Tire rotation pattern incorrect in on-board manual 2025.06

[GA_Rivian]

Anyone else notice that the tire rotation pattern shown in 25.06 is incorrect? If you have tires with a directional tread, you shouldn't move them to opposite sides of the vehicle, as they will be facing the wrong direction. Should only be rotated front to back.

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[SANZC02]

Anyone else notice that the tire rotation pattern shown in 25.06 is incorrect? If you have tires with a directional tread, you shouldn't move them to opposite sides of the vehicle, as they will be facing the wrong direction. Should only be rotated front to back.

I am not aware of any OEM tires Rivian currently is using are directional tread. The quad motor is supposed to have different size in the back but I don’t think those are directional either. If you know of ones that are directional I’d be interested in knowing which ones.

That being said, I usually only rotate back to front on my vehicles, I seem to never encounter any wheel shake keeping the tires on the same side of the vehicle.

 

[GA_Rivian]

Whether Rivian sells them or not, it seems unwise to show/recommend a rotation pattern like that without pointing out that it should only be used for tires which do not have a directional tread, and pointing out that it may not be appropriate for your particular aftermarket off road or snow tires.

 

[emoore]

Directional tires are still a thing? Haven’t used them in over 20 years.

 

[Thedude]

Whether Rivian sells them or not, it seems unwise to show/recommend a rotation pattern like that without pointing out that it should only be used for tires which do not have a directional tread, and pointing out that it may not be appropriate for your particular aftermarket off road or snow tires.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an owners manual that didn’t recommend rotations based on what the factory equipment is, not whatever you might happen to slap on later.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Manual is written in context of factory spec equipment. Warranty is offered and relevant to factory spec equipment. Why in the world would it be written for tires that aren’t offered as factory equipment?! If you choose to go off the reservation with non-factory tires, then it’s your responsibility, you’re on your own.

 

[SSteveEV]

Directional tires are still a thing? Haven’t used them in over 20 years.

Are you in a snowy part of CO?
Most snow tires are directional in my experience

 

[emoore]

Are you in a snowy part of CO?
Most snow tires are directional in my experience

Denver area, so snowy is relative. Don't really need snow tires around town only in the mountains so I haven't had snow tires in many years.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Directional tires are still a thing? Haven’t used them in over 20 years.

https://na.nokiantyres.com/hakkapeliitta/

Also fairly common for summer performance tires (not applicable for R1).

 

[Killer95Stang]

Maybe they will change it if they go to directional tires as original equipment, but for now, all the tires they sell and recommend say "RIV" on them. Going outside of what they recommend is on you. Besides, literally in the time it took to post about what Rivian should do, you could have googled it, Alexa'd or Siri'd it. Do you sell directional tires for a living?

 

[madhat]

Directional tires are still a thing? Haven’t used them in over 20 years.

I've got directional Sport tires on my rivian. There's a reason why they're directional... non directional are compromise tires.

 

[emoore]

So since Rivians all come standard with non directional tires and someone then chooses to purposely but on directional tires, I would expect them to know how to rotate them and not refer to the manual. Seems overkill for Rivian to have to put that in the manual.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

So since Rivians all come standard with non directional tires and someone then chooses to purposely but on directional tires, I would expect them to know how to rotate them and not refer to the manual. Seems overkill for Rivian to have to put that in the manual.

If called to service tech's attention or the tech is alert enough to realize (not just at Rivian SC). Not just overkill, there's no logical reason for any OEM to be concerned with gear they do not provide as standard or option. Let's look back to our early ICE-driving days. If you install an aftermarket radio (which we often did because stock radios were trash) would you expect owner manual to miraculously cover whatever aftermarket radio you installed? It's impossible for the OEM to anticipate and it's not their equipment to provide support for.

Once gen 2 quad is out, the manuals will get updated to include staggered and asymmetrical (outboard tread can only be mounted there and front tires can only be used at the front).

 

[jeeden]

I've got directional Sport tires on my Rivian. There's a reason why they're directional... non Non-directional are compromise tires.

Depends on what you are compromising on (performance, noise, price, ability to rotate, longevity, being a PITA to deal with) Directional are known to be louder generally speaking. They are also can be a pain for lots of reasons.

I have Michelin directionals on my 2015 Mustang. They are great, but I don't think it is because they are directional.

Anyway, as said above, Rivian is on the hook to provide a manual for their OEM configuration. You also don't see topics on all the accessories and on page 107, they have stated, "If you replace the tires, use the same style and size provided by Rivian"

 

[GA_Rivian]

Maybe they will change it if they go to directional tires as original equipment, but for now, all the tires they sell and recommend say "RIV" on them. Going outside of what they recommend is on you. Besides, literally in the time it took to post about what Rivian should do, you could have googled it, Alexa'd or Siri'd it. Do you sell directional tires for a living?

No, I don't sell tires of any kind. I drive an R1T with studded directional snows in the winter, and OEM in the summer (at the moment, until they wear out). So the rotation differs depending on which tires are on the vehicle. Since that is a common combination of tires in this neck of the woods, it seems reasonable to just remind people. I'm not saying it's Rivian's responsibility; I'm just saying it would be nice to remind people / give them a heads up. Common courtesy, that's all. You may not even know the snows you have on are directional if you had a tire center select and put them on for you. Maybe you used to have a tire center rotate them but now you don't trust them because of inadequate knowledge about jack pucks. Maybe you used to have the tire center rotate them but now you don't trust them because you've had wheels come lose due to inadequate torquing (I know, you're supposed to retighten after 50-100 mi, but most people who use a tire center don't do that). I've had 2 wheels come lose on 2 separate occasions from Subaru wheel changes. Whatever, proper information is always a good idea.

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