Hybrid vehicles are a product of advanced innovation and great technology. Notwithstanding, many second value users have express great disappointment especially in the area of maintenance cost. To avoid this, proper preventive maintenance needs to be carried out.



Below are tips from Leamas Technologies that can help keep your hybrid vehicle in top shape:



Do not leave the transmission in neutral gear extensively. In this gear, the internal combustion unit (ICU) is not transferring power to the traction battery. During long waits in traffic, ensure you shift to park to avoid a situation where the traction battery drains below programmed depth of discharge (DOD).



Always ensure that the brake fluid is not degraded before replacing it. This is because brake fluid is hygroscopic; it retains moisture from the atmosphere over time. A degraded brake fluid will cause rupture inside the brake actuator causing internal leakage, it can also affect other brake components like brake lines and brake pistons. Brake hydraulic fluid that has retained significant amount of water will have a dark or brownish coloration.



Ensure recommended coolant is used. This is because the inverter/converter has power electronics that generates a lot of heat which ordinary water or substandard coolant cannot cool sufficiently.



For some hybrids, the volume of refrigerant required is almost half of that of conventional vehicles. Many hybrid vehicle compressors have been damaged due to excess refrigerant charge.



Clean traction battery terminals. Leamas technologies recommend that this should be done every two years. This will prevent buildup of resistance at the cell terminals which can cause cells not to be equalized thereby shortening battery life.



Use only recommended oil and spark plugs. Remember that the vehicle is designed to undergo harsh start and stop condition in the city, sticking to recommended oil weight and service schedule will be highly beneficial.



Ensure that you use recommended tire size. This has a big impact on the vehicle’s stability, braking and most importantly the power regeneration.



Ensure that the High voltage battery (traction battery) cooling fan is cleaned annually.



Make sure that the cabin air filter is clean and replaced when it is due for replacement. Why is this important? This is because it is the cabin’s air that is routed to cool the traction battery. A dusty cabin will make the cooling fans and ducts of the traction battery cooling system get dirty quickly.



Never use conventional method of brake bleeding and/or flush. A specialized bidirectional scan tool should be used by a competent technician.



If you will park the hybrid vehicle for extended period of time, make sure the battery is in its full stage of charge first, you can then disconnect auxiliary battery negative terminal then the high voltage service plug.



Use ONLY recommended transmission fluid for transmission fluid topping or replacement. The hybrid’s transaxle contains electric motor/generator. ATF fluids that conduct electricity can create electrical short circuits within the transaxle and such should be avoided.



Always patronize competent and certified technician(s) for maintenance of your hybrid vehicle.

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