Getting behind the wheel of your first Ford Electric Vehicle is an exciting experience, especially with the warmer weather on the way. Among all of the perks of owning an EV, which include no tailpipe emissions, charging at home, and much more cargo space, one of the biggest people don't often consider is reduced maintenance costs.
Electric Vehicles have far fewer moving parts when compared to their internal-combustion counterparts, and will never need things like oil changes, oil filter changes, fuel filters, spark plugs, radiator flushes, and more. However, there are still some features of your EV you should not neglect, and since service visits for oil changes are primarily where our techs spot other problems, it's paramount that owners bring their vehicles in for inspections on schedule. Here are some of the most important features of TVs that you should include in your maintenance regimen.
Rotating and Replacing Tires
This is perhaps the most obvious item on the list, but it's important to mention all the same. As your sole contact with the road, your tires need to be properly maintained to ensure your safety and maximize their lifespan. We recommend rotating your tires every other oil change at a minimum, but in this case, every 5,000 to 10,000 miles would be ok.
Rotating your tires on a regular basis not only extends their lifespan but also allows our technicians to check for other subtle issues, such as uneven tread wear caused by poor alignment or worn suspension parts. It also gives us an unobstructed view of your brakes, basically amounting to a free inspection of your front end.
Brake Pads, Rotors, Calipers, and Braking System Parts
Brake maintenance is also very important for your safety and the safety of other drivers. Brakes use hydraulics to squeeze the calipers against the spinning rotor, which is locked to the wheel, slowing it down. Pads (or in rare cases, shoes,) help the caliper grip the rotor, so it's very important that all four of these pieces are inspected regularly.
Many EVs are also equipped with regenerative braking, which uses the energy from slowing the vehicle down and feeds it back into the battery, leading to longer battery range and miraculously, longer brake life. While we urge owners to have their brakes inspected regularly, they will not need to be replaced or serviced nearly as often.
Battery and Electric Motor Maintenance
This will be a short section, as your electric vehicle batteries and motors will require little to no maintenance over the life of the vehicle. These components will last roughly the same amount of time as an internal combustion engine, though many experts predict they will last much longer. The best way to ensure this is to carefully follow the charging instructions in your owner's manual.
Electric Vehicle Transmission
The transmissions in electric vehicles do not have the same transmission as most gas-powered vehicles, though more and more are being equipped with something similar. A continually-variable transaxle, or CVT is a type of transmission that uses belts instead of traditional gears to transmit power from the engine to the wheels. Since the electric motors on EVs are more closely tied to the wheels, a different setup is required, but the principle is the same.
These transmissions will need some maintenance over their lifetime, but not much. Be sure to carefully follow your recommended maintenance schedule, as the EV motors and transmissions are among the more expensive components of your electric vehicle.
Shocks, Struts, and Suspension Components
Just like gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles will still need routine maintenance performed on suspension components, such as shocks, struts, and occasionally things like control arms, tie rods, and more.
Regular tire rotations can usually catch these issues before they fully develop into expensive problems. Be sure to stay up-to-date on your alignments and inspections and you'll see costs on par with what you'd expect with a non-electric vehicle.
Trust the Borgman Service Center For Your Electric Vehicle Needs
Your electric vehicle has different maintenance needs than the vehicles we've grown accustomed to. However, some of the needs are the same. EVs will still require tires, headlights, taillights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and more. The Borgman Service Center is here to help you keep your vehicle running and driving at its best.
To make an appointment, use our easy Online Scheduler and find a time that works for you, and don't forget to check our Service Specials Page for the latest deals. We've been keeping West Michigan moving for over 60 years and it'd be our pleasure to serve you. Come see why we're the Best in the West!