7 Common Repairs New Electric Vehicle Owners Should be Aware Of

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Electric cars have risen in popularity over the past decade. They are as sophisticated as the traditional gas-powered vehicles, allowing for more luxury and even semi-autonomous features. But with all of these new technological features come complicated auto repairs that may strike many new owners as unfamiliar and perplexing. If you’re in the market for an electric car or already own one yourself, you need to know what to expect when something goes wrong. Let’s look at an electric car’s most common repairs.

1) Regenerative Brake Failure

One of the most common repairs is a replacement brake job when the regenerative brakes are worn down. The regenerative brake is a feature of electric cars that uses kinetic energy to slow down the vehicle. This feature is more durable than your traditional brake pads, but if regenerative brakes fail and drivers continue to rely solely on them, they do not function properly and can warp brake rotors. Worsening effectiveness when you decelerate due to worn-out regenerative brakes also poses a significant risk for electric car drivers and their passengers when in use. To solve this, check to see if your battery is working fine and as intended. You can also consult a car repair specialist to repair your car after a crash and have them complete the necessary diagnostics.

2) Dent Repairs

Your electric vehicle will most certainly get dinged or scraped following a collision, regardless of the severity of the impact. Even a small fender bender can cause electric car batteries to malfunction and even fail, as the battery is located within the frame of the vehicle. If this happens during or after an accident, electric cars will often need more than just a simple dent repair job. In these instances, it’s critical to find a service to help you bring your car back in top shape. While the prospect of shelling out hundreds to thousands of dollars on car repairs isn’t fun, the alternatives of not having the ease of private transportation can be a big hindrance to your daily commute as well.

Fortunately, there are websites online like DingGo that can fetch you a competitive quote for quality dent repair services in your local area.

3) Electric Battery Replacement

The average lifespan of a battery in an electric car is around 10 to 15 years or about 100,000 miles. Once the battery starts to wear out or overheats extensively, it will need to be replaced as it’s a vital component to running the car. While you may attempt to jump your battery to get it working again, the battery juice will eventually deplete and you’ll have to look for another one. And this isn’t easy, since the battery tops the list as the most expensive repair related to electric car ownership. In some cases, the battery pack needs to be replaced completely if the damage is extensive. The cost for this replacement ranges from $5,500 US Dollars and upwards, which is no small fee for replacement. In any case, it’s important to have your vehicle inspected regularly or have a trusted mechanic diagnose potential problems with your car and make appropriate repairs if needed. It’s important to use a high quality car charging station to further prevent issues. 

4) Fluid Refuel

While you won’t have to visit the gas station to fill up on diesel anymore, an electric vehicle still has three key fluid types to consider.

  • Brake fluid: Replenish your electric car’s brake fluids every four to five years.
  • Coolants: Replenish your coolant every three years.
  • Windshield wiper fluid: Replenish your windshield wiper fluid every year or 5000-7000 miles.

The good news is that these fluids aren’t too difficult to replace, and many of them can be purchased at local stores right off the shelf.

However, you can talk with your local car mechanic about a more in-depth inspection and a complete fluid swap, if necessary.

5) Bad Battery Cables

The battery cables in your electric vehicle are certainly not immune to the effects of time and weather, as they tend to erode over time.

You’ll want to inspect them regularly for signs of wear and tear, as it will affect the overall performance of the car if neglected.

Some signs that your battery cables have gone bad include:

  • The lights in your car are dim.
  • Slow to crank engines.
  • The engine won’t run.
  • You hear clicking, but the car won’t start.

In addition, a closer inspection of the battery cables themselves can tell you a lot about their overall condition.

If the insulation is badly decomposed and brittle, or if you see a white or green powdery substance surrounding the cable (a symptom of battery cable corrosion), then it’s the right time to get new cables for your battery.

6) Operating System Issues

Another unique issue that electric car owners have to face is issues within their operating system. This could come in multiple forms — but the two most common is unresponsiveness to touch and dead pixels. In most severe cases (usually with age), the operating system may fail to boot up altogether. If you’re not familiar with how to fix it, there are qualified electric car mechanics that you can consult to restore your car’s condition.

7) Flat Tire Replacement

A flat tire is a common occurrence that affects every car owner, regardless of vehicle type. However, electric car drivers need to be extra careful. An electric car runs with instant torque due to its battery-powered mechanism, which can consequently place more strain on the tires. 

As a result, electric car owners should always have a spare tire readily available in case of emergencies or a tyre pressure gauge. It’s best to be prepared and know how to change your tire before sundown once your vehicle becomes stranded.  If you’d rather leave car part replacements in the hands of experts, take your car to a local mechanic store so they can get a closer inspection.

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