Choosing a Hybrid car for many people is a no-brainer, the quiet drive, the savings on gas, fewer emissions, great pros if you’re about functionality and efficiency but it’s if you don’t properly maintain your hybrid – it will be short-lived.
Hybrid vehicles are designed to save in many ways but the key to increasing your vehicle’s longevity is to keep up with regular maintenance in order to avoid a sudden breakdown of your vehicle and costly fixes, you need to check your vehicle daily
You need to make sure your vehicle is properly charged before driving – a key aspect of battery maintenance. On the bright side, the electric motors and battery packs of hybrids tend to last for a long period and seldom require replacement.
The powertrain also is quite simple and seldom requires much maintenance unlike its counterpart – conventional cars
To help you enjoy your hybrid car and get the most out of it, we put together a DIY maintenance guide below. These tips are not meant to replace what you know but add to it and maximize the lifespan of your hybrid vehicle and its components. …
Hybrid Car Maintenance Tips
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Fluids Check
Just like conventional vehicles, hybrid cars also have components that need to be lubricated with fluids – thanks to a regular engine! Although the hybrid vehicle doesn’t require maintenance as often as a conventional vehicle, you still need to ensure that all fluids (Engine oil, transmission oil, coolant, etc) are up to gauge as recommended in your vehicle manual. Before stepping out for the day, pop your hood and check your fluids to avoid damage to your vehicle.
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Battery Check
Hybrids do not require the battery to be replaced as often but they do need maintenance and should be at the top of your checklist – since they run electrically. Hybrid car batteries work better in warm weather conditions and need extra care and attention during cold weather.
Cold weather affects the battery charge and shortens the number of miles the car can travel before the battery runs out. It is important to check your battery as often as possible – and make sure the battery is warmed up before jumping behind the wheel.
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Engine Check
Hybrid engines still need maintenance regularly like conventional vehicles. You need to check for oil and make sure it gauges. Although the hybrid engine requires regular checks, wear is slower than conventional engine vehicles – this is due to the alternative of powering the car with electricity.
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Braking System Check
Hybrids come with regenerative braking which makes use of the electric motor to slow down the vehicle. Compared to conventional cars, brakes on hybrid vehicles wear down slower but still require maintenance and repair.
You should visually inspect your brakes to see if your brake pads need to be replaced. Inspect disks to make sure they are uniform and shiny and pads are wearing evenly. In addition, to additional brake pads, you need to replace brake fluids during your scheduled oil change.
Further Reading
- Is Buying a Used Electric Vehicle a Good Idea?
- Used Electric Cars: 5 Solid Reasons Why You Should Buy One
- What You Need to Know about Buying Used Electric Vehicles
- Hybrid Vs Gas Vs Diesel Cars: Which is best for you?
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Cooling System Check
Hybrids are huge savers on gas thanks to the option of running on battery, but the downside is it produces a lot of heat. Coolants are needed to cool down the car, you will require a regular coolant flush. A coolant flush is an important part of hybrid maintenance and the pipes, air filter as well as a motor that manages the heating and cooling system should be checked as well.
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Tires Check
Just like conventional vehicles, hybrid cars require good tire pressure to improve the overall performance of the vehicle. Hybrids are known to lower rolling resistance than conventional vehicles. So you need to have the right tires fitted for your vehicle. Do not over-inflate or under-inflate tires to avoid tire wear and improve performance.
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Warning Lights Check
Warning lights are a sign they may be a problem with one component(s) of your vehicle – conventional or hybrid. To improve the lifespan of your hybrid, fix issues immediately as they come up. The warning lights on your dashboard will help communicate what issue your car may have. Do not also ignore underperformance and strange sounds from your vehicle.
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Routine Checks
The best way to increase the lifespan of your hybrid vehicle is to schedule and implement a comprehensive maintenance routine. Maintenance checks help you spot issues and service components to prevent damaging issues. Check your manufacturer’s manual to know how many times you should schedule your maintenance routine. It is highly recommended to have a professional mechanic specialized in hybrid car maintenance, service your vehicle.
Wrap Up!
Keep in mind the best and recommended way your vehicle serves you for a long time is regular maintenance. This will help you save costs on major damage repairs and improve performance. Although hybrid vehicles require less maintenance than conventional cars – they still need to be serviced regularly. It is also important to work with mechanics specialized in hybrid maintenance as they differ from conventional vehicles.
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