As an EV owner, you need know the nuances of caring for these types of cars. While many aspects of car servicing remain the same with electric vehicles, there are several new maintenance factors to learn, particularly regarding the battery pack. Let’s take a look at optimal Chevy EV maintenance, whatever your model may be.
Keep Your Battery Cool
Your car’s battery pack needs to be protected from the heat, which can cause damage and shorten its lifespan. It’s best to keep your vehicle out of direct sunlight in summer and always maintain the cooling system, checking and refreshing the liquid coolant or refrigerant as required. Likewise, protect your car from the cold during winter.
Refresh All Vehicle Fluids
Along with the cooling fluid, your car has brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid to keep it in good shape. Never neglect to inspect and flush each fluid on time, as advised by your owner’s manual or a trusted technician.
Avoid Full Battery Charges
All EV owners need to know that fully charging their battery to 100% causes it to degrade faster. It’s typically advised not to exceed 80% of a full battery charge; you may be able to set a maximum charge limit on your dashboard to help with this.
Avoid Emptying the Battery
Similarly, full battery depletion accelerates wear and tear. Try to avoid allowing your battery to fall below 20% of a full charge. You may need to plan each drive more carefully to adhere to this rule.
Replace Worn Brake Parts
Due to the battery’s weight, electric vehicles tend to be heavier than traditional gas-powered cars, which puts more strain on the brakes. Fortunately, EVs use regenerative braking, which alleviates pressure from the friction brakes. However much strain your brakes are under, you’ll need to have them inspected at least twice a year; worn-out pads and rotors should be promptly replaced.
Check and Rotate the Tires
Measure air pressure inside each tire at least once a month, adjusting the PSI as necessary. Also, book biannual tire rotations with us to ensure that your tires wear down relatively evenly and last as long as possible.
Replace Your Windshield Wipers
As well as keeping the windshield wiper fluid topped up, keep an eye on your wipers. If they show signs of wear, like cracking or leaving smears on the glass, have them replaced. It’s a good idea to install hardier winter wipers before the coldest months, and then normal wipers again during spring.
Visit Charlevoix Chevrolet in Charlevoix, MI, today to have your EV fully serviced by seasoned professionals. We’re a local community-oriented dealership committed to helping our valued customers enjoy smoother, safer, more enjoyable driving.
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