This procedure involves draining and refilling the EV transmission fluid in both front and rear drive units of the Rivian EDV 500, ensuring proper lubrication and cooling of the electric motor drive systems.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front drive unit drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front drive unit fill plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear drive unit drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear drive unit fill plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Underbody access panel clips × 10 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• EV Transmission Fluid — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Power down vehicle completely and remove key fob from cabin area
3. Disconnect 12V auxiliary battery and wait 5 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
4. Allow drive units to cool for minimum 2 hours if vehicle was recently operated
5. Raise vehicle on lift to comfortable working height, ensuring vehicle is level
6. Verify vehicle is securely supported and will not shift during procedure
7. Remove underbody access panels to expose both front and rear drive units
8. Clean area around drain and fill plugs on both drive units to prevent contamination
9. Prepare new EV transmission fluid and verify correct specification (10 quarts total)
10. Label drain pans for front and rear units to track fluid condition separately

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate Front Drive Unit Service Points
   Identify the front drive unit located between the front wheels. Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the unit and the fill/level plug on the side of the housing. Clean both plug areas thoroughly with brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth to prevent contamination during service.
2. 2

   Drain Front Drive Unit
   Position drain pan under front drive unit drain plug. Using appropriate socket, carefully loosen the drain plug approximately one turn to verify it will come free. Completely remove drain plug and allow fluid to drain fully into collection pan. This may take 10-15 minutes. Inspect drained fluid for metal particles or discoloration indicating potential drive unit issues. Note the approximate quantity drained for comparison during refill.
   ⚠Fluid may still be warm. Avoid skin contact and ensure adequate ventilation as fluid drains.
3. 3

   Inspect and Install Front Drain Plug
   Inspect drain plug threads and magnetic tip for excessive metal debris. Clean plug thoroughly. Check drain plug sealing surface on housing for damage. Install new drain plug washer on plug. Thread drain plug in by hand to ensure proper thread engagement, then tighten to manufacturer specification using torque wrench. Note: Specific torque value not available in database - follow Rivian service manual specification.
4. 4

   Locate Rear Drive Unit Service Points
   Identify the rear drive unit located between the rear wheels. Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the unit and the fill/level plug on the side of the housing. Clean both plug areas thoroughly with brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
5. 5

   Drain Rear Drive Unit
   Position drain pan under rear drive unit drain plug. Using appropriate socket, carefully loosen the drain plug approximately one turn to verify it will come free. Completely remove drain plug and allow fluid to drain fully into collection pan. This may take 10-15 minutes. Inspect drained fluid for metal particles or discoloration. Note the approximate quantity drained.
   ⚠Fluid may still be warm. Avoid skin contact and ensure adequate ventilation as fluid drains.
6. 6

   Inspect and Install Rear Drain Plug
   Inspect drain plug threads and magnetic tip for excessive metal debris. Clean plug thoroughly. Check drain plug sealing surface on housing for damage. Install new drain plug washer on plug. Thread drain plug in by hand to ensure proper thread engagement, then tighten to manufacturer specification using torque wrench. Note: Specific torque value not available in database - follow Rivian service manual specification.
7. 7

   Fill Front Drive Unit
   Remove front drive unit fill plug using appropriate socket. Install new fill plug washer. Using fluid transfer pump, slowly add EV transmission fluid through fill hole until fluid begins to drip from fill hole opening. The front drive unit requires approximately 40-45% of total fluid capacity. Allow fluid to stabilize for 2-3 minutes, then top off until fluid level reaches bottom of fill hole threads.
   ℹ️Vehicle must be level for accurate fill level. Verify level position before finalizing fluid level.
8. 8

   Install Front Fill Plug
   Clean fill plug threads and sealing surface. Ensure new washer is properly seated on fill plug. Thread fill plug in by hand to verify proper thread engagement. Tighten fill plug to manufacturer specification using torque wrench. Wipe away any spilled fluid from drive unit housing.
9. 9

   Fill Rear Drive Unit
   Remove rear drive unit fill plug using appropriate socket. Install new fill plug washer. Using fluid transfer pump, slowly add EV transmission fluid through fill hole until fluid begins to drip from fill hole opening. The rear drive unit requires approximately 55-60% of total fluid capacity. Allow fluid to stabilize for 2-3 minutes, then top off until fluid level reaches bottom of fill hole threads.
   ℹ️Vehicle must be level for accurate fill level. Verify level position before finalizing fluid level.
10. 10

    Install Rear Fill Plug
    Clean fill plug threads and sealing surface. Ensure new washer is properly seated on fill plug. Thread fill plug in by hand to verify proper thread engagement. Tighten fill plug to manufacturer specification using torque wrench. Wipe away any spilled fluid from drive unit housing.
11. 11

    Inspect for Leaks and Clean Work Area
    Thoroughly inspect both front and rear drive units for any fluid leaks around drain and fill plugs. Check that all plugs are properly torqued and washers are correctly installed. Clean any residual fluid from drive unit housings and underbody components using appropriate solvent and lint-free cloths.
12. 12

    Reinstall Underbody Panels
    Reinstall all underbody access panels removed during preparation. Ensure all clips and fasteners are properly seated. Verify panels are secure and will not contact drive units or create noise during operation.
13. 13

    Reconnect Battery and System Check
    Lower vehicle to ground. Reconnect 12V auxiliary battery. Power on vehicle systems and check for any drive unit fault codes or warning messages on instrument cluster. Clear service mode if applicable. Allow vehicle systems to initialize fully.

Reassembly

1. Verify all underbody panels are properly secured with no missing fasteners
2. Confirm no tools or equipment remain under vehicle
3. Double-check that both drain and fill plugs are properly torqued on both drive units
4. Ensure 12V battery is reconnected and properly secured

Verification

• Start vehicle and verify no drive unit warning lights or fault codes appear on instrument cluster
• Perform a short test drive (1-2 miles) at moderate speeds, listening for unusual noises from drive units
• Return to shop and re-inspect all drain and fill plugs for signs of leakage while drive units are warm
• Check fluid level in both drive units after test drive to ensure levels remain at proper fill line
• Verify proper operation of both front and rear drive units during acceleration and regenerative braking
• Document service with mileage, date, and fluid condition observations in vehicle maintenance records

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