5 Essential Tips for Electric Car Maintenance

If you’re driving or thinking about purchasing a Jaguar I-Pace it’s important to know that electric vehicle maintenance is different from your typical car maintenance.

There are many benefits to purchasing an EV such as being eco-friendly and saving money on fuel. Most importantly, the maintenance cost is far less than a gas-powered vehicle. Studies show that EV owners spend half as much on routine maintenance compared to a gasoline-powered car. This is because electric cars have fewer parts and don’t require regular maintenance such as oil changes.

Although you won’t be making frequent visits to your mechanic anymore, that doesn’t mean electric cars don’t require any maintenance, there are still a few things you need to keep your eye on. Here are our top 5 tips for maintaining your electric vehicle.

Battery Maintenance

It’s important to take good care of your battery pack. Although expected to last the lifespan of your vehicle, the battery will eventually degrade over time. Here are a few tips to slow down the decline in your EV battery:

• Make sure to keep your vehicle from getting exposed to extreme heat and cold. Extreme temperatures will drain your battery and make the charge less efficient. To do this, avoid parking your car in the sun during the hot summer months and park in an enclosed parking lot during winter weather.
• Avoid charging your battery to 100%. Ideally, you should keep it within 20-80% for maximum efficiency.
• Avoid using “Fast Charge” stations often. While convenient, these fast chargers will deplete your battery quickly and make charging less efficient.

Brake Maintenance

Electric cars primarily use regenerative braking, which means that the electric motor is used to slow down the car instead of traditional braking. Wear and tear on brake discs and pads will still happen, just at a slower rate. Make sure to check your brake system periodically to ensure they’re in good working order.

Tire and Wheel Maintenance

Tires and wheels will require regular maintenance. The battery packs in EVs often make the vehicle heavier, so EV tires are more prone to wear. Make sure to check the air pressure, inspect the tread, and ensure your tires are properly aligned.

Fluid Maintenance

Your electric vehicle won’t require the same kind of regular oil changes as gas cars but there are other fluids that may require periodical maintenance:

• Coolant: EVs have a coolant system to cool down the battery pack and charger. This may occasionally require a flush or recharge to stay efficient.
• Brake Fluid: The regenerative braking systems relies on brake fluid to work smoothly.
• Windshield Washing Fluid: You will need to refill depending on your usage.

Filter Maintenance

Although your EV doesn’t have fuel filters, engine air filters, or oil filters, they do have cabin filters and HVAC filters that need to be replaced periodically.

Our team of Jaguar Certified technicians are properly trained to not only work on gas engines but electric vehicles (EV) as well. Choose Jaguar Naperville and schedule service today.