Electric Vehicle Service
Electric vehicles, also known as EV’s, are becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers like GM have announced multiple new EV platforms coming available in 2025. Ford is bringing back their flagship super truck, the Ford F150 Lightning as a fully electric vehicle.
Now most people think of Tesla when they think of EV’s. Tesla produced their first production model, the Roadster in 2008, which they sold 2,450 of them. They followed that up in 2012 with the Model S. However, there are many other manufacturers who have been making EV’s as long or longer. Honda brought out the Honda Insight in 1999 and Nissan has been producing the Nissan Leaf since 2010. If you look far enough back, you will find out that Henry Ford was friends with Thomas Edison. The two of them experimented with electric vehicles in the early 20th century.
Now a common misconception with electric vehicles is that they require no maintenance. While they no longer require oil changes, there are many items that still require regular inspections and maintenance. At Eccles Auto Service we have developed a maintenance plan to help ensure your electric vehicle lasts a long time and is safe.
Eccles Auto EV Service Plan
Tire Rotation – Every 12,000 Kms or Twice A Year
Just like the regular combustion engine counterpart, EV’s still have tires that will require inspection and rotating every 12,000 kms or twice a year for most people. One thing to keep in mind when replacing your EV’s tires is to go with a reputable name brand tire. The electric vehicle motor does not make as much noise as a gas or diesel engine does, so the road noise produced by the tires becomes much more apparent. Going with an inexpensive option tire may have you wearing ear muffs in your car. Some tire manufacturers have even gone as far as putting foam on the inside of the tire to combat road noise.
Wiper Blades – Annually
Electric vehicles still have wiper blades. They should be replaced annually. Eccles Auto Service recommended replacing them before winter every year. Making sure you can see safely during the bad weather.
Cabin Air Filter – Annually
Cabin air filters can be found in most vehicles built from 2000 and on, including electric vehicles. They work just like your furnace filter and help take pollutants, insect, pollen, dust and even bacteria out of the air you are breathing in the vehicle. These filters should be replaced every year. Some Tesla models may have an additional HEPA filter that needs to be inspected and replaced when dirty.
Brake Service – Annually
A brake is when the technician removes the brake calipers and brake pads. Cleans up the slide pins and all the areas the brakes should move nice and free. Why this is important to your EV? Electric vehicles use a regenerative brake system. Which means they use the drive unit to help slow the vehicle down while generating power to recharge the batteries. This means that the brakes are not worked as hard or as often as a regular vehicle. Due to our climate, we often see premature brake failure due to the brake pads or sliders being seized in their position, causing other components to wear quicker. You can find right on the Tesla website that they want the brakes serviced annually in cold climate areas.
Brake Fluid – Every 3 Years
Brake fluid is still the same in an electric vehicle. Brake fluid naturally absorbs moisture over time which will affect how the vehicles brake system operates. Brake fluid with a high moisture content can cause a spongy brake pedal, low pedal or pedal fade. To avoid any of these issues we replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Alignment – Annually
Just like every other car on the road, Electric vehicles still go over thousands of bumps and pot holes through out a year. To ensure maximum tire life and stop premature wear on steering and suspension components, Eccles Auto Service recommends checking your alignment once a year.
Driveline Service – Every 3 Years or 72,000 Kms
While an EV no longer has a typical transmission, they still have fluid that requires periodic maintenance. Some vehicles will just have a final drive that needs to be serviced, while others will have separate front and rear motors that require fluid services. When servicing an electric vehicle, it is important to know that they require specialized low conductive fluids and oils.
Coolant Service – Every 5 To 7 Years
While there is no longer an engine and radiator, there are still cooling systems on an EV. A fully electric vehicle can have 2 or 3 separate coolant systems. The systems will be cooling the motor/invertor unit, the battery and providing heat for the cabin of the vehicle. Over time coolant can become contaminated or acidic, especially in an EV, where there many different types of metals the coolant will be in contact with.
Shocks And Struts – 5 Years or 120,000 Kms
While what moves the vehicle has changed, many of the other components have stayed relatively the same. Electric vehicles will still have the same or similar steering and suspension components as a regular vehicle. While the manufacturer would have designed the shocks and struts to take the added weight of the massive battery in these vehicles, they will still wear out and need to be replaced.
Battery – Inspected Annually
Now we are not talking about the big expensive battery that moves the vehicle. At this time, every electric vehicle on the road still has a 12-volt battery in them. This battery runs things like the exterior and interior lights, interior controls, etc. These batteries should be checked once a year to avoid them failing on you without warning. The average battery life is still only 4 – 5 years.