Snow Driving Issues

[VermontR1T]

Nokias Hakkapeliitta LT 3’s have transformed the R1T into a beast in the snow. Inspires much more confidence than the stock 20’s. I was concerned about installing these after reading that the tire is too heavy, adding unsprung weight, etc…. They drive nicer than the stock 20’s and I may consider an LT for my next set of all seasons in hopes they last longer.

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[Roger.Joys]

I drove my R1S in some pretty good storms in N Washington. 15 inches overnight and 30 mph winds.

I have Blizzak LT's on in the winter. With them on, I felt my R1S is a top notch snow driving machine. I grew up in WI\MN and work for a company that requires me to be in AK quite a bit year round, so I am no stranger to snow and ice driving.

I concur on the headlights, but had no issues when I used wiper heating.

 

[kuau]

The stock ATs aren't great in the snow, but that's not just Rivian. I had a Y and the stock ATs on that were also 'iffy' in the snow.

I'm in Denver, and we have a place in Leadville, so I'm up and down a lot to the mountains. I switched out to nokian hakkapelitta (recommended in the Rocky Mountain Rivian Facebook group), and haven't looked back. So much more stable in the snow / ice. I was out in it this morning, zipping around, and no problems. Because I had the 21 inch ATs, I got a wheel / tire package through EV. Will switch back to the 21 ATs in April or so. But you could just get the tires and save $.

https://evsportline.com/collections...1ev-for-rivian-r1t-r1s?variant=41572804067468

As for the wipers - agreed - the stock ones also suck. Another RMR FB group recommendation - I switched out to Trico Silicone ceramic blades (replaced all 3). They definitely seem to work better.

https://www.tricoproducts.com/products/super-premium-performance-wiper-blades/trico-silicone-ceramic?origin_product=product&part_product=90-140&body=&model=&skus=90-140,90-150,90-160,90-170,90-180,90-190,90-200,90-210,90-220,90-240,90-251,90-260,90-280,90-281,90-290,90-291

Fortunately yesterday's ice storm is pretty rare for here.

Which is the correct size replacement wiper blade?

 

[kuau]

I had started a similar thread also and couple things I came to realize. I live in Utah and this winter has been very challenging wih very wet snow /slushy conditions. First and foremost we can’t defy physics the Rivian is much is so heavy vehicle so for me I was having all kinds of problems while going around turns my R1T would just start to slide all over the place
So for me next winter I’m going to suck it up and get some snow tires ? even though I really only need them for 6-10 days a year it’s all about feeling safe

 

[runningdenver]

Which is the correct size replacement wiper blade?

They have a vehicle selector on their site. Just put in the R1. This is for my R1S. Then click on 'where to buy' - I got them at a local O'Reilly's. The rear doesn't seem a big change (and was harder to switch) - but the fronts were well worth it.

 

[sgtpeper]

Where does it say that if you turn on rear defroster it also warms the wipers?

 

[Litup]

Bend Oregon here

lots of snow and ice so Blizzaks in the winter KO2 in the summer.

easily handles anything I can throw at it and surprisingly well..

precondition it before you get in at 75. Seems to do wonders with visibility

just my .02 cents

 

[NY_Rob]

Where does it say that if you turn on rear defroster it also warms the wipers?

I don't think it's in the manual, and that might even be incorrect.

I was reading about it on Reddit and one owner used his FLIR and said the wiper area heater is on with front defrost (double press defrost icon till it turns from blue to red), not the rear defroster.

 

[SkiLizardHead2]

Hi All,

First, I'm overall loving my R1S. It does so much so well and I'm still overall enjoying the ownership experience.

That said, we had a heavy snow storm last night here in Denver and my R1S was - well, not confidence inspiring.

Issue:
1. Windshield Wipers - As the snow came down the wipers just would freeze up and barely move anything off the windshield. I've never had a car with such poor wipers from the factory. I have ordered some Bosch replacements as friends told me they'll help tremendously. My windshield is ceramic coated so one would think that should help - it didn't. On my IPace, it had a heated windshield which worked beautifully to keep the windshield clear. I've also seen cars with heated cowls near the windshield to keep the wipers warm. The current system is just bad in icy/snowy weather.

2. Headlights - We all know this one. There has to be a fix right? This can't be considered a safe situation. My headlights froze over and I could only see a few feet in front of me in the snowy conditions. Not safe. Some friends have tried rainx on them and my headlights are again ceramic coated but this was pretty dangerous.

3. Winter Handling - I have the stock 20" tires. They sort of just suck in the snow. I've never had all-season tires that performed this badly. Is it just the tires or the programming? I have friends who have put on dedicated snow tires and said it is 90% better but I've never really had to go this route on any other SUV. I usually just ran Continental DWS tires year round and felt safe. I was all over the place last night and only felt safe at like 30mph on the highway. This thing has chunky off-road look at me tires that felt more like summer tires on my McLaren.

4. Winter Mode - What does this mode do besides changing up regen? I think they need to modify this mode to have less power and or torque. In winter mode it still feels too easy to just spin the tires with minimal throttle input.

Conclusions? I still love my R1S. I'm hopeful Rivian can solve these issues and I hope someone of them can be recalled/warrantied - like headlights and wipers. Reprogramming winter mode would be a great help as well.

Anyone else feeling this way?

I have lots of snow and ice driving experience with Michelin X-ICE on ICE veh and my MX. And they are low rolling resistance to preserve range. I have dedicated A/S and snow tires for all my vehicles - living in the high country of SW Colorado.

 

[SkiLizardHead2]

I have lots of snow and ice driving experience with Michelin X-ICE on ICE veh and my MX. And they are low rolling resistance to preserve range. I have dedicated A/S and snow tires for all my vehicles - living in the high country of SW Colorado.

Snow mode profile can be created on my dual motor (2016 orginal drivetrain) MX by reducing regen braking, reducing throttle response, and reducing steering response for severe winter driving conditions. I suspect R1 snow mode does similar adjustments, plus possible changes to torque vectoring algorithm on quads? Perhaps others on this forum with R1 experience know if torque vectoring adjustments are applied as well? Quality snow tires such as X-ICE, Blizzak , Nokian significantly compliment the vehicle's capabilities. My experience these snow tires outperform even old school studded snow tires. (plus Studded snows reduce range significantly)

 

[Dark-Fx]

Perhaps others on this forum with R1 experience know if torque vectoring adjustments are applied as well?

Snow mode in the Rivian allows a mild amount of spinning without completely killing the acceleration during a slip event. It was reliably faster to 60 mph on pure ice when I was testing the previous season (on winter tires). And much more stable.

 

[Proxy]

Here is the order of the vehicles I own that I would take to the mountains to drive in the snow: First would be our I-pace with DWS’s. Second: R1S dual motor with stock 21” tires. Last would be our R1T Quad motor on 20” tires. The quad motor doesn’t have the predictability of the other two in very low traction situations.

 

[sgtpeper]

Interesting that you have an IPace too @Proxy - I had a first edition with the 22s. I found it very predictable too.

I'm still really curious how the quad motor could be worse than the dual motor in the snow.

 

[R.I.P.]

Here is the order of the vehicles I own that I would take to the mountains to drive in the snow: First would be our I-pace with DWS’s. Second: R1S dual motor with stock 21” tires. Last would be our R1T Quad motor on 20” tires. The quad motor doesn’t have the predictability of the other two in very low traction situations.

lol.

It is good that others are starting to experience the QM vs the DM in the slick stuff. The lack of lateral stability on the QM is a real thing when on the truly slick stuff.

Tires and Snow mode help, but those that keep singing the tune "mine does great" are not putting the vehicle at it's limits.

To those that are trying to decide which is best for their application, this real world information could be helpful.
?

 

[R.I.P.]

I'm still really curious how the quad motor could be worse than the dual motor in the snow.

It is actually super simple physics, and has been explained a number of times, and not just by me.

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