It's time for a seasonal tire change. It is not news to anyone that in winter the car must be operated on tires specially designed for this period. It is important to have an idea of which tires are optimal for the Lada Kalina, since the competent choice of these accessories is of great importance.
Car modifications
Lada Kalina was produced for 14 years. The manufacturer offered the consumer two generations of small class cars.
First generation
The debut car of the Kalina family appeared at AvtoVAZ in 2004. It was released as a sedan. The first generation cars were equipped with 1.4 liter (89 hp) and 1.6 liter (81 and 98 hp) petrol engines. In 2006, Kalina hatchbacks appeared, the next year - station wagons, and a year later - a sports modification. Depending on the configuration, the car was equipped with ABS, electronic power steering, airbags, and an air conditioning system. During production, changes were constantly made to the equipment of the vehicle. In 2009 and 2011, Lada Kalina became one of the best-selling brands in the country.
Second generation
In 2013, the plant's conveyor belt was modernized to begin production of the next generation of cars. LADA Kalina 2 was produced in hatchback and station wagon bodies. It is characterized by a more modern appearance, better aerodynamics and increased comfort. Improved powertrain, suspension and gearbox are distinctive features of the vehicle compared to previous generation models. Both hatchbacks and station wagons were equipped with 1.6 liter engines with variable intake, the power of which varied between 87...106 hp. A manual or automatic transmission was installed.
The maximum configuration included the installation of anti-lock systems, stability control, air conditioning and navigation, a traction control module, an after-braking system, a passenger airbag, a touch screen, heated front seats, a rain sensor, etc.
The latest modification of the Kalina family is the Lada Kalina Cross. It is distinguished by increased ground clearance, a modified final drive ratio and a more aesthetic appearance, for example, due to decorative trims on the wheel arches and sills.
In 2021, the production of Kalina family cars was discontinued.
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.
The wheel size for Kalina Cross in the simplest configuration is 5.5J x 14 ET35, and for a slightly more expensive modification - 6.0J x 15 ET33, which corresponds to tires 175-185/55-65/R14-R15, but in this In this case, the car does not look very impressive due to too large gaps between the rubber surface and the wheel arches. Therefore, many car enthusiasts change the tire profile without touching the wheels to 70 and even 75 mm, which creates the effect of a real SUV.
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.
Factory recommendations for choosing tires and wheels
The behavior of a car on the road is largely determined by the characteristics of the wheels installed on it, especially the tires.
The answer to the question regarding the equipment of the Lada Kalina: which wheels are suitable can be found in the manufacturer's instructions. The factory documentation for Lada Kalina indicates three types of tires recommended for installation:
- one of the popular options, also installed on classics, is 175/70R13 tires;
- the most common tire size today is 175/65R14;
- another standard option is 185/65R15.
The plant also allows the Lada Kalina to be equipped with 185/60R14 and 185/55 R15 tires.
What size tires are Lada Kalina Cross? It is recommended to install tires with overall dimensions of 195/55R15 on this model.
For the Lada Kalina Sport car, the factory has established its own standards:
- 185/55R15 or 195/50R15;
- 195/50R16;
- 205/40R17.
An important question regarding the Lada Kalina: which wheels are suitable? Lada Kalina cars are factory equipped with steel wheels with a diameter of 13 or 14 inches, aluminum wheels 14″ or (sports version) wheels with alloy wheels 15 inches.
How to choose wheels with radii R13 and R14 for the Lada Kalina
These wheels have the following distinctive features, knowing which, the owner will quickly decide what kind of wheel he needs:
- R13 wheels on the Lada Kalina should not be considered in the “cast” version, since they will not add beauty to the car due to their small size, and they will not be cheap compared to stamped products (1.2-1.7 thousand rubles .* per wheel).
- Alloy wheels for 14 on the Lada Kalina are presented on the market with many options, from which you can choose the most suitable products both for aesthetic reasons and based on the most reasonable price.
- The width of the wheel rim cannot be less than 5.0J, since otherwise the disks will simply lose stability, but not more than 6.0J, so that the driver does not have to look for a non-standard offset.
- Rubber must be selected only with a high profile, 65-70 mm, which excludes the possibility of comfortable high-speed driving, however, with a smaller cross-sectional size, the car will drop so low above the road that the driver will have to go around every bump to avoid damage to the bottom.
- The most popular brands of these wheels are domestic giants, such as AvtoVAZ itself or franchise concerns - K&K and SKAD.
Tire pressure Kalina
This indicator plays an important role in car controllability. The grip of the tires on the road surface depends on the tire pressure. The condition of the wheels is especially important when driving on wet, slippery or snowy roads. During vehicle operation, tire pressure may drop, so its value must be periodically checked with a pressure gauge. If the indicator deviates from the standard values, the wheels should be inflated. It's not that difficult to do it yourself.
The pressure in the wheels installed on the front and rear axles is different.
The corresponding section of the instructions indicates what pressure in the Lada Kalina tires must be maintained: in the front - 2.2 bar, in the rear - 2.3 bar. This should be done if you are installing standard factory tires.
If the owner of the iron horse has equipped the car with tires with a wide profile, it is recommended to stick to the values of 2.4/2.5 (for front/rear tires). Narrow or low profile tires should be inflated a little less: 1.8…2/2…2.2 (front/rear) bar.
Operating a vehicle in different climatic conditions also affects the recommended level of tire pressure. For winter it should be 2/2.2 bar, for summer - 2.1...2.2/2.2...2.3 bar. This applies to standard tires.
Information about what pressure should be maintained can be found not only in the instructions for the vehicle, but also on the door pillar (on the plate).
The table below clearly demonstrates what pressure should be provided in the tires of the Lada Kalina station wagon and other modifications of this family, as well as other characteristics of the wheels of these cars.
Wheels for LADA Kalina
For a long period, vehicle owners could only equip their cars with heavy and bulky stamped wheels, which were hardly presentable. Fortunately, today the situation has changed significantly, and car owners are presented with a wide range of wheels from various manufacturers and different types of design. Variations have appeared that are lightweight with significant strength, reliability and durability. One of the most correct solutions in terms of design, strength and lightness are alloy wheels.
They are made from high-quality aluminum alloys, characterized by resistance to corrosion processes, low weight and numerous design incarnations. They are not restored when damaged, but they are one of the most common.
In modern conditions, a wide range of light alloy wheels for LADA Kalina from various manufacturers is available. However, you need to be aware that when choosing disks, you must definitely follow the factory recommendations regarding the radius of the disks.
Buying disks that are too large or small and do not meet the recommendations can lead to negative results:
- fuel consumption increases noticeably;
- the wear force of the suspension increases;
- maneuverability and controllability are reduced.
The DILIJANS.ORG website offers to find discs automatically using our catalog. The choice of disks is made taking into account various values, which include:
- mounting size, which must completely coincide with the inner radius of the tire;
- the number of holes for installation, as well as their size - the disk designation system must match that specified in the vehicle’s operating manual;
- Disc offset - the length from the wheel mount to the plane of symmetry. If it is large with a slight offset, then this will give the car additional stability and a stylish appearance, but it increases the impact on the hubs;
- rim width indicators - it characterizes riding comfort and speed.
To select the required wheel size, you can only enter the modification and year of production of the vehicle. The system itself will select the disks that are most suitable for these indicators. If you have any questions, you can contact us - our managers will provide the most complete support, as well as assistance in selecting the right equipment.
Tire options for Lada Kalina
Every car owner must understand that in order to operate his iron horse in winter and summer, he must have different sets of tires. This is explained by the different compositions of the mixtures used for the production of winter and summer tires, which determines their characteristics at different temperatures.
There are a lot of tire options for Kalina available today. When choosing a model, you need to focus on the operating characteristics of the vehicle and the condition of the roads.
Kama tires were most often installed at the factory. When selecting new ones, you can also consider this brand, however, both foreign and domestic manufacturers offer more interesting options.
Summer tires
The range of tires for summer use is wide, you can choose an option to suit every taste and budget.
TUNGA ZODIAK 2
If the cost of tires is an important factor, we recommend paying attention to these summer tires. They were released relatively recently (in 2021). During the development, it was the difficult Russian operating conditions that were taken into account. Three stiffening ribs, tread features and the composition of the outer layer increase the reliability of the wheels. However, judging by consumer reviews, tires behave poorly when braking on wet asphalt.
Continental Conti Premium Contact 5
If you figure out which tires are suitable for Lada Kalina when operating in the summer, this option seems very worthy. The rubber has a short braking distance on both dry and wet road surfaces, low rolling resistance, and a good service life. An acceptable level of driving comfort on these tires and excellent car handling are noted by car enthusiasts.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3
Economy, excellent handling, excellent grip on various types of road surfaces are the characteristics of these tires. The name itself implies the possibility of using rubber for extreme driving. Poor resistance to aquaplaning causes complaints.
Winter tires
Depending on the conditions under which you plan to operate the car in winter, the type of tire is selected. For driving on icy roads, it is recommended to consider studded tires. If you plan to travel on cleared roads, Velcro is quite suitable.
Kleber Kapnor 5
The tires produced (by Michelin) for quite a long time are still popular. The location of the studs provides good grip on icy surfaces. But both on dry roads and when driving in slushy snow, the tires are characterized by decent cross-country ability, handling and directional stability. The spikes hold quite firmly. Among the shortcomings, the model is excessively noisy. If you need to decide which winter tires are best for the Lada Kalina, it is recommended to pay attention to these winter tires.
Gislaved Nord Frost 5
The tread pattern, the features of the studs, the patented composition of the rubber mixture for the tread - all this allows the wheels to perform excellently when braking (on dry and wet roads), and provides excellent grip on icy and snowy surfaces. The model is characterized by decent directional stability, high wear resistance and an acceptable level of comfort. Among the disadvantages, we can note the increased fuel consumption of a car equipped with this tire, as well as a high percentage of studs flying out.
Nokian Nordman 4
Soft and fairly quiet studded tires show good driving performance when driving on snow. It also holds up well on wet roads and icy surfaces. The studs are widely distributed, which increases traction efficiency and reduces noise levels (the latter is also ensured by the presence of an elastic pad under the stud). As a disadvantage, we can note the rather weak fastening of the spikes.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Velcro also performs well in extreme conditions. It copes well with slush and snowdrifts and handles well on wet roads. The rubber has a low noise level and good durability, and copes well with aquaplaning. The model is one of the best non-studded ones.
Those who live in a region with warm winters can be advised to install all-season tires. For example, the Matador MPS125 Variant All Weather would be a good option. Decent directional stability, behavior on wet and dry road surfaces and noise levels, as well as ease of balancing characterize these tires. The model's service life is about 80 thousand km. Along with the advantages, there is increased fuel consumption and a fairly high price (for domestic products).
There are many tire options for different seasons. Each Lada Kalina owner can choose the one that suits him, depending on his financial capabilities and operating conditions of the car.
