Wheels on GAZelle: tire and wheel size

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Such a seemingly simple question about the size of tires and wheels can have many nuances. Of course, the wheels on the GAZelle have their own standard dimensions laid down by the manufacturer. At the same time, there are a large number of questions on this topic, which complicate the choice of tires and wheels for car owners.

This article will consider both the standard sizes of tires and wheels for the GAZelle, and various points related to the selection and installation of wheels. How can changing the size of a tire or disk affect the nature of the movement, which rubber is still better, does it make sense to put in casting or leave the factory stamped ones? We will look for answers to these and other questions together.

Factory tire and wheel sizes for GAZelle

Gazelle wheels, the size of which does not differ from the standard ones, are produced by many manufacturers. Tires for them are marked 185/75 R16 C. And interestingly, for all vehicles of medium tonnage, the GAZ group, including Sobol, this size will be suitable. And if GAZelle must adhere to this particular option, then for Sobol there is another option- 215/65 R16.

As for the size of the disks, the standard size is 16, that is, disks on the GAZelle of the 16th radius are used. But the fact is that when selecting and purchasing wheels, this information is not enough. The rim has a number of parameters that must be maintained:

• wheel offset - ET=106 mm;
• Central hole diameter 130mm;
• number of mounting holes - 6;
• distance between fixing holes - 170mm.

The weight of a standard factory disk for the GAZelle is 12.8 kg. It can withstand a maximum load of 720 kg.

A little theory about wheel sizes

To make it clearer, consider what is behind the numbers in the description of wheel and rim sizes.

For example, 185/75 R16 C means that the wheel diameter, that is, the inner diameter of the tire is 16 inches, the radial tire type (R) is used, the profile width is 185 mm, and the profile height to width ratio is 75%. The letter "C" means a reinforced version of the tire used for minibuses and trucks.

Knowing all these parameters, you can easily choose the right wheels for the GAZelle, the size of which is known. If you want to experiment and take a wheel of increased diameter or width, you need to use "tire" calculators or expert advice.

Now let's analyze the disks for the GAZelle and their marking, which looks like this: 5, 5Jx16 ET106 PCD 6/170 d 130. The first and second digits are the widthand the diameter of the disk in inches, that is, for the GAZelle it is 5, 5 and 16, respectively. Departure of the disk - a characteristic showing the distance from the landing plane to the plane passing through the middle of the width of the disk.

"GAZelle" and "GAZelle-Next": is there a difference in the installation of wheels

It is known that several cars are hidden under the name "GAZelle". This is an all-metal GAZ-2705, an onboard GAZ-3302 and a minibus GAZ-3221. For all varieties of these cars, the wheels can be set the same with the standard sizes indicated above.

Wheels on GAZelle 185 75 R16C are also installed on all varieties of Next. This includes all on-board modifications, vans, all-metal options and frame buses.

The same picture with the discs. The only caveat: with the advent of the GAZelle-Next version, the standard wheels have been improved, and now all options are equipped with reinforced parts originally developed for Next.

Gazelle tires

As already mentioned, the size of the wheels on a GAZelle truck is no different from the size of the wheels on a minibus. There are a large number of manufacturers producing tires in the size 185/75 R16. It should be noted that at the plant, cars are most often equipped with either Amtel Kirov tires or Pirelli products.

Among Russian-made analogues, you can most often find tires of the Kama brand. These are the models "Kama-131", "Kama-232", and also "Kama-Euro-131". Amongother manufacturers, they are most often distinguished by a low price tag. At the same time, the quality of rubber remains at a sufficient level. Good performance pleases Cordiant tires, while having an excellent value for money.

As for foreign analogues, there are much more options here, and wheels on the GAZelle 185 75 R16C are common. But it is more difficult to advise any particular model. Of course, the quality of such leaders as Michelin or Nokian is difficult to underestimate, but do not forget about fakes. In addition, well-deserved brands have a completely different price tag. For example: if the Kama is sold for 2,800 rubles per wheel, then the same Michelin will cost 7,300 rubles.

Among well-known and trusted foreign manufacturers are the following:

• Toyo;
• Yokohama;
• Hankook;
• Pirelli;
• Goodyear;
• Michelin.

We select wheels for the GAZelle

Knowing the basic parameters of the wheels, to choose, it is enough to decide on the design and manufacturer. Among the wide variety of products, when it comes to rims, there are three main groups:

• stamped;
• casting;
• forged.

True, if you mean wheels for the GAZelle, the size of which does not differ from the standard ones, then the choice will be limited only to stamped products, which means it will only be from manufacturers.

Advantages of ordinary iron discs over casting inthe fact that when hitting, there is no coloring, but only bending. Where a hole in the road will lead the car to replace the alloy wheel, the GAZelle will go further, stopping by a tire shop to straighten it.

From a large selection of manufacturers, one can single out standard wheels manufactured by the Gorky Automobile Plant and non-original ones. Among the latter, eurodiscs and products manufactured by the Kremenchug plant are very popular. There are also reinforced discs with a calculated load of up to 1,100 kg. Such wheels are preferred by owners of cars that regularly carry heavy loads.

Features of selection and installation

What to do if you want to change the radius of the wheels on the GAZelle? Let's say, if regular tires of the sixteenth radius, is it possible to install the 17th? Unfortunately, such tricks are not provided for GAZelles. You can only put a slightly wider wheel - 215/65 R16, but in return you get less handling and faster wear.

As for the installation of disks with other parameters, here the field for experiments is also small. The rigid characteristic is the number of holes for the studs (6) and the distance between them (170). In principle, you can take a disk with a large diameter of the central hole and use a spacer ring during installation. You can also play a little with the departure. However, in practice, disks with standard characteristics for a wheel on a GAZelle R16 are usually a great choice. Therefore, you don’t have to think about the selection for a long time.

I also want to note the possibilitychange all-season tires to more suitable for winter roads. In this case, there is an additional concern for the alternate storage of a set of six wheels, as well as the time spent on changing shoes. But there is also a positive aspect of winter tires - it is safer driving.

Instead of a conclusion

As it turned out, there are no difficulties with choosing a wheel for the GAZelle, the size of which does not differ from the standard one. The market today has a large number of domestic and foreign manufacturers of any price range and quality.