How to Open Charge Port Door Under Snowy Conditions

Rivian Mom · 2025-03-08T18:49:39+00:00

Last week, we got the full-size spare tire installed, including the kit. 3 days ago, I got an alert that the driver's size front tire was a little low on air. I aired it back up using the built-in compressor but it kept leaking slowly (~4psi in 12 hours). When we got it jacked up, I saw a little screw just trying to get by. A couple things to note on the process: • The instructions in the tow manual or in-truck manual are excellent and detailed. You are not too manly to read them—take the time and read them to save yourself any grief. I like that they remind you to lower the suspension before removing the spare & kit, then raise it to change it, along with a bunch of other small tips. • Don't forget to completely remove the long bolt holding the tire and jack kit down (which is also explained in the manual)—this takes only a second, and you won't have to worry about damaging the tire. It also makes removing the nearly 100lb tire much easier, as you can just pivot it upright and roll it out of the well. The hex head to remove it is molded into the threaded piece. • If you don't have the manual on you (and once jacked, you can't get back in the cab to read the onboard one), there's a QRCode on the jack and other components you can scan with your phone. This takes you directly to the tow guide PDF—this is an awesome idea, someone should get a bonus for it. • At least for the front wheel, you have to raise the jack almost all the way up to truly get the wheel off the ground. • You have to swap the center cap from the flat tire to the replacement tire. It's not a big deal, though, and can easily be done after everything else. But you probably can't remove that center cap easily while the tire is mounted. • The kit isn't half bad. It was a little hard work, but overall, nothing unbearable since I was in the garage in the shade. Here's some photos of what everything looks like. The tire is off getting patched, but should be an easy fix.

Rivian Blue

Member

Tuesday at 12:20 PM

This feels like a dumb question but is there a way to open the charge port door without using the capacitive button on the trim?

Earlier this year, my charge port door sensor was covered with a 1/4 inch thick layer of ice when I got home that day. Unsurprisingly the capacitive button was not able to detect my finger through the ice.

I thought no problem, I'll just open the app and open the port from there. What felt like 15 minutes (but was probably 5) later I gave up and climbed back into the car and opened the port via the center screen. I happened to have the fob in my pocket and couldn't figure out how to open it with the fob either.

On my Tesla the fob, app, and the charge cable can all trigger the port to open when the capacitive button is not working. Made me wonder if Rivian has a solution that doesn't involve climbing back inside? I was sure there was, but I sure could not figure it out. I had to come chip the ice off and touch the button.

It would be nice to have an option to open the charge port door from the mobile app. This wouldn’t solve the ice problem but it would be more convenient for a lot of owners.

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