Electric Vehicle Maintenance Tips
Owning an electric vehicle could be one of the to-go trends in the 21st century. However, the prestige could be more practical with a well-maintained electric vehicle. One thing about EVs is that they require lower maintenance than ICEs. There are a lot of maintenance tips for Electric Vehicles that extend beyond just the battery, which many focus on.
How much effort you put towards maintaining your electric car determines its performance level and lifespan. Regardless of the model, remember to prioritize EV maintenance. By be-friending a qualified local EV service provider, you can keep your car running efficiently for years.
That brings you to the discussion of today regarding the EV maintenance tips.
Choose Reliable Commercial EV Charging Stations
Choosing reliable charging stations is one of the most practical tips to ensure high electric vehicle maintenance. That way, you’ll be guaranteed a safe and stable charging experience alongside related services.
Commercial EV charging stations have all the connectors, offering different charging powers. When planning the route for your EV, you shouldn’t just consider the number of commercial charging spots and their reliability.
Report Problems Immediately
Electric vehicles are resilient against many car problems, but that doesn’t mean they don’t experience them. Whenever you realize any issue with your EV, it’s best to report it immediately to an experienced and qualified technician. This step ensures every malfunction is addressed adequately and early enough before it becomes a major issue.
Keep the Battery Safe
Batteries play a significant part in the functionality and longevity of electric vehicles. While you enjoy your electric-powered drives, inspecting the EV’s performance is crucial. Your inspection should seek to identify any foreign sounds or changes with the battery that may impact its performance. Another maintenance tip for caring for the EV battery is to avoid overcharging or undercharging for extended periods.
Mind the Brakes
Like any other, the EV brakes are also vulnerable to natural wear and tear. While these batteries primarily work on electricity, they also need other essentials like brake fluid, shoes, drums, pads, and rotors.
Therefore, you should get regular inspections on your EV to evaluate the brake performance, especially if you’re a long-distance driver. A technician can recommend repairing or replacing a part or the entire brake pads.
Refill Fluids Accordingly
Electric vehicles also require occasional engine inspections and fluid refills. These vehicles run on batteries that employ different lubricants or fluids. For instance, the brakes occasionally require a brake fluid change to continue functioning appropriately.
Other fluids that need regular refills include washer fluids, coolants, and transmission fluids. Ensure to inspect and act on time before the vehicle breaks down or malfunctions due to a lack of various liquids.
Tyre Rotation
Another maintenance tip for electric vehicles is that they require regular tyre rotation. This practice helps to minimize wear and tear to different tyres, which may negatively affect the vehicle’s performance in the future.
However, you should ensure the tyres are rotated by a professional for more effective results. A non-experienced person may attract other malfunctions by turning them improperly.
Replace the Cabin Air Filter Occasionally
Occasional replacement of the cabin air filter is an essential routine maintenance of an electric vehicle. These vehicles have cabin air filters that allow fresh air into the car through the AC vents.
As days proceed, the air filter may face wear and tear, leading to underperformance, which may cause low air quality in the vehicle. Monitoring and replacing the cabin air filter when necessary for more fresh and comfortable airflow is crucial to avoid such inconveniences.
Drive Safely
Driving safely is another outstanding maintenance practice you could dedicate to your electric vehicle. Driving electric cars is slightly different from ICE cars as you should be more soft with them. Experts advise EV drivers not to go above 75 mph for an extended distance to avoid damaging the battery.
Additionally, continuous speed fluctuations on the car may impact its battery and life span in the short and medium terms. As highlighted earlier, any issue that makes your EV not drive well should be reported to a specialist immediately.
Mind the Washing
Various washing techniques aren’t effective on electric vehicles as they could affect their performance. Being an electric car, water should not touch certain areas while you clean the vehicle.
You should examine the manufacturer’s guide to understand and adhere to these parts. Even better, electric car washer machines are more practical than gas-pressure ones for this car type. Note: You shouldn’t wash an electric vehicle while it charges or charge it soon after washing.
Watch How and Where You Park
Another maintenance tip for electric vehicles is to mind where and how you park. Parking an EV in a sheltered area is essential to shield it from adverse weather conditions. It could mess with its battery life and exterior appearance.
If you must leave the car parked for an extended period, it’s advisable to keep the battery at 45 to 75% to ensure it doesn’t discharge below minimum. Like all vehicles, you should park an EV in a secured area to inhibit interference by children or theft.