If you’re driving an electric vehicle, it’s important to know that electric vehicle maintenance is different from conventional car maintenance. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for tune-ups, oil changes, cooling system flushes, spark plugs, drive belts, transmission, and differential servicing. In addition, there’s no fuel pump or water pump to go bad, no radiator to service/replace, no leaking engine gasket, and no gummed-up fuel injection system.
But that doesn’t mean electric cars don’t require any maintenance—there are still a few things you need to keep an eye on. This blog post will discuss everything you need to know about electric car maintenance!
How EV Maintenance Works
With an EV, you’ll be saving money on fuel and maintenance costs. So, what maintenance needs does your electric car have? EV owners must follow periodic checks and services to keep their vehicle warranty valid and prevent any unexpected electric car maintenance issues. This process comes down to various mechanical inspections that are unique to EVs.
What Parts of an EV Needs Servicing?
While the level of maintenance isn’t the same as traditional fuel-engine vehicles, electric cars still have a few parts and areas that need regular servicing. Here are some of them:
The Fluids
In most cases, your electric car won’t require the same kind of regular oil changes that are needed for gasoline cars. However, there are other fluids in an EV that need periodical checks and, occasionally, require changing. Some of these fluids include the following:
- Battery coolant (for EVs with liquid-cooled batteries).
- Hydraulic brake fluid.
- Transmission fluids (for EVs with transaxles).
- Differential oils (for EVs with transaxles).
- HVAC refrigerants.
There’s no universal rule for when these fluids need to be checked or changed. You can best consult your car’s owner’s manual for the electric car maintenance schedule.
The Tires and Wheels
Your electric car’s tires and wheels will also require regular maintenance. This includes checking the air pressure, inspecting the treads for wear and tear, and ensuring the wheels are properly aligned.
The Brakes
Electric cars have regenerative braking, which means that the electric motor is used to slow down the car instead of the traditional friction brakes. Even though electric cars have regenerative brakes, it’s still important to check the traditional brakes periodically to ensure they’re in good working order.
The 12V Battery
You might be surprised that your electric vehicle still has an old-school 12V battery. This battery is used to power the car’s lights, infotainment system, and other accessories when the main electric battery is turned off. You’ll need to regularly check the 12V battery to ensure it’s holding a charge. If it’s not, you’ll need to replace it.
Suspension
Keep in mind that electric cars are just like regular cars in many ways—they still have suspension components that will eventually need to be serviced or replaced. This includes shocks, struts, and control arms. So ensure your electric car’s suspension is checked periodically to ensure everything is in good working order.
Filters
Yes, pure BEVs don’t have fuel filters, engine air filters, or oil filters. However, they do have cabin filters and HVAC filters that need to be replaced periodically. Check your electric car’s owner’s manual to see when these filters need to be replaced.
EV Maintenance Cost
The cost of electric vehicle maintenance is typically much lower than the cost of maintaining a gasoline-powered car. This is because electric cars have far fewer moving parts than gasoline cars. If maintained according to automaker recommendations, electric vehicles cost $330 less than gas-powered cars, totaling $949 annually.
EV Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your electric car doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are a few tips to make the process easier:
- Read the manual: read your car’s owner’s manual and follow the electric car maintenance schedule. That way, you’ll know exactly when your car needs to be serviced.
- Keep track of when you need to service your car: It’s important to keep track and set reminders for when to bring your electric car in for service.
- Find a reputable EV-certified mechanic: look for a qualified mechanic to service your car, preferably one with an electric vehicle certification.
- Be proactive: electric cars are low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect them entirely. Be proactive about electric car maintenance and address any issues as soon as they arise.
- Have a checklist handy: it can be helpful to have a checklist of electric car maintenance tasks that need to be completed. That way, you can make sure nothing gets overlooked.
How Can DATAMYTE Help With Electric Car Maintenance?
While electric car maintenance is typically much simpler than gasoline car maintenance, it’s still important to have a plan in place. DATAMYTE can help you in that regard. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is DATAMYTE’s workflow automation software, capable of creating powerful and effective workflows and other relevant tools to help you execute and accomplish electrical car maintenance.
With the DataMyte Digital Clipboard, you have access to the following features:
- A workflow builder to create and customize electric car maintenance workflows
- A checklist feature to make sure electric car maintenance tasks are completed
- A scheduling feature to keep track of electric car maintenance tasks
- A reporting feature to generate electric car maintenance reports
If you’re looking for a way to streamline electric car maintenance, look no further than DATAMYTE. Our software is designed to make your life easier and help you get the most out of electric car ownership.
Conclusion
Electric vehicle maintenance is different from conventional car maintenance, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult. However, with some knowledge and the right tools, you can easily keep your electric car in top condition. And with DATAMYTE, you have everything you need to streamline the electric car maintenance process. Contact us today to learn more about our electric car maintenance solutions.
