Maintenance Tips

5 Essential Tips for Maintaining Electric Vehicles

By Daisy Emah-Emah Updated: 05/19/2023 Posted: 07/08/2022

As more and more people seriously consider making a switch to EVs, perhaps you’ve also considered making a switch to electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are eco-friendly and fast taking over the automobile industry due to their eco-friendliness, sleek design, and speed. The Automobile industry produces Electric vehicles which also save the Earth from chlorofluorocarbon emissions. However, as EV owners are contributing to saving the planet you would also want to know the best practices to maintain your EV.


If that is the right choice for you, there are numerous benefits when it comes to driving an EV.

 

Aside from the reduced negative effect on the environment, EVs allow you to escape the uncertainty of fluctuating fuel gas prices and save more money.  

 

Generally, maintaining an electric vehicle is more affordable and less stressful than a traditional vehicle, largely due to less fuel combustion and carbon emissions as well as fewer mechanical parts required to operate the vehicles. 

 

Depending on the manufacturer guides and how recent the technology is,  there are a few key maintenance tips and checklists EV owners should not neglect if they are to get the best out of their vehicles.

 

Tips for Maintaining Electric Vehicles

1. Take Care of Your Motor

In many cases, your EV motor doesn’t require as much maintenance as gas-powered engines. There are also fewer parts to deal with. You won’t be hassled with switching oils or replacing fuel filters. 

 

Even though your motors don’t require as much maintenance, you cannot ignore maintenance altogether. Check your manufacturer’s manual for a suggested maintenance schedule or request the services of a professional to help with your schedule. 

 

2. Avoid Over-Charging Your Battery

Your EV battery pack is the largest, most critical, and most expensive part of your EV. Your battery charging habits have a direct impact on the life of your EV. Avoid charging your battery to full or leaving it at a low state of charge for a long period. It will only deteriorate your battery life fast.

 

Keep charging state between 20% to 80%. 

 

You can charge your battery to full and drive until it’s empty if you’re travelling a long distance. But this shouldn’t be a habit to avoid killing your battery. Many EVs allow you to choose when you’d want to start charging and how full you’d want it to be. After your days driving, simply plug in to replenish the battery.

 

3. Maintaining the Brakes

EVs use regenerative brakes to slow down your vehicle. When you hit the brakes the motors produce electricity that helps to power your vehicle as you slow down. As often as possible expert EV users do not drive at high speeds. Conserving speed will ensure that your battery lasts longer. It also prevents users from needing to slam the brakes.

 

Regenerative braking helps you to keep the brake pads in good condition for as long as possible. In cases where there is a need for replacement, it is less frequent than the traditional vehicle. 

 

When maintaining your brakes, you may replace brake disks, pads, and brake oil. There are factors that affect brake discs and pads. The terrain, regenerative braking settings, and your driving style. Like gas-powered vehicles, EVs use brake fluids. With time the water stockpiles can cause corrosion and prevent optimal EV performance. Flush the water frequently to avoid corrosion.  

 

Many EVs can travel over 100,000 miles before needing brake servicing or replacement. Avoid routes with heavy traffic to save your brakes and increase longevity. 

 

4. Park Smartly

All EV owners need to understand how to keep their batteries running for as long as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to park smartly. Pack your car in a shade more often. This ensures that your car’s temperature remains comfortable. Your EV thermal management system responds to heat from the environment and can cause your battery to overheat. Also, avoid charging your battery in the sun because it slows down the charging process. 

 

When the temperature drops and it’s too cold, park your car in the garage. The cold reduces the EV battery range temporarily. EVs have a better range in warmer temperatures than colder ones.

 

5. Do Basic and Regular Maintenance 

Standard car rules also apply to electric vehicles, pay attention to the car tires, and coolant level of your vehicle. Ensure that your vehicle has enough coolant to keep everything in good and working condition. Remember to replace your car wiper blades at least twice a year, depending on how you use them.

 

There are a few things that you no longer have to worry about when you are driving an electric vehicle, you won’t need to get too concerned about changing your oil, or how often you change your spark plugs. 

 

However, consider carrying out a standard routine check on the rest of your car like you would do to a conventional vehicle.

 

Whenever you suspect an issue, take your car for a professional examination. Doing this saves you money and enables quick identification of issues as well as avoiding complications. 

 

How to Get an EV on a Budget

Are you looking to switch to EVs but don’t know where to start?

 

Well, we’ve got you covered!

 

Auto Auction Mall, Copart’s authorized partner, can assist you in starting your EV journey. First, you need to register on our website for free, make your deposit and begin bidding. 

 

Our support team is on standby to assist you throughout the entire process! 

 

Are you ready?

 

Sign up here!

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