A Tesla Model S in a service garage bay.Tesla No doubt one of the big selling points of EVs (electric vehicles) is their reduced maintenance requirements. Of course, thats seldom what you hear on the showroom floor. Instead, that might get exaggerated so you hear no maintenance needed! from some less-than-stellar sales reps.But while its true EVs dont require oil or coolant changes or spark plug replacements, they do have systems that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis.And, yes, the costs of operation (including electricity rates) are a fraction of a traditional combustion engine vehicles.Nissan recommends a 12,000-km service interval with two basic menus for its all-electric Leaf. At the first 12,000-km mark (and for every 24,000 km after that) its simply a tire rotation and visual inspection of axles, suspension components, brakes and steering mechanisms. The idea here is theres no mandatory replacement of anything, its all based on the cars condition. This way, someone whos relatively easy on their ride will pay less than someone who drives it like its a rental. As many EVs serve as second household vehicles and dont necessarily accumulate a lot of mileage, having an annual check-up (even though less than 12,000 km may have been travelled) is a wise idea. This service at a dealership should cost less than $100, but prices may vary, as they say.At the 24,000-km mark, Nissan lists the same tire rotation and inspection but also includes brake fluid replacement, EV battery usage report, cabin filter replacement and a check on reduction gear oil level and condition. Dealership service departments will charge on average between $150 and $250 for this checkup.The Tesla programTesla is a little more lenient in its maintenance requirements, with tire inspections every 16,000 km to 20,000 km and rotations or alignments based on tire wear and condition. Cabin filters are to be replaced every two years, and HEPA filters every three years. Air filter replacement needs are dictated solely by the environment you drive in. If you regularly use unpaved roads, or are stuck driving through construction zones, the dust thats kicked up may require more frequent filter replacement. In these cases youd be wise to familiarize yourself with how to access and check these items.For those vehicles running in cold weather conditions, like say, Canada, Tesla recommends annual brake inspections with cleaning and lubricant services. As the braking systems on EVs (and hybrids, too) incorporate electrical generators, keeping them in tip-top condition is important. A Tesla car arrives at a service center in Los Angeles, California on March 4, 2019. Mark Ralston / Getty via AP As with Nissan, Tesla recommends inspecting brake fluid for contamination every two years but only replacing it if needed. Condensation is the culprit theyre looking for, and left unchecked it can cause corrosion on metal components of the brakes hydraulic system. One unique kink to Teslas maintenance guide is the requirement to replace a desiccant unit in the vehicles air conditioning system. Also known as a receiver-drier, it helps to remove condensation from the system, keeping valves moving.When you go through these lists, youll notice many of the items are relatively easy DIY affairs for even the most technically challenged. Do a few of these yourself, and you can really earn bragging rights at the water-cooler who-has-the-lowest-auto-costs
Origin: Troubleshooter: Yes, electric vehicles still need maintenance