From the team at Autoplus WA, Midvale
Does your new Electric Vehicle require servicing similar to a petrol or diesel car? At Autoplus WA, our honest answer is yes.
Hi, my name is Chris.
Recently, we have had some of our customers move to electric vehicles and have been getting different questions as they get higher in kilometres. We thought to help everyone out, we would answer some of the common questions we get here.
Do electric cars need servicing?
An electric car does not require servicing as often as a petrol or diesel car. However, there are many parts of an EV that can degrade over time and require maintenance. There are however far fewer potential points of failure on an EV than on a petrol-powered car: there is no oil, no spark plugs, no timing belt, no engine air filter, no fuel filter.
Ultimately, just because an EV doesn’t have a traditional engine doesn’t mean that an EV doesn’t require servicing at all.
And just because your car doesn’t have an engine, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any consumable parts that will need to be serviced from time to time.
Your car is a large metal object, travelling down roads on tyres. It has brakes. It has suspension. It has air conditioning cooling a large battery. It has air going through a filter in the air vents. And various fluids which can degenerate over time even if the car is left in a driveway to gather dust.
Many people believe just because their new Electric Vehicle does not require as frequent servicing as their previous car (petrol/diesel) they do not require any servicing whatsoever.
This is not correct. As we mentioned, the yearly oil change for the engine is no longer required. But that does not mean that there is no servicing required for your new car at all.
The list of parts for an Electric Vehicle may be short, but each part that does fail can cost a lot to replace.
What needs checking on an EV at 100,000 km?
Assuming it drives fine? These things.
- Suspension, tyres and wheel alignment
- Brake fluid, and the calipers while we’re in there
- A cabin filter. Unless we can’t find one or it’s been replaced recently, it’s time for a new one. If left for too long, these can become a breeding ground for mould and bacteria
- An HV battery health test (only when you’re selling your car or buying a used one)
- 12V battery. Should be checked around this time and replaced every 3 to 5 years. Some manufacturers are going to lithium now, significantly extending that range. A flat 12V will stop the car dead no matter how healthy the main pack is
- A/C desiccant bag. Tesla lists it at every 4 to 6 years depending on the model. The part is cheap but often ignored, and failing to replace it can ruin the highly sensitive heat pump or A/C compressor
Even if your electric vehicle feels like it is driving perfectly, certain hidden parts degrade over time, not just with distance. Investing a small amount into preventative maintenance now protects your vehicle’s most expensive components from catastrophic failure later.
How often does an EV need a brake fluid change?
Roughly every two years for most makes, and some manufacturers also list a distance interval starting from 30,000 km. We would recommend checking your owner’s handbook for the recommended brake fluid interval for your specific make and model of car, or just give us a call and we’ll look it up.
Another misconception here is that because an EV brakes with its motor most of the time, the brake system needs no attention. In fact because the EV brakes very rarely, the brake pads can go days without being properly used.
Also the brake fluid can soak up moisture from the air while the car is stationary. Wet brake fluid is not good for brakes. Also the brake calipers can seize up due to lack of use, so when we do a brake fluid change it’s a good idea to check and free up the calipers and lubricate the slide pins. A seized caliper can grind away at a brake disc for months without you noticing. But when it finally becomes obvious, you can be up for new discs.
Do electric cars have more suspension problems?
The front of the EV takes a beating and can experience premature wear on the suspension, in particular the front control arm bushings, ball joints, and tyre wear.
The reason is that the heavy vehicle and massive instant torque require huge force to be distributed via the front suspension bushes (control arm and anti roll bar), ball joints and the tyres, every time you accelerate.
As we have previously stated, tyres on these cars are expensive. The worst thing that can happen is that you wait until a tyre is worn down on the inside edge, only to find out the alignment was the cause all along and the damage is already done. That is why we recommend getting your EV inspected and realigned if it has high kilometres on the clock. It is one of the best value jobs on the car. Ideally, to get the best life out of your tyres, you should be having this checked and done every 12 months.
Does an electric car have filters?
There are no engine filters on an EV to service, but the cabin filter does need attention. Most makes recommend servicing the cabin filter every 2 years or so and Tesla recommends every 2 years on their vehicles. It is worth servicing as it will help keep the air that comes into the aircon clean and stop it smelling.
Replacing your car’s cabin filter is a very inexpensive job, and an old one has a very distinct smell (a bit like old shoes) so you’ll know when it’s overdue. Keep it operating at peak performance with a regular service. There is also an option for HEPA filters to be installed, which helps people who suffer from dust and pollen allergies.
Do electric cars have coolant?
The battery in your Electric Vehicle operates at a very specific temperature and most electric vehicles have lines and a fluid that circulates throughout the battery pack to maintain this perfect temperature for your battery to operate at peak performance and allow for fast charging.
Note that on many EVs the battery fluid is a sealed for life item and does not require any scheduled service. However, the fluid must remain clean and leak-free in order for it to function correctly, and the radiator that the fluid flows through to cool the fluid can become clogged with dirt, debris and bugs.
A clogged radiator can cause the fluid temperature to rise which can place additional stress on the battery. As part of a standard service we check the radiator for any blockages and clean as required.
How do I know if my EV battery is still healthy?
If your car is behaving as normal then there’s no reason to worry about the health of the battery in your car. Most EVs lose only a few percent of battery capacity in the first 100,000 km of life, which for most people is nowhere near as alarming as it’s portrayed in the media.
We use the AVILOO test to independently test the battery down to individual cell level and provide a certified State of Health report for the battery. This report is very useful for sellers of Electric Vehicles as it allows potential buyers to know exactly what the car’s battery health is like and what range to expect.
The report is also very useful for buyers of used electric vehicles as it gives an independent assessment of the battery’s health, rather than relying on the number the car reports about itself.
A battery test can also be used for warranty. For instance, Tesla’s battery warranty is 8 years or 192,000 km with a 70% capacity floor. If the test shows you’re heading towards 70% while it is still under warranty, we could flag it, giving you the opportunity to have it investigated further. This would be much better than leaving it until you sell it to find out.
Can I service my EV without going to the dealer?
Yes. There is a provision in the Australian Consumer Law that allows cars to be serviced outside of the dealership without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty, as long as the work is done properly.
The team at Autoplus WA in Midvale have the qualifications, experience and equipment to service a wide range of electric and hybrid vehicles and will complete any required work to the highest standard using the required high-voltage safety procedures.
“Done properly” refers to a number of things. Our experienced technicians have received training in the service and repair of hybrid and electric vehicles. As with any high voltage system, great care must be taken to ensure that work is carried out safely and correctly.
At Autoplus WA we use the correct safety procedures when working with high voltage systems, and will explain our findings to you in plain English. We will also provide you with a written estimate of work to be carried out, and obtain your approval for any additional work prior to its completion.
If you have any questions on your EV, feel free to send us a text and we’ll see if we can help.
