Which tires to get for driving in the rain?

[PowerRager]

I'm in Seattle and the stock tires on the last 3 cars I had often slip in the rain (at least on a hill after a stop, occasionally while driving). Any ideas on whether the 21" tires will suffice? The 20" all terrain seem like overkill as I don't plan on offroading. I'm not thrilled about losing 10-15% range either. If the 20" tires are better for slippery streets though I'll go with them.

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[COdogman]

It’s hard to say exactly whether you need the AT tires or not. I would assume the 21s would be fine for Seattle if you don’t do off-roading, although I wouldn’t buy the 21s simply because it’s a unicorn size and you wouldn’t have many alternative choices if you didn’t like them. Pirelli developed these tires (all sizes) specifically for Rivian, although the Pirelli “Scorpion” is available for any vehicle - it sounds like they changed the tire compound, etc for Rivian. At this point it’s almost impossible to find any aftermarket wheels that would work for a Rivian because of the sizing, offset, etc.

https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/road/pirelli-tires-tailor-made-for-rivian

 

[Taycanfrank]

No modern tire should be slipping in the rain provided you're using it in the recommended temperature range and the tread is in good shape.

My guess is it's either the car you're driving, the way you're driving, or having tires in bad shape. I've lived in Seattle for 14 years, the roads are fine when wet and there is very rarely any standing water.

 

[PowerRager]

Thanks, sounds like the 21" should be fine looking at the article.

@Frank - I've had a Civic Hybrid and Forester that both would spin frequently when at a full stop in the rain. After changing to decent quality tires on both of them the problem stopped. I still have a slipping problem with my Leaf with the stock tires, it's tempting to buy new ones even though it has about 15k miles on it. I really do try to be careful when accelerating knowing that it's about to happen but it's especially hard on certain hills. The Civic Hybrid in particular could barely accelerate anyway.

 

[Craigins]

Thanks, sounds like the 21" should be fine looking at the article.

@Frank - I've had a Civic Hybrid and Forester that both would spin frequently when at a full stop in the rain. After changing to decent quality tires on both of them the problem stopped. I still have a slipping problem with my Leaf with the stock tires, it's tempting to buy new ones even though it has about 15k miles on it. I really do try to be careful when accelerating knowing that it's about to happen but it's especially hard on certain hills. The Civic Hybrid in particular could barely accelerate anyway.

Sounds like a bit of a lead foot problem.

If I'm not paying attention my Ram spins the tires on wet pavement as well. But if I'm worried about it I shift into 4x4 mode and have no issues.

 

[shamoo]

I tend to agree with TaycanFrank and Craigins.

An R1S/T will power all 4 wheels, so essentially an AWD. Very rarely should an AWD vehicle spin anything in the rain unless you have a lead foot.

My BMW X5M has close to 600hp and even if I launch in the rain with summer tires (Pirelli PZeros) it is difficult to get any wheelspin. A FWD/RWD of course is more susceptible to spinning when you're first getting going, especially on a turn.

I would not worry about ANY factory tire that's provided on a Rivian vehicle.

 

[zefram47]

No modern tire should be slipping in the rain provided you're using it in the recommended temperature range and the tread is in good shape.

For the record, I'm sure all factory-option tires for the Rivian will be just fine in the rain. But I'm in a contrary mood today anyway, so I'll take issue with this statement. While the tires that *most* people will use on the street are just fine in the rain, the tires that most of us autocrossers use are downright terrifying in the rain. Especially in the big boy sizes I run on my Corvette. Hydroplaning on the interstate is no fun. Even at full tread dept on a nearly sticker set of the old Bridgestone RE71r I'd have problems in the rain above say maybe 50 mph if there was any standing water at all.

 

[Riviot]

I'm in Seattle and the stock tires on the last 3 cars I had often slip in the rain (at least on a hill after a stop, occasionally while driving). Any ideas on whether the 21" tires will suffice? The 20" all terrain seem like overkill as I don't plan on offroading. I'm not thrilled about losing 10-15% range either. If the 20" tires are better for slippery streets though I'll go with them.

I'm in the Puget Sound region as well and I'm going with 20s because I do off-road. But I'm considering 22s for a potential R1S. I thought they said 22s are best for icy and wet, but can't find that now. Just this:

 

[rodhx]

I don’t expect problems with the R1T tires but awd can’t help much if the issue is lack of tire lateral grip. The AWD of my Mach E isn’t much use to combat the stock Michelin’s terrible wet weather performance.

 

[BillyBob]

I have the same problem that @PowerRager has. (And of course, I'm in the Seattle area too.) When coming to a full stop on a hill on a wet day, the front tires tend to slip on the pavement when starting moving again. I have never had this problem in my previous cars, and it's not a lead foot thing. It's just my friggin Chevy Traverse. I have finally solved the problem by driving in AWD on wet days, but it is really irritating.

 

[Taco Corp]

Also in Seattle and have experienced the tire spin on rainy days on the hills downtown and on some of the neighborhood streets, especially when I lived in Magnolia. It's not been an issue with my current car (Ascent) but happened all the time with FWD or RWD only car's I've had.

For the R1T I've been going back and forth on the wheels. I think for my needs which are mainly commuting and driving out to trail heads and ski areas the 21" would be fine but I'm debating the 20" thinking ahead about when it's time to replace the AT tires and having more options for an all season tire on the 20" rim.

 

[Zoidz]

I'm in Seattle and the stock tires on the last 3 cars I had often slip in the rain (at least on a hill after a stop, occasionally while driving). Any ideas on whether the 21" tires will suffice?

The Rivian weighs twice your Leaf. Traction is directly proportional to weight. It should not be an issue with any of the tires unless the roads are really polished.

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