100% electric vehicles operating without a battery-gasoline combination, operate with little maintenance compared to a typical passenger vehicle. There are less moving parts, less number of fluids and less brake wear , due to regenerative braking systems.
With that said, there are maintenance items that must be addressed, including the following essentials listed below and as always, refer to your owner’s manual for specific requirements.
Brake Care
Regenerative braking, a process of harnessing energy from the components in the battery system, by storing energy for later use. Basically you let off the accelerator and let the vehicle gearing slow the vehicle down through resistance, this means your brake pads last longer. Maintenance on braking parts could exceed twice as long as standard maintenance on gas powered vehicles.
Tire Rotation
Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines for tire rotation and warranty. There is no advantage or disadvantage with tire maintenance in electric vehicles.
Coolant System
Most Electric Vehicles with a thermal management system have a coolant to maintain. Similar to traditional passenger vehicles. You may need to add coolant after checking level, check vehicle’s maintenance manual for specifics.
Fluid Check
Besides coolant, two other fluids are present in your electric car: brake fluid and windshield washer fluid. Brake fluid should be checked and replaced per your owner’s manual. Windshield fluid should be added periodically; choose a winter blend to lower the freezing point during cold weather.
Most other fluids, if present, are sealed and cannot be accessed. However, if you own the Tesla Model S, there’s a differential gear box containing transmission fluid requiring replacement as scheduled. Furthermore, all electric cars come with air conditioning, and that system must be recharged on occasion.
Wiper Blades
Wiper Blades are standard/universal, no difference than a traditional gas powered vehicle. Wiper Blades need to be replaced when worn, or twice a year, at the beginning of summer and again at winter.
Battery System
The main area that may cost you most, is the hybrid/electric vehicle battery system. Electric cars use a nickel-metal-hydride, lithium-ion type battery pack. These batteries do have a limited lifespan and should be scanned/checked a few times per year.
Most Electric car manufacturers provide a battery/drive train component warranty. These warranties in general on the average, cover the battery pack and related components including labor for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Electric batteries lose efficiency over time. The battery pack will need to be replaced at some point, depending upon charging and use habits. That expense could vary by manufacturer. Estimated cost could be from $4,000 to as high as $8,000, including installation time and taxes. Those costs can be avoided by leasing or selling the vehicle before the battery system requires replacement. Used vehicles are another set of concerns. WE STRONGLY Advise, taking the vehicle to a reputable service shop to run diagnostics on the battery health and overall condition of the vehicle.
Missing From Your Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Maintenance List
Most gas powered vehicle maintenance items are a thing of the past in hybrid/electric cars world. Included are oil changes, spark plugs and wires and air/fuel filters, mufflers and a catalytic converter, are not found in electric vehicles. Over-all less is more. No nagging issues on all these components from the gas powered world. Next generation of vehicles should make life a little easier.
Big G Auto Repair Offers a Complimentary Battery Health Diagnosis!
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