DIY Basic Maintenance for Your Electric Car

The electric car revolution has paved the way for more sustainable living and less harmful emissions. With an electric car, you get to enjoy a clean powertrain without worrying about stopping to refuel. But just like any other vehicle, electric cars need regular maintenance to keep performing their best.  Here are some DIY basic maintenance tips so that you can keep your electric car running at its optimum.

Benefits of Doing Your Own Maintenance

Doing your own electric car maintenance can be both rewarding and cost-effective. Taking the time to do regular maintenance can help in the long run, as you’ll be able to detect and fix any potential oncoming problems more easily.

Having knowledge of DIY car maintenance can also save you money, as most electric car dealerships can charge significantly more for repairs than other auto shops. Plus, many maintenance tasks you’ll need to do are fairly simple and don’t require any special tools or expertise.

Battery Pack Check-up

As electric car batteries lose their capacity over time, it’s necessary to periodically check their performance to guarantee that they remain in sound condition. To do this, start by visualizing the battery’s exterior, looking for signs of corrosion or water damage.

You can also measure the Voltage and Capacity of your electric car’s battery. Doing this requires a specialized battery meter or similar tool. In order to properly measure your electric car’s battery performance, keep an eye out for any significant fluctuations in the meters, as this can indicate a looming issue.

Regenerative Braking System (RBS)

A significant part of electric car maintenance is inspecting your vehicle’s regenerative braking system. This system helps to restore lost energy from the braking system, enabling your car to become more efficient in the long run.

Doing a checkup on your RBS will give you a better understanding of the energy levels in your electric car’s battery. To do this, monitor the Vehicle’s speed and check for any sudden drops in your car’s performance after a certain speed has been reached. Additionally, any decrease in the brakes’ effectiveness can point to any need for maintenance on the system.

Coolant And Brake Fluid Change

Continually changing these fluids is of high importance, as they play a vital role in the overall performance of your car. Inspecting this fluid levels regularly can help to ensure that your brakes and engine remain in good shape.

Consequently, be sure to regularly drain the fluids and replace them with fresh coolant and brake fluid. If these levels become too low, they can reduce the overall performance of the vehicle.

Cleaning The Electric Motor And Other Electrical Components

Another essential step in electric car maintenance is to regularly clean out the motor. Because electric motors are exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods of time, they accumulate a lot of debris which can end up harming their performance. So, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner to clean the motor and any other electrical components regularly for optimal performance.

Tire Inspection And Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is crucial when it comes to electric car maintenance. Tires that are not properly inflated can negatively affect your car’s power and performance as well as its overall fuel efficiency. Thus, be sure to measure your tire pressure regularly and adjust it accordingly.

Additionally, inspect your tires to check for any signs of wear or damage. Doing so can alert you of any underlying issues that need to be addressed.

Regular Washing And Waxing

Keeping the body of your electric car in clean condition is key to keeping it running smoothly. Regularly washing and waxing your car can help to remove buildup of dirt, as well as potentially harmful grime. If leftover grime is left unattended, it can corrode your car’s metal parts, making its performance suffer.

Thus, be sure to make it a point to regularly wash and wax your car, as that can do wonders for preserving its value and performance.

Maintain The Car’s Interior

Along with regularly washing the outside of the vehicle, it’s equally important to maintain your electric car’s interior. Vacuum the interior of the car and clean any liquid spills. Also make sure to clean off any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on the interior surfaces.

Check Lights, Brakes And Rotors

Another component of regular car maintenance involves inspecting the headlights, brakes, and rotors. Ensure that all the lights are functioning properly and without any flickering or delay. Additionally, check the brakes and the rotors for any signs of damage or wear and tear.

If any issues are detected with the headlights, brakes or rotors, it’s essential to get those repaired as soon as possible.

Check Wipers, Brake Pads, And Lubricants

In addition to the aforementioned aspects, it’s important to inspect the wiper blades, brake pads, and lubricants as well. Make sure that the wiper blades are secure and that the brakes and the brake pads are in decent shape. Additionally, look for any lubricants or liquids leaks that could potentially harm the electrical components of your car.

Change The Engine Air Filter

Finally, changing your electric car’s engine air filter is a great way to increase its efficiency and performance. A new air filter helps your car to burn less fuel and increase its overall performance. Additionally, it also helps your car to produce fewer emissions, thus helping in the preservation of the environment.

Conclusion

Maintaining your electric car is an important part of being a car owner. Keeping up with regular car maintenance helps your electric car to not only perform better and have a longer lifespan, but it can help to keep you and your passengers safe as well. By following these basic tips for DIY electric car maintenance, you’ll be sure to enjoy many miles of trouble-free driving in your electric car.

Q: How often should I do DIY basic maintenance for my electric car?

Your electric car manufacturer will likely provide guidelines for when to do basic maintenance and service for your vehicle. However, most experts generally recommend that you do basic maintenance (such as checking tire pressure, topping up fluids, and changing the oil) at least once a year. Additionally, it’s good practice to inspect your battery, brakes, and suspension systems every six months.