A hybrid car combines fuel and electricity to operate. A dual-engine system requires specific maintenance depending on the make and model. Find out the main advantages and specific features of maintaining a hybrid vehicle with TotalEnergies.fr.
When and how to maintain a hybrid car?
The presence of a combustion engine in your vehicle requires regular oil changes. The frequency of oil changes varies depending on the make and model of the car, its use, and your driving style. Be sure to consult your vehicle’s maintenance manual for the manufacturer’s specific recommendations.
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Today’s hybrid cars benefit from increasingly efficient batteries, and these should continue to improve as this technology becomes more widespread. That said, it’s very important to properly maintain your hybrid vehicle’s battery. Good to know: with the latest technological advances, it’s very rare that you’ll have to change your battery before its eighth year of life, which significantly reduces the maintenance cost of your hybrid car.
How are the parts maintained?
When purchasing a vehicle, maintenance costs are a logical consideration. While many drivers may have been concerned about the dual “electric-thermal” engine of hybrid cars when they were first released, they ultimately prove to be particularly economical in terms of maintenance.
Alternating between the two engines allows for less – or even no – use of certain vehicle parts, such as the starter, alternator, and clutch. Since these parts are used less, they wear out less quickly than in a combustion engine car.
The same goes for brake pads. They wear out less quickly, partly thanks to the energy recovery system during braking. During conventional braking using brake pads, friction generates waste heat. In an electric or hybrid vehicle, during deceleration or braking, the electric motor operates in “generator mode,” which slows the vehicle down and, at the same time, produces electricity that helps recharge the battery.
In addition, the absence of certain parts such as the gearbox or the clutch also helps reduce the maintenance costs of your hybrid car.
Also read: How to check the oil levels in a car?
Where to have your hybrid car serviced?
Due to its mechanical specificities, maintaining a hybrid car is unfortunately not possible at all garages and dealerships. Indeed, the intervention of professionals skilled in maintaining this type of vehicle and its dual engine is necessary.
In the event of a breakdown or to carry out maintenance on your car, you will necessarily need to contact an authorized dealer to carry out this type of maintenance operation.
As mentioned above, maintaining a hybrid car is generally more economical than a combustion engine car. Specifically, you will need to consider: