What Maintenance Does an Electric Car Need?

Whether you’re thinking about making the switch to an electric car, or you’ve recently purchased a new EV, you’re likely wondering, “What maintenance does an electric car need?” While electric vehicles don’t require services like oil changes, there are other types of maintenance that EVs need in order to operate at their peak. The service team at Mercedes-Benz of Rochester has created this guide on the details of electric car maintenance. If you own an EV and your model is due for service, schedule an appointment at Mercedes-Benz of Rochester today! 

General Electric Vehicle Maintenance Schedule 

Before we dive into the ins and outs of the electric vehicle maintenance schedule, what is the electric car maintenance cost? Troy EV drivers can expect their service bill to be around $400-$600 each year–which is less than what you’d pay when maintaining a gas-powered automobile. Here are some key services that you should expect in your electric vehicle maintenance schedule:

• Brakes: EVs utilize regenerative braking, which involved the resistance of the electric motor to slow the vehicle down. Because electric vehicles use friction brakes, brake fluid, brake pads, rotors, and other components will age and wear over time. It’s recommended that schedule a brake inspection every 7,500 miles. 
• Powertrain: The direct-drive or multi-speed transmission of your EV will require a fluid change. You should consult your owner’s manual for the recommended electric vehicle maintenance schedule for the powertrain.
• Coolant: Coolant is a critical component in your EV because it removes the heat from vital parts like the charger, inverter, and the battery pack. Coolant flushes and refrigerant recharges help keep your cooling system running smoothly.
• Tires: It’s recommended that drivers in Rochester schedule a tire rotation every 5,000-10,000 miles. 

Electric Car Maintenance: Battery Care

While the overall electric car maintenance cost is low, what can be costly is replacing electric motors and battery packs. On the flip side, these EV parts are designed to last for many years–from anywhere between 10-20 years–and manufacturers offer lengthy warranties to help cover the costs of these repairs. Here are a couple of things that you can do in order to extend the life of your EV battery and avoid paying for a costly battery replacement:

• Extreme temperatures can negatively affect the battery. Although, manufacturers do take temperatures into consideration when designing battery packs, to ensure they remain at the proper levels.
• Try to avoid fully charging the battery pack and completely draining the battery. Again, manufacturers do have limiters in place to prevent the battery from fully charging and completely dying.
• If you can, avoid frequently using fast chargers, as they degrade the battery more than Level 2 charging.

Learn More About Electric Car Maintenance with Mercedes-Benz of Rochester

Now that you know more about the recommended electric vehicle maintenance schedule, and you have an answer to the question, “What is the electric car maintenance cost?” reach out to Mercedes-Benz of Rochester if you have any additional questions about EVs. We can over everything from EV maintenance to the benefits of EVs on the environment and your wallet. 

In the meantime, if you’re interested in making the move to an electric vehicle, consider the new EQS sedan.