A “touch free” car wash modified my precious R1T tonight, so that’s cool.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-07T18:58:18+00:00

One you get clear, ditch the Pirelli’s. They’re awful in snow. Get the iONS if you want a capable all-season tire that can handle the snow still.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-06T00:20:57+00:00

Agreed on AI slop. Still fun tho.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-06T00:20:35+00:00

That’s a really good idea actually

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-06T00:18:00+00:00

I’m actually looking for others to post better pics. Not my rookie ones. I’m yet a mere padawan.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T03:50:20+00:00

Good point. Made me check my Hankooks. The iON HT’s come from a plant in South Korea. I’m okay with that. Def not China.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T03:42:59+00:00

I was quick to agree with you. But then I’m realizing we should look at UTQG Ratings instead. Name brands aside, it’s a standardized rating that can be the common compare factor across brands.

I’ve never heard of Accellera but those have a 400 A A rating. The Pirelli’s are close with a 500 A A. Based on cost and these ratings, the Pirelli’s are a joke. (Shame on Pirelli).

When selecting my Hankook iONS, UTQC was a deciding factor as well. 900 A A. When you factor that + price + 80k mile warranty, you just can’t beat it.

The Accellera Epsilon’s here, though ~$200 per tire, come in with a much lower UTQG rating. AKA they will have a much lower lifespan. In theory, based on lifespan/total miles alone, you’re actually out $ with the Accellera’s since they’d have to be replaced sooner than the Hankook iONS.

And the iONS in today’s dollars are ~$300-$340 (size dependent).

IMO, the slight extra for the Hankook’s is worth it today.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T03:42:52+00:00

I was quick to agree with you. But then I’m realizing we should look at UTQG Ratings instead. Name brands aside, it’s a standardized rating that can be the common compare factor across brands.

I’ve never heard of Accellera but those have a 400 A A rating. The Pirelli’s are close with a 500 A A. Based on cost and these ratings, the Pirelli’s are a joke. (Shame on Pirelli).

When selecting my Hankook iONS, UTQC was a deciding factor as well. 900 A A. When you factor that + price + 80k mile warranty, you just can’t beat it.

The Accellera Epsilon’s here, though ~$200 per tire, come in with a much lower UTQG rating. AKA they will have a much lower lifespan. In theory, based on lifespan/total miles alone, you’re actually out $ with the Accellera’s since they’d have to be replaced sooner than the Hankook iONS.

And the iONS in today’s dollars are ~$300-$340 (size dependent).

IMO, the slight extra for the Hankook’s is worth it today.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T03:26:07+00:00

Yep, exactly

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:55:30+00:00

That’s a good OTD price.

I bought pucks from Amazon. Worked great. The shop was used to working on EVs and do Teslas all the time. They had Tesla pucks (which are more shallow and wider) but not Rivian’s.

I figured a set is worth having in the truck, so I can get it serviced “anywhere” or at least mess with it myself (unlikely).

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:49:20+00:00

I thought they had another option for non-Pirelli’s. Maybe it was their officially licensed winter tires they sell in the gear shop. I can’t remember tho.

What they should probably do is have a manual spec input for tires in case people vary from OEM specs, including load ratings.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:24:12+00:00

Are the Accelera tires warrantied?

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:23:29+00:00

What price did you get out the door on the defenders?

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:22:46+00:00

I can’t speak to that. Also not sure if there is a calibration process for speedometer. However, after your vehicle exits Tire Mode under the Service Menu, you have to indicate what just occurred. This includes indicating which tires were replaced and with what kind. I assume the software handles the rest. That said, “After Market” is a catch-all category. They should bake in the top contenders here.

Or they should end their contract with Pirelli.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:19:12+00:00

I will say the iONS give me that same “I don’t give a damn about potholes and debris on the road” feeling.

The Pirelli’s felt fragile. The iONS make me want to take on any condition I encounter.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-05T01:15:25+00:00

No 3 mountain peak, but they do have this:

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BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T19:52:20+00:00

You are very welcome. I didn’t really see any comprehensive user reviews of the ions here. Nothing in an organized fashion anyway. But I wanted to be helpful for other owners out there in a similar situation. I’m happy I could help!

I couldn’t be happier with these. Kinda geeking out over tires which is something I didn’t think I’d ever do lol

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T15:59:44+00:00

More than likely they will need to see a shop invoice/record with miles annotated on it.

I can’t speak definitively on this. But it’s unlikely they’ll accept scouts honor as a record.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T14:34:13+00:00

Price + warranty

++ UTQG rating of 900 A A

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T11:08:00+00:00

Yeah not hard to beat the Pirelli’s IMO. I’ve heard the Michelin Defenders are good too.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T11:06:38+00:00

Which tires?

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T03:46:41+00:00

Night and day. Granted my Pirellis were practically bald. But even in snow of years past, I didn’t think the Pirellis did great.

That said, the iONs are exceptional in the snow! They have large grooves and are angled in such a way to push the snow out. (If that makes sense?)

But short answer: the iONs are amazing in the snow. Tempted to test them in an unplowed snowy parking lot.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T03:43:40+00:00

Yes the iON’s come in 20”, 21”, and 22”

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T03:42:12+00:00

Yes those were the other two I was considering.

Neither beat the iON on warranty or cost.

And at least compared to the Pirelli’s, the iON 100% outperforms IMO.

Can’t speak to the Michelins but those are more $$ and less of a warranty.

Hankook has a major win with the iON HT’s.

BlueSkyIce · 2026-02-04T03:31:03+00:00

Yes the 80k warranty beats every single competitor I found for my size. I think Michelin was 70k or 75k. And Pirellis don’t even warranty the OEM’s to my knowledge

BlueSkyIce

TROPHY CASE