Hybrid Car Maintenance – What You Need to Know

Are you contemplating making the switch to a hybrid vehicle to make your Central IL commutes more affordable? Then you might also be thinking about what’s involved in maintaining one of these vehicles.

How much does hybrid car maintenance cost? Are hybrid cars high maintenance? The good news is that it costs no more to maintain a hybrid car than a non-electric vehicle. There are some things you should be aware of, however. Our service teams want to help keep your car running in top shape, so we’ve put together the helpful information below.

Are Hybrid Cars High Maintenance?

So, are hybrid cars high maintenance? No. The only “extra” hybrid car maintenance cost would be replacing the hybrid battery, which can cost upwards of $2,000. However, most manufacturers will warranty the hybrid battery for 8 to 10 years or for at least 100,000 miles.

That means that most drivers who buy a new hybrid car will likely trade the vehicle in before the battery needs to be replaced. Additionally, hybrid vehicle batteries tend to last well beyond the warranty period if it’s been properly maintained. All of this means that you can anticipate your hybrid vehicle to be simple to maintain.

Typical Hybrid Car Maintenance Tasks

Remember, hybrid cars are built with a combustion engine in addition to an electric motor. That means all of the maintenance you would normally do for a non-electric vehicle you would also do for a hybrid car. In addition, hybrid cars have other components, like tires, brakes, and lightbulbs that need to be replaced regularly, like on any other car. Here are some typical hybrid car maintenance tasks:

• Oil changes
• Tune-ups – replacing spark plugs, spark plug cables, belts, filters, etc.
• Tire rotation and replacement
• Brake pad replacement
• Headlight, taillight, and signal light replacement
• Conventional (non-hybrid) battery replacement

Are There Any Hybrid Car Maintenance Cost Savings?

Are there any maintenance advantages to driving a hybrid car on our roads? Yes! While a hybrid car requires the same service tasks as a conventional car, many of those tasks don’t need to be done as often as the typical car maintenance schedule. Why? Because the combustion engine is used less as it is helped by the electric motor. Here are some examples:

• Oil changes – the motor oil is not used as much, so a hybrid car can generally go longer between changes.
• Brakes – hybrid cars use regenerative braking to recharge the hybrid battery, meaning the car’s regular brakes are used less.
• Other moving engine parts – with less overall use, these parts will not wear out as often

Check Out Hybrid Cars With Sam Leman Automotive Group Today!

Our dealerships at Sam Leman Automotive Group sell quality new cars from multiple manufacturers, meaning we have a wide selection of new hybrid vehicles for you to take home today. Why not get the ball rolling by filling out our online finance application? We have several dealerships conveniently located near so, drop by or contact us today!