22” Continental Terrain Contact A/T tires resulted in a negligible INCREASE in efficiency (2.07 mi/kwh) compared to OEM Pirellis (2.04 mi/kwh)

[Utah Rivian]

These tires lasted as long as factory. I did proper rotation and got 20,006 before I hit wear bars. I took them into discount and they gave me a partial credit for new ones. While I was there I bought a set of tires for my sons car which is a Subaru Crosstrek. I bought the Atturo Trail Blade as it comes in 22 and is less expensive. If I am going to buy tires every year I would like to see how these work. His car is a great test as it is hard to drive worse than a teenager. LOL I did see a SUV there with 20s and he had managed to get 30K out of his stock tires. Does any one know if the 20s get more wear than the 22?

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[TollKeeper]

I am at 18k miles on my 22's and still have plenty of tread.

I do still plan on replacing them before the winter thou.. Just have not decided which way I am going. Continental, Michelin, or Nokian

 

[electruck]

These tires lasted as long as factory. I did proper rotation and got 20,006 before I hit wear bars. I took them into discount and they gave me a partial credit for new ones. While I was there I bought a set of tires for my sons car which is a Subaru Crosstrek. I bought the Atturo Trail Blade as it comes in 22 and is less expensive. If I am going to buy tires every year I would like to see how these work. His car is a great test as it is hard to drive worse than a teenager. LOL I did see a SUV there with 20s and he had managed to get 30K out of his stock tires. Does any one know if the 20s get more wear than the 22?

Has your Rivian ever had an alignment? My stock Pirelli 22s were shot after only 10k miles. The alignment from the factory wasn't even close to being in spec, toe specifically was massively off and that will eat tires. After an alignment, I've got about 15k now on the Conti Terrain Contact HT (not the AT) and should easily exceed 30k if current wear rate holds (and I'm not at all easy on tires).

 

[McMoo]

These tires lasted as long as factory. I did proper rotation and got 20,006 before I hit wear bars. I took them into discount and they gave me a partial credit for new ones. While I was there I bought a set of tires for my sons car which is a Subaru Crosstrek. I bought the Atturo Trail Blade as it comes in 22 and is less expensive. If I am going to buy tires every year I would like to see how these work. His car is a great test as it is hard to drive worse than a teenager. LOL I did see a SUV there with 20s and he had managed to get 30K out of his stock tires. Does any one know if the 20s get more wear than the 22?

That is disappointing to hear. I’m at 15k miles on them and expect I can get around 40k at this wear rate.

 

[ivinio21]

Everything indicates that the Continental tires are superior to the factory OEM Pirelli tires.

I placed an order through Tire Rack with Mobile Delivery and Installation for next week. A day later, I received a call from Tire Rack informing me that the H/T XL tires are not officially recommended for my vehicle due to the load rating. However, they said that if I believe they are safe for my driving style, Tire Rack will proceed with the order and installation.

Also here is math on load capacity vs your Rivian’s GVWR/GAWR that maybe helpful for someone to make their decision.



Continental 115H XL compares to the OEM 116H XL on a capacity basis.

Sources used

• Rivian Owner’s Guide / Rivian GVWR: 8,532 lb. Rivian Assets
• Rivian GAWR (published spec): Front GAWR = 4,134 lb; Rear GAWR = 4,960 lb. Car and Driver
• Tire load-index chart (lbs per index): Index 116 → 2,760 lb; Index 115 → 2,680 lb (approx.). Axon+1

Step-by-step math (digit-by-digit)

Per-tire capacity (from load index table)

• Load index 116 → 2,760 lb per tire.
• Load index 115 → 2,680 lb per tire. Axon

Total vehicle capacity supported by four tires

• 116 index tires: 2,760 × 4 = 11,040 lb.
• 115 index tires: 2,680 × 4 = 10,720 lb.

Per-axle capacity (two tires per axle)

• 116 index: 2,760 × 2 = 5,520 lb per axle.
• 115 index: 2,680 × 2 = 5,360 lb per axle.

Compare to Rivian ratings

• GVWR (vehicle max): 8,532 lb.
  • 116 set capacity 11,040 lb > 8,532 lb (safe margin). Rivian Assets
  • 115 set capacity 10,720 lb > 8,532 lb (safe margin). Rivian Assets
• Front GAWR: 4,134 lb
  • 116 per-axle capacity 5,520 lb > 4,134 lb. Car and Driver
  • 115 per-axle capacity 5,360 lb > 4,134 lb. Car and Driver
• Rear GAWR: 4,960 lb
  • 116 per-axle capacity 5,520 lb > 4,960 lb. Car and Driver
  • 115 per-axle capacity 5,360 lb > 4,960 lb (still meets/redundant margin). Car and Driver

Clear conclusion

• Both the OEM 116H XL and the Continental 115H XL (the Tire Rack listing) provide more than enough load capacity to safely support the Rivian’s GVWR (8,532 lb) and the published front/rear GAWRs. In pure load-capacity arithmetic, the 115 load index is technically one index lower than the OEM 116, but it still exceeds the axle and vehicle ratings with a comfortable margin. Rivian Assets+2Car and Driver+2

Important caveats & practical considerations

1. Design & safety margin — vehicle manufacturers specify a tire load index for a reason. Even if 115 meets the math, the OEM 116 may have been chosen to preserve extra margin under heavy payload/towing, hot pavement, or higher inflation needs. Tires Plus
2. Inflation matters — load capacity is achieved only at the proper (manufacturer-recommended) inflation pressure. Overloading a tire at the wrong pressure can cause failure. Tires Plus
3. Towing / dynamic loads — when towing or when cargo shifts, dynamic loads and heat can increase stress on tires. If you tow frequently or carry near-max payload often, staying at the OEM index (116) is the conservative choice.
4. XL (Extra Load) marking — XL indicates construction for higher inflation/loads compared with non-XL of the same index; you have XL on both options, which helps.
5. Other tradeoffs — load index is only one factor. Consider rolling resistance (range), tread life, wet traction, and ride quality — factors you already weighed when comparing Pirelli vs Continental.

Recommendation

• If your driving rarely approaches maximum payload and you do not regularly tow heavy trailers, the Continental 115H XL looks acceptable from a load-capacity standpoint and offers the other benefits you wanted (comfort, tread life, cost). Axon+1
• If you routinely carry near-max payload, tow heavy loads, or prefer to match OEM specs exactly, stick with the 116H XL OEM rating to preserve extra safety margin.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Everything indicates that the Continental tires are superior to the factory OEM Pirelli tires.

I placed an order through Tire Rack with Mobile Delivery and Installation for next week. A day later, I received a call from Tire Rack informing me that the H/T XL tires are not officially recommended for my vehicle due to the load rating. However, they said that if I believe they are safe for my driving style, Tire Rack will proceed with the order and installation.

Also here is math on load capacity vs your Rivian’s GVWR/GAWR that maybe helpful for someone to make their decision.



Continental 115H XL compares to the OEM 116H XL on a capacity basis.

Sources used

• Rivian Owner’s Guide / Rivian GVWR: 8,532 lb. Rivian Assets
• Rivian GAWR (published spec): Front GAWR = 4,134 lb; Rear GAWR = 4,960 lb. Car and Driver
• Tire load-index chart (lbs per index): Index 116 → 2,760 lb; Index 115 → 2,680 lb (approx.). Axon+1

Step-by-step math (digit-by-digit)

Per-tire capacity (from load index table)

• Load index 116 → 2,760 lb per tire.
• Load index 115 → 2,680 lb per tire. Axon

Total vehicle capacity supported by four tires

• 116 index tires: 2,760 × 4 = 11,040 lb.
• 115 index tires: 2,680 × 4 = 10,720 lb.

Per-axle capacity (two tires per axle)

• 116 index: 2,760 × 2 = 5,520 lb per axle.
• 115 index: 2,680 × 2 = 5,360 lb per axle.

Compare to Rivian ratings

• GVWR (vehicle max): 8,532 lb.
  • 116 set capacity 11,040 lb > 8,532 lb (safe margin). Rivian Assets
  • 115 set capacity 10,720 lb > 8,532 lb (safe margin). Rivian Assets
• Front GAWR: 4,134 lb
  • 116 per-axle capacity 5,520 lb > 4,134 lb. Car and Driver
  • 115 per-axle capacity 5,360 lb > 4,134 lb. Car and Driver
• Rear GAWR: 4,960 lb
  • 116 per-axle capacity 5,520 lb > 4,960 lb. Car and Driver
  • 115 per-axle capacity 5,360 lb > 4,960 lb (still meets/redundant margin). Car and Driver

Clear conclusion

• Both the OEM 116H XL and the Continental 115H XL (the Tire Rack listing) provide more than enough load capacity to safely support the Rivian’s GVWR (8,532 lb) and the published front/rear GAWRs. In pure load-capacity arithmetic, the 115 load index is technically one index lower than the OEM 116, but it still exceeds the axle and vehicle ratings with a comfortable margin. Rivian Assets+2Car and Driver+2

Important caveats & practical considerations

1. Design & safety margin — vehicle manufacturers specify a tire load index for a reason. Even if 115 meets the math, the OEM 116 may have been chosen to preserve extra margin under heavy payload/towing, hot pavement, or higher inflation needs. Tires Plus
2. Inflation matters — load capacity is achieved only at the proper (manufacturer-recommended) inflation pressure. Overloading a tire at the wrong pressure can cause failure. Tires Plus
3. Towing / dynamic loads — when towing or when cargo shifts, dynamic loads and heat can increase stress on tires. If you tow frequently or carry near-max payload often, staying at the OEM index (116) is the conservative choice.
4. XL (Extra Load) marking — XL indicates construction for higher inflation/loads compared with non-XL of the same index; you have XL on both options, which helps.
5. Other tradeoffs — load index is only one factor. Consider rolling resistance (range), tread life, wet traction, and ride quality — factors you already weighed when comparing Pirelli vs Continental.

Recommendation

• If your driving rarely approaches maximum payload and you do not regularly tow heavy trailers, the Continental 115H XL looks acceptable from a load-capacity standpoint and offers the other benefits you wanted (comfort, tread life, cost). Axon+1
• If you routinely carry near-max payload, tow heavy loads, or prefer to match OEM specs exactly, stick with the 116H XL OEM rating to preserve extra safety margin.

A good summary but missing the most important part of calculating load rating. When a P metric tire (such as a 115H XL tire) is used on a light truck (like a Rivian) there is a 15% correction factor whereby the total load rating is reduced by 15%. So that’s why the 115h rating falls just shy of Rivian’s requirements even if in the real world it would probably be just fine.

However for liability purposes, tire dealers may decline to install a 115 load rated tire for this reason and they have every right to do so.

 

[Rob O]

FWIW, with the usual YMMV caveat, I just sold my R1T with ~21k miles on it. I swapped the stock Pirellis to TerrainContacts when the Rivian had 400-500 miles on it, so over 20k miles with these tires. I did everything from road trips to off road to around town. Not only were these very “balanced” A/T tires (no pun intended), they had at least 40-50% tread life left, I never had a puncture, they were never out of balance, they wore perfectly evenly and my efficiency with them from new — again, over 20k+ miles with 14k of them being long road trips — was 2.16.

 

[airness2three]

Hey all - sorry to reply to an older post, but I just swapped my 22” tires from stock to these Continental ATs (2023 quad R1S) at America’s Tire. I was averaging roughly 2.0mi/kwh with my stock tires, but now am only getting 1.6mi/kwh with these new tires. Did I get the wrong tire, or am I doing something wrong? It seems like I’m getting more a hit versus everyone else

 

[TollKeeper]

Hey all - sorry to reply to an older post, but I just swapped my 22” tires from stock to these Continental ATs (2023 quad R1S) at America’s Tire. I was averaging roughly 2.0mi/kwh with my stock tires, but now am only getting 1.6mi/kwh with these new tires. Did I get the wrong tire, or am I doing something wrong? It seems like I’m getting more a hit versus everyone else

Whats the tire pressure at?

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