How Do You Maintain An Electric Car

Whether you’re thinking about buying an electric car in the near future or you already own an electric vehicle or EV, you need to know what kind of maintenance owning these vehicles entails. You may have heard that electric vehicles require less maintenance than other new vehicles, and it’s true. Still, this doesn’t mean you can keep an EV running with no care at all.

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Tire Rotations and Alignment

One of the most important types of maintenance your EV requires concerns its tires. Many drivers find that they need to rotate their tires about once per year, or every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Rotating your tires is important because tires do not wear evenly. Not only can uneven tires impact the way your car rides but also the sound your car makes on the road. Your car benefits from spreading wear across all four tires as evenly as possible, and you benefit from not having to spend as much money on tires.

Every few years, your car may require alignment services. If you ever notice that your car seems to pull to one side when you remove your hands from the steering wheel, your car may be out of alignment. Your mechanic will likely check for alignment when you have your tires rotated.

It’s important that you pay close attention to the tires of your electric vehicle because EVs tend to be heavier than other vehicles. The battery adds a great deal of weight, which can wear on the tires. Pay close attention to any abnormal wear on your tires.

Tire Pressure

One form of maintenance you may be able to manage on your own is checking and maintaining the proper tire pressure for your vehicle. Your tires need to have the appropriate pressure because it can make your car more efficient and prevent a flat tire or blow-out on the road. While most new cars have sensors that warn drivers about tires with low pressure, it’s important to check your tires and fill them accordingly to prevent tire issues on the road. When you check your tire pressure, you should also inspect your tires for damage and tread issues.

Battery Maintenance

One of the biggest components of caring for your car comes down to battery maintenance. Every battery has a limit on the number of charging cycles, and some batteries require liquid coolant. You’ll want to have your battery checked out regularly to ensure that your system is safe and efficient. The coolant circuit of your car may need to be drained periodically, but this occurs less often than other types of services.

The most expensive replacement any EV owner will likely make is replacing the battery of their vehicle. Battery life will lessen over time, but servicing your battery can ensure that everything is working well for as long as possible. If your battery is under warranty, you’ll likely need to have your battery serviced at scheduled intervals to ensure that your battery is still under warranty. Many people ultimately trade in their vehicles before they have to change the battery.

Air Cabin Filter Replacement

Your air cabin filter likely needs to be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. You should also replace your filter more often if you notice that your air conditioner isn’t working as well or if your car always seems to smell bad. Some people may replace their own air cabin filters, but a mechanic can also take care of this step.

Windshield Wiper Fluid Replacement

Replacing your windshield wiper fluid is one of the easiest steps you can take. Once you have wiper fluid and you know where the fluid reservoir is, you can easily add more fluid. This is also a good time to check your windshield wipers to make sure they’re still working well. If not, you should replace them as well.

Brake Inspection

One major factor shared between EVs and traditional gas vehicles is the need to check the brakes. Just as you may need to have your brakes replaced or repaired on a traditional car, you’ll also need to have your brakes regularly inspected if you have an EV. It’s a good idea to have your brakes inspected as often as you have your tires rotated.

However, the braking system can be different for electric vehicles. They often use regenerative braking systems, which use energy from the car braking to charge the car’s battery. These systems do tend to last longer than traditional brakes, so you may not require inspections as often as you would with other cars.

Light Bulb Replacement

You’ll also need to replace your light bulbs regularly. Failure to do so could lead to a traffic ticket or unsafe driving, particularly at night if you have a missing headlight. Check your lights often to make sure your bulbs are still in good shape. You can check and replace your bulbs at home or take your vehicle to a shop for a quick appointment.

You Can Save Money on Maintenance With an Electric Car

There’s a good reason electric vehicles are less likely to need ongoing maintenance. For one, EVs don’t have all the components needing to be serviced. You don’t need an oil change every six months, and you don’t need to service your transmission or cooling system because your car doesn’t have these components.

When you buy an electric car, you may pay more upfront than you would for a car that uses gas, but at the same time, you’re saving money on maintaining your vehicle. Before you purchase a new or used car, do the math, and see how much money you can save on oil changes, tune-ups, and other necessary services.

Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, Kentucky, knows that maintenance matters when it comes to preserving your car’s life. Check out our selection of electric vehicles to learn more about which cars are available and how you can make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into with an electric vehicle.

Tags: Electric Vehicles, EVs, Maintenance
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