Electric Car Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Car In Top Shape

I’ve had an electric car for a couple of years now, and I love it. No more trips to the gas station, plus it’s great for the environment.

Of course, there are some specific things that need to be done to keep your electric car in top shape, but they’re not rocket science.

So let’s go through what you need to do to keep your electric car in the best possible shape.

Know Your Battery

Your car’s battery is one of the most important components in your electric vehicle. It powers everything from lights to the electric motor, so it’s worth knowing if your battery is in good shape or if it needs to be replaced.

Batteries can last anywhere between 3 and 15 years depending on how they’re used, so know the age of your current battery before deciding whether or not you need a new one. 

It goes without saying that if you notice a reduction in distance to charge then it’s time to replace the battery.

If your car hasn’t been driven regularly, especially if it’s been sitting in a garage for the whole of winter, then replacing the battery is a good idea. 

On the other hand, if you use your electric car regularly for long trips every day or even multiple times per week, and have only had it for a couple years, then replacing your current battery may not be necessary.

Don’t Let It Sit

The battery in your electric car loses capacity if it’s not used, or if it’s charged too quickly. 

It also loses capacity if the car isn’t driven regularly and also in extreme temperatures. That means keeping your battery through winter will require fairly regular use of the vehicle.

So make sure to get out there and drive!

Minimise Extremes

It’s a good idea to keep your electric car in a garage or other enclosed space whenever it isn’t being used. 

This will help minimise the effects of the elements on your car, which can cause rust and damage to its electrical system.

Keep in mind that extreme heat and cold can also harm your car’s battery life and performance. 

If possible, try not to store it in direct sunlight on hot days and avoid leaving it out overnight during freezing weather.

Battery Coolant Changes

Electric vehicles have batteries that require coolant. This prevents the batteries from overheating. It’s important to note replacing the coolant needs to be done by a professional.

This change is part of the regular servicing of an electric car and it might not be around for long as some of the Tesla models no longer require it.

Don’t Forget To Change The Brake Fluid

In the same way that petrol and diesel cars have brake fluid, so do electric vehicles. You need to replace your brake fluid according to your usage amount. If you drive your car daily you will need to replace it more often.

The frequency at which you need to replace brake fluid is roughly the same as non-electric cars so you won’t need to do it very often.

Electric Cars Do Need Some Maintenance, But They’re Not Too Different From Regular Cars

As you can see, electric vehicles are quite different from regular cars. They have different parts, require different care and maintenance, and even sound and look different. 

But despite these differences in appearance and function, electric cars still have many of the same needs as traditional petrol or diesel-powered vehicles (for electric car leasing check out Lease Loco), they just need to be maintained differently. 

For example:

• You’ll probably still want to check your battery for signs of damage or wear just like a non-electric car.

• You’ll still need to change the brake fluid.

• You’ll still want to keep an eye out for any issues with your tires’ air pressure level. Low tire pressure can cause problems with battery efficiency and handling stability at high speeds (though it may not affect your mileage much).

Conclusion

Electric cars are an exciting new technology, and they’ve got a lot of great benefits. 

They’re more environmentally friendly than gas-powered vehicles, which is a huge plus for the planet. They’re also easier to maintain and use less power overall. 

Plus, with all the tax incentives out there for buying electric cars, it’s easy to get excited about owning one yourself. 

But before you make that leap into electric vehicle ownership, make sure you know what kind of upkeep these cars need so that you can keep them in top shape!