With the onset of winter, every car enthusiast racks his brains over which tires to choose for his car. Russian winter is harsh and very unpredictable, it is different from European or Asian. In order to make driving safe on slippery and snowy roads, you need to choose the right tires for the winter. Chevrolet Niva owners are much luckier, because there are a huge number of different winter tire options for this popular SUV.
How to choose the right winter tires for Chevrolet Niva
With so many tires to choose from, it's becoming increasingly difficult to choose the right tires. Winter tires for a car are a rather expensive purchase; their choice must be taken seriously. Before purchasing winter tires, you need to pay attention to:
DOT marking
- Size. In order to choose the most suitable tire size, the best option would be to look at the tires that are currently in use. The most popular winter tires on the Chevrolet Niva have parameters of 215/65 R16, installed on wheels with a diameter of 16 inches, and sometimes 15 inches.
- Speed index. The lower it is, the higher the tire's permeability on very snowy roads.
- Wear indicator. This parameter indicates how long the bus will be operational. The larger it is, the longer the rubber will last.
- DOT marking. Its existence indicates that such tires do not contradict safety standards.
- Pressure index. If the tire pressure is incorrectly set, the tires will not function properly and will not be able to cope with their task.
- Balancing. The imbalance causes the car to sway.
Important!
Winter tires for Niva Chevrolet must be selected extremely carefully, because this SUV has the highest requirements.
Choosing summer tires
To select the right tires for an SUV, you need to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and take into account the operating conditions of the vehicle.
Tread pattern
The tread on the tires is different, not for beauty. The performance characteristics depend on this parameter. There are three types of patterns:
- Symmetrical, without direction. A classic tread option, suitable for driving around the city and on the highway. This pattern is often used on inexpensive budget tires. The characteristics do not depend on the direction of movement and operating conditions. Standard option from the manufacturer.
- Symmetrical, with direction. Rubber with a similar pattern is characterized by good grip and effective removal of water from the contact patch. Excellent for high-speed driving, including in rainy and spring weather. They cannot be installed on any hub, as they have a strict direction of movement, indicated by an arrow on the cord.
- Asymmetrical. The universal pattern is equally suitable for wet weather and dry weather. It is found not only on SUVs, but also on sedans and family station wagons. This rubber has different patterns on the inside and outside. When installing, you also need to pay attention to the inside/outside designation.
Each of the listed tread patterns has both advantages and disadvantages.
Speed index
An important parameter for choosing tires for the Chevrolet Niva. Markings in the form of Latin letters indicate the maximum speed that can be achieved on these tires.
Marking
Maximum speed, km/h
For civilian versions of tires, the maximum speed reaches 300 km/h. It’s not worth considering all of them, since for the Chevrolet Niva, a speed of 140 km/h is already the maximum - its power unit will not be able to handle more. Tires with a high index are much more expensive, and there is no point in overpaying for it.
Load Index
The parameter determines the load that the tire can withstand when driving at maximum speed. This is the weight of a car with passengers and cargo allowed on one wheel. The index ranges from 70 to 120, which corresponds to a load from 335 to 1400 kg. If you plan to transport passengers and heavy loads, then it is better to take tires with a high index. But buying tires with an index that does not correspond to the maximum load allowed by the manufacturer is also not worth it.
Tire carcass
By design, tires can be radial or diagonal. The latter are practically not used today. The letter R in the radius designation indicates that this is a radial tire. There are also reinforced tires designated C (Cargo) or LT (Light Truck). They are usually used to transport heavy loads. You can combine all the available information and choose tires for the summer, guided by three main scenarios:
- Relaxed driving around the city and on the highway. For such conditions, tires with a medium profile, symmetrical tread pattern without direction or asymmetrical with a speed index of up to 140 km/h are suitable.
- Driving at maximum speed. It is better to choose tires with a lower profile and a high speed index.
- Off-road driving. To do this, choose high-profile tires with a deep tread - mud tires.
Winter tires on the Chevrolet Niva: types, features and technical characteristics
Studded model
For a full feeling of maximum convenience, comfort and safety on the road in the cold season, motorists use tires adapted to low temperatures (can be used from +7 °C).
On a note!
In the manufacture of winter tires, a material is used that does not lose its elasticity even in severe frost. Such rubber, if it is of good quality, will last from 2 to 4 seasons. The tread of winter tires has a special pattern, characterized by increased grip properties. For the best stability on winter roads, Chevrolet Niva owners use tires with long and wavy sipes.
There are 2 types of tires: studded and non-studded (friction). The latter are divided into:
- European type. The most important task of such tires is to achieve better traction during rainy or snowy weather. It differs in the composition of the pattern, which is located not at a right angle, but diagonally. The pattern has a formed web of drainage channels, the presence of a large number of small slots and strong lugs that are located along the edges of the tread. The longer the sipes, the longer the edges with which the tire grips the road surface, collecting snow and water into the holes.
- Scandinavian type. The main task is to achieve better traction with the road, which is covered with snow or ice. This division of tires is distinguished primarily by rectangular “checkers”, which are arranged in a checkerboard pattern (pattern depth is 9-12 mm). Such peculiar contours are necessary in order to push down a fairly durable snow or ice surface.
You might be interested in this About tires for Achilles cars
An important feature of the tire is its studs, which break up a small crust of ice or snow. The spikes themselves have two components: a strong center and a lightweight base. Studded tires create noise, unlike friction tires.
Additional Information!
The most suitable option for Russian roads are Scandinavian tires.
What is the difference between winter and all-season tires on a Chevrolet Niva
All-season type
Many car enthusiasts believe that all-season tires are more practical and convenient because they are suitable for both the summer and winter seasons. But despite this advantage, they are not intended for severe frosts, much less ice. All-season season differs from winter in several ways:
- Temperature. Winter tires can be used at any sub-zero temperature, but all-season tires become hard after -7 °C, which is unsafe.
- Braking distances. The braking distance on all-season tires is longer than on winter tires.
- Controllability on slippery roads. The tread of winter tires is deep (9-17 mm), which allows for good maneuvering during icy conditions. Tires for all seasons have treads up to 9 mm deep, which leads to certain difficulties when driving the car.
- Tread pattern. All-season tires have drainage grooves, which are good for wet asphalt, but not for snowy and icy roads. Winter tires have a large pattern.
- Rubber. The all-season version is made of a medium-soft material, and the winter version is made of a soft and porous rubber alloy.
Car tires, which are intended for all seasons, are inferior to winter tires in many respects.
Winter tire rating for Chevrolet Niva: manufacturers you can trust
Model Cordiant Polar SL
There are a huge number of options for winter tires for the Chevrolet Niva, but it cannot be said with confidence that all brands justify their price with quality.
In order to choose the right tires and spend your money justifiably, you need to pay attention to the following ratings (in ascending order) of tires from the best manufacturers:
- Cordiant Polar SL. This tire is considered one of the most budget-friendly. Its cost ranges from 3000 to 3500 rubles*. It guarantees fairly good adhesion to the ice cover and will pass through the “mess” of snow without much difficulty. A negative feature of such tires is that they are intended only for winter cold. If the air temperature is more than -4 ° C, then they will lose their maneuverability and support. Driving on wet roads is most likely to result in longer braking distances.
- Kumho I'Zen KW22. These tires can also be purchased at an affordable price. Their cost varies from 3,400 to 3,700 rubles. A small advantage is that manufacturers provide winter tires for Chevrolet Niva 15 inches in size, their cost ranges from 2800 to 3000 rubles. This is studded tires, so it guarantees good stabilization, but will produce quite a lot of noise.
- Amtel NordMaster ST-310. The price of these tires is from 3200 to 3500 rubles, but they create a very loud noise while driving (most often if the speed is from 60 km/h). The advantage is that such tires are made of good quality material and have durable studs. Due to the special structure of the thorns, they almost never fall out.
- Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000. Rubber has an average cost of 4500-5000 rubles. And the price is quite justified, because the tires have almost no disadvantages, but can boast of their advantages. They are made of high quality rubber, which guarantees excellent quality. Such tires do not create much noise and have improved stud fastening.
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7. These tires belong to the best brand, so their cost starts from 7,000 rubles. By purchasing such tires, the owner of a Chevrolet Niva can forget about the inconvenience. Manufacturers have thought through everything to the smallest detail: high quality material, the best tread pattern. These advantages allow the tires to behave confidently on any road surface.
Note!
Kumho brand tires quickly go bald. In one season, there is a chance of losing up to 20% of thorns.
Owner reviews
I discovered the STT Discoverer for the first time this year. Now I’m driving happy, because the tires paddle perfectly even in serious mud. Yes, at high temperatures and long driving on the highway they float a little, but the Niva is not created for this. Besides, I rarely travel like this. Some will say that the price is high. But if you count two sets (summer + winter), then the claim becomes unclear.
I’ve been driving the Amtelach Nord-Master for three years now. In winter, of course. Very good tires, especially considering their cost. Because for 12 thousand you can put shoes on a car for five years. And even driving on ice is very confident. When fishing, I feel simply irreplaceable - where others give up, my Niva drives very confidently. Yes, there are problems with noise, but in the Chevrolet line this is not the most comfortable model, and it was created for something else. So I'm willing to put up with these disadvantages in favor of the advantages.
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The question is primarily about Shniva waters. Recently I became the owner of a Sh Niva. Winter is over, and with it the time has come to change tires. Please advise which tires are better to buy, so that they don’t hum too much on the asphalt (consumption is not important) and so that you can row and drag in the forest without any problems, in general.
PS First time contacting an SUV. There are a lot of reviews, I would like to get advice from real users. Thank you in advance. ¶
MT doesn’t buzz on the highway, where does this prejudice come from?!
Contact Pavel aka Glokiy Kuzdr. He mainly specializes in gearboxes and gearboxes, if he needs to determine the noise from there.
You can also first try to ride alternately with only the front and only the rear driveshaft.
There have been a lot of complaints about Kama Flame lately that after 2 years it is all covered with cracks. ¶
If you need to row and pull almost everywhere, then only MT.
If in standard sizes 205/70R15 - Cordiant Off-Road, Contyre Expedition 215/75R15 - Bontyre Stalker (expensive), Kumho KL-71 (quickly sharpens on asphalt), BFGoodrich MT (very expensive)
If you want to make a lift, change the main pairs and then “build” an SUV, then the list of available tires expands sharply... but the price also rises. the most optimal in terms of price/quality from 29″ - Cordiant Expedition
But if, nevertheless, 90% is asphalt, then you need to choose AT tires and buy additional chains for it for especially extreme cases. ¶
Yes, also in standard size for shniva 215/65/R16
Personally, I chose between cordiant off-road and contyre expedition. I settled on the last option. Personal feelings are just super. Initially I thought to use it as a 3rd set, but after driving around a little, I decided that this was the main set for the summer. It is very often compared to the Cordiant off-road, but the Contyre wins according to reviews - lighter, quieter and softer. Well, if you compare it with BFG, then yes, it will probably wear off faster, but for that money I’ll go and get another set. Over the weekend I looked at the wear and tear and compared my new one in another field after a year of constant use. The wear was about 3 mm. ¶
Yeah, you can erase two or more sets for a hundred thousand, and calculate how much money it is? A ? and I’ll invest in BFG and ride them, in a coupe, cheaper and of better quality, but the tread on the new one will always be more interesting at first, yes, I don’t argue. Whatever you say, the cords and other manufacturers, for the most part, stole the drawing from BFG
