Hybrid Vehicles Service And Hybrid Motor Maintenance
If you own a hybrid car, or are considering purchasing one, what should you know about hybrid vehicles service and hybrid motor maintenance?
Hybrid Vehicles Require Different Service Because Hybrid Motors Are Different.
A hybrid vehicle typically operates on electric battery power until the battery is drained or until it goes above a certain speed. At that point, the hybrid switches to the gasoline engine. The parts of the engine that utilize gasoline are pretty much the same as an internal combustion engine, so that part of a hybrid car doesn’t require any special kind of service.
All models of engine differ from one another to some degree. Knowing how to repair and service a hybrid motor, however, can be tricky. Auto technicians must have specialized knowledge and tools to perform hybrid auto maintenance for this reason.
Frequent Battery Replacement Is A Big Part Of Hybrid Maintenance.
Fortunately, the electric motor within a hybrid requires very little attention. However, the battery pack is a different story. Battery replacement is often required about every 160,000 kilometres.
Hybrid batteries are engineered with complicated wiring systems, so drivers often struggle to install these batteries themselves. The technicians at R&S Auto can install a new hybrid car battery for you efficiently and with high quality. It should be noted that some hybrid batteries also have an air filter that requires occasional replacement.
Oil Changes Are Not As Big A Part Of Hybrid Motor Maintenance.
With an additional electric motor in a hybrid, the gas engine doesn’t have to work as hard. This means that the engine’s oil doesn’t need to be changed as often. Oil changes are still required for hybrid vehicles, but the interval is likely to be much longer than for totally gas-powered cars.
Hybrids can often go 16,000 kilometres between oil changes. Most hybrids have a light on the dashboard which indicates the vehicle’s oil life. This light will illuminate when you need an oil change, similar to how the check engine light works.
Brake Pads Typically Last Longer On Hybrids.
Most hybrid models have regenerative braking technology. On these models, when you press on the brake pedal, the electric motor engages in reverse mode. This utilizes the kinetic energy of the braking system to recharge the vehicle’s batteries. As a result, the brake pads experience a lot less wear. Furthermore, this system provides an additional source of electricity to charge the battery.
The upshot is that hybrid owners don’t need to replace their brake pads nearly as often as owners of traditional vehicles. However, it’s still wise to have your braking system inspected at least twice a year by a technician who knows how to assess and evaluate hybrid braking systems.
Come Visit The Best Hybrid Car Repair Shop In North York, ON.
Come to R&S Auto for hybrid vehicle service in North York. You can rely on us to get your hybrid vehicle working efficiently and safely. We have the right equipment, the best technicians, and fair prices.
To book an appointment for hybrid vehicle service or hybrid motor maintenance, please click here. To learn more about hybrid vehicles, how they work, and how they’re serviced, or about our other services and products, please contact us via our website or call 416-748-9300.