How to maintain your hybrid car
If you’re buying a hybrid car for the first time, chances are you’ll be thinking about what’s going to be different from your petrol or diesel car. From refuelling to the way you drive, you’ll find there are a number of new things to get your head around as a hybrid owner. But what about when it comes to looking after your car?
Maintenance of a hybrid car
Properly maintaining your car, whether it be a hybrid or not, is important for ensuring it performs at its best. Whether you’re preparing for a long journey or simply wishing to give your hybrid a needed check-up, here are three tips for maintaining your hybrid and getting the best out of your car:
Checking the engine oil level
Just like any other car, oil is central to the smooth running of this engine, so it should be checked regularly, using the dipstick to ensure the oil level sits below the minimum and maximum levels.
Engine and inverter coolant
If you own a hybrid car, it’s important to check your engine’s coolant level more than you would with a normal car. This is because the battery pack in a hybrid can generate additional heat, meaning effective cooling is vital.
Brake fluid level
As with the engine oil and coolant, you should check the level of brake fluid regularly - once the engine has been switched off for several minutes. You should be able to see the level of your brake fluid on the side of the tank.
Do hybrid cars need special maintenance?
Hybrid cars don’t generally require any special maintenance compared to other vehicles, but it is important to understand the similarities and differences that do exist. For example, a hybrid’s battery and powertrain won’t require any additional maintenance or extra spend, but the fact that it works alongside the electrified elements of a high voltage system does mean that any work carried out should be done by hybrid specialists.
Let’s explore the main similarities and differences that do exist between hybrid and petrol/diesel cars:
Same engine
Hybrid cars have petrol or diesel engines - just like conventional cars – that work in tandem with electric motors. Therefore, in a hybrid, the engine generally requires the same level of maintenance as normal cars. However, when hybrid cars are idling or driving at low speed, the electric motor takes over from the traditional engine. This means there may be less wear and tear on the engine.
Different battery
With hybrid car battery maintenance, it’s essential that you have some knowledge of how an electric car battery works. A healthy battery means a healthy car.
One thing to remember is that you should let it run low regularly, before recharging it to its full capacity. Allowing it to go through a full power cycle like this helps keep it at optimum performance levels for longer.
Though batteries in hybrids will usually last long and manufacturers like Honda offer warranties up to five years or 100,000km, having a basic knowledge of how to maintain your battery will reduce the risk of any serious damage.
Minimal moving parts
One of the main reasons the maintenance cost of hybrid cars is low is because they have minimal moving parts. Mechanical parts that often fail in conventional cars, like the clutch and starter motor, aren’t present in hybrids. And experienced technicians can easily replace any parts that might wear out.
Specialist maintenance for hybrid cars
Due to the high voltage systems found in hybrids, specific training is required to understand how each component works and how to work safely with them (high voltage battery, inverter, service disconnection system, AC etc). This means that if your hybrid car needs any work done, it should best be seen by a specialist garage.
How much does it cost to maintain a hybrid car?
Although prices vary depending on the car and manufacturer, it’s important to know that the maintenance cost of a hybrid car is not necessarily higher than a petrol or diesel car.
In the early days of hybrid cars, there were very few repair shops that worked on hybrids. Now more mechanics have trained up and the maintenance cost for hybrid cars has come down.
Find a honda-approved mechanic near you
How much does it cost to replace a hybrid battery?
The cost to replace a hybrid car battery depends on the manufacturer, model and age of the car. A hybrid battery is designed to last for the lifetime of a car, but it can sometimes need to be changed earlier than this.
Do the brakes on a hybrid car wear out quicker?
Generally speaking, the brakes on hybrid cars can last longer than on petrol or diesel cars. This is due to the regenerative braking feature on hybrids, which can cause less friction when braking. As these are the main reasons for brake pad wear, hybrid brakes tend to last longer. Another reason the maintenance cost of a hybrid car is typically lower.
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