What to Know About Hybrid Car Maintenance

(Photo: Thomas Quine / Flickr)

If you’re the lucky owner of an electric car, you’ll be delighted to know that it will require remarkably little maintenance. However, owners of a hybrid auto that runs on a combination of electric motor and internal combustion engine should be aware that there are a few differences involved in the care of your car. This is an important consideration if you’re thinking about getting yourself either type of this relatively new class of car.

Top Tips to keep your Electric or Hybrid Car in Tip Top Shape

Here we take a look at some ways you can maintain and care for your electric or hybrid car to ensure it’s always running at maximum performance:

• You need to ensure you check your tires regularly and that they have the correct pressure for the best performance. It’s also a good idea to rotate the tires from time to time and you can find out when you should do this from your owner’s manual. You’ll extend the lifetime of your electric or hybrid car by taking good care of its tires.
• One thing that may not be immediately obvious is that your hybrid has two batteries — the electric drive battery and the battery used by the gas engine. The drive battery is a critical part of your electric or hybrid car. It’s important to know where your battery is and it’s a good idea to occasionally check it visually for anything that may indicate an issue. For the traditional battery: Make sure none of the connections are loose and that there’s no corrosion on the terminals and check the battery’s water levels and fill when you have to, according to your owner’s manual. It’s also good to know where battery terminals are in case you need a jump start!
• Every vehicle has wear and tear on the brakes and electric and hybrid cars are no different. They should ideally be checked after every 20,000 miles although it’s unlikely that any replacement parts will be necessary until about 40,000 miles. Something else to keep in mind: Hybrids with regenerative braking will go through brakes at a slower rate than a traditional vehicle. The regenerative braking system recaptures energy from the drivetrain taking away some work the brake pads would normally be tasked with.
• With a hybrid car, you still need to check the oil levels regularly as it runs on a conventional engine as well as an electric one. Check all fluid levels at regular intervals. You can check your manual to find out what the optimum intervals are for the model you have.

Yark Collision Center is Your Number One Stop for Expert Care and Maintenance of Electric or Hybrid Cars

Yark Collision Center staffs professional mechanics who know the ins and outs of hybrid vehicle maintenance. We can help you care for a hybrid vehicle and make sure you get the very most from its performance and economy. We can advise you on all aspects of hybrid vehicle maintenance and electric car upkeep for clients nearby in Sylvania, and Toledo, OH. If you’re in the Perrysburg, OH, or Ottawa Hills, OH, districts you can schedule your hybrid or electric car for a first-class maintenance check at Yark Collision Center. Contact us today to find out more!