Hybrid Car Service at Eccles Auto Service!
When searching for hybrid vehicle service it’s important to find an automotive shop like us that is familiar working with these vehicles. Although the routine maintenance items are similar, much of the drive train is different as well as the complex electronic modules they have.
Routine maintenance for hybrids follows pretty much the same guidelines as their non-hybrid counterpart.
If operated as designed, full hybrid vehicles have the ability to shut off their internal combustion engines and operate on the electric motor in certain conditions. Needless to say, the engine doesn’t work as hard. The result of this is reduced wear and tear. Hybrids also often employ regenerative braking systems that both charge the batteries and reduce wear on brake components.
So What’s the difference?
As mentioned most of the drive train is different. The internal combustion engine, electric drive motor and the transmission are mated together to work as an entity. A malfunction in one component can affect the way the others function. Serious troubleshooting, diagnosis and repair of this system is best left to professionals.
The complex electronic modules that control the electric drive motor for both propulsion and regenerative braking can generate enormous amounts of heat. Often they have their own dedicated cooling systems.
The battery control modules regulate both charge and discharge rates as well as the state of charge of the entire bank. To operate consistently under all conditions, these systems will often employ both heating and cooling systems.
Hybrids generally are equipped with dual voltage systems. Though most of the electrical system is safe standard 12-volt, the drive motor and related components operate well in excess of 100 volts. The safety threshold is low and narrow, an electrical shock with as little as 50 volts can prove fatal. To warn technicians and operators of these high voltage circuits, the cables are wrapped in a bright orange casing. To safely maintain and repair these components, the system must be de-powered. A task that is absolutely best left to trained technicians.
At Eccles Auto Service we are happy to service hybrid vehicles of all makes and models. Click here to request an appointment for your hybrid vehicle today!
