This question has been on the minds of many Rivian owners as they encounter issues when selecting new tires or attempting to install ones they already own at many tire shops including one of the largest tire retailers in the world, Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, dba Discount Tire and America’s Tire (referred to as Discount Tire for the rest of the article).
The issue doesn’t stem from Discount Tire directly, as they are simply following their internal policy. Instead, the confusion revolves around one specific aspect of tire requirements: the load index rating.
What’s the Problem?
In 2022 (and limited 2023 models), Rivian wheels were equipped with tires that had a load index rating of 116 on 20” and 21” wheels, and a 115 load rating on 22” wheels. Currently, all Rivian vehicles are delivered with 116 load index tires.
Unknown to nearly all owners, P-Metric 115 load index tires potentially violate the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations when equipped on Rivian vehicles. This is due to the tire possibly not meeting the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements for the rear axle. It’s disappointing as many 20″ and 22″ aftermarket tire options come with a P-Metric 115 load index rating.
Tires fitted on a Rivian must support 2,480 lbs per tire on the rear axle, but P-Metric 115 load index tires only support 2,435 lbs when calculated according to the regulation required method—falling short by just 45 lbs per tire. Even a shortfall of 1 lb may constitute a violation.
- P-Metric 115 load index tires are rated to carry 2,679 lbs. However, when these tires are installed on a truck or MPV, their maximum load capacity is reduced by dividing the original rating by 1.10. This adjustment lowers their capacity to 2,435 lbs, as mentioned earlier.
- In contrast, LT-Metric tires do not undergo this reduction. An LT 115 tire could technically be used on a Rivian, but unfortunately, there are no LT 115 options available in the Rivian OEM tire sizes.
- The R1S and R1T are dual classification vehicles (passenger and light truck) so if they were only classified as passenger vehicles, none of this would be an issue. Thank you to u/ksurfier on RivianForums for pointing out this classification.
This discrepancy may explain why Discount Tire and other tire retailers, don’t install P-Metric 115 tires on Rivians. Tires with an LT-Metric 113 rating and above are compatible, but they are rarely, if ever, available in the OEM tire sizes.
Some Rivian owners have reported that allegedly, a few Discount Tire locations may occasionally install P-Metric 115s, possibly due to their internal systems still listing 2022 Rivians OEM 22” wheels as having a 115 load index. However, only 116+ P-Metric or 113+ LT tires should be installed, in our opinion to fit within the regulations mentioned above.
How to Find Compatible Tires
Check Our Tire Recommendation Guide!
We’ve simplified the process of finding compatible tires for your Rivian by launching an updated Tire Guide. This guide includes only tire sizes that meet or exceed the required load rating. However, options for 21″ and 22″ tires are limited.
Always confirm with your tire retailer before ordering or installing tires to ensure they are fully compatible.
What About Tire Manufacturer Recommendations?
Some tire manufacturers, like Nokian, offer recommendations specifically for Rivian. On their website, they suggest that drivers consider an alternative size of 275/60 R20. However, this recommendation is for a P-Metric tire, which, as explained above, may conflict with federal regulations. Nokian also provides recommendations for LT tires, which are compatible with Rivian vehicles.
Do Non-OEM Tires Void Rivian’s Warranty?
Not exactly, but it could give owners a headache.
According to Rivian’s support page, “installing tires that are not OEM equipment and in factory sizes may have negative warranty implications, regardless of the installer.”
The key word in this statement, in the author’s opinion, is “and.” This could suggest that if an owner doesn’t purchase the exact tires that came equipped with their Rivian from the factory, it might lead to significant issues down the road. If the word “and” were replaced with “or,” it could imply that as long as the tires match the factory size, other options might be acceptable.
However, this raises the question: What exactly defines “size”? Is it just the tire’s physical dimensions, or does it also include specific requirements like load rating & speed rating? For instance, a P-Metric 275/65R20 116H SL tire is a very precise requirement compared to simply saying 275/65R20, which could allow for LT-Metric load indexes and higher speed ratings, aligning with Discount Tire’s policy of “the same or better rating.”
That said, this might not be a critical issue. Rivian’s Warranty Guide (as of June 28, 2024) clarifies that “using third-party parts alone will not void this warranty. However, Rivian will exclude warranty coverage for defects or damage caused by unauthorized parts…” (p. 19.)
The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act also protects consumers, ensuring that manufacturers cannot void warranties simply because third-party parts are used. It would be up to Rivian to prove that the tires directly caused any damage related to a future warranty claim. The burden of proof in showing that tires or any third-party part caused damage is quite different when Rivian is dealing with a customer at the time of service versus when defending their position in a legal setting.
Update 8/30/24:
Rivian’s support page has a new addition that now states: “Our warranty does not cover tires, or installations of tires at third party locations. Rivian is not responsible for any damage occurring at a third-party installation location.”
Legal Disclaimer
The information presented in this article reflects our interpretation of relevant regulations and is also derived from reports by Rivian owners on online forums and in discussions, which we cannot independently verify. We do not make any accusations against Rivian, LLC, Nokian Tyres plc, or The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, dba Discount Tire and America’s Tire.
Neither the author nor RivianTrackr LLC are legal professionals, and this content is not intended to serve as legal advice. For specific legal concerns or guidance, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified legal professional.
If you want to read more about the federal regulation, click here [S4.2].