Spend less time on expensive repairs and more time on the open road. Follow our electric car battery maintenance tips to increase the life of your hybrid battery.
Outline:
- Stay on top of preventative maintenance
- Keep your battery pack cool.
- Maintain an appropriate level of charge.
- Be gentle with braking and acceleration.
- Don’t leave your car idle for long periods of time
- Prepare against damage from cold weather
- Find a service shop you can trust.
- Trustworthy Auto Repair Shop in Ventura, CA
The battery in your hybrid vehicle is just like any other battery and will eventually need to be replaced. Hybrid batteries need extra maintenance throughout the years in order to ensure it is functioning properly. Hybrid battery maintenance includes not only checking the charge on your car frequently but also keeping it charged. Here are six ways to make your hybrid battery last longer:
1. Stay on top of preventative maintenance
Staying on top of preventative maintenance will help make your hybrid battery last longer. This includes regular oil changes and filter changes as well as checking tire pressure and performing brake pad replacements when necessary.
The best way to do this is by taking your car in for a checkup at least once a year. Your mechanic will inspect the battery and other major components of your hybrid system to ensure they’re all working properly. If there’s an issue with any part of your vehicle, they can fix it before it becomes a bigger problem and needs replacing.
Also, make sure to use only OEM parts whenever possible when doing repairs or upgrades on your car. These parts have been specifically designed for use on hybrids and are often available at a lower cost than aftermarket parts or parts from other vehicles.
2. Keep your battery pack cool.
One of the easiest ways to extend your hybrid battery’s life is by keeping it cool. So avoid parking in direct sunlight and try to keep the temperature inside your car at 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) or less if possible. That also means not leaving anything on top of the hood — including luggage or other items.
If you live in a hot climate and tend to drive with your air conditioner on full blast in summer months, consider investing in an aftermarket cooling system such as a battery blanket that helps reduce heat buildup inside your vehicle’s cabin.
3. Maintain an appropriate level of charge.
Hybrid batteries have a unique set of concerns. Unlike lead-acid batteries, they are sealed and cannot be replaced by the owner. They are also subject to abuse from the vehicle’s electrical system. The key to making your hybrid battery last longer is to keep it at an appropriate level of charge and avoid overcharging or undercharging it.
A hybrid battery can be damaged if it’s left discharged for too long or if it’s charged too often or too quickly. It’s important to keep an eye on the charge level and plug it in when necessary. If you plan on leaving your car parked for more than two weeks, consider plugging it in so that it stays fully charged at all times.
Your hybrid battery should never be allowed to go completely flat or sit at zero charges for extended periods of time, as this could lead to permanent damage or failure. If you need to store your vehicle for an extended period of time, make sure all accessories are turned off and unplugged from the car’s electrical system so it doesn’t drain the battery completely.
Photo by Sergey Meshkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/open-hood-of-a-car-8478228/
4. Be gentle with braking and acceleration.
Don’t accelerate too quickly when starting off from a stop. You don’t need to floor it — simply accelerate gently at first and then increase speed as needed. This will prevent excessive strain on the motor, which can wear down components and shorten the life of your hybrid battery pack.
Keep your driving habits consistent. Avoid sudden stops and starts in heavy traffic (such as sitting in stop-and-go traffic for hours), because these create additional stress on your hybrid battery pack that can shorten its lifespan. Likewise, avoid driving at high speeds or racing through corners excessively — this will also put more stress on your car’s motor and battery pack than necessary.
5. Prepare against damage from cold weather
One of the most common causes of premature battery failure is cold weather damage. When temperatures drop below freezing, water in the battery freezes and expands, causing damage to internal components like plates and separators that help prevent electrical shorts. If your car isn’t parked in an insulated garage or covered by some kind of tarp when it’s not running, prepare it against cold weather by adding an antifreeze solution or topping off the fluid level in your coolant reservoir before winter sets in.
6. Find a service shop you can trust.
The battery in your hybrid is very different from the one in your regular car and needs special attention. You should find a shop that specializes in hybrids and knows exactly how to take care of them. Once you find a trustworthy car repair and maintenance shop, it’s best to stick with the same mechanic for routine maintenance.
Trustworthy Auto Repair Shop in Ventura, CA
A hybrid car battery can last for several years if you stick to the maintenance schedule, but that requires having access to a trained and experienced mechanic who knows how to service your particular system.
Contact us at Dependable Car Care if you need help with your hybrid car or if you’re looking for a reliable car and brake repair service in Ventura, CA. We’ve been providing car care services in Ventura for many years now and are fully equipped to handle all of your needs. In addition to hybrid car batteries, we also service conventional cars, trucks, and SUVs. Our mechanics are ASE certified and have years of experience repairing both foreign and domestic vehicles. We’ll ensure that your vehicle is in perfect working order before returning it to you.
Call us today at 805-918-5286 for your free quote or to get in touch with our professional mechanics.
