he cost of a hybrid car can be pretty expensive, and it gets even more expensive when you consider its insurance as well as maintenance costs. However, there are some ways that you can do to help you save some money. One of these is by making sure that your vehicle is always in tiptop condition.
Below are some tips on hybrid car maintenance.
Tire Maintenance
Daily use and long distance driving can easily wear the tires down. However, you can prolong the use of your tires by rotating them once in a while. This way, uneven wear will be prevented. The best time to rotate the tires is after every oil change or after every 6,000 miles.
It’s also very important that you check if your tire pressure is right. You need to do it at least once a month. You can use the old coin trick to check the tire pressure, if you want. However, if you want a more accurate reading, then be sure to use a good tire gauge. There are many gauges that you can choose from, but be sure to purchase a trusted and quality tire gauge.
Oil and Filter Change
The best time to do oil changes as well as filter changes is after every 3,000 miles, up to 5,000 miles. If you want to extend the life of your hybrid car, then use synthetic oil. This will give you at least 7,500 miles in between oil changes, maybe even 10,000 miles.
When it comes to air filter replacement, it’s recommended that you change them at least twice a year or after every six months. You don’t want the air filters to get too dirty since this restricts air from flowing into your vehicle’s engine, causing poor vehicle performance. Imagine the air filter as your vehicle’s lungs; now, imagine your vehicle running on very dirty lungs. Can you see how much it’ll affect your hybrid car’s performance?
Engine and Battery Care
It’s very important that you give your hybrid car’s engine as well as battery some time to warm up before you travel. This is especially important during the colder season. If you don’t allow these to warm up, it’ll increase the stress on the engine and the battery, again causing poor vehicle performance. Of note; hybrid cars work better in areas with a warmer climate, so if you live in a colder region and you want it to perform better, then you have to allow some time for the vehicle to fully warm up.
Follow Your Regular Maintenance Schedule
If you want your hybrid car to last a long time, then you have to follow your regular maintenance schedule, even if you don’t see or hear anything wrong with it. There might be something that your eyes and ears have missed, and by bringing it to your trusted mechanic, he can prevent future mishaps.
Of note; choose a car shop and a mechanic who knows hybrid cars though. He can assess your car better and do the necessary repairs as well as replacement of parts. It will do you little good if you bring your hybrid car to a mechanic who knows little about this type of vehicle.