There is no denying that electric vehicles (EVs) are garnering more customers every year, and for a valid reason. Unlike traditional vehicles which run on gasoline, EVs are comparatively cleaner and more efficient. However, these vehicles still need regular servicing in order to run smoothly and as intended. Sadly, most EV owners neglect certain aspects of maintenance which can lead to expensive repairs and diminish overall performance.
This in depth article will detail the five most frequently occurring maintenance oversights to EVs and provide helpful tips on how to prevent them. This guide will prove beneficial regardless of whether you are new to being an EV owner or have had experience for many years.
One of the relatively new technologies that have the focus of attention today is electric vehicles and bad maintained EVs. Charging an EV for an excessive duration may limit the health of the EV battery, which is one of the numerous maintenance mistakes owners make. Oftentimes charging features do exist, but there may be systems that EVs possess which stop charging the battery.
However, keeping the EV under charge for prolonged hours does impact the well-being of the battery over time. The worst case scenario always remains possible, which includes loss of capacity, decrease in performance or capacity and battery failure.
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Achieving the desired output for a system requires proper designing and giving attention to each building block of the design. Adverse consequences prepare due to lack of attention to overheating, a critical component.
When there is an excess amount of power in the system there is always a risk that roast running away, causing the battery to stop functioning, but presenting potential threats.
Dedicate Smart Charging Functions: Most modern EVs are equipped with smart charging functions which stop charging once the battery has been fully charged, allowing such functions to be activated to avoid overcharging.
Avoid Charging Over Extended Periods: Try your best to refrain from keeping your EV plugged in for prolonged durations and, if possible, overnight. If you need to charge overnight, use a timer to limit the charging time.
Watch Out For Battery Limits: Avoid letting the battery deplete under 20% or exceed 80% charged for optimal battery life and longevity.
Tires are an essential part of any vehicle. This includes EVs which seem to get overlooked by their owners when it comes to maintenance. Failure to take care of tire issues can result in increased wear and traction issues, or worse, a blowout. Maintaining tire health is paramount in assuring the EV runs in an efficient and safe manner.
Compared to traditional vehicles, EVs are heavier and have higher torque. This puts a lot more stress on the tires which, as a result, causes them to wear down at a faster rate than usual if not managed. Improper inflation of the tires to the correct pressure can also aid in heightening wear and drop fuel economy altogether.
Consistently Inspect Tire Pressure: Inspect user tire pressure at least once a month, and prior to long distance travel. Keeping inflow up to the desired level can help increase the life of tires and fuel economy.
Rotate Tire Periodically: Move tires around each 5,000 to 7,500 miles mark to guarantee all tires wear at a similar rate. This helps increase the lifespan of the tires by minimizing wear patterns.
Examine Tires: Inspect the tires at regular intervals for potential damage such as cracks, swelling, and wear. These tires should be discarded immediately due to high potential for blowouts and threatening safety.
One of the distinctive features of EVs is the ability to recover some of the energy used while braking - also known as regenerative braking. Nevertheless, the improper application or lack of maintenance of regenerative braking systems can lead to poor performance, inefficient power recovery, and in some cases may even cause brake damage.
Regenerative braking is achieved by turning the kinetic energy possessed by a moving vehicle into electrical energy. This energy conversion not only recharges the vehicle’s battery, but also minimizes the deterioration of other brake parts through seldom usage.
Understand Your Vehicle’s System: Learn how your automobile’s regenerative braking system operates; this is important as certain vehicles have different ‘strengths’ or intensity levels for regenerative braking. Adjusting them can vary depending on the vehicle, so familiarize yourself with these features.
Use Regenerative Braking Wisely: It is highly recommended that the regenerative braking feature is employed frequently as this will maximize energy recovery. Other than helping extend the EV range, this will also slow down the wear and tear of various brake components.
Monitor Brake Health: It is crucial to always check how well your brakes and other components like brake pads and brake rotors are doing from time to time. Even though regenerative braking aids in reducing damage, it cannot be avoided completely. Always make sure brake parts are replaced in a timely manner so their safe functionality is guaranteed.
Undoubtedly, maintenance is essential for any machine, particularly for the battery of your EV because it's referred to as the heart. Unfortunately, health check-ups are seldom performed by EV’s users, resulting in reduced performance and space over time. For a vehicle to perform effectively and last long, its batteries must be taken care of – the primary concern being the EV’s battery health.
An EV battery naturally experiences a gradual decrease in capacity over time; however, consistent and accurate health checks can avert these issues. Some consequences of ignoring the problem of aging include range reduction, charging inefficiency, and in some instances, total failure of battery function.
Health Issues: Battery care instructions are best complemented with regular check-ups by a certified EV technician. These visits can significantly reduce the chances of encountering major issues later down the line. Greater preventative measures come alongside active maintenance.
Regulations on Battery Temperature: It is never recommended to maintain batteries around dangerous extremes for prolonged periods of time. If possible, keep your car parked in a garage or covered area to shield it from extreme temperatures.
Battery Management Systems: These have numerous functionalities and on top of maintaining the optimum health of the battery, they provide ample support in caring for the battery. Ensure that the stipulated guidelines from the manufacturer about caring for the battery, stipulating the use of these systems, are always followed.
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Maintenance on a vehicle of any kind is important, and the case is not different for an electric vehicle. The simplicity of electric vehicles can often make it easy for owners to forget, or fail, in undertaking regular maintenance which can lead to expensive repairs, and reduced performance of the vehicle.
Even though electric vehicles have fewer moving parts when compared to normal vehicles, they still have basic maintenance tasks in order to retain their functionality. Ignoring fluid checks, in addition to brake and tire servicing can prove to be detrimental by having expensive repair costs, and further reduce efficiency.
Manufacturer Instructions: With the electric vehicle at your disposal, remember to frequently look through the owner's manual as it has important instructions pertaining to regular maintenance. Following recommended service periods in your EV will put you in a position to maintain it efficiently.
Obtain a Certified EV Technician: Make sure to always have scheduled appointments with your certified EV technician to check in on any and all systems of the vehicle. Fixing small problems earlier rather than allowing them to escalate can save a significant amount of money in expensive repairs down the line.
Research: It is imperative to be aware of possible regular maintenance issues that some electric vehicles develop. Looking through the internet in the form of forums, or even EV communities provides great chances of learning about problems and how to solve them.
Caring for and maintaining your electric vehicle should not be very challenging; however, like everything else it requires some time and effort. Keeping in mind the common electric vehicle maintenance mistakes like overcharging, tire neglect, and battery health, accrue to make sure your EV sails through load concerns for several years.
Regular upkeep not only improves the vehicle’s life but also increases their performance and safety measures. Being a first-time or well-versed EV driver, keeping up with maintenance will only allow for a more enjoyable driving experience.
This content was created by AI