A month with my R1T

[COdogman]

what did your rivian go in for and how long will they have it. i am getting an r1t friday, thanks

Mine has been trouble free since last June when I picked it up, but I got an error message about a month ago when I plugged in at a couple DCFCs. It stopped giving me the message during subsequent sessions but I still scheduled an appointment to have them look at it.

Dropped it off last Friday morning (5/10) and by that afternoon they texted me that I need a new HV battery, which I was not expecting. They had to order that, which arrived yesterday and they were shooting for this Friday for completion (5/17). Today they said it should be done tomorrow or Thursday.

They gave me an R1T loaner and all of it is covered under warranty so even though it’s odd that happened so soon, they took care of it quickly and communicated with me every step of the way without me prompting them to.

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[SPITmadFIRE]

I wish the truck would allow some coasting since on my longest trip I go over a mountain that has a couple of miles downhill at a 7% grade. I would think I could have some good regen down if it wasn't trying to stop the truck.

"Coasting" in a vehicle with regen is just applying a little bit of throttle to make it roll without accelerating or decelerating. On a grade like that, you'll maintain your current speed and regen at the same time. Sure it takes a little extra getting used to, but just set your cruise control and pull in those sweet sweet free electrons.

I've owned a few high performance vehicles, and one 4WD off road truck prior to my R1S. The R1S doesn't even come close to a true high-performance vehicle like a hot hatch on road feel (because it's a truck). The R1S absolutely does laps around my Bronco on comfort, ride quality, performance, and feel.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

I’m not the sportiest driver, but sport mode feels like legitimately a different vehicle. It’s not like going from “eco” to “sport” in a crossover. The suspension is entirely different, and the pedal even feels different.
Also remember “trying to stop the truck” is regenerating. Coasting does not regenerate. But it’s a big battery, it takes several thousand feet of decline to gain a percent back.

I get more than a percent back from descending several HUNDRED feet, @Andystroh.

I believe the additional energy that must be invested to raise an R1 is about 3 kWh per 1000 feet of elevation gain. If regeneration were 100% efficient, that's what we'd get on the descent as well.

Converting kWh into percent is different for each size battery. One percent of battery size is 1.31 kWh for Large batteries and 1.43 kWh for Max batteries.

Best wishes!

 

[Randynole]

Mine has been trouble free since last June when I picked it up, but I got an error message about a month ago when I plugged in at a couple DCFCs. It stopped giving me the message during subsequent sessions but I still scheduled an appointment to have them look at it.

Dropped it off last Friday morning (5/10) and by that afternoon they texted me that I need a new HV battery, which I was not expecting. They had to order that, which arrived yesterday and they were shooting for this Friday for completion (5/17). Today they said it should be done tomorrow or Thursday.

They gave me an R1T loaner and all of it is covered under warranty so even though it’s odd that happened so soon, they took care of it quickly and communicated with me every step of the way without me prompting them to.

 

[Randynole]

Thanks for your reply, the HV battery is that the 12v, must be. good to know they gave you a loaner and under warranty.
my Raptor was a motortrend truck of the year and now R1T truck of the year.
very excited and some what nervous . i am not the most Techno.

i have been wanting something a little smaller than my F150.

ha dog wrangler, that has been one of my concerns getting my dogs in there, will work that out
i thought a topper could at least put them in there to go to vet.

Thanks for the information.

 

[COdogman]

Thanks for your reply, the HV battery is that the 12v, must be. good to know they gave you a loaner and under warranty.
my Raptor was a motortrend truck of the year and now R1T truck of the year.
very excited and some what nervous . i am not the most Techno.

i have been wanting something a little smaller than my F150.

ha dog wrangler, that has been one of my concerns getting my dogs in there, will work that out
i thought a topper could at least put them in there to go to vet.

Thanks for the information.

Actually the HV battery is the BIG battery. It’s not common they fail and they have a 175k mile warranty on it so they must be confident in that as well. But yes, so far they have handled it quickly and professionally. The Denver service center has always been one of the better ones, so we are lucky in that regard. We read stories here about less helpful customer service from other service centers. It’s an area Rivian is still trying to improve upon.

I came to Rivian from a Tacoma so it’s a slightly bigger truck than I had before, but it’s got plenty of room for doggos in the back seat if you don’t need that for other purposes. I just use a hammock style cover.

 

[Randynole]

Actually the HV battery is the BIG battery. It’s not common they fail and they have a 175k mile warranty on it so they must be confident in that as well. But yes, so far they have handled it quickly and professionally. The Denver service center has always been one of the better ones, so we are lucky in that regard. We read stories here about less helpful customer service from other service centers. It’s an area Rivian is still trying to improve upon.

I came to Rivian from a Tacoma so it’s a slightly bigger truck than I had before, but it’s got plenty of room for doggos in the back seat if you don’t need that for other purposes. I just use a hammock style cover.

 

[Randynole]

Thanks again, keep pestering you. i can see they have your rivian for some time
that must be a major job, and getting the replacement.
happy motoring, suppose to pick mine up friday
everyone seems to have a good disposition.

 

[RevDrRon]

I am sure I will get many negative comments about this post, but it is my opinion and your are welcome to your opinion about Rivian and the entire process.

I am enjoying my truck. It is nice not to have to stop for gas, but until I get my home charger installed this week, it has taken some planning. My wife sure does enjoy that there are great restaurants and things to do near the supercharger in town .

The entire purchase process needs work. It was nice that all the paperwork was done ahead of time, but the Rivian process just spreads out the paperwork over a few days instead of an hour or so at the dealership. Having to pay money up front before seeing the vehicle and not being allowed to drive the vehicle I am taking home just seems wrong. At a traditional car dealership driving "your" vehicle is the first thing they want you to do when you come to pick it up.

I have not had to schedule any service yet, but I am hoping for a better experience than some that I have read here. I realize that there are more problems reported on these sites than successes, but I have low expectations for when I need service.

I have not driven my vehicle any great distance yet. The longest trip I have had is approximately 100 miles round trip. The truck handles well, but it is not even close to the most fun I have had in a vehicle I have owned. I have read many threads on here that it is the best vehicle folks have owned and I see where they have owned some real high dollar vehicles. I have only owned Honda products, but my Acuras with SH AWD are amazing on twisty roads. I have yet to push the truck, but I am thinking it does not have the torque distribution that the Acura has. I wish the truck would allow some coasting since on my longest trip I go over a mountain that has a couple of miles downhill at a 7% grade. I would think I could have some good regen down if it wasn't trying to stop the truck.

Billy

My delivery process went smooth as possible. Took about 5-10 actual minutes. Now that said I was there longer because I wanted to drive it before i left and had about 20 questions.

I did my homework about the vehicle before this process began so there were no surprises. I visited the service center three times for demo rides to make sure it fit my needs and use.

Yes you have to make the full payment before delivery. But I was assured that until I take delivery the only thing that was not refundable was the initial deposit.

Maybe because I already own a Tesla there were no surprises. That process was also flawless especially compared to real dealerships.

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