MAINTENANCE NEEDS FOR HYBRID VEHICLES

Regardless of the type of car you drive, following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is crucial to your car’s upkeep. Regular service will help lengthen the lifespan of your car, improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and keep it running smoothly while helping to reduce the likelihood of costlier repairs down the road. Hybrid vehicles have specific maintenance needs that are a bit different from gasoline-powered vehicles, so, let’s take a look at some of the maintenance needs of hybrids.

If you need Kia service in Conway, Gorham, Littleton, Lancaster, Bethel, ME, VT or NH, you can always count on Berlin City Kia of Gorham, New Hampshire. Our service team knows exactly what your vehicle needs at what mile marker, and with a team of factory-trained automotive technicians on hand, you can rest assured your car is in the most capable hands in the business.
Before getting into the maintenance needs of a hybrid vehicle, let’s make sure we know exactly what we mean when we use the term “hybrid vehicle.” Most hybrid cars and SUV’s use both a gas engine and an electric motor, and the vehicle stores the energy produced while you drive and brake. As you drive, the car actually makes decisions about which fuel source to use, based on a number of split-second decisions. Because the car switches power sources automatically, you end up using less gasoline than a conventional vehicle; some of the time your vehicle runs only on the battery, and sometimes the vehicle runs on gas.

Just because your hybrid uses two types of power does not mean it requires twice the amount of maintenance; in fact, according to Edmunds.com, “Most hybrid cars do not require any additional regular maintenance on the hybrid-specific components.” The significant maintenance needs differences will involve the car’s braking system and electric power systems.

The main battery used in the hybrid component is very large and aren’t like regular car batteries because they’re designed to last through much of your hybrid’s life and often have warranties covering them for long periods of time. When engineers fused together gas and electric power systems, extremely sophisticated electronics are used. So while you may still be able to check your fluids, change spark plugs, and replace things like air filters, more advanced tasks require factory-trained technicians to do the jobs properly.

Hybrid oil weights differ from regular vehicles in that the new synthetic weights like 0W-20 are commonly used. And though the battery for a hybrid vehicle may be hidden in the hatch or trunk, its wiring system (which is extremely complex) reaches all the way to the engine. Also, some hybrids require what are called “low rolling resistance tires.” Because of these differences, it’s highly recommended that when you need Kia service in Conway, Gorham, Littleton, Lancaster, Bethel, ME, VT or NH, you leave your car in the capable hands of the Berlin City Kia Service Department team.