How To Maintain A Hybrid Car Engine

Regular cars cost more on the routine maintenance if we compare them with the hybrid cars of these days. All the Hybrid car engines work on the different approach as they shut down on idle speeds and work efficiently on different stages. These engines shut off on low speed and the electric motor takes over the functions of the car. These advanced approaches result in less wear and tear on the engine in the hybrid cars than the regular car engines. Hybrid cars are gaining popularity, buyers are bit worried about the daily maintenance and think that it can be more expensive than the regular cars due to the batteries in the system. Let us try to understand step by step the costs of maintenance.

You should always consult your automobile manual prior to go for maintenance of the system. You must get some information about the maintenance schedules specific to the car. Most common guidelines on the routine maintenance of the hybrid cars involve following steps.

1-      Batteries:  Filters are important elements in the high voltage battery system and you must replace them after every 20,000 miles to 35,000 miles depending on the condition of the filters. These high voltage batteries must be maintained for high performance and they should be able to retain at least 70 to 80 percent charging capacity to store. If the batteries store less than 65 percent of charge at minimum, then it is time to replace these batteries and it will cost you about £2200 but these batteries are usually covered with the warranties on the high polarisation motor battery for up to 100,000 miles or 8 years. You need to consult your manuals for this information.

2-      Oil Change: The standard cars usually go for the oil change every 3000 miles and it is the standard since long time, even though the latest oil blends offer long lasting viscosity and longer time change intervals. On the other hand, hybrid cars have a different story and they usually go for the 8000 to 10,000 miles with each oil change but the time period can be different from each model to manufacturers.

3-      Braking System:  The braking system of the hybrid cars is very productive due to regeneration system installed in the brakes and usually subjected to less wear and tear so, you won’t need to replace them frequently but you must inspect them every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

4-      Drive train system maintenance:  the Hybrid cars have different maintenance requirements due to the different system specifications. In the Hybrid system, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and the drive train system are connected with each other that is why only qualified technicians can fix the problems and make an effort to service the components and the service of high voltage batteries.

Maintenance tip: inspect the transmission fluid regularly, change out the spark plugs on the specified time intervals and the air filters on the battery system are also considerable, however the trained and qualified personnel’s are necessary.

Caution:

Due to the dual voltage battery system, the whole electric system is very safe and all the components work safely on 100 volts even. However, to safely maintain and repair these components you must remove the battery power connections and depower the system but that must be done by the absolutely professional person who knows what they are doing.