Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology and Care

We live in a world with ever-changing technology and technological advances. The automotive sector is no different, and this has brought many changes to the repair industry over the years. This article will cover hybrid electric vehicles, and best maintenance practices for these vehicles.  This article does not include fully electric vehicle technology.

Hybrid electric vehicles were introduced to the world as an answer to combating vehicle emissions in the automotive world. The idea is simple, and is certainly not new in 2022. A hybrid electric vehicle has a smaller regular internal combustion engine, coupled with a battery system to run an electric motor, which is used as a secondary source of power for the vehicle. This allows for less use of the regular internal combustion engine, and that reduces vehicle emissions. While there are many different designs of hybrid vehicles, this is the simple idea behind the technology.

As with any piece of technology, there are pros and cons involved with owning a hybrid electric vehicle. An obvious positive side is the fuel economy that a hybrid vehicle provides. This is because it isn’t burning fuel (or as much fuel), when the internal combustion engine is off (or being assisted by the electric motor).  An obvious downside to a hybrid vehicle is the increased purchase cost. Hybrid options are more expensive to purchase than a gas non-hybrid vehicle, because of the increased amount of parts/technology involved in a hybrid vehicle.

If you have purchased or are considering purchasing a hybrid electric vehicle, it is important to understand that these vehicles still require regular maintenance. As discussed before, these vehicles still use an internal combustion engine which will require all the regular maintenance that they did in the past. Let’s go over a few of the regular maintenance items.

These items include regular engine oil change intervals, which are laid out by the manufacturer. This also includes air filter inspection and replacement as needed. Since the vehicles are still using an internal combustion engine, they will have spark plugs that need to be inspected and replaced at the recommended intervals. Different styles of transmissions and drivelines will have fluids that require level checks, and some will require replacement. While the designs may vary, coolant for these vehicles is used to cool the engine as well as the inverter unit. These levels need to be checked and the coolant changed as necessary. A hybrid electric vehicle still has a regular 12 volt battery that will need to be inspected and will require replacement when worn out. The braking system has friction materials and moving components that need to be inspected and cleaned/lubricated periodically to verify their operation. Brake fluid must also be checked and replaced as necessary. As always, the steering and suspension components must be inspected for wear/deterioration and replaced when necessary. This lists some of the maintenance you will see on your hybrid electric vehicle.

The high voltage (HV) battery pack is another important point of discussion. The voltages put out by these batteries vary from each manufacturer. A smaller style can be in the 30 volt range, while a larger style can be hundreds of volts. The temperature management of these batteries is vital to their longevity. The Toyota Prius uses a cooling fan system to keep their battery pack at optimal temperature. These batteries recharge through regenerative braking, and the transition between high voltage power and gas power is managed so that the driver does not notice. I won’t get into the technical side of the hybrid system, but it is important to understand that these batteries will wear out over time, and have an expensive replacement cost. This is why it is imperative to have your vehicle maintained frequently to ensure all systems are operating the way they should be.

It’s important to keep in mind that each make and model of hybrid electric vehicle will have its own unique list of maintenance required, as each vehicle has its own styles of systems. As with any type of purchase, a little research can go a long way in your happiness with what you decide to buy. We are more than happy to discuss with you the pros and cons of any type of vehicle you are looking to purchase. Do not hesitate to give us a call before you go vehicle shopping. A little bit of insight into what you are looking at can go a long way in saving you from headaches in the future.

Article by Tony Martin