Search
The world is changing quickly, and our expectations for what it should look like are evolving. One particular area of advancement is the electric car. It is slowly but surely becoming a better alternative to internal combustion engine cars.
It’s one of the many reasons why the Tesla has become such a success is because it meets so many people’s expectations. The electric car looks cool, but it also feels more like a normal car than a futuristic vehicle.
Electric car maintenance is much easier than you think. They don’t need spark plugs, oil changes, fuel filters, air filters, air conditioners, radiators, or belts. All they need is a battery, the charger, and occasionally an accessory such as the inverter or a thermostat.
So the question is, what should you do first? It’s pretty simple. Get the battery charged up to its optimal capacity for the car’s driving range. You can do that by charging it with a good quality battery charger. Ensure you use a timer to avoid over or undercharging it.
Your battery is unarguably the most important part of your EV. Regular checking of battery health can improve its life considerably. Additionally, there are also a few things that you can keep in mind to ensure your car crosses the magic 100,000-mile mark.
Even though modern cars have regenerative braking, you still need to check on brake fluid. An EV is less dependent on brakes as ICE cars are. This means you don’t have to fill up on brake fluids as often. But check for leaks and brakes feeling spongy when you brake on the highway.
These are giveaways for imminent brake failure. A good rule of thumb is to conduct a fluid flush every 3 – 5 years, depending on usage. This can keep your car problem-free for many years.
Another important system for an EV is cooling. Batteries tend to get really hot during charging and discharge. This is prevented to a degree by the cooling system. Various cars use different methods to cool their cars.
Your dealer can give you more specifics about the cooling system and fluid maintenance schedules. Ensure that you stick to it as the cooling is a vital part of an EV car.
A very important thing to consider when it comes to your car is checking the tyre pressure regularly and maintain the alignment of your wheels. Alignment is simply the angle between the wheels and the car’s center-line. When this angle is off, it can cause your car to drive unevenly, making it harder to control.
This is not something most people can do at home, so you need to visit your nearest mechanic. It can prevent uneven tire wear and increase its life as well.
Cleaning filters and the AC system is a pretty routine thing to do, but when it comes to cleaning the air inside your car, it’s important to be careful. There are two main reasons why.
First, the air in a car is a lot more concentrated than the air outside, so you can easily inhale more pollutants than you should. Second, if you don’t clean out the filter and AC system regularly, you risk clogging them up. This can lead to a decrease in performance.
Most EV cars come with sophisticated onboard systems that notify owners of issues. Despite that, regular maintenance can keep you and your car safe for years to come.
The simple truth is that it depends on the model and the use case. If you use your car a lot and don’t maintain it properly, maintenance can become expensive.
Leaving it in a covered parking garage or under the shade will do wonders for your car. Choosing a good quality, heat-reflective car cover can also help if you can’t find a shady spot.
Air filters need to be swapped out every 2 – 3 years, depending on where you live. Dusty areas might be more prone to clogged filters and bad oil quality.
As EVs don’t use much braking, brake pads can last a long time. Users have reported going over dealer recommended interval without needing to replace them due to long highway trips. Still, it doesn’t hurt to check the thickness of the brake pads every time you get your car serviced.
With current technology, most manufacturers estimate that it will last at least ten years before you need to change them. Most EV manufacturers offer up to 8-year warranties on batteries.
There are indications on the car dashboard about low battery performance. A battery can last well over 100,000 miles for the average user.