New R1 (R1S / R1T) Maintenance Schedule

[riverie]

The brake fluid flush thing is extremely important if you plan to use your brakes hard. The water in the brake fluid gets hot and boils, putting air in the Iines and risking brake failure, or at least extreme performance degradation. When I was doing track events I changed brake fluid at least annually.

But I drive my Rivian for weeks without ever touching the brakes.
So yeah, can't hurt to change the fluid, but seems like maintenance for maintenance's sake.

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[babock]

The brake fluid flush thing is extremely important if you plan to use your brakes hard.

More than even that...having moisture in the brake fluid is going to cause very EXPENSIVE brake components to fail earlier.

 

[VSG]

Rivian has been tweaking the service schedule for years. But the 3-year brake fluid replacement interval has always been there. At least for the past two years.

The only thing that really changed here was the tire rotation interval from 7500 to 9000. Then they re-aligned the drive unit fluid replacement interval to match - it used to be 112,500 (=15x7500), now it's 108,000 (=12x9000). The comprehensive inspection was removed for a while but now it's back, every two tire rotations (2x9000=18,000) where it used to be every three tire rotations (3x7500=22,500).

The only new thing is the caliper cleaning recommendation.

These things are such minor changes that they really don't support a narrative like they've changed the schedule to reduce service center load or to increase profits. It seems like just a few reasonable small tweaks based on observations of how these vehicles are wearing over time.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Reminds me that I need to get my tires rotated.

 

[Schaef]

I of course am 100% clear on how to clean the calipers but it might be a good idea for someone to explain for everyone else. I’ll let someone else explain if it means more than just cleaning off the outside of the calipers and the proper cleaning supplies one would use.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

There’s no way that the brake fluid would be the same in every climate. If three years is good in FL then I should get 5+ in AZ. Does anyone know the cost and how long it takes?

+1 for this question.

Back when I was doing a lot more of my own car maintenance, I'd take a turkey baster and siphon out all the brake fluid from the reservoir and replace it about once a year. Cost about $5 and took about five minutes. Was it as effective as a complete flush? No, of course not. But better than nothing I suppose, right? It'll all mix in there eventually. (yes yes, I understand about pressure meaning the fluid at the far ends of the lines probably never cycles through).

 

[babock]

+1 for this question.

Back when I was doing a lot more of my own car maintenance, I'd take a turkey baster and siphon out all the brake fluid from the reservoir and replace it about once a year. Cost about $5 and took about five minutes. Was it as effective as a complete flush? No, of course not. But better than nothing I suppose, right? It'll all mix in there eventually. (yes yes, I understand about pressure meaning the fluid at the far ends of the lines probably never cycles through).

Not as important on an EV as an ICE car but the fluid that is in the chambers of the ABS system, master cylinder and the calipers needs to be changed as well. You did the first part right...just need to attach a pressure bleeder like the Motive and bleed the fluid out of each caliper until you see new fluid.

I would stick to 3 years but if you wanted to stretch it, get a brake fluid tester pen that tests for water content. Change before it reaches 2%.

https://www.amazon.com/KAIWEETS-Corrosion-Resistance-High-Precision-Calibrated/dp/B0D9M279V9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=21XRZWF80SPYR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LYIX3eoZpz3k3A9deuoxKY5NTmOBDyY7Tdd1VfbdwQIwp2CbY9X4_MolWP0dB4zdeNGBwjLJHS2E75mCu_xgXdASeRopTnThtXJrEBqh-ESnmhZsET09fvuweuRaYpSd-RgJ1mkjUt2NRVPXj1iIV-1GK2c5aqxu7bbJ9MHnRn2FUwtPN5iZT_xBb3S6O4gz_YqBQb9oVPtjHXY9URqqKFY-bc6UQVQTsJi4Ed4otDA.Y4ujJR_yAOa_0RBZ7ZuXneDdBRh35hpwQsO62iNBDc4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Brake+Fluid+Tester+pen&qid=1774222302&sprefix=brake+fluid+tester+pen,aps,293&sr=8-3

 

[jbssfelix]

I rotate my tires myself every 5000 miles. Two 3 ton jacks and pucks.

Same, except I'm lazy and old these days, so I just take it over to Discount Tire and treat myself to a Chick-Fil-A breakfast while I wait.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

just need to attach a pressure bleeder like the Motive and bleed the fluid out of each caliper until you see new fluid.

And here I was, hoping to never have to bust this messy thing out again.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Same, except I'm lazy and old these days, so I just take it over to Discount Tire and treat myself to a Chick-Fil-A breakfast while I wait.

 

[Gasmiser12]

I was told by Rivian Service that brake bleeding requires a Rivian computer reset; plus two technicians.
So I had them bleed the system on my R1T.

 

[JeffC]

Interesting that they specify "do not include the full-size spare in the rotation ". Does anyone have thoughts on why that would be?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Interesting that they specify "do not include the full-size spare in the rotation ". Does anyone have thoughts on why that would be?

In case tread depth difference is greater than 3/32", in which case [generally] not recommended by tire shops. I asked SC to rotate in spare last year, tread difference was under that, and they did not question or object. The policy is broad, to give them cover.

 

[NSRoamer]

I don’t mind having the brake fluid changed every 3 years. The motorcycles get new brake fluid every year. I wouldn’t mind a little goodwill now and then...

Receipt is from the Gaithersburg SC.

 

[JeffC]

In case tread depth difference is greater than 3/32", in which case [generally] not recommended by tire shops. I asked SC to rotate in spare last year, tread difference was under that, and they did not question or object. The policy is broad, to give them cover.

Seems to me that is exactly the reason why we should include the full sized spare. If we ever need to use it then it should have comparable tread depth to the rest of the tires. I think I'll follow @babock 's advice and rotate them myself more often to ensure the tread depth doesn't get too far out of sync. Bonus, the set of tires will last 25% longer.

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