The world is coming up with new technologies every day. Hybrid cars are a new addition to those technologies. Hybrid cars are a technology that aims to address climate change by meeting the challenge of vehicle emissions.
In the past few years, hybrid cars have gained considerable popularity because of their fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness, and cutting-edge technology.
If you are an experienced hybrid owner or looking to switch to hybrid cars, knowing and understanding the special maintenance needs of hybrid vehicles is pivotal to ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
In this article, we will learn some of the best maintenance tips customised specifically for hybrid cars, brought to you by VehicleCare, your trusted online platform for car maintenance, repair, and servicing partners.
Table of Contents
1. Regular inspection is a must
Just like a normal vehicle that runs on petrol and diesel, hybrid cars require regular inspections to identify any potential issues before they become major, costly problems.
Hybrid cars come with complex and sophisticated technologies. Hence, it becomes essential to regularly check the vehicle’s battery system to ensure the proper working of its electric motor.
Routine inspections help maintain the best performance of hybrid cars and prevent costly repairs down the road.
2. Keeping the Battery in the Best Condition
The hybrid battery is the powerhouse of your hybrid car’s electric power system. To increase its longevity and safeguard its efficiency, it is crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines for battery maintenance.
This includes abstaining from severe discharges, keeping the battery cool in hot weather conditions, and adopting correct charging habits. Additionally,
it is crucial to get the battery checked timely by qualified technicians who can detect any signs of degradation early on so that unexpected failures can be prevented.
3. Practicing Good Driving Habits
If you want your hybrid car to have maximum life and peak performance, it is pertinent that you adopt good driving habits as part of your daily life.
Denying efficient driving is equivalent to denying a healthy life to your hybrid vehicle. Such habits not only reduce fuel consumption but also contribute to the overall health of your hybrid car.
Maintain a steady driving speed and take advantage of the regenerative braking by coasting whenever possible. Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking at all costs, as such actions put unwarranted pressure on the hybrid system and decrease the fuel economy with time.
4. Checking and Changing Car Fluids
Hybrid car care is incomplete without proper fluid maintenance. If you want everything to run smoothly in your hybrid car system, including your hybrid car, then it’s essential that you regularly check the fluids in your vehicle.
Timely check and replace engine oil, brake fluids, and coolants as recommended by the manufacturer. Also, it is essential to pay attention to the transmission fluid in hybrid cars equipped with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.
In order to avoid any sudden breakdowns and mechanical failures, fluid quality and fluid levels need to be maintained and checked frequently.
5. Tyre Pressure Maintenance
Your car’s tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road; hence, the importance of a properly maintained tyre increases manyfold.
This is a car part that should never be overlooked, as it plays a major role in maximising fuel efficiency and enabling safety on the roads. Follow the manufacturer’s manual and keep your tyre inflated at the recommended pressure levels.
On the one hand, when your tyres are underinflated, it heavily increases the rolling resistance, thus reducing the fuel economy; on the other hand, overinflated tyres affect handling and traction.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to inspect your vehicle’s tyres regularly. Rotate them as recommended to promote even tread wear and increase their lifespan.
6. Genuine parts and quality services
Whenever your car requires the replacement of a part, always go for genuine parts. Never go for locally unreliable alternatives for your hybrid car, as they can sharply decrease the efficiency of your car and cause trouble.
Always choose genuine OEM parts that are specifically designed for your vehicle’s make and model. An authentic manufacturer’s product offers superior performance and reliability over locally available alternatives.
Likewise, always take your hybrid car to a trusted repair and servicing partner who offers skilled and certified technicians with excellent expertise in hybrid car systems, as they offer accurate diagnosis and proper car care.
7. Safeguard Against Corrosion
When it comes to the issue of corrosion, hybrid cars are no different. Like a conventional car, hybrid cars too are very susceptible to corrosion, especially in areas with extreme weather conditions or places where there are road salts.
You must regularly wash your car and pay special attention to the undercarriage and wheel wells, as these are the places where salt and debris get easily accumulate. Applying protective coatings to such susceptible areas on your hybrid car can shield it against corrosion and rust.
8. Keep updated on software upgrades
The USP of a hybrid car is its sophisticated electronic system and advanced software. A hybrid car is heavily dependent on these two, as they manage the power distribution and optimise efficiency.
For every hybrid car owner, it is important to stay informed about any software updates by the vehicle manufacturer. These updates mostly include improvements and upgrades to the system to enhance the performance, safety, and fuel economy of the vehicle.
Make sure to regularly visit your dealership or authorised service centre to upgrade your car’s system with all recent updates.
If you follow the above-mentioned maintenance tips for your hybrid car, you will not only increase its longevity but also enjoy trouble-free driving, considerably reduce your carbon footprint, and preserve its aftersale value.
Proper and timely care with attention to detail are the key factors that will enable you to enhance and preserve the performance of your car.
Choose VehicleCare as your trusted partner for all your hybrid car maintenance, repair, and servicing needs.
