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

[snowboarder777]

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.

Good question. I put my rivian in change mode when I dropped it off to my independent installer before they remove the wheels and tires and do the road force balance on these Michelin defenders. They already had the jack pucks and I left them the directions to put it in tire change mode just in case if it reset. They told me they had no issues.

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[snowboarder777]

Just you let you know these defenders are phenomenal tires just make sure they road force the front wheels and tires less than 10 lbs. I had slight vibration in the steering wheel with 15 lbs in front so they moved that to the back and it's smooth now. In the front I have less than 10 lbs road force and the back wheels are 15 lbs and 12 lbs road force . Rides great

 

[Oldcarguy]

That's a good question. For my last rotation I only had my phone so I drove it in and then set up for the rotation.
I wouldn't think it would be a problem, but I know nothing and prove it daily.

 

[Tango001]

So I just got the new tires on, they seem nice, not night and day different from the pirellis so far but maybe a bit quieter. They might absorb imperfections on bad city streets a bit better. I gave them the jack pucks and put it into tire change mode but had a bit of panic when I looked in the garage and saw they had it jacked up but weren’t using the pucks. They were using a 4 post car lift and I called over the tech and he said they’ve had bad experiences with pucks in the past with other ev’s so they only lift ev’s from the control arms now. I’m assuming this is a safe way of lifting it? I looked underneath and don’t see evidence of any damage. Also they did road force balance and got 11, 9, 9, and 8 lbs. He said he put the 11 lb tire on front left because that was the computers recommendation. I asked if he could swap the 11 to the rear and he said that much of a difference is pretty negligible and won’t be noticeable. I took it on the interstate and didn’t notice any vibration or anything so I’m assuming he is right. The guy looked like he’s been working tires for 30-40 years. I’ll update after I put some significant mileage on them but am happy so far.

 

[Tango001]

After exiting tire change mode did you guys tell the computer you put a new set of pirellis on or aftermarket all season? Am wondering if it makes a difference.

 

[snowboarder777]

I didn't as it's the same size tires. Won't change anything unless you put 20s or 22s.

 

[Jonger1150]

So I just got the new tires on, they seem nice, not night and day different from the pirellis so far but maybe a bit quieter. They might absorb imperfections on bad city streets a bit better. I gave them the jack pucks and put it into tire change mode but had a bit of panic when I looked in the garage and saw they had it jacked up but weren’t using the pucks. They were using a 4 post car lift and I called over the tech and he said they’ve had bad experiences with pucks in the past with other ev’s so they only lift ev’s from the control arms now. I’m assuming this is a safe way of lifting it? I looked underneath and don’t see evidence of any damage. Also they did road force balance and got 11, 9, 9, and 8 lbs. He said he put the 11 lb tire on front left because that was the computers recommendation. I asked if he could swap the 11 to the rear and he said that much of a difference is pretty negligible and won’t be noticeable. I took it on the interstate and didn’t notice any vibration or anything so I’m assuming he is right. The guy looked like he’s been working tires for 30-40 years. I’ll update after I put some significant mileage on them but am happy so far.

They had a bad experience lifting flat circular pads?

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

They had a bad experience lifting flat circular pads?

Some commercial tire centers reported some vehicles with metal jack pucks sliding off metal lifts without rubber contact points. That’s why we added a sticky rubber cap—ensuring secure use and widespread adoption in commercial shops.

 

[Tango001]

They had a bad experience lifting flat circular pads?

Yeah I know, I was a little annoyed. Sounds like issues with air suspension adjusting while it was lifted. I told him that’s why I put it in tire change mood so it wouldn’t do that.

 

[Tango001]

Some commercial tire centers reported some vehicles with metal jack pucks sliding off metal lifts without rubber contact points. That’s why we added a sticky rubber cap—ensuring secure use and widespread adoption in commercial shops.

Yeah that’s why I bought a set from you guys, wasn’t thrilled. I was just happy they didn’t try to jack one of the panels or the battery, at least they knew better than that.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Yeah that’s why I bought a set from you guys, wasn’t thrilled. I was just happy they didn’t try to jack one of the panels or the battery, at least they knew better than that.

Lifting from control arms is fine. Thanks for being a customer.

 

[Tango001]

So we’ve put 750 miles on the tires and I do have to say that between the defenders and the 2025.10 update the ride is noticeably better at lower speeds on poorly maintained city streets. It just absorbs the bumps better and is a bit quieter, maybe a combination of the tires and the update?

 

[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.

Another quick update -- I'm around 1200 miles now (yeah, I don't drive that much) and the Defenders remain very quiet with basically no treadwear. While it's probably due to seasonal temperatures, I'm now steady in the 2.3 - 2.4 range.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Hard to say for sure, I switched them out when winter started. The Pirellis are terrible winter tires. I will know more when spring comes.

I bought the Michelins in December because the Pirellis are awful on ice. I put the Pirellis back on for the summer two weeks ago to finish them off.

Now I have had a back to back to back comparison.
Ride quality: Michelins are better.
Handling: The Pirellis are slightly better.
Snow and Ice: The Michelins are much better.
Mileage: It is harder to say for sure because the temps have been different, but the Pirellis may be slightly better--maybe .1 or .2.

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