Electric Vehicle Maintenance Guide
While you’d love to drive an
electric vehicle (EV) around Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Torrance, and Inglewood, California, what kind of maintenance will it need? Before you take the plunge, Airport Marina Ford will inform you about the areas that will need the most attention. That way, you’ll be ready to upgrade your ride to the EV of your choice.
Tire Service
One area that will always need attention, whether you drive a gas, hybrid, or electric car, is your tires. They take on the most impact when you’re driving and ensure that you’re on a steady path to your destination.
Once a month, it’s helpful to monitor the tire pressure. With the proper amount of inflation, you’ll be assured of a smooth ride. You should also schedule tire rotations every six months, which will even out the wear. A rotation involves switching the front tires with the rear.
Your tire treads can provide telltale signs that your
tires need to be replaced. When the treads appear deep, they can grip the road and provide the traction that you need. When they’re shallow, they simply cannot perform the same level of traction.
The tires may need to be replaced at an earlier date due to the weight of the battery pack. Be aware of this fact and plan accordingly.
Brake Service
Your brake pads protect the rotors, which provide the stopping power your brakes need. Since many EVs have regenerative braking, your brake pads may last longer, but they still need to be replaced after a while.
If you’re unfamiliar with regenerative braking, let’s go over it. When you apply the brakes in your EV, it creates energy that can help recharge the battery.
Battery Service
Car batteries for EVs rarely need maintenance. Although it’s best to keep your EV in a climate-controlled garage, the battery will otherwise fare well for a long time.
Living in an extreme climate can impact your battery. They usually will last for about eight years or 100,000 miles. If you live in a milder climate, the battery pack will last longer. It will need to be replaced anywhere from 12 to 15 years. By that time, you may be considering getting a new car, anyway.
Fluids, Filters, and Miscellaneous Service
Goodbye to oil changes, but remember that other fluids and filters will need to be replaced and replenished. You’ll still need to keep up to date with brake, power steering, transmission, and windshield wiper fluids. Brake calipers will also need added lubrication, but that may be less often.
Depending on what your designated maintenance schedule instructs, you will need the cabin air filters changed. They keep out allergens and other matter that could infiltrate your car.
Remember that your lights should be monitored as well as your blinkers. These items should be in working order, so if a bulb burns out, it should be replaced.
Windshield wipers will need to be operational too. This will ensure that you have adequate visibility when you’re in the middle of a rainstorm or off-roading on dusty trails.
Schedule Electric Vehicle Maintenance at Airport Marina Ford
Now that you know what type of maintenance your electric vehicle will need, you’ll be able to
schedule appointments at the right intervals. For more information, talk to a service technician at Airport Marina Ford. We cater to drivers near Los Angeles, Marina Del Ray, Torrance, and Inglewood, CA.