Michelin Defenders and warranty

[Mathme]

8500 miles and you've chewed through a set of tires while they've been aligning it four times. I'd be asking about a set of replacement tires as obviously something is wrong with it and they can't get it dialed in.

As a reference, I had 24,000 miles on my Pirelli's 20" ATs and they were even across the face of all of them. That line of "this is a heavy truck...and high regen eats tires..." is covering for techs that cant'd do their job. I also had a CV joint on the front of the truck and that didn't affect the tire wear at all.

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[KBabione]

I'm actually a little over 40K on my original 20" Pirellis with about 5/32" of tread depth left - and they've been wearing perfectly evenly. I rotated them every 10K miles but am skipping the 40K rotation because I know I'll need new tires before winter. I'm very curious to see how much noise is coming from the Pirellis versus the quad motors...I'll find out in October or November!

 

[Joules Burn]

My OEM tires haver about 8500 miles on it and 3 mm left. I have a nail and Rivian can't patch because it is too thin.
Costco has the Michelin defenders, but the don't have the HL rating in front of them like on the OEM pirellis. Would these tires void any warranty because they are NOT exactly the same?

If you have them, can you let me know what the handling and ride is like? Thanks for any help.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/california-to-white-pocket-az-in-our-r1s.36796/

The Defenders have been my go to tire. #1 on Tire rack.

You had an issue with alignment and OEM Pirellis. They do a better job on calendars than tires.

 

[CrazyOne]

Where are you? I drove about 200 miles at 100 degrees on worn out roads and it wore out the outer edge completely. It was fine on the same drive in 60 degree weather. Pirelli's can't take the heat. I took my FLIR camera on next trip, but forgot to take pictures.

 

[MikeW]

My OEM tires haver about 8500 miles on it and 3 mm left. I have a nail and Rivian can't patch because it is too thin.
Costco has the Michelin defenders, but the don't have the HL rating in front of them like on the OEM pirellis. Would these tires void any warranty because they are NOT exactly the same?

If you have them, can you let me know what the handling and ride is like? Thanks for any help.

I put the Michelin Defender LTX Platinum on a year ago. Much quieter, tread wear is great, handling every bit as good as the Pirelli's. I rotate every 5000 and check my alignment every other rotation. Cheap insurance compared to cost of a set of tires.

 

[vordo]

I have the 119’s, have done my first rotation recently, wear seems pretty minimal, definitely a hit in efficiency (though better when they added the tire settings, though the exact tires aren’t indicated in the UI).

 

[SwampNut]

I run 116 load rating tires and prefer them. 115 may be too low, not sure.

 

[jeeden]

Wait, there is some confusion here...

OP, you said Costco doesn't have the defenders in the "HL" rating. What rating are you talking about?

There used to be the 119 load rating for heavy trucks and there used to bet he 115 load rating. Then last February Michelin came out with the 116 load rated tires. The 116 are the correct match for the Rivian. Costco are very strict about load ratings and likely won't install the 115. Some have gotten the 119, but they are heavier and don't perform quite the same.

 

[amcg3]

We got our tires replaced at America’s Tire in Mission Viejo (if you are closer to this area. They have the pucks and have serviced a lot of Rivians.
I’m assuming you have 22 in tires and Michelin has 1 with 115 load rating and another with 119 load rating. Suggest you go with the 119 load rating. The one with 116 load rating are the 20 in tires.

 

[SoCal72]

8500 miles and you've chewed through a set of tires while they've been aligning it four times. I'd be asking about a set of replacement tires as obviously something is wrong with it and they can't get it dialed in.

As a reference, I had 24,000 miles on my Pirelli's 20" ATs and they were even across the face of all of them. That line of "this is a heavy truck...and high regen eats tires..." is covering for techs that cant'd do their job. I also had a CV joint on the front of the truck and that didn't affect the tire wear at all.

Hi, definitely think something is wrong with this, but whenever I've brought this up, they've told me basically, you have a heavy vehicle, you were on high regen and so it will wear out. We don't peel out, and don't off road. Suburban streets that are well maintained, but do have lots of stop and go traffic so I thought maybe it made sense. So I'm going to buy from Costco, defenders that have some warranty to the tread.

Yes I've had 4 alignments, and even asked for the alignment readout last time and it showed all green. It wasn't aligned when I drove it off, but better and the sheet said all green? I appreciate that they at least agree everytime I've brought it in that something is wrong. The last time it was aligned was in Apri I believe. Even then it wasn't going straight but I gave up on bringing it up until the Tin washers started getting loud and I was worried there was an issue. The rental Gen 2 I drove, seemed like such a smoother suspension and ride (but that may be bc my tires are so worn down). Appreciate the input. I doubt they would give me a new set of tires.

 

[SoCal72]

I don't know if it will help you, but attached is a PDF that I put together and leave on the seat (I leave the Jack Pucks on the passenger seat) each time I take my R1S in for a tire rotation or to have it inspected. My local tire place is becoming more comfortable with the Rivian after each visit.

Wow! Thanks so very much. I hope they know what they are doing. This will help for sure!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Hi, definitely think something is wrong with this, but whenever I've brought this up, they've told me basically, you have a heavy vehicle, you were on high regen and so it will wear out. We don't peel out, and don't off road. Suburban streets that are well maintained, but do have lots of stop and go traffic so I thought maybe it made sense. So I'm going to buy from Costco, defenders that have some warranty to the tread.

Yes I've had 4 alignments, and even asked for the alignment readout last time and it showed all green. It wasn't aligned when I drove it off, but better and the sheet said all green? I appreciate that they at least agree everytime I've brought it in that something is wrong. The last time it was aligned was in Apri I believe. Even then it wasn't going straight but I gave up on bringing it up until the Tin washers started getting loud and I was worried there was an issue. The rental Gen 2 I drove, seemed like such a smoother suspension and ride (but that may be bc my tires are so worn down). Appreciate the input. I doubt they would give me a new set of tires.

Try a different SC. If you are on a flat parking lot and the vehicle tracks straight, with you barely breathing on the steering wheel, at standard height, then you are aligned. If it's tracking straight but your steering wheel is not centered, then the tie rods need to be adjusted.

If there is road crown the vehicle will veer even if you have correct alignment. Gravity.

 

[Eeyore]

Thanks for the great advice. I didn't know to ask for the 119. I'll give them a call. Will be going to the Tustin Ranch Costco given they have the pucks. Appreciate everyone!

You didn't say what size wheel you have. I have 22" wheels
Costco, Salem OR, installed the 115's on my R1T without comment. They had the pucks and knew the procedure.
As for the tires themselves, I think the OEM Pirelli's were quieter and had a little better street performance. Although the Michelins seem to be a little more efficient, I'm a little disappointed with the drone the make on the freeway. Maybe I just need to put more miles on them?

 

[downranger12]

When I first got it, it pulled to the left heavy, driving. The aligned it again, then it wen to the right, then left again to the right. My tires are at 3 mm so they recommended that I replace the tires before they will realign. They said these are difficult to get going straight because they put it up, align, drive and recheck so.... I asked why it is needing a 4th alignment in 8500miles? Could there be something else wrong? They just said alignment of heavy BEV is difficult. I'm not a car guy, but feel that it should be able to drive straight. Willing to work with them on it.... Thanks for the advice everyone. Hopefully the R2 is better

My Nissan dealer has new alignment equipment and had no problems doing my 2022 R1T
I have 78k on my red canyon.
I ran two sets of OEM 21. The first, mostly in Conserve. The second in All purpose. Milage and wear about the same with 28,000 each time in Iowa.
I am now with Michelins, but I dislike them because of harsher ride and hydroplaning even with lots of tread.
I had one sidewall puncture with the Scorpions (frozen cornstalk)
I've had two with the Michelins. One was an unseen curb at low speed. The second was frozen soybean stalk. This is Iowa, after all.
Discount tire is great, but charges 80 dollars per tire for the warranty.
Efficiency with the Defenders was very poor in the winter (1.3) at one point. Much better in hot weather, but I still don't like the harsher ride.
You need to get a second opinion to get your wheels balanced with newer equipment and same with the alignment.
My 2022 drives like a dream with no steering wheel pull or vibration. They are all assembled with the same parts, so your troubles are solvable.
Go to a tire shop with the latest technology.

 

[R1T Preds Fan]

Just got the Michelin’s installed 116h 275/60/20 and much smoother and quieter ride! I rode out my stock 21” to 43k they performed fine. Replaced with a set of 20’s from another owner and the AT’s were noticeably worse all the way around… Got them w/20k and put 20k on them… So glad I’m back on all seasons!

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