Hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, with more and more manufacturers bringing their respective hybrid offerings to the market.
Do you know which workshops are able to give the best service to Eco Cars? Are there some specific things different from traditional cars that you need to take note of?
Here, we highlight the key things you need to know about Hybrid Car Maintenance.
1. Maintenance costs are similar to a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car.
Many people have the wrong mindset that hybrid cars are more expensive to service and maintain, because of all the supposedly ‘high tech, complicated’ electric parts.
The cost of maintenance of hybrid cars should be fairly similar. The one component that requires regular servicing is the combustion engine.
2. Check the required oil change interval
Because of the expected lower usage of the combustion engine, Hybrid Car would usually have a longer oil change interval.
To be sure, make sure to check the owner’s manual, where the manufacturer will have a recommendation on the oil change interval.
3. Longer life on brake pads
Thanks to the regenerative braking feature in hybrid cars, the brake pads of hybrid cars experience less heat and friction.
Of course, this is contingent on you adjusting your driving style to take advantage of the car’s regenerative braking.
4. Cooling is key
An enormous amount of heat is generated because of the regenerative braking system and hence the cooling system should be in prime condition at all times.
Hence, check individual hoses, pipes and clamps and any additional air filters used in the hybrid car motor and battery heating and cooling system.
5. Don’t worry about the battery
This is probably the biggest concern potential buyers will have about hybrid cars, but the truth is that you shouldn’t be too concerned.
The electrical components in hybrid cars are designed to be maintenance-free, and thus don’t require any of specialist maintenance.
Most manufacturers also offer warranties on the battery. It is a simple matter of heading back to the dealer to get it replaced if any issues crop up.
That said, you should have your mechanic check the power cords and connections during every engine tune-up, to ensure that everything is in proper working order.
6. Make sure the technician is experienced with hybrid cars
Hybrid cars employ sophisticated electronics with wiring systems that may be more complex than that of an ICE car, with wires that you are likely to be unfamiliar with.
Make sure that the workshop you are going to has trained technicians proficient in dealing with such components.
The key thing here is to make sure the technician knows what he is doing and that the workshop has the right tools for the job.
7. Ensure that you are using engine oil of the appropriate viscosity
For most hybrid cars, a lower weight oil is recommended, compared to ICE cars that usually require 0W-30 oil.
The hybrid cars specifically designed to use Motul Hybrid 0W-20 fully-synthetic ‘fuel economy’ engine oil.
The lower viscosity grade also improves oil flow at start-up, delivers faster oil pressure build-up, and reaches operating temperature faster.
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