I Finally Joined the Rivian Club with a Dual Motor Rivian R1S, but I Wasn’t Expecting the Battery to Drop 10 Percent a Day Just Sitting In It’s Place

You know that moment when you finally get your hands on the car you’ve been dreaming about for months, maybe even years, and everything seems perfect, until something unexpected hits you? That’s exactly what happened to one new Rivian owner, and it’s a story that will hit home for anyone transitioning from Tesla or dipping their toes into EV life for the first time.

This evening, while scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” Facebook group, I came across a post that immediately caught my eye.

Mike Rishty had just picked up his brand-new Dual Motor Rivian R1S. Like many of us, he was thrilled to finally be part of the Rivian family. But almost instantly, he noticed something that didn’t sit right. Here’s what he wrote: “Happy to finally join the Rivian club, I picked up my Dual Motor R1S on Monday! I’m still getting to know the vehicle, but coming from a Model Y, the battery seems to drain quickly. Is it normal to lose around 10% per day with minimal use (under 20 miles)? I charged it to 100%, and over the past two days, it’s dropped by 10% each day. Gear Guard is turned on, but I'm wondering if there's anything else I should look into, or if this kind of battery drain is considered normal.”

Mike isn’t alone in raising that question. In fact, his post sparked a lively discussion among experienced Rivian owners, many of whom had been through similar moments of “What’s going on with my range?”

Eric chimed in with a technical but helpful breakdown: “Which battery pack do you have, the Standard pack? If you're seeing efficiency on the lower end, around 2.0–2.2 mi/kWh, then 10% of a 92 kWh pack roughly translates to about 20 miles. Vampire drain on Gen 1 vehicles was higher, but Gen 2 has reduced it significantly to around 1–2% per day.”

That makes sense, but losing 20 miles of range just from sitting in the driveway overnight still doesn’t sit well with a lot of owners.

If you're curious how this kind of drain plays out in real-world long-distance use, check out this story of towing with a Rivian R1S on a trailer trip to the Ozarks. It gives you a better sense of how usage, towing, and battery behavior play out on extended adventures.

Chad added another perspective many Rivian owners can relate to: “Gear Guard does consume a noticeable amount of battery, and I’ve also seen more phantom drain since the last software update. Coming from a Tesla, it’s important to keep in mind that the Rivian simply isn’t as efficient. Some battery loss is expected, especially with features like Gear Guard running in the background.”

Personalizing a vehicle is one of the joys of ownership, but sometimes, even the smallest modifications can spark unexpected controversy. Take, for example, a Jeep Wrangler owner who decided to install a Rubicon hood on his Sport model only to find himself in the middle of a heated debate with a Rubicon owner who took offense at the swap. The story raises an interesting question: how much do badges and trim levels really matter, and where should the line be drawn between customization and authenticity? If you've ever wondered how the off-road community reacts to such changes, you won’t want to miss this fascinating Jeep Wrangler Rubicon hood debate here. It’s a reminder that in the world of off-roading, even a simple hood swap can turn into a passionate discussion.

Now let’s pause for a second, because I have thoughts on this too.

My Take as a New Rivian R1S Owner

I’ve been testing and reviewing electric vehicles for a while now, and after owning a Tesla and following Rivian’s progress closely, I finally made the leap and picked up a 2025 Dual Motor R1S. And just like Mike, I noticed something strange the first few mornings. Even without driving it, my state of charge dropped more than I expected. I’m not saying it’s a dealbreaker, but it’s definitely a wake-up call that Rivian ownership isn’t the same as Tesla ownership. If you’re used to the extreme efficiency and sleep modes of a Model Y, the Rivian feels like it’s always slightly awake, always watching, and that comes with a cost.

It’s important to remember that features like Gear Guard, which uses the vehicle’s cameras to monitor surroundings when parked, are incredibly useful, but also power-hungry. If your R1S is parked on a quiet street, it's likely watching and recording every passing dog walker or Amazon truck. That adds up.

Still, the Rivian brings something that’s hard to measure in kilowatt-hours: soul. The R1S isn’t just another EV. It’s an experience. If you're coming from something more traditional, like a Model 3, you might find it feels like a massive upgrade in terms of space, ride, and ruggedness.

So, Is This Battery Drain Normal?

Let’s break it down. A 10% loss per day might sound alarming, but in many cases, it’s due to a combination of background features, connectivity, and software tuning. The community consensus is that newer software updates on the Gen 2 platform have made significant improvements, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on.

This isn’t just a Rivian issue, by the way. Tesla’s Sentry Mode is notorious for sipping energy when active, and every EV brand has its quirks when it comes to energy management during downtime.

That said, Rivian's software team is actively tuning these behaviors. With each over-the-air update, we’re seeing subtle improvements. But it’s also worth being strategic with your settings. Disabling Gear Guard when parked in a secure garage can save you a few percentage points overnight.

And if you're like me, 5'1" and constantly climbing in and out of these tall SUVs, you’ll want to read this article about the importance of running boards on the R1S.

What You Can Do to Reduce Vampire Drain

Here’s what Rivian owners recommend if you’re noticing excessive battery drain:

• Disable Gear Guard in safe environments like your garage or workplace.
• Check software updates regularly and install them promptly.
• Avoid constant remote app access, which keeps the car awake.
• Limit frequent wake-ups, for example, by checking your vehicle's status multiple times a day.
• Try toggling off “Connect at Home Wi-Fi” in the app, which some owners say helps their R1S fall asleep faster.

Owners on forums like Rivian Stories and Reddit are actively exploring ways to get better sleep behavior from the vehicle. Some even suggest logging out of the app for a few days just to see if the car fully powers down.

If you want to dive deeper into the quirks and tradeoffs of Rivian vs Tesla, you’ll find this real-world comparison between the R1S and Model Y for family life insightful. It’s not just about range, it's about which one fits your lifestyle better.

A Lesson from All This

The takeaway here isn’t that the Rivian R1S has a battery issue. It’s that EV ownership comes with a learning curve, and a need to adjust expectations. Tesla spent a decade refining battery efficiency and deep-sleep modes. Rivian, while incredibly advanced, is still refining those details.

But in exchange, you get something special. A vehicle that’s equally at home on rocky trails as it is in the Whole Foods parking lot. A cabin that feels like a luxury suite and a sense of adventure baked into every line of the design.

And hey, if you’re noticing some quirks, you’re not alone. This recent software update even surprised some owners when it changed how autonomous features work, no more auto lane changes, for example.

These small things remind us: EVs are software-driven machines, and like your phone or laptop, they change and improve over time.

So What Should You Do?

Keep talking. Keep sharing. Ask questions. The Rivian community is growing fast, and the more we exchange experiences, the better we all get at living with this new generation of electric vehicles.

Now it's your turn. Let’s talk about it:

1. Have you experienced unexpected battery drain in your R1S or another EV?
2. What features do you leave on overnight, and what have you turned off to save power?

Please drop your thoughts in the comments. Your experience might just be the answer someone else is looking for.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.