Making the Electric Switch—Is EV Maintenance Different?

Upon buying an electric vehicle, one of the first questions is almost always, “How do I care for my EV?” After all, the way you perform service and make repairs will be different, as certain maintenance checkups are no longer needed. Also, the way you care for your vehicle outside the service center will require a few special steps—but no need to worry, as today, we put together a guide covering all the basics. Also, schedule your Electric vehicle maintenance at Hilltop Kia in Richmond, CA, to get started.

All About That Battery: How to Care for Your Power Source

Unlike a petrol engine, EV care begins with the battery—after all, this power source is one of the most critical components to getting your ride started and cruising—and proper care of this part is essential for helping your vehicle reach high numbers on your odometer. Thankfully, battery care is simple and starts with scheduling an annual battery check to help make sure you’re not working with excess wear and tear.

However, you’re not done once you leave our service center—instead, you’ll want to develop healthy habits to help prolong your power source life, like avoiding slamming the brakes when possible, as this action wears heavily on your battery. Also, your electric vehicle charging works as another important step—specifically, you’ll want to unplug around 80% battery life when charging up instead of 100%, since not topping off your power source helps the battery age better. Lastly, if you’re ever traveling through a cold region, consider parking in a garage to help prevent freezing.

No More Oil Change…But That DOESN’T Mean No More Maintenance

The good news about upgrading to an EV is that you’ll no longer need oil changes—but you’ll still need to stick to an electric vehicle maintenance schedule—and most of these steps are the same as when you owned a gas-powered car. So, are you noticing your tire tread wearing low? You can still do the penny trick where you insert the coin in your tread groove head-first—if you see the top of Lincoln’s head, you’ll want a new set of tires to help you avoid hydroplaning and help keep your performance peaked.

Also, you’ll still want to keep up with your fluid changes—especially your coolant during the summer months. After all, this fluid helps your engine avoid overheating, and it’s no surprise California days get muggy and hot—so, check this step extra closely in the warm months.

To finish up, listen closely when you come to a stop—can you hear an obnoxious screeching sound? If so, it’s likely time for a new set of brakes—but on the bright side, EVs tend to be easier on this component compared to petrol-powered vehicles—so, as a rule of thumb, you’ll want to schedule brake inspection about every 60,000 miles.

Keeping the Electric Exhilaration Strong: Schedule Service

Get ready for sustainable excitement—but to keep your cruises running strong, schedule your EV service online today at Hilltop Kia near Vallejo, CA. Our team is also here to further guide you through caring for your vehicle, from guiding you through basic driving practices to help extend your battery life to answering your questions, like, “How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?”