Electric Car Maintenance

Besides being eco-friendly, electric cars have another benefit of requiring less of your money and time to run smoothly. And even though their initial cost is relatively higher, they are efficient in the long run since they require less checkup and repair than the vehicles with Internal Combustion Engines. However, like any automobile, electric cars aren’t maintenance free. Despite having fewer components and moving parts, they should be checked from time to time to maximize their utility. Here are a few items you should check out when conducting electrical car maintenance.  

1.The Battery  

In an electric vehicle, the battery takes most of the space in the hood. And since it is expensive, bulky, and valuable, it needs to be maintained in its pristine conditions to enhance the car’s future residue value. While an electric battery doesn’t require day-to-day maintenance, it is your responsibility to know that as time goes, the less charge it holds. And although there is nothing you can do about this, you should check to see if your battery starts to lose its power when it is within the warranty range, which is usually 8years. If it has outlived its warranty, you will need to replace it.  

2.The Brakes  

One interesting fact about electric cars is that they boast a regenerative braking system, which ensures that the vehicle rotors and pads don’t wear and tear quickly. They may even last twice longer than those in ICE vehicles. However, the frequency of servicing your brake pads and discs is contingent upon how hard you drive, the terrain you use, and the type of regeneration settings you utilize. Nevertheless, having a specialist to look at your braking system from time to time is highly beneficial.   

3.Asses the Tires  

While tires need to be maintained regularly whether you are driving an EV or an ICE car, tires on electric vehicles need special attention for several reasons. For starters, they support more weight than the ICE vehicles due to the bulky electric battery. Secondly, EVs deliver instant torque, which can be tough on the tires. Therefore, it is vital to check the inside edges of the treads to make sure that they are not damaged. Additionally, make sure you check your tire pressure as good pressure guarantees a smooth ride and extended tire life. It is vital to keep the tire pressure slightly above the recommended value to avoid ruining the tires. You should also make sure that your wheels are aligned after every 6 to 22 months.  

4.Check and refill the fluids  

Since electric cars come with massive batteries which shouldn’t be over or under heated, you should ensure that the coolant is replaced according to the user manual. This ensures that the thermal management system is optimal, and, in turn, asserts that the vehicle will be functioning correctly. You also need to attend to the brake fluid even though EVs do most of their stopping through regenerative braking. Also, make it a habit to replace the windshield wiper fluid taking into account temperature variations in different seasons.  

5.Software Update  

With most of the EVs hitting the market having several technologically inclined gadgets, it is critical for you to schedule regular updates. As soon as you hear about a new feature, make sure you deliver your car to the dealership for software updates as they help your vehicle runs smoothly and last longer.   

While EVs have fewer fluids and far less moving parts than ICE cars, they generally don’t need overboard maintenance. However, performing the simple maintenance practices in this article can help you avoid complications and increase the longevity of various parts such as the battery, tires, and the braking system, among others.