Tire change pain/questions, what did the tire change mode do?

[CompilerBreak]

So I hit a screw and had to swap the spare finally, was a bit of a learning experience, mostly because after putting it into tire change mode and raising the truck up, the suspension just continued to slowly sag? Started taking off the lugs and then realized the thing was in full contact with the ground again while the wheel was only held on by 2 loose nuts. I measured just over 10" between the tire and the trim of the wheel well which seems massive. Glad I was at home, and will definitely be getting a jack puck now so I can use my floor jack. Was I just doomed because I was using the tiny scissor jack they give you? When I get this back I was going to do a 5-tire rotation so looking for any advice before I set down that road. Much appreciated!

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[GeezFullSleeve]

Did you set it to the highest ride height prior to lifting it?

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Sorry to hear you're having issues. It's unusual for the R1 to drop after setting it to the highest height and switching to tire change mode—it should hold position. If not, open a service ticket with Rivian. There is quite a bit of suspension travel on the Rivian and even more in the rear. You need a lot of lift to clear the tires (about 21" if memory serve me correctly).

For roadside repairs, magnetic jack pucks are a must. We recommend a standard set plus our XL—or a solid thick wood block. Pair our kit with a Torin Big Red 10-ton bottle jack (on Amazon) for the height and power you’ll need.

Picture below is rear, but it gives you an idea of how much lift you need to get the tire off the ground.

Picture below is front with our standard puck and a Big Red 10t Bottle Jack, which clears easily.

 

[CompilerBreak]

Did you set it to the highest ride height prior to lifting it?

Yep, off road +highest, then enabled the setting.

 

[CompilerBreak]

Sorry to hear you're having issues. It's unusual for the R1 to drop after setting it to the highest height and switching to tire change mode—it should hold position. If not, open a service ticket with Rivian. There is quite a bit of suspension travel on the Rivian and even more in the rear. You need a lot of lift to clear the tires (about 21" if memory serve me correctly).

For roadside repairs, magnetic jack pucks are a must. We recommend a standard set plus our XL—or a solid thick wood block. Pair our kit with a Torin Big Red 10-ton bottle jack (on Amazon) for the height and power you’ll need.

Picture below is rear, but it gives you an idea of how much lift you need to get the tire off the ground.

Picture below is front with our standard puck and a Big Red 10t Bottle Jack, which clears easily.

Thanks, I have your site bookmarked, figured I had a bit more time though will watch it a bit more closely when I put the fixed one back on, and maybe just open a ticket, or have them check it out and do the rotation

 

[Polar]

For single corner or five wheel swaps - highly recommended the JackPuckXL

 

[DD4ST]

I’ve rotated my own tires and did not experience this. Also, for lifting I have a couple of HF 3 ton floor jacks, one which is the extended reach version. They worked great. I’d recommend you get the extended reach, if you are buying one anyway, or get the extra height jack pucks for the non-extended version. This is needed for the back tires. I also picked up a HF tire dolly on sale as the Rivian tires are heavy. Made the job so much easier.

 

[Mathme]

Also note that when in the highest setting and Tire Change mode, if lifting only one wheel, the truck will creep a little. This is highlighted in the manual. When I've done 5-tire rotations, I've noticed the truck will creep backwards about 2-3" during the first lift. After that, it doesn't seem to move at all.

 

[SwaziCAR]

This talk that jack pucks are a "necessity" is incorrect and (seemingly) marketing-driven, although they certainly can be useful. I've used the Rivian scissor jack for roadside repairs twice, and it worked fine, including for a rear tire. If your suspension drooped after correctly setting up things for a tire change, then you may have a problem with the vehicle.

 

[Polar]

Also note that when in the highest setting and Tire Change mode, if lifting only one wheel, the truck will creep a little. This is highlighted in the manual. When I've done 5-tire rotations, I've noticed the truck will creep backwards about 2-3" during the first lift. After that, it doesn't seem to move at all.

This is why you put a brick or a tire stop behind a tire, it’s really not a good idea to lift even a corner of a rig without preventing it from rolling.

 

[CompilerBreak]

This is why you put a brick or a tire stop behind a tire, it’s really not a good idea to lift even a corner of a rig without preventing it from rolling.

The kit came with a couple wedges to stick under the wheels which was nice, but yeah, always have some scrap 2x boards around for this normally.

 

[usulio]

This is why you put a brick or a tire stop behind a tire, it’s really not a good idea to lift even a corner of a rig without preventing it from rolling.

I'm guessing they're referring to the same thing I experience which isn't rolling, I think it's due to the suspension. As you lift the frame, it moves inward a bit -- not rolling the tires. The bottle jack starts tilting. Easy fix, if it happens, go back down and move the base, it will be better the next time.

 

[sub]

Since no one has addressed the question in your the title, I believe the purpose of tire change mode is to prevent the air suspension from automaticly making adjustments while you are on the jack.

Without it, it might try to level itself half way through the tire change and knock itself off the jack.

Tire change mode doesn't do anything to help get the tire off the ground when using a jack without a ton of lift. The high ground clearance and large suspension travel is a big selling point for people who want to go off-road, but it is not without downsides. One of which you discovered. You need a tall jack.

 

[Ridef70]

Has anyone changed tires not using the tire change mode? My R1S was totaled and I am grabbing the wheels and tires off it. The battery is now dead, and no chance of adjusting the suspension. I’ll have a jack, two jack stands, pucks, tire stops in the hopes there is no issues.

Anyone have experience changing tires without the tire change mode?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Has anyone changed tires not using the tire change mode? My R1S was totaled and I am grabbing the wheels and tires off it. The battery is now dead, and no chance of adjusting the suspension. I’ll have a jack, two jack stands, pucks, tire stops in the hopes there is no issues.

Anyone have experience changing tires without the tire change mode?

All the mode does is lock out auto suspension adjustment. Fine to jack unpowered.

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