise level in the vehicle interior. During the checks, unsatisfactory tire-road grip indicators were obtained, which do not allow driving the car in extreme mode.
- The Cordiant Comfort 2 tire showed an average level of quality; the disadvantages included increased rolling resistance and unsuitability for making sharp maneuvers on dry or wet asphalt. Similar problems arose when testing Russian tires Sava Perfecta and Viatti Strada Asimmetrico V-130.
- The last places were taken by tires from Chinese manufacturers (Landsail LS388, Sailun Atrezzo ECO and Achilles 122). The advantages of the tires include low fuel consumption when driving at speeds up to 60 km/h (corresponding to city driving) and good smoothness. When accelerating to 90 km/h, directional stability drops, there is a deterioration in controllability with a simultaneous increase in noise levels. With a sharp decrease in speed on a dry road surface, the braking distance is 6-9 m longer than that of the leaders in the rating.
