Tire Swap to 22" Michelin Defender LT275/50r22

[keiferedits]

Just swapped out the original Pirelli Scorpion Tires after 17k, without a heavy foot, with rotation and an eye on tire pressure. Was really disappointed in the wear. Switched to the Michelin Defender LT275/50r22 H119. Ride seems quieter and takes the bumps much better. What tire pressure and tire setting in the Rivian display are people running since there is no exact match pulldown for non Pirelli tires. Did you keep it on the Pirelli setting or use the other manufacturer pulldown for all season. Mostly City and Highway Driving. California Heat. Thoughts? Thanks...

Sponsored

 

[mkg3]

Tire pressure setting is a function of the vehicle weight more than anything else. Some tires are designed with lower max pressure but they also tend to have lower load index.

I looked at both the 119 and 115 load index for the LTX M/S2 when I replaced my R1S 22" tires. I selected the 115 version over the 119 for two reasons. The number one reason was the added weight that's unsprung making the vehicle handling the worse and compromise range. The other was that even thought the Pirellis were 116 load index, the R1S was originally released with 115 load index.

After viewing the weight distribution per tire I knew that 115 was more than enough to safely use since I do not tow or load the vehicle anywhere near the vehicle limits.

Back to the 119, if I recall the max tire pressure is 80psi. The very high psi rating has to do with the loaded weight distributed onto the each tire. If you are not loading your R1S heavily (meaning that normal car use, even with passengers filled), I would stay with the Rivian recommended 49 psi (cold).

The pressure rating on the sidewall is always cold pressure limit (not driven). The tires are design to withstand the pressure increase due to temperature as they are directly proportional to each other.

 

[vordo]

there is a lot discussion about this particular tire here. I have the 119’s and run them at 65psi.

 

[Whale Blubber]

I did the same with my 22" wheels, but grabbed the 115 load versions. I think I run them at 48psi. I've had them now for about 27k miles with lots of tread left (I also replaced my OEM 22" Pirelli's after only 17,000 miles -- totally ridiculous). Post break-in, it seems the range may actually be slightly better than the originals, although the traction isn't as solid in hard turns given the firmer compound. (In rain I think both tires are not great.) Anyway, very happy overall with the decision.

 

[John.S]

What kind of range loss on the 119's vs the 115's ?.
Also do you find these tires to be quiter than the origionals ?

 

[7FCvin]

I have the 119s (switched after wearing down the OEMs at around 21k miles) and run them at 65psi cold on my DM R1T, which means I'm usually around 70 psi when they're warm. I left the tire setting on the OEM Pirellis, and my mi/kWh has gone from 2.73 on the OEMs to now reading 2.74 (I did not do a 'trip reset' when I replaced the tires). I currently have about 34k miles on the truck and I have never used it for towing (but I do load it with stuff -- furniture, yard waste, bikes/E-bikes, etc -- and I frequently go to/from the mountains in CO). Happy with this set and as noted above, have not experienced a significant reduction in range, probably because I'm running a relatively high PSI that is still well within the range of these tires (the 119s achieve their E rating at 80psi).

 

[keiferedits]

am I correct in comparing the 22” LT Defenders 119h to the 22” 116h Pirellis —with 3 passengers, a dog and luggage 65psi will give you similar ride comfort and efficiency as 116h at 48psi?

 

[CANCERDOC]

LT tires have higher tire pressure requirements to achieve the same load rating as HL or XL tires. So the stock 49psi will be too low. I have the 119S Defenders and run 60psi without issues.

 

[keiferedits]

For what's it worth I contacted Michelin and they sent me this chart.

 

[KirkB]

To achieve the same load rating on the Michelin Defender LT275/50R22 119 Load Range E tire as he stock Perelli, more pressure is required per tirepressure.com. Approximately 65 is required versus 48. That is what we run in ours as well, and we are very pleased. We do some off road and we had flats on 3 of the 4 Pirellis. The LT tires should be much tougher and last much longer.

 

[keiferedits]

Follow up, I purchased the 119h 22” Michelin Defender tires. After several long trips I decided to take advantage of Michelin’s satisfaction guarantee and returned the tires due to the large range loss. Though the ride was comfortable and the tires were awesome, the range loss was too large at over 20%. I tried several different PSI from 48-65 and couldn’t get close to a satisfactory range. I decided to change to the 22” Hankook Ion HT. So far, so good, ride is comfortable and the range is back.

 

[Budman]

Follow up, I purchased the 119h 22” Michelin Defender tires. After several long trips I decided to take advantage of Michelin’s satisfaction guarantee and returned the tires due to the large range loss. Though the ride was comfortable and the tires were awesome, the range loss was too large at over 20%. I tried several different PSI from 48-65 and couldn’t get close to a satisfactory range. I decided to change to the 22” Hankook Ion HT. So far, so good, ride is comfortable and the range is back.

Tell me more about how the satisfaction guarantee and return worked for you. I recently switched to the Defender tires and am also unhappy with the big range loss (10% to 15% running at 60 psi). I got mine at discount tire.

i would go back to Pirelli, I’ve gotten 35k out of several sets.

 

[tk21]

there is a lot discussion about this particular tire here. I have the 119’s and run them at 65psi.

Same

 

[keiferedits]

Tell me more about how the satisfaction guarantee and return worked for you. I recently switched to the Defender tires and am also unhappy with the big range loss (10% to 15% running at 60 psi). I got mine at discount tire.

i would go back to Pirelli, I’ve gotten 35k out of several sets.

It was simple, took the car back to my tire shop within 60 days and they refunded me the cost. BTW the Hankooks have 100 day policy. I didn't want to go back to the pirellis because I just didn't get enough wear 17k. https://www.michelinman.com/auto/assistance/warranty

Good Luck

 

[mkg3]

Tell me more about how the satisfaction guarantee and return worked for you. I recently switched to the Defender tires and am also unhappy with the big range loss (10% to 15% running at 60 psi). I got mine at discount tire.

i would go back to Pirelli, I’ve gotten 35k out of several sets.

Just so you know, in case this is your first EV, any new tires will drop the range by 5~15% compared to the worn tire you replaced. Since the 119 load index tires are significantly heavier than the 116 Pirellie when new, it would have a larger impact on the range due to larger rotational inertia due to more mass..

It has nothing to do with the brand of tire. It has more to do with the unsprung rotational mass. This happens to ICE vehicles too but not to the great extent. You would notice loss of few % MPG and notice slower acceleration. On EVs, the added weight affects the power consumption to accelerate vehicles. Perhaps you do more city driving than highways? Any time moving the vehicle from stop takes more power due to increase in rotational inertia than before.

I have the LTX M/S2 with 115 load index. When new, both Michelin and Pirelli weighs about the same (~38 lbs). The 119 version weights 53 lbs or 15 lbs/40% heavier.

When it was first installed the Michelins, my range dropped about 5% and now with roughly 23k miles on the tires, the range has come backed to, or is better than what I was getting with the 22" Pirellie Scorpion Zero AS.

Sponsored