Which wheels to choose for Niva: sizes and characteristics

When choosing wheels for an SUV VAZ 2121, 21214 Niva, you should initially decide on the purpose of their installation. Some car enthusiasts like to drive their cars off-road, and some drive strictly in urban conditions, and installing new rims on wheels for them is another item of sophistication and luxury, but not practicality.

Having chosen suitable disks, do not rush to purchase them. To begin with, be sure to choose the right tires for them, so that the wheels grip the road as well as possible, and are reliable and practical. How to do it? You can find out the answer by reading this article.

Standard sizes

Before choosing wheels and tires for the VAZ 2121 and 21214 Niva, you should carefully study the sizes of their standard, factory wheels. From the factory, this car was produced on wheels with the formula: 5J x 16, H2-ET = 58, DIA = 98, PCD = 5 x 139, 7. Accordingly, alloy wheels for the Niva should be the same, or slightly larger/smaller the maximum size allowed for this model.

In order to better understand what we are talking about, you need to know the decoding of the standard wheel formula. Thus, you can choose wheels and tires for the VAZ 2121 and 21214 Niva, correctly. Explanation of the formula:

• 5J – this number means that this wheel can accommodate 5-inch tires. Depending on the tire manufacturer, the allowable size may be 1 inch less or more. The letter “J” means that this disc has only one side.
• Number 16 is the diameter of the wheel rim assembly.
• H2 - indicates that the design of the wheel rim provides for the presence of two hangers. Khanty are special protruding rings located on the edge of the rim. They serve to ensure that tubeless tires are securely fixed, especially when the force of the road surface moves onto the working plane of the tire. Simply put, they secure the tires during maneuvers and are mandatory on off-road rims.
• ET – designation of the disc overhang size in mm. Of course, they are allowed to disdain, but only to a lesser extent, and no more than 1 cm. Remember, the smaller the offset, the greater the distance between the wheels of Niva 2121 and 21214.
• DIA – hub diameter size in millimeters.
• PCD is a designation indicating the number of holes for mounting the wheel and the diameter at which they are located.

As mentioned earlier, on the Niva 2121 and 21214, it is possible to install slightly larger or smaller wheels. So, the most successful choice would be the wheels from the American prototype - the Chevrolet Niva. They are ideal for fastenings and have the following dimensions:

• 0J x 15 ET = 48 – for stamped options;
• 5J x 15 ET = 40 – for the option with cast samples.

It is best to select the appropriate rim diameter after you have decided on the choice of off-road tire.

Niva 21214

In the factory configuration, the car is equipped with disks, which are fastened with five bolts.

• Circle diameter – 139.7 mm;
• Bolts M12x1.25 mm;
• Departure ET58;
• The diameter of the hub hole is 98.5 mm.

Of course, other models can be installed on the car, but only with a certain standard size:

What to look for when choosing off-road wheels

For such purposes of use, special samples are selected. Their main condition is the width, which will be slightly more than half the width of the tire. For example, for a rim whose width is 10 cm, a 12.5-inch tire is suitable. Such criteria are selected taking into account the fact that when driving off-road, the air from the tire will gradually be released, while increasing the width of the rubber on the sides. This effect is of great importance, as it increases the contact surface of the wheel and provides the VAZ 2121 and 21214 Niva with better traction.

Of course, nothing prevents you from installing off-road tires on narrower rims. But at the same time, the width of the rubber will decrease, and so will the contact plane. Although such a change also has its advantages. For example, when driving on a hard dirt surface, narrower tires will grip the road better due to the larger protrusion of the treads. But when driving through a swamp or other similar soil, they will go worse than a rim on wide tires.

If you decide to install wheels with flattened tires on your VAZ 21214, then be sure to install additional fasteners on them - beadlocks. They will keep the tires in place during any maneuvers, braking, or slipping. A cheaper fixing option is to put the tires on a sealant. But this method is very unreliable.

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What to consider when choosing tires and wheels for Niva cars

The classic three-door “short” Niva (“short” is the VAZ 2121, 21213, 21214, the “long” is the VAZ 2131 and extended Viso models) has a relatively small ratio of the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) to the track width. Such a car is called “short wheelbase”. A short wheelbase leads to poor vehicle handling if it skids. If the “short” Niva skids at a more or less decent speed, it is almost impossible to align it in a straight line using the controls; sometimes the car can make several 360-degree turns until the moment when it is possible to “catch” it with the steering wheel.

If you install low offset wheels on a “short” car, the track width will increase and the base to track ratio will become even smaller. At the same time, the car’s tendency to skid on a slippery road increases, and the driver’s ability to pull it out of the skid decreases. In addition, the expansion of the track leads to an increase in the load on the bearings of the front wheel hubs and the bearings of the axle shafts of the rear wheels and, as a result, their rapid failure.

Thus, when choosing wheels and tires, you should strive to ensure that the center of the wheel being installed is at the point where the center (contact patch with the road) of the standard wheel was. If the wheel being installed is wider than the standard one, the disk must be selected with an increased offset. For standard wheels, the use of disks with a short offset is impractical and even dangerous, especially on “short” cars.

What types of disks to choose and from which manufacturers

For the Niva off-road vehicle, forged or alloy wheels are most suitable. The most popular option for models 2121 and 21214 are alloy wheels from Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Jimmy, Kia Sportage, and even Volga cars, measuring at least 15 inches.

If we talk about manufacturers who make wheels specifically for VAZ cars, then it is best to use products from KRAMZ. They have an anti-shock, stable design, and relatively light weight, thanks to the material from which they are made.

Is it possible to install 16-inch wheels on a Chevrolet Niva and 15-inch wheels on a Niva?

You can often see a Chevrolet Niva on wheels with a seat size of 16, and the “classic” one on 15s. Again, the main thing here is to choose the wheel geometry so that the contact patch remains in the same place and the distance between the centers of the tires remains the same.

The option of installing 15-inch tires with the corresponding wheels on the “classic” Niva does not make sense. You can choose tires whose diameter will differ little from the “original” wheels with a seat size of 16 inches, but the price of 15-inch tires is usually lower.

Conclusion

After analyzing all the possible options, we can conclude: for the field, the most suitable option is alloy wheels, 15 - 16 inches in size, with tires whose width will be approximately 60% larger.

At the same time, the weight of the disks should not be too large so that when it falls into a hole, it does not become deformed. Therefore, choose KRAMZ wheels and be confident in your car, both on the road and in off-road conditions.

What tires and wheels are suitable for cars of the Niva family?

When the wheels installed at the factory are worn out or tired, the question arises - what tires to put on the Niva?
And sometimes this question arises immediately after purchasing a new car. The plant used to install Vli-5, then they started installing K-136. With the abundance of rubber that we currently see, we can install something better. The car's handling, fuel consumption, steering effort, cross-country ability on a bad road, and finally, most importantly, the ability to quickly stop the car in a critical situation depend on tires.

On “classic” Niva models, the factory plans to install tires with a fit size of 16-inch wheels. On Niva - Chevrolet - 15 inches. Wheels of 15 and 16 inches can physically be installed on any car from the Niva family; they are interchangeable in mounting dimensions. Another question is how a “classic” car will behave on 15-inch wheels, and how the Chevrolet Niva will behave on 16-inch wheels.

The standard wheel (tire) for the “classic” Niva is designated 175x80 R 16, the standard disk is 5 J x16H2 ET 58. For the Chevrolet Niva, the standard tire is 205x75 R 15, and the disk is 6 J x15H2 ET 48.

We have placed a far from complete selection of tires in the table here .

Recommended size of wheels and tires Lada 4×4

Allowed to be installed in operation

• * Speed ​​indices: Q – up to 160 km/h, S – up to 180 km/h, T – up to 190 km/h. Load capacity indices: 85 – 515 kg, 88 – 560 kg, 92 – 630 kg, 95 – 690 kg.
• **Rim offset (ET) is the distance from the mating plane of the disc to the middle of the rim.
• In operation, it is allowed to install wheels with a rim width of 5 1/2J and a rim offset of 48-58 mm.
• R is not a radius, but a designation of the radius of the tire, and the number is the diameter of the rim in inches.

Niva Chevrolet

The standard wheel size for this car is R15. Mostly they install alloy wheels, which have gained great popularity. But if the car is used in Russian off-road conditions, it is more promising to install wheels of larger diameter - 16-17.

It must be said that their installation will require additional work. To increase the ground clearance, you will have to install special spacers. It will also be necessary to slightly change the design of the chassis.

Niva 2121

The standard wheel size is R16. The rim offset does not exceed 58 millimeters. You can also install other models with a smaller size on the car - R15. They are in great demand in mountainous areas.

The rubber is thick, so there is no damage to the disc. The tires provide excellent shock absorption when the car moves over large potholes or pits.

On the Niva 2121 you can install wheels from the Chevrolet Niva, without any additional work. You can also install high profile wheels, size 215 R15. The tire offset should not exceed 40 millimeters.

You can install wheels with a large radius, but to avoid touching the fender liners, you need to choose the right size of the disk and tire. Typically, such work is performed during tuning operations.

Review of the best summer and winter tires for the Chevrolet Niva

To choose the right summer tires for an SUV, you must strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The tire size must correspond to the size recommended by the manufacturer.

An important parameter when choosing summer tires for a Chevrolet Niva is the speed index. Since the Chevrolet Niva has a maximum speed of 140 km/h, tires marked M and N are suitable.

Yokohama A349A tires are perfect. They have an improved drainage system, which is achieved thanks to longitudinal drainage grooves and transverse grooves located in the shoulder area. This tire model is characterized by excellent stability, including when driving on rough terrain or mud. Tread blocks assembled in even stripes provide acoustic comfort. The price per unit starts from 5,000 rubles*.

Often, the Chevrolet Niva is equipped with the domestic model of two-ply Kama Euro 129 tires. They have an asymmetric tread pattern. This rubber is quite wear-resistant, excellent road grip and good resistance to aquaplaning are also noted. The price per unit is 1500-2000 rubles*.

Summer tires for Niva Chevrolet

The choice of wheels and tires for the Chevrolet Niva should be taken with full responsibility - after all, the correct choice will determine how the car will behave on the road in the future and what driving performance it shows. The correct choice of tires, taking into account all the nuances, will give the car owner real pleasure from driving the car.

*Prices are current as of February 2022.

The most popular winter tires:

• Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S - the tread consists of Velcro, which provides maximum traction on wet asphalt and loose snow. The maximum temperature of use is 25°C. The critical point is -35°. The average cost in online catalogs is from 8,500 rubles.
• Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1 - balanced price-quality ratio. The tire provides good traction on loose snow and ice at sub-zero temperatures. Average price from 7,000 rubles.
• Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is a soft compound rubber that is not susceptible to hardening when the temperature drops. The price of one tire is from 5,500 rubles.
• Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is a popular model among car enthusiasts in the CIS, including the Russian Federation. Good quality, technical specifications at an affordable price. The service life before replacement exceeds 60 - 70 thousand km. mileage The average price by region is from 5,000 rubles.
• Nokian WR D4 is an economical option for most car owners. High-quality grip, long service life, affordable price from 2900 rubles.

And also interesting: Niva 4x4 or Chevrolet Niva: which is better, comparison, how it differs from a simple Lada, which one to choose, 2121 or 2231, reviews from car owners “

Summer tires for Chevrolet Niva:

• Goodyear Ecient is a high-quality tire at a premium price from a European manufacturer. The tire warms up within a few seconds, providing the widest possible contact patch with the road surface. Rubber guarantees grip, control, cornering, and a minimum percentage of skidding at medium and high speeds. Average price from 5000 rubles.
• Grip Performance is a budget option from a European brand. Better than standard tires in terms of technical characteristics, acceptable for use in urban conditions. Price from 5500 rubles.
• Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125 is also a budget model with a price starting from 6,000 rubles. Above average quality at an affordable price.
• Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 is a tire with unidirectional tread, which ensures high handling and minimal vehicle roll when cornering, regardless of weather conditions and temperature conditions. Average cost from 5200 rubles.
• Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT (size R16) - tires are similar to the previous ones, except that the tread pattern is asymmetrical. Price from 5100 rubles.
• Pirelli P7 Cinturato Blue - long service life is the main highlight of the rubber. The average service life exceeds 65,000 km before replacement. Average price from 5500 rubles.

Service station specialists strongly recommend changing tires strictly according to the seasons, and to a lesser extent using universal, all-season tires. The operating temperature range is several degrees lower than seasonal tires, resulting in reduced vehicle controllability.

Alternative wheels for Chevrolet Niva

Niva has always been popular among those car owners who love hunting, fishing and off-road driving. Often it is precisely these car enthusiasts who think about what wheels to put on a Chevrolet Niva in order to increase its capabilities, especially off-road. To do this, there are several methods that can be combined - install larger diameter wheels, install larger diameter tires, install tires with a more aggressive tread pattern.

So what wheels can be installed on a Chevrolet Niva? And which of them will fit into the car without making changes to the design, and which ones will you have to lift your Niva using spacers and possibly cut the wheel arches?

Taking into account the correspondence between the bolt pattern parameters and the diameter of the hub hole, the Niva Chevrolet P15 wheels can be replaced with rims of 16 or even 17 diameter. Which wheels to choose - steel, cast or forged - you decide for yourself. There are no restrictions or recommendations here. The main thing is that they match the size.

As for tires, in the operating instructions for the Chevrolet Niva, without altering the design, most of the wheel sizes become as noted in the table.

Without altering the design, Chevrolet Niva owners install tires on their cars: 205/70 R15, 205/75 R15, 215/65 R16 and 215/75 R15. But with other models there may be nuances - the wheels may catch on the fender liners or other body parts. This is evidenced by reviews from car owners. And, by the way, the manufacturer recommends using 215/75 R15 tires only if you constantly drive off-road and prohibits accelerating on them above 90 km/h.

The maximum speed of the car according to the passport is 140 km/h. This means that when choosing tires, you can focus on the speed indices N (140 km/h), P (150 km/h) and Q (160 km/h). It is pointless to install higher-speed tires, and it is unsafe to install lower-speed tires. Although in the operating manual the manufacturer recommends tires up to T (190 km/h) and H (210 km/h) indexes. Apparently, with a reserve.

As for the load index, choose for yourself based on the range of tires and the operating conditions of the vehicle. Standard options are indexes from 95 to 100, which corresponds to 690-800 kilograms of load per tire.

Maximum Niva Chevrolet wheels

What are the maximum Niva Chevrolet wheels that can be installed on this car? Judging by reviews on popular sites and forums, Niv owners manage to install wheels up to a diameter of 35 inches. True, for this you need to use spacers to increase ground clearance and raise the car. And also trim the fender liners and wheel arches.