Winter all-terrain tires. Winter off-road tires - what can be installed, look at studded and non-studded models

You need to change the shoes of an SUV very competently and responsibly, otherwise your off-road conqueror will be left with nothing. At the same time, there is not enough awareness only about the speed index and standard size. Let's talk about what you need to know when choosing the right tires for your SUV, as well as specific manufacturers to find the best tires for SUVs.

First of all, you need to clearly understand that tires and wheels for SUVs should be installed in strict accordance with the operating conditions of the car: if you drive on rough terrain, then look for mud tires, and if you only need a car in the city, then take road tires.

In general, all tires for SUVs are divided into several varieties, within which there are their own leading manufacturers. Today, not only European, but also, for example, Chinese tires for SUVs are widespread. Although, as before, global brands remain leaders. Let's start with the first category - road tires.

Choosing road tires

So-called road tires are used for driving on asphalt. These tires are characterized by a directional tread pattern, which ensures reliable grip on the road surface regardless of humidity. All new cars are usually equipped with road tires. The positive features of this type of tire are their durability, wear resistance and low noise level. In general, if you only ride around the city, occasionally leaving it, then choose road tires. Please note the following:

When purchasing specific tires, be sure to pay attention to the type and size recommended by the manufacturer of your SUV;
It is better to give preference to low-profile options, because this provides better grip on the road surface;
When driving onto a country road, there is a sharp decrease in the efficiency of road tires.

Now let's look at the most popular models of road tires and their characteristics.

DUNLOP GRANDTREK ST1

These tires are all-season and are designed for SUVs with “S” and “H” speed ratings. The model is characterized by:

unique tread geometry and wide outlet channels, which improves handling performance during high-speed driving;
deep tread pattern, random placement of pipes, as well as the elasticity of the rubber compound, which increases traction on snowy or wet road surfaces.

The average market price of the model is 5.5 thousand rubles.

YOKOHAMA G051

This is another model that is suitable for daily use in all seasons, although these are rather the best winter tires for SUVs. When developing them, the manufacturer counted, first of all, on the maximum efficiency of tires, which ultimately have:

two fairly wide longitudinal grooves, which are intersected by recesses, due to which water is successfully removed from the contact patch and traction with wet and slippery road surfaces is increased;
geometrically optimized blocks, which significantly reduces noise and prevents uneven tread wear.

The cost of such tires ranges from 4 to 6 thousand rubles, depending on the size and index indicators.

MICHELIN Latitude Cross

In this case, we are talking about summer tires, which are characterized by truly high wear resistance. Distinctive features of the model:

original lugs developed using the manufacturer’s own technology in the shoulder area of the tread. As a result, handling on snowy and dirty roads improved;
the presence of cutting edges (which is characteristic primarily of winter tires), due to which acceleration and braking performance have significantly increased.

The cost varies from 4 to 6.5 thousand rubles.

COOPER CS4 TOURING T

These summer SUV tires are suitable for almost everyone, which makes them universal. The model is characterized by the presence of some features, which together significantly increase the main characteristics of the tire:

First of all, we are talking about the double content of gas soot and silicon in the protector. This increases grip on wet surfaces and at the same time maintains wear resistance;
the polymer base of the model is optimized so that the rubber compound retains its flexibility even at low temperatures;
Finally, the unique tread pattern with 5 ribs significantly increases road grip and also maintains driving stability.

It should be noted that the model in question is more expensive compared to other road tires: its cost is set at 4300-7200 rubles, depending on specific indicators.

Types of off-road tires

Depending on where the car will mainly travel, manufacturers have developed different tire options. Each of them has its pros and cons, so the choice depends on ride comfort, driving safety and stable position on the highway, as well as wear rate. There are four main options:

High Performance (HP). Used for driving around the city and asphalt roads. This is an urban version of off-road wheels with good handling, suitable for high speeds and almost no noise. Provides high traction and comfortable control. At the same time, the HP is only suitable for light off-road use; it can overcome small obstacles and drive on dirt roads. The price is higher than other types, usually used on premium cars.
Half Terrain (HT). Combines good handling on asphalt and other hard surfaces and moderate off-road capability. Universal tires with an asymmetric tread that gives good handling at high speed, there is no aquaplaning, but you can drive on soft ground, gravel and other not very durable surfaces. There are cheap tires, but usually the price is average. Cons: When driving on asphalt, the noise level is high; it is not suitable for very bad roads.
All Terrain (AT). A high-quality option for off-road use, although it is considered universal. Suitable for poor quality roads, as the rubber is durable and the tread is aggressive. It makes sense to use it if you often have to drive on the ground or the surface in the city is uneven and damaged. When driving on asphalt, a lot of noise is created, the car accelerates slowly, and due to the pronounced tread, stones and gravel fly out from under the wheels.
Mud Terrain (MT). Off-road tires that are not advisable to drive on asphalt. Tires with large tread are designed for different purposes and are divided into the following groups: for rocky surfaces - durable, for loose sand - with narrow grooves and large blocks, for mud and clay - a strong profile, additional lugs for traction. If you drive on hard surfaces, the tires will wear out a lot, and handling will also suffer.

For your information! Some manufacturers make universal options that do not belong to a specific class. But still, such tires have recommendations for use, which should be followed.

If we talk about all-terrain tires, then these are the last two points. The former are more suitable for the city and light off-road. There is no need to skimp on quality; cheap tires most often do not meet the stated parameters and wear out much faster.

Now let's study universal tires

Let's now move on to consider the next category of tires. We will talk about universal tires. The name of the variety speaks for itself: such rubber is an all-weather product, suitable for use in various conditions. Externally, you can recognize such tires not only by their markings, but also by their tread pattern (it is very wide).

The increased performance characteristics of such rubber are achieved thanks to a stiffer rubber compound and high sipes. Universal tires are recommended for those car owners who drive equally around the city and over rough terrain. However, you need to know about some specific features of this rubber:

firstly, due to the characteristics of the rubber compound, the braking distance when using them increases slightly;
secondly, universal tires are characterized by increased noise;
thirdly, they are less economical.

In addition, the type of tire in question performs well on rocky terrain and sand, although the lamellas can sometimes become clogged. By the way, we will give one piece of advice, proven by the experience of a huge number of car enthusiasts:

To increase the cross-country ability of universal tires, you can lower the pressure in each wheel by one atmosphere.

As in the case of road tires, here too there are four most popular models, although the total number of manufacturers and their products significantly exceeds this figure.

BRIDGESTONE D697

Here we have summer tires for SUVs. This model is ideal for fishing or hunting trips (unless, of course, we are talking about the complete absence of at least some road surface). Main features:

thickened cushion layer;
reinforced breaker;
prompt self-cleaning of the tread.

All the qualities of this model allow it to provide excellent handling and uniform wear during operation. The estimated cost ranges from 4 to 7 thousand rubles.

CONTINENTAL CrossContact AT

These are another summer tire that is highly efficient on dirt roads. This option is attractive because it is absolutely safe, reliable and quite good under a wide variety of conditions.

Like the previous model, these tires cost in the range of 4-7 thousand rubles.

GOODYEAR Wrangler ATR

The model under consideration is positioned by the manufacturer as an ideal option for low-quality road surfaces or for copious amounts of water and dirt on the road. Tires are characterized by the following:

original profile designed for serious resistance to aquaplaning;
grippy grip on wet or slippery surfaces;
low noise level.

The model is also positive in that even with heavy wear it retains good controllability.

The average cost of tires is about 7,700 rubles.

YOKOHAMA G012

The latest of the most popular all-purpose tires is characterized by all-season performance, as well as:

optimized rounded blocks, which significantly reduced noise;
non-cyclical arrangement of blocks, which increased the rate of adhesion to the road surface;
the presence of three-dimensional lugs in the shoulder area, which significantly improved the tire's maneuverability.

We also note that the technologies used in the development of the model made it possible to reduce braking distances on both dry and wet roads. Finally, these tires have an advantage over all other options - you can buy tires for an SUV of the model in question for 4,800 rubles.

What to look for when purchasing

When choosing tires, you need to consider a number of factors. There are many more of them than for a simple car, so if you are guided only by the dimensions and manufacturer, then most likely you will not buy what you need. In order not to make a mistake when purchasing, remember a few basic recommendations:

Determine which roads the all-terrain tires will be used on. Most models are designed for a 50/50 split, with asphalt and moderate off-road driving equally distributed. But you can choose a model with an offset to one side, for example, 60/40, 30/70, etc.
Consider how often and over what distances the car will travel on the highway. If you need to travel far, choose options with good handling and low noise levels. Regular models that are not designed for high speed will wear out much faster.
If you frequently drive off-road, determine which surfaces you will need to drive on most often. Mud tires are not suitable for rocky roads or loose sand. If it is difficult to determine one option, choose a universal model, but remember that it works an order of magnitude worse than special ones.
When the SUV will be used in competitions, buy tires for specific purposes. It’s not worth driving it every day; it’s better to replace it with a regular set so that the tread doesn’t wear out.
When purchasing all-terrain tires with an asymmetrical pattern, consider the installation orientation. There is a designation for the outer and inner sides; if you miss this point, you will have to remove the wheels and rearrange them, otherwise the handling will be poor and the cross-country ability will decrease.
You cannot use conventional options in winter. You need to install either winter tires or all-terrain tires marked ZPMSF. This is a special version that can withstand low temperatures and provides good grip on icy or snowy roads. It is better to remove the wheels in the summer so that they do not wear out.

For your information! If you have to drive a lot on rocky surfaces and other strong uneven surfaces, choose tire models with a reinforced frame and sidewalls.

In addition to size and type information, tires always have a maximum speed index, indicated by a letter. All information is in the table.

Index	L	M	N	P	Q	R	S	T	U	H	V	W	Y
Speed	120	130	140	150	160	170	180	190	200	210	240	270	300

When choosing options for moving around the city, you can not take into account the features of off-road tires, choose according to the same parameters as for passenger cars. We must not forget that only identical variants with the same tread and the same degree of wear are installed on the same axle.

Mud tires

These are all-season tires for SUVs, designed for use on powerful vehicles in severe off-road conditions. Mud tires provide excellent grip regardless of road and weather conditions. Externally, such tires are characterized by a very wide and aggressive pattern, high sipes, and self-cleaning ability. When choosing these tires, consider the following:

if you plan to use tires in winter, then choose the softest winter tires for SUVs;
if the car is used primarily on steppe and gravel areas, then you should opt for more rigid models.
When installing mud tires, take into account the fact that due to the high tread, the wheel diameter increases slightly. Since in this case the surface of the tire may rub against the inside of the wing, it is recommended to choose tires with a slightly smaller diameter.

Before directly considering specific models, we note some features of mud tires:

On a wet surface, the braking distance increases significantly;
They entail an increase in fuel consumption;
When cornering at high speed, a “swimming” effect is observed.

Now let's take a look at some specific models.

BFGOODRICH Mud-Terrain TA KM2

These tires have unique handling characteristics under any road conditions. The model is characterized by:

aggressive and severe lugs;
sidewalls made of a special composition;
the most durable sidewall cord.

As a result, rubber provides excellent grip on the road surface, a sufficient margin of safety and increased resistance to tearing. Of course, such tires cost more than usual: the price ranges from 5,700 to 9,000 rubles.

YOKOHAMA G001

This is an all-season tire designed for the most difficult off-road conditions. The manufacturer managed to create a unique profile directed at the most optimal angle. In addition, the tire has serious self-cleaning abilities.

The cost of this model varies from 7 to 9 thousand rubles.

Best Jeep Tire Options

The rating of the best tires for SUVs includes AT and MT as the most popular and widespread. All of them are suitable for vehicles with a 4x4 wheel arrangement and for those models in which the second axle is included only when necessary. To compare tires, you need to understand the features of different types and take into account their pros and cons.

Comforser CFЗ000

Heavy option, one tire without disk weighs 23 kg. It belongs to the MT class, the best tire for mud, as it has an aggressive tread type, the depth of which on new products is more than 14 mm. Peculiarities:

All-season. But you shouldn’t use it in winter, the rubber hardens a lot and the grip on the surface is not very good.
Diameter from 15 to 26 inches.
Good quality budget products, which are almost as good as expensive MT rubber.
High cross-country ability in mud and deep puddles. Water drainage from the tread is good.
The car behaves stably when driving in a rut.
The noise level is low even when driving on asphalt.
Due to the deep and wide pattern, small stones often become lodged in the tread and can damage it.
When driving on a hard surface, the car may drift slightly to the side. Fuel consumption is an order of magnitude higher.

Tires are best suited for farmers, those who travel mainly on dirt roads and in populated areas with poor quality surfaces. They are poorly suited for the highway, as they wear out quickly, the speed index is low and fuel consumption increases noticeably.

Cordiant Off Road

Classified as MT, intended for off-road driving and loose surfaces. The tires are soft, yet durable and wear-resistant. The cross-country ability is increased, and during movement it is not disturbed due to the self-cleaning of the surface. Peculiarities:

Sizes are 15 and 16 inches, there are no options for larger disks.
Low price with good quality.
High controllability on different surfaces.
Short braking distance both off-road and on asphalt.
Wear resistance is high.
Elasticity of the material, excellent balancing.
Not very suitable for sand, difficult to control in icy conditions.

For driving around the city and on the highway, the option is not the best; when driving at a speed of more than 90 kilometers per hour, the car can drift a little. Tires also create a lot of noise; it is better not to use them for long trips.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

This is the best AT tire in terms of quality and price. Suitable for mixed conditions of use, for example, when in spring and autumn you need to drive through puddles and broken roads, but at least half of the time the car moves on asphalt. If you drive long distances on different types of surfaces, this option will work well. Peculiarities:

Sizes from 15 to 20 inches.
The rubber is elastic and wear-resistant. On average, one set lasts 5 seasons.
Good cross-country ability in mud, sand and gravel, while the car is controllable on the highway.
Reliable sidewalls, which allows you to move on rocky surfaces.
The noise level when driving on asphalt is low.
The price is high, it is difficult to properly balance the wheels.

For your information! Rubber does not harden in light frosts, so it provides good grip on the ground covered with loose snow. Handling on ice is also quite good.

At speeds of more than 90 kilometers per hour, the car behaves stably. But at first, until the tires have been broken in, it may lead a little in sharp turns due to the softness of the material. It should be noted that the tires look attractive.

Hankook Tire Dunapro MT RT0З

MT type rubber, which is intended for off-road use, but performs well when driving around the city. But it is not suitable for the highway, since it is not suitable for high speeds and hydroplaning can occur if it gets into a puddle or wet snow. Peculiarities:

Sizes from 15 to 22 inches.
Suitable for mud, loose snow and moderately viscous surfaces.
Good handling in the city, reliable grip on asphalt.
Wear resistance is high, the sidewalls are durable.
The driving noise is average, but it gets louder on the highway.
The cleanability of the tread is good, so it does not become clogged with dirt.
When it's cold, the surface gets very hard, so you need to buy a second set for the winter.

Handling on wet clay is not very good; driving on such roads is only possible with all-wheel drive. It should be noted that the tires are heavy, which creates additional load and complicates balancing.

GOOD YEAR Wrangler DuraTrac

The manufacturer does not classify this model as a specific class, but it is closest to the universal AT variants. Suitable for off-road use and for driving around the city and on the highway. But you need to move at not very high speed. Characteristics:

Available in sizes from 15 to 20 inches.
Good price/reliability ratio, high wear resistance.
The noise level on asphalt is low and handling on hard surfaces is excellent.
Suitable for different types of off-road, behaves well when driving on ruts.
Does not clog thanks to the tread, which self-cleans as you move.
The tires are well balanced.

When driving at high speed on the highway, hydroplaning may occur when you get into puddles. During emergency braking, the braking distance is longer than that of soft tires. It gets very hard in cold weather, so you can’t drive it in winter.

Selecting wheels for an SUV is not difficult if you know all the basic parameters and determine in advance which roads the car will travel on most of the time. Ideally, choose an option from a tire review, and when you can’t find any of the above, buy wheels from well-known manufacturers to be sure of their quality.

Tires for real off-road use

In case of conquering the most serious obstacles, you need to get a special type of tires - extreme ones. Most often they have a pattern similar to a tractor tire. You should not think that extreme tires mean tires for agricultural machinery. On the contrary, such amateur solutions only worsen cross-country ability and controllability. Real extreme tires have high lugs, do not suffer from clogging with dirt and are quite durable. Also, given their purpose, extreme tires have a high noise level and are heavy.

Let's look at some models.

SIMEX EXTREME TRACKER

This model enjoys particular success among all foreign tire manufacturers. It is a truly extreme tire, which is characterized by:

unique diagonal cord structure;
very high tread with a directional pattern;
extraordinarily strong sidewall.

Of course, such tires are quite expensive: from 9 to 17.6 thousand rubles.

Ya-192

But don’t think that only “overseas” tires are suitable for your car. There are also domestic tires for SUVs in this category (and in all others too). Ya-192 is one of the most excellent models of the Yaroslavl tire plant. It appeared in Soviet times and today is characterized by:

high cross-country ability;
and an almost oak rubber mixture.

There are also its independent modifications in the form of a tread deepened by an angle grinder. The model is of very high quality, and its price is pleasant: only about 2 thousand rubles.

Winter off-road tires - what can be installed, look at studded and non-studded models

Traveling off-road in winter is not an easy task. It is not so easy to implement it on a regular small car or a single-wheel drive crossover. The article will discuss the choice of tires for off-road driving, on cars that are not afraid of snow, ice, or dirt.

What exactly is the difficulty?

It would seem that you install mud tires on your car and drive through snow-covered fields and unimproved forest roads. Or buy universal A/T and don’t get into the deep end. But that was not the case; there is no solution that works equally well in cold weather and in summer. A/T is universal to the road surface, but not to the season. Otherwise, the industry would not bother with winter and summer tires.

But a real M/T simply does not slow down at temperatures close to zero on wet asphalt. Such rubber hardens and ceases to be elastic. On packed snow or ice, mud tires glide like a hockey puck during a game.

The uselessness of M/T tires in winter can be clearly seen in this video:

Maybe mud tires would work well in slush and water, gripping the cold ground underneath. But this kind of winter is not typical for Russia. Frost in the Russian Federation is a temperature lower than minus 10, and in such conditions we are not talking about water and dirt.

Perhaps it would work better if it was reduced to a minimum, but you still need to drive it to the place of rolling on asphalt, to which it refuses to cling.

Most participants in various OFF-road forums prefer winter tires. In addition, you can blow them away too.

It is advisable to install wheels as large as possible. A low car will quickly collect a large snowdrift in front of it on the virgin snow and stand up; with large tires the car will naturally travel further. You need to choose high-profile rubber, which, if blown away, works like a caterpillar, greatly increasing the vehicle's cross-country ability and reducing its chances of being buried up to the ears.

Off-road winter tires should have a fine and frequent pattern, but deeper and more aggressive than a regular winter tire.

In addition, tires for winter expeditions should not be afraid of pressure loss and impacts. In general, not all SUV tires are up to the task. The spikes on them are an added plus.

So what should you choose?

Let's look at the most suitable tire models for winter off-road.

Studless

Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072

Japanese friction tire for SUVs and sports crossovers. A good large contact patch improves handling and directional stability. The new profile of the shoulder blocks with variable angles of inclination counteracts lateral drift and helps to increase its service life. With the help of volumetric 3D sipes, grip on ice and wet road surfaces is increased. Well suited for large SUVs such as Toyota LC 200, LC Prado, Chevrolet Tahoe and the like.

In practice, the tire is actually passable on virgin snow, in porridge and on loose snow, and climbs well up an ice hill. The tire is resistant to deformation and wears out for a long time.

Dunlop Grandtrek SJ-6

English studless winter tires for SUVs, pickups and crossovers with a V-shaped symmetrical directional pattern. The tire has a large contact patch, which is a big plus when driving on winter off-road. In this case, the spot will have a ten-step profile. Low rolling resistance is another positive quality.

Multiple edges formed by the tread blocks allow the tire to cling to any surface, even the most slippery one. The tire paddles well on unstable loose soil. With the help of massive shoulder quadrangular blocks, deep snow can be easily overcome.

SUV owners note the wear resistance and cross-country ability of these tires in mud, snow and ice.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3

We can say that this tire is designed with predominant use on snowy surfaces in mind. The developer was the first to use special computer technology, which developed a tread pattern that was as productive as possible on a snow surface.

With an aggressive and directional tread pattern and an innovative sidewall design, Japanese engineers have achieved increased handling while simultaneously increasing cross-country ability. Three-dimensional blocks of a new shape allow the tread to penetrate deeper into the snow, increasing cross-country ability.

The rubber is very wear-resistant and holds up well on ice. Some car enthusiasts won jeep sprints with it, including areas with virgin snow and mud.

There were no complaints about noise.

Yokohama Geolandar I/TS G073

Winter studless model. Using the latest technologies, the developers have improved the grip characteristics on ice and snow. The rubber is soft, with a powerful central rib and zigzag walls. Engineers claim balanced grip on snow, wet and dry surfaces. To overcome virgin snow, the tire is equipped with powerful shoulder blocks with additional hooks. The Japanese have improved the performance of cleaning tires from snow and slush. According to the manufacturer, this rubber has maximum edge effect and cross-country ability in snow and slush.

Fans of cross-country driving in winter confirm that these tires are shoveled everywhere, anywhere. But motorists have complaints about their behavior on ice. But don’t expect the qualities of studded rubber from Velcro.

Kumho I`ZEN RV KC 15

This tire from a Korean manufacturer is designed for SUVs and all-wheel drive crossovers that drive primarily on snowy roads. The tread is asymmetrical with a large number of blocks. In the shoulder areas there are zigzag lamellas that improve grip on snow.

As a budget option, this is quite a passable option; according to reviews from car owners, 3.5 out of 5 points. Many people do not like its grip on ice and packed snow. The tire is praised for its softness and low noise.

Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

This model was created specifically for countries where the roads are always covered with snow. The innovative V-shaped tread pattern grips ice and wet asphalt well. Some of the lamellas were replaced with micropores, which helped to reduce the braking distance of the car. On loose snow, the tread forms a caterpillar effect, which greatly increases the cross-country ability of the SUV.

In practice, the tires are quite quiet and handle well in snowdrifts. But on ice and slush you need to brake very carefully, otherwise you can catch up with the car in front.

Studded

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV

One of the most expensive offers on the market. The model is intended exclusively for off-road vehicles. The presence of studs allows the tire to move on ice like on asphalt. And slow down in the same way. Moreover, the presence of studs does not make these tires noisy. The undeniable advantages of this model are its handling on ice and snow. In numerous tests, Hakkapelita 8 took first place.

According to reviews from car owners, the tire “rows as expected” in the snow. Some people call noise as a disadvantage. But here for some reason the opinions are contradictory, 50/50: someone thinks she is quiet.

Michelin Latitude X-ice North

This tire is designed for SUVs and pickups that need increased cross-country ability in winter. The tire tread is symmetrical V-shaped, which gives the tire many advantages, including effective braking on ice and snow. Excellent traction in snow and ice is provided by numerous sharp edges formed by the tread blocks. Bidirectional sipes add even sharper edges to the tread, making the tire even more effective in snow.

According to reviews, the tires are very wear-resistant, show high maneuverability in deep snow and porridge, do not stiffen in severe frosts, and hold the road well.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2

Studded tires for light trucks. Excellent for heavy jeeps; many install them on the domestic UAZ-Patriot. They paddle well in the snow and are also good on the highway. Very wear-resistant model with a reinforced frame. It is not possible to identify any typical shortcomings based on reviews.

TOYO Open country I/T

Looking at the tread of this tire, you understand that this is an off-road winter tire! The aggressive directional symmetrical pattern with 120 studs keeps the vehicle from getting bogged down in any winter adventure. The tire cuts through virgin soil equally well, overcomes slippery hills and stays on the track. The rubber does not harden in severe cold and does not lose its studs intensively. The disadvantages include noise and unstable behavior at speed in slushy snow.

Cooper Discoverer M+S

These American tires with optional studs are designed for powerful SUVs whose owners often drive on snow and ice. Modern solutions reduce the risk of aquaplaning on wet asphalt, reduce braking on icy surfaces and effectively clear the tire of clogged snow. Real off-road tires.

The model is very popular among domestic SUV owners. They praise it for the way it “rows” in the snow, behaves on the track, and for its good wear resistance. Disadvantages include harshness and noise.

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Let's sum it up

As you can see, choosing tires is not so easy, because we have listed only a small part from all manufacturers: as already mentioned, there are also Chinese and Russian tires for SUVs. Ultimately, it comes down to issues of cost and personal preference. The main thing is to decide in time what exactly you need these tires for. Good luck with your choice!

All-terrain winter tires and studded tires: pros and cons |

Finding the perfect winter tires that perform excellent on any road surface is impossible. Each of their types is specifically designed for certain driving conditions. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve their complete universality. When looking for the most suitable tires, you should pay attention to Yokohama tires, presented in a wide range. Motorists will be able to choose the most suitable option for their four-wheeled friend.

If car enthusiasts are offered universal winter tires, it is worth noting that they will have fewer advantages than their counterparts. It is necessary to choose products that have average performance for various road conditions. You can find a product with suitable characteristics by visiting the website www.sibtyre.ru with a large selection of tires from trusted manufacturers. First of all, the driver will have to make a choice between studded and non-studded tires.

Are spikes necessary?

Winter tires with studs have some characteristic features that you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing.

Advantages of use:

achieving good traction on ice or compacted snow, which allows for easy handling;
high levels of dynamism, the ability to accelerate confidently and minimal braking distance.

However, the presence of spikes does not guarantee that they will have the listed benefits. Other factors are also important:

quality of road surface;
air temperature;
design features of tires;
tread pattern;
chemical composition of rubber.

Of course, winter studded tires also have disadvantages:

grip on wet and dry asphalt deteriorates, which makes handling more difficult under given road conditions and increases tire wear;
increased braking distance on dry asphalt;
Not recommended for use by inexperienced drivers on loose snow.

From this we can conclude that the stereotype that tires with studs are safer is a misconception. To achieve reliability while driving, it is worth knowing what strengths and weaknesses this type of winter tires have. Thanks to experience in this matter, you can avoid a lot of mistakes. If the driver does not have enough knowledge and practical skills in driving in winter, he may find himself in a difficult situation.

All terrain

When choosing tires with high cross-country ability, you should pay attention to the fact that they must have deep and wide sipes that are oriented across the product, as well as large tread blocks. This tread pattern contributes to more efficient snow removal and can be used in completely off-road conditions.

This type of winter tires is in great demand, as drivers often encounter poor quality road surfaces. In addition, in winter, road services cannot cope with the timely removal of snow, the layer of which as a result can turn into snow dumps with an impressive height. However, high flotation tires have the following disadvantages:

Difficulty driving a car on asphalt;
high noise level;
ineffective braking on dry road surfaces.

Motorists should find a compromise and choose winter tires on their own. They should take into account what road conditions prevail in winter in their region. It is recommended to choose products from leading manufacturers that have proven themselves in the automotive market.

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Which mud tires are best for a Chevrolet Niva in size?

When selecting suitable mud wheels, even if conversion is planned, Chevrolet owners need to focus on the car parameters that were initially set at the factory. The stock equipment is standard and it is this that determines the possible choice of tire sizes.

The manufacturer equips the car with wheels (alloys are no exception) capable of supporting wheels of a slightly larger diameter than those installed at the factory. And no lifting is required. The standard solution for a crossover is sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. Any tire with a 16-inch diameter is suitable, of which there are more than fifteen-inch versions on the market.

Large inch tires easily fit both steel and alloy wheels. In this case, the wheels can reach a height of 26 to 28 inches. Wheels of similar sizes are good for moderate off-road conditions and standard dirt roads in the rural areas of the Middle Zone or the South. And, as noted above, they do not require additional manipulations from the owner in the form of lifting.

Operation in more extreme conditions will require mounting the wheels higher. Most often, tires are installed with a height of up to 29.5 inches, capable of overcoming most types of dirt, but they already require lifting the car. The offset of such wheels reaches 35 millimeters, and as for the diameter, it can equally be either 15 or 16.

Some owners install 31-inch tires. Tires of this height are capable of passing through terrain where there is not even a hint of a path and perform well in the Far North. But the standard size 31/10.5(9.5)/R15 will require a serious reconstruction of the Niva, including not only lifting, but also alteration of the body. As for the diameter of the rims, such extreme wheels are usually installed on the R15.

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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.

Depending on the diameter of the “native” Chevrolet Niva wheels, you can install R15 and R16 tires on the car. It should be taken into account that the height of mud tires is higher than standard ones.

You won't find tires lower than 225/75 R15. However, the space under the Niva's wings is not designed to accommodate nineteen-inch wheels. Therefore, you will have to raise the car a little by doing a “lifting”.

For this purpose, special kits are sold, including some suspension parts and special spacers for springs. As a result, you will get an SUV with increased cross-country ability and increased ground clearance.

But you can’t do without cutting the arches when installing R16 mud tires. Their outer diameter exceeds 20 inches, so the rubber will rub against the wheel arches even with the suspension raised.

Which size is better to choose

First of all, you should remember that universal tires, which are installed from the factory, perform very mediocre on and off the track. An experienced car owner approaches the choice based on several conditions:

Conditions (road surface);
The presence or absence of tuning (lifting, widening of wheel arches);
Price;
Manufacturer's authority.

Together with the above list, it is necessary to decide on the parameters that were written above. But not every buyer can take into account so many indicators at the same time, so let’s conditionally divide tires into two categories: some are more suitable for urban conditions and the highway, while others are adapted for off-road use.

There are several types of tires that are designed for off-road driving:

Tires marked as H/T are intended for use in areas with minor off-road conditions. Such tires can withstand loads much greater than standard ones.
Tires marked A/T have excellent cross-country ability, both off-road and on roads where there is asphalt. It gives the car excellent stability while driving.
Tires marked M/T are classified as extreme types. It is used where there is really severe off-road conditions.

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It is used only in off-road conditions, and if you drive it on an asphalt area, this can lead to such factors as:

Increased noise
The tread will wear out quickly
Poor vehicle control

Based on what is said above, we can conclude that the best option would be to use a second type of tire for standard wheels, namely A/T. Another mistake would be if different tires are used on the front and rear axles.

Best steering wheel truck tires

These tires are installed on the steering axle of a truck. They must respond quickly to steering movements. When the steering wheel is turned, the rubber experiences an increased torsional load along the vertical axis, which determines additional requirements for its strength.

Aeolus Neo Allroads S 285/70 R19.5 146L

4.7

★★★★★

editorial assessment

87%

buyers recommend this product

Aeolus Neo Allroads tires belong to the all-season category, having a speed index L (up to 120 km/h) and a load index of 146 (3 tons). The innovative rubber composition ensures a balanced temperature of the product. The average cost of a product is 14.5 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

compliance with Euro 6 standard;
durability due to the wide and deep structure;
low noise level due to special tread pattern;
resistance to clogging by stones.

Flaws:

no boosts.

Driving safety with Aeolus Neo tires is ensured by the use of an intelligent design with four Z-shaped longitudinal grooves.

Triangle TBC-A21 215/75 R17.5 135L

4.6

★★★★★

editorial assessment

85%

buyers recommend this product

Triangle all-season truck tires are produced at a factory in China. A car equipped with such tires moves confidently on asphalt due to the fact that the profile height is 75% of the tread width.

Advantages:

good speed index L (up to 120 km/h) and load – 135/133;
versatility due to non-directional pattern;
reasonable price - about 8 thousand.

Flaws:

slight decrease in stability on wet surfaces.

The manufacturer recommends installing Triangle tires not only on trucks, but also on buses.

Nordexx NSR1000 Prime 315/70 R22.5 154M

4.5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

82%

buyers recommend this product

Nordexx Prime truck tires have a speed index of M (up to 130 km/h) and a load index of 154 (3.75 t). The letters TBR in the product marking mean Truck and Bus Radial, that is, these radial tires are intended for trucks and buses. You can buy tires for a little less than 20 thousand.

Advantages:

minimal rolling resistance;
reduction in fuel consumption;
high degree of stability;
ensuring comfortable movement in the vehicle.

Flaws:

low cross-country ability in bad road conditions.

The manufacturer recommends using Nordexx Prime tires mostly on highways and light off-road conditions.

Selecting tires by parameters

Recommendations from the manufacturer. Depending on the modification of the Chevrolet Niva, R15 or R16 wheels are installed on the factory assembly line. Therefore, before going to a car store, you should find out the equipment of your iron horse. The most common tire sizes are:

205/70R15;
205/75R15;
215/75R15;
215/65R16.

Seasonality. For different times of the year, you should select seasonal “shoes” for the Chevrolet Niva.

Summer tires behave well in the warm season, allowing the driver to enjoy a fast ride. It is quiet and has good rolling power.
Winter tires are indispensable when operating a car on snowy or icy roads. Friction models are recommended for the southern regions of the country, and for northern routes it is better to prefer tires with studs.
For those who like to ride through meadows and forests, special mud tires are recommended. It features an aggressive deep tread that is easy to clean off the ground. The only disadvantage of special tires will be noise on asphalt.

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Speed and load index. Many Chevrolet Niv owners use their cars as workhorses. Some reckless drivers are trying to set a speed record on paved highways. Therefore, when choosing tires, you should pay attention to the speed and load index.

Speed characteristics are encrypted in letter designation (Latin letters). For example, “T” indicates a top speed of 190 km/h, and “V” allows you to accelerate to 240 km/h.
The Chevrolet Niva can be seriously loaded, but only if you have the appropriate tires. The load index has a digital designation. If with the marking “60” the maximum weight per wheel is 250 kg, then with “113” this value will increase to 1150 kg.

We have selected the 14 best tires for the Chevrolet Niva for review. All models are sold in auto stores in our country. When distributing places, the editors of the journal expertology took expert opinions as a basis, taking into account the reviews of Russian crop farmers.

When choosing tires for a car, you should remember their intended purpose. Ground clearance, comfort, noise level and cross-country ability depend on a number of parameters.

All terrain tire manufacturers

The following models are most in demand for the Chevrolet Niva:

Medved I-569 are budget mud tires, the installation of which does not require modification of the wheel arches. Before installing Medved 235/75 R15, it is enough to do a light lifting. This soft rubber performs well in mud and snow. However, on summer asphalt or ice the car becomes almost uncontrollable. The price starts from 3700 rubles.
Cordiant off Road is another Russian-made mud tire. Unlike the Bear, these tires perform well on asphalt. Its size (225/75 R16) allows it to be used on a Chevrolet Niva after a light lift. Price - from 4000 rubles.
Hankook Dynapro are optimal tires that wear out slowly on asphalt and are capable of pulling a car out of muddy clay or black soil. Installation of these tires (235/75R 15) requires only a small lift. Hankook price - 4500 rubles. The tires are equipped with holes for studs.
Kumho Road Venture is a tire with an aggressive tread designed for professional off-road racing. The side lugs grip the dirt securely. However, on asphalt these tires wear out very quickly. Size 235/75 R15 does not require modification of the Niva's wheel arches. The price of one tire is 5800 rubles.
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain is a true mud tire that wears slowly on asphalt. For a lifted Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable. After reworking the arches, you can install 240/80 R15. The price of one tire is 7,100 rubles.

The best truck trailer tires

This category includes tires recommended for installation on trailers or axles that are not drive or steering. Such rubber does not experience heavy torsional loads, but, as a rule, takes on most of the weight of the transported cargo.

Hankook TH31 385/65 R22.5 160K

★★★★★

editorial assessment

97%

buyers recommend this product

Hankook truck tires are designed to be mounted on a trailer axle. The tire tread has a wide running part that is constantly in contact with the road surface. Thanks to this (and also due to enlarged rigid ribs), the car is more stable on the road, and the tires wear out slowly and evenly.

Advantages:

low risk of aquaplaning;
high directional stability;
increased contact patch width;
long service life.

Flaws:

the price is more than 27 thousand.

Hankook tires are used in vehicles performing long-haul and regional cargo transportation. The shape of the model’s grooves and their variable angle of inclination prevent stones from getting stuck in the tread, and the z-shaped sipes increase traction on wet roads.