New 21" tire option - Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 275/55-21 @ $380

[KingTodd]

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender+LTX+M/S2&partnum=755HR1DLTX2XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Rivian&autoYear=2024&autoModel=R1S&autoModClar=275/55-21

Thanks
Despite my panicking like an effeminate male drama queen , Costco called Michillen and got a delivery date for the tires the day after I stopped in.

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[snowboarder777]

Thanks
Despite my panicking like an effeminate male drama queen , Costco called Michillen and got a delivery date for the tires the day after I stopped in.

All good! I've been buying from tirerack for over 15 years and having my tires installed at their local installer who has been awesome over the years and no issues. They warranty everything from out of round tires, premature wear etc. I stop going to local tire chains.

They know how to proper road force balance my tire wheels etc. Costco doesn't even have this machine so it's a reason why I don't ever do Costco otherwise I get some vibrations etc.

 

[jebinc]

So what is the latest on this? I got a nail in my 21" Perilli's so am now up sh!t creek without a paddle and likely need a new set of 4? How are these defenders?

The latest? I’ve been rolling on mine since the OP. About 2000 miles on them now. I would say efficiency is less than the Pirelli’s but the ride, traction and longevity are materially better than the Pirelli’s.

 

[Oldcarguy]

I'm up to about 6500 miles. I like em. They were rotated at 5k. Even wear at 10/32 on all 4 tires. Thank you Houston service center for a good alignment.

 

[Tango001]

Anybody know if the service centers will put non oem tires on? Was thinking about getting these this summer and having the SC put them on when I have a couple of other things looked at.

 

[KingTodd]

All good! I've been buying from tirerack for over 15 years and having my tires installed at their local installer who has been awesome over the years and no issues. They warranty everything from out of round tires, premature wear etc. I stop going to local tire chains.

They know how to proper road force balance my tire wheels etc. Costco doesn't even have this machine so it's a reason why I don't ever do Costco otherwise I get some vibrations etc.

Ahh good to know for next time
I have about 30 miles on the Defenders and do believe they are quieter.
costco said it looked like I need an alignment based on the Perilli’s so I need to look into that now.

 

[Tango001]

Anybody know if the service centers will put non oem tires on? Was thinking about getting these this summer and having the SC put them on when I have a couple of other things looked at.

So I talked to rivian service and they will not put non oem tires on fyi.

 

[CANCERDOC]

So I talked to rivian service and they will not put non oem tires on fyi.

You can purchase and get the tires installed anywhere - Costco, Discount Tire, etc. Discount Tires/America's Tires is technically their contracted partner but I've found they rarely have the correct pucks to lift the vehicle (at least here in southern california), so best to buy your own.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

So I talked to rivian service and they will not put non oem tires on fyi.

I didn't think they would. Not many OEMs condone use of non-standard parts out of legal liability and terms of warranty. And before someone points to Jeep as example, key difference is dealers. Jeep owners are dealing with individual dealers when they go in for such requests. Not Jeep corporate. Dealers are independently owned and operated. Affiliated with Jeep corporate, but not owned or controlled by Jeep.

You can purchase and get the tires installed anywhere - Costco, Discount Tire, etc. Discount Tires/America's Tires is technically their contracted partner but I've found they rarely have the correct pucks to lift the vehicle (at least here in southern california), so best to buy your own.

Adding to what Cancerdoc says above... Pucks are not mandatory to lift Rivians. Every Rivian owner should read their Owner Guide as well as the Tow Operator Guide. If jack used has long enough reach, R1s can be lifted safely from the lower control arms' pivot. These points, if strong enough support dynamic weight of vehicle when driven are strong enough to lift from and support static weight of stationary vehicle. Pucks simply make life easier and do not require longer reach jacks. Dynamic weight > static weight.

Aside from service mode, specific lifting procedures and lugnut torque specs... there is nothing proprietary about doing tire work on a Rivian.

 

[Count Orlok]

The Count is not pleased that the fancy software update does not allow him to add this tire. SAD!

 

[Bullwinkle]

Anybody know if the service centers will put non oem tires on? Was thinking about getting these this summer and having the SC put them on when I have a couple of other things looked at.

I would get them installed by a tire center that offers road force balancing. It can make a big NVH difference.

 

[JackRussellRacing]

I am now at 550+ miles on the new rubber.

First ~300 miles, the efficiency was about 1.7 - 1.8. Lately (and this could be somewhat due to warmer temps in springtime) I'm running in the 2.0 - 2.3 range.

Obviously, zero wear thus far.

 

[Tango001]

I think I’m going to move forward with the defenders, I’m down to 4-5/32 on stock pirellis and have big road trips planned this summer. My local tire shop does road force balancing and I bought a set of jack pucks. I don’t have a local discount tire so I was planning on ordering through tire rack and have them ship to the tire shop. Is there anything i should be aware of to tell them other than the jack pucks? Should they be able to do alignment as well or is that something I’ll have to have a rivian service center do?

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I think I’m going to move forward with the defenders, I’m down to 4-5/32 on stock pirellis and have big road trips planned this summer. My local tire shop does road force balancing and I bought a set of jack pucks. I don’t have a local discount tire so I was planning on ordering through tire rack and have them ship to the tire shop. Is there anything i should be aware of to tell them other than the jack pucks? Should they be able to do alignment as well or is that something I’ll have to have a rivian service center do?

If your tires are wearing evenly and your Rivian isn’t pulling to one side, you likely don’t need an alignment, and your local shop 'likely' won't be able to perform it.

However, if this is your shop’s first time servicing a Rivian, they must know how to activate Tire Change Mode—it’s critical for safe lifting.

We made a simple video to help people through it. Easy for you, easy for them. It only takes 20 seconds to get your Rivian into Tire Change Mode.

 

[Tango001]

Random question, I couldn’t find an answer in the owners manual. Once I put the vehicle into tire change mode can I drive it? I only ask because I’m getting the defenders installed tomorrow at a reputable local tire shop that hasn’t dealt with rivians yet and I was wondering if I could get it all set up and ready to go for them in the parking lot and then they could just drive it into the stall. I have my own set of jack pucks and they are going to do road force balance.

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