How To Maintain Your Hybrid Vehicle
We say at Service King Germantown in Memphis, TN that the more things change the more they remain the same. Such is true for hybrid vehicles. In the year 2000, there were only 9,300 hybrid vehicles sold in the United States. However, by 2014 that number had jumped to almost 507,000. With so many hybrid vehicles on the road today, it is definitely important to know how to maintain them properly. If you own a hybrid vehicle or are considering switching to a hybrid vehicle, here are some important tips for maintaining them properly:
Realize that the hybrid vehicle will have to undergo a different maintenance schedule.
First and foremost, it is important to note that the maintenance schedules regarding hybrid vehicles will be much different than a regular vehicle. Brake pads, air filter and oil filters will often have to be changed less frequently in a hybrid than in a regular car. Moreover, the battery in a hybrid will naturally often have a long span as well, which leads us to our next point.
It is important to keep the battery in the right charging spot.
In order to have a long-lasting battery in a hybrid car, it is a lot like the “Goldilocks zone”. The battery cannot be charged too high, nor can it be charged too low. Keeping the battery in a hybrid car directly in the middle is one way to help it last much longer. It’s just the way they are designed. Ideally, the battery on a hybrid should be kept between 40 to 60 percent charged in order to preserve it.
Pay attention to your tires.
Even though good tire maintenance is a good idea for any type of vehicle, it is especially important for a hybrid. First of all, properly maintaining the tires on a hybrid car will be the best way to continually maintain the high fuel efficiency of your hybrid car. However, there is more than that. It has been shown that hybrids have a lower rollover resistance than other types of vehicles, so keeping your tires properly inflated could literally mean the difference between life and death for you.
Be sure that the battery remains warm.
Another battery tip would be that the batteries in a hybrid car will usually work best when they are warm. This means if you set off in your hybrid car on a particularly chilly day it really is best to warm up the vehicle for a few extra minutes before you go out on your way.
Be sure to take your vehicle to a service technician that specializes in hybrids.
If you take your vehicle to a technician that knows how to work on hybrids, you will be sure to stay ahead of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Keep these tips in mind and you will be enjoying your hybrid car for many years to come!
Service King Germantown, 7291 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38125
Sources: motorama.com, howstuffworks.com
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