Is Ceramic Coating Worth the Cost?: A Rivian Owners Review

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 12:59 PM

I've seen a lot of owners ask this question online if the ceramic coating is worth the cost. Before I drop my own opinion, I just wamt to say that if you are someone who don't normally hand wash your vehicles and rarely goes to a touch-free car wash, then the amswer to this question would depend on your metrics for choosing "worth".

Ceramic coating helps the vehicle shed dirt easier. So it will look less dirty and be cleaned easier than if you didn't have it. With that said car washes that aren't touchless can take the coating off and cause it to prematurely fail.

If you are looking at resale value it is not worth it, no one cares if it's been ceramic coated especially on a trade in. If the money is worth it to you to keep your vehicle looking nice then it's worth it, if you don't care that much it's not.

Personally I subscribe to the broken window theory which is why I like to get my car detailed regularly. Basically the theory states that a house with a broken window is more likely to get another broken window as it is "permission" to treat it with less respect than an immaculate house. Keeping my cars in as close to factory new condition influences me to continue to treat my vehicles with care and respect so they remain nice during my period of ownership.

Basically I keep my vehicle as nice as I can because in my mind that means it's a nice vehicle so I treat it that way instead of beating on it.

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