Maintenance on Electric Vehicles

Some drivers believe EV = EZ, or that Electrical Vehicles (EVs) are easy to care for. After all, since EVs have fewer complex parts than a conventionally powered vehicle, they require less preventive maintenance. But — and this is important! — less maintenance doesn’t equal no maintenance. 

A Closer Look At Maintenance On Electric Vehicles

Please note: This article concentrates on pure electric vehicles, not hybrids.

While EVs may cost more to purchase than their conventionally powered counterparts, they are generally less expensive to maintain. Not only is at-home charging more economical than filling up at the pump, EVs can have lower long-term maintenance costs.

EV manufacturers eliminated more than two dozen mechanical components. Therefore, servicing those components is not necessary. If switching to an EV, you can say goodbye to:

• Tune-ups
• Oil changes
• Cooling system flushes
• Transmission servicing 
• Replacing the air filter, spark plugs, and drive belts

So far, while discussing maintenance on electric cars, we have focused on what you don’t have to do. But what maintenance does an electric car need? A few services EV drivers can expect include:

• Tire rotation
• Checking pressure in tires
• Cabin air filter replacement
• Wiper blade replacement
• Washer fluid top off

Beyond this routine maintenance, an EV will require additional services throughout its lifetime, including:

• Tire replacement
• Wheel alignment (may be necessary if the car pulls to one side or is exhibiting uneven tire wear)
• Brake service
• Replacement of steering and suspension components, hoses, headlamps, taillights, etc.

What About The Battery Pack?

No conversation about what maintenance does an electric car need would be complete without mentioning this — eventually the EV battery pack will have to be replaced. If you’re an EV owner, you may want to budget for this, since the battery pack is by far your car’s costliest component.

Different Makes And Models Have Different Requirements

To determine the specifics as to what maintenance does an electric car need, you should refer to your vehicle owner’s manual. Everything should be spelled out clearly, including what periodic checks and services must be performed to keep the vehicle’s warranty in effect. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, or if you have questions, please feel free to reach out to a trained Jiffy Lube^® technician for answers.

To give you an idea of the typical maintenance on electric cars, here are two scenarios.

Example #1 — Chevrolet Bolt EV

Here’s a monthly DIY checklist:

• Check the tire pressure and adjust, as necessary
• Examine the tires for excess wear
• Refill the windshield washer fluid, if required

Every 7,500 miles, the following maintenance on electric car should be performed by a trained professional:

• Rotate tires
• Check the coolant level for the battery, cabin heater, power inverter, accessory power, and charger modules
• Visually check for fluid leaks
• Conduct a brake inspection
• Visually inspect the steering, suspension, and chassis components
• Inspect the power steering, half shafts and drive shafts for excessive wear, leaks or damage
• Check the restraint (airbag) system
• Lubricate body components (door locks)
• Check the accelerator pedal for damage, high effort or binding and replace, if necessary
• Visually inspect the gas struts (suspension) for signs of wear, cracks or other damage
• Check the tire sealant expiration date, if equipped (this is used to temporarily seal and inflate a damaged tire

Twice a year, flush corrosive materials (i.e., road salt) from the underbody using plain water.

Every 15,000 miles, replace the windshield wiper blades.

Every 36,000 miles, replace the cabin air filter (more frequently, if necessary).

Every 75,000 miles, replace the hood and/or body life support gas struts.

Every 5 years:
Drain and fill the vehicle coolant circuits
Replace the brake fluid

Every 7 years, have the air conditioning desiccant changed.

Example #2 — Nissan Leaf

Nissan provides  two separate service schedules. The schedule you should follow depends on your driving conditions. 

Schedule 1 is for drivers who operate their electric vehicles under the following conditions:

• Frequent short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures, or less than 10 miles in freezing weather
• Stop-and-go driving in hot weather
• Low-speed driving for long distances
• Driving in dusty conditions or on rough, muddy, or salt-spread roads
• Using a car-top carrier

Most Leaf owners will require Schedule 1 service.

Schedule 2 is for drivers who usually operate their cars on the highway in temperate conditions.

Nissan Leaf service recommendations generally follow the time and mileage guidelines below: 

• Rotate the tires every six months or 7,500 miles
• Change the cabin filter every 12 months or 15,000 miles
• Replace the brake fluid every 24 months or 30,000 miles
• Change the coolant after 15 years or 120,000 miles

Example #3 – Tesla Model S

Here’s an overview of the maintenance schedule Tesla owners are advised to follow:

Every year:
If you live in a cold-weather region where road salt is regularly used, be sure to clean and lubricate the brake caliper pad slides

Every two years:

• Check the brake fluid and, if fluid replacement is indicated, perform a brake fluid flush
• Replace the air conditioner desiccant bag

Every three years:

• HEPA filter replacement (if equipped)
• Cabin air filter replacement (if equipped)

As needed:

Don’t forget the tires and wheels!

• Rotate the tires at 2/32” (1.5mm) or greater depth difference (may not be applicable if car is equipped with staggered wheel fitment or directional tires)
• Perform a wheel alignment check if tires are wearing unevenly or driver feels the vehicle pulling

 

Read More About It

Whether your car is electric or conventionally powered, tire rotations should be a part of your preventive maintenance routine. Here’s why.

Please note: Not all services are offered at all Jiffy Lube^® location. Please check with your local Jiffy Lube service center or visit jiffylube.com for specific services offered.