What Maintenance Does An Electric Car Need – Electric cars do not require maintenance. Here are the most common EV maintenance issues you should be aware of when purchasing an EV.
Compared to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) have significantly fewer moving parts and therefore fewer maintenance and repair issues are expected. In fact, one study estimates that EV owners will pay over $4,000 less than ICE owners over the lifetime of their vehicles. However, many people mistakenly believe that electric cars are essentially maintenance-free and that there is very little that can be done to keep them running. Wrong.
What Maintenance Does An Electric Car Need
In fact, there are places where EV owners can and should perform maintenance and repairs on their vehicles with power steering motors, AC pumps, and high voltage relay pumps to name a few important EV systems.
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Below is a summary from Scotty Kilmer’s YouTube channel of maintenance issues EV owners should be aware of in order to take care of their vehicle.
1. Try to keep the battery charged between 20% and 80%. Recharging to capacity and leaving a relatively depleted battery too low is what generally destroys modern batteries.
2. Know the difference between daily driving and longer trips. On a long trip, it is advisable to charge the battery in advance and run it until it is almost empty. For shorter trips such as work trips, charging up to 80% is recommended to maintain good battery life.
3. Batteries do not like extreme heat and cold. while the cold can significantly reduce battery life. In any case, if possible, make sure the car is protected from the weather when the temperature is high.
What Maintenance Does An Electric Vehicle Need?
4. EV regenerative braking results in less brake pad wear, but still requires maintenance; The hard parts should be checked regularly for wear, but the fluid should be changed regularly to prevent moisture from absorbing and entering the brake fluid due to corrosion of the brake system.
5. Change the coolant—is required in electric vehicles, such as in ICE vehicles. The only difference is that coolant is used to keep the large battery system relatively cool to prevent battery failure and damage. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine how often to change your vehicle’s coolant.
6. Tire maintenance—tread wear, balance, alignment and inflation are just as important to monitor and maintain for EVs as they are for ICE vehicles. In fact, the weight of an electric car, combined with the increased torque and power during acceleration, can cause the tires to wear out faster than you are used to with your old gas car. Tires specifically designed for electric vehicles are recommended.
7. Electric Vehicle Transmissions — Electric vehicle transmissions have moving parts, so they can wear and tear eventually. And while oil changes are more common in ICE vehicles, some EV transmissions are oil-based and will need attention and may need to be replaced at some point in their life, just like sealed automatic transmissions in ICE vehicles do.
What Maintenance Do Electric Cars Need
8. Electric motors — typically have a lifespan of 15-20 years but only if they are operated under normal conditions for which the vehicles are designed. However, wear and tear does occur and can be worsened by moisture, dirt, dust and driving conditions. Additionally, excessive wear and tear on one system can easily cause damage to another individual system. For example, consider what can happen if a cooling fan is clogged or fails—battery life and the AC induction motors that drive the wheels can be severely affected by heat build-up. Or a weak battery can cause the motors to overcurrent to meet the need for acceleration, causing an electric motor or two to burn out.
For more information on Scotty Kilmer’s electrical tips and what you can expect in terms of maintenance, here’s his informative YouTube video on the subject.
For more electric related articles, be sure to check out these links to How One EV Beats Tesla: The Latest Cybertruck Review; Converting an ICE car to an EV with old Tesla batteries. and protect your Tesla from lightning.
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Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter for Torque News based in Cincinnati. He has experience with early restorations and regularly rebuilds older cars with engine modifications to improve performance. Follow Tim on Twitter @TimBoyerWrites for daily car news. Many electric vehicles are not equipped with an engine or a conventional automatic transmission. Without these components, it may appear that there are fewer parts that require regular replacement, maintenance or repair. However, there are some key things you can add to your electric car maintenance checklist to keep it running for a long time.
Find out what maintenance your electric vehicle needs and how Firestone EV service can help keep your vehicle clean for longer.
The high-voltage battery in your electric car is probably the most important part of the vehicle. Not only is it the power source for your EV, but it also saves you money by skipping fuel stops (for some EVs). So keep the battery in mind.
If you do not drive for a long time, you do not need to charge the battery to 100 percent. Although it may seem counterintuitive, overcharging a battery can cause it to wear out faster. Ideally, the battery charge level is between 20 and 80 percent.
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Do not leave the battery with little or no charge for long periods of time. It can also affect the condition of your car battery and cause it to degrade faster. Try to keep the battery below 20% regularly.
Heat can eventually damage your battery’s performance, while low temperatures can reduce your battery’s range. In inclement weather, look for covered parking to keep your battery in top condition. Your high voltage battery pack may also have its own cooling system that may require regular inspection and maintenance.
Do electric cars use oil? It especially depends on what kind of electric car you have. A hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will require regular oil changes and inspections of the cooling system, as well as the fuel and air intake systems.
If you can’t change the oil yourself, a Firestone Complete Auto Care technician can recommend an oil change schedule for your EV, the best type of oil, and more.
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The kinetic energy used by the EV regenerative braking system creates electricity. This energy conversion provides more power to the battery. However, EVs (and hybrids) with regenerative braking systems still have traditional friction brakes with brake fluid, rotors, pads, drums, shoes, etc.
EV regenerative brakes and traditional friction brakes work side by side. And just like regular cars, regular brake inspections should be a regular part of your electric vehicle’s scheduled maintenance.
Regular tire rotation can help reduce tire wear, ensure even tread depth on all four tires, and potentially save money in your pocket by reducing the frequency of tire replacements. All of this is why you should keep rotating your tires to drive.
Electric tire rotation schedules are often similar to gasoline or hybrid vehicles, at about every 6,000 miles. But for a more accurate vehicle schedule, you need to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.
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In addition to tire rotation, maintaining proper tire pressure, wheel alignment and balance can help maintain performance and durability.
Your hybrid or electric vehicle may still have an engine that may need an oil change and cooling system check. It may not have a conventional automatic transmission, but it may have a reduction “gear” or gearbox that contains grease.
High voltage electronics and electric motors are usually cooled by a special cooling system. The high-voltage battery pack is also typically cooled, and the system can use air from the passenger compartment, the air conditioning system, or even use another coolant system. You still want to keep an eye on your brake and windshield wiper fluid. All maintenance schedules can be found in the vehicle manual.
What you put into your electric car is what you get out of it. Proper maintenance is critical to the longevity of your electric vehicle and is a factor to consider before investing in one. Keep your electric vehicle running smoother and longer with electric vehicle service at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care. Book your appointment today!
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