Does Hybrid Car Maintenance Cost A Lot?

High gas prices have a lot of Williamsville drivers thinking about making a hybrid vehicle their next car. Of course, gas isn’t the only expense you should consider before making a car purchase. For instance, how much does hybrid car maintenance cost? Are hybrid cars high maintenance? You may be surprised to find out that it costs no more to maintain a hybrid car than a non-electric vehicle. In fact, it often costs less. Our service department wants to help keep your car running in top shape, so we’ve put together the helpful information below.

Are Hybrid Cars High Maintenance?

Are hybrid cars high maintenance, since they have an electric motor in addition to a gas engine? Not at all. Replacing the hybrid battery would be the only maintenance cost required in addition to what you would spend on maintaining a gas vehicle. While a hybrid battery can cost around $2,000, manufacturers are required to warranty the hybrid battery for 8 years or for 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. That means that most Williamsville drivers who buy a new hybrid car will likely trade the vehicle in before the battery needs to be replaced.

What Kind of Hybrid Car Maintenance is Required?

A hybrid car does have a gas engine, so the usual maintenance tasks like oil changes and tune-ups will need to be performed. And, of course, hybrid cars also have components like tires, brakes, and lightbulbs that need to be replaced regularly. Here are some typical hybrid car maintenance tasks that will need to be done to keep it running on our Clarence roads:

• Oil changes
• Tune-ups – replacing spark plugs, spark plug cables, belts, filters, etc.
• Tire rotation and replacement
• Brake pad replacement
• Headlight, taillight, and signal light replacement
• Conventional (non-hybrid) battery replacement

Does Hybrid Car Maintenance Cost More than Gas-Powered Cars?

Does hybrid car maintenance cost more or less than maintaining conventional gas-powered cars? In fact, maintaining a hybrid car can actually cost less than maintaining a conventional vehicle. That’s because the gas engine doesn’t have to work as hard since it is aided by the electric motor. So, certain maintenance tasks don’t have to be performed as frequently.

Benefits of Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance

Hybrid vehicles offer several advantages when it comes to maintenance and longevity, thanks to their innovative technology. Here’s how:

• Reduced Engine Use: The combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is supported by an electric motor, which means it operates less frequently. This reduced engine use directly impacts the longevity of engine components and reduces wear and tear.
• Oil Changes: With the gas engine running less, motor oil is not consumed as quickly. Therefore, hybrid cars can generally extend the intervals between oil changes, saving you time and money.
• Brakes: Hybrid cars utilize regenerative braking systems to recharge their batteries, which means the conventional brake system experiences less stress. This results in longer-lasting brake pads and reduced maintenance costs.
• Other Moving Engine Parts: With decreased overall usage, the moving parts within the engine endure less wear and tear, enhancing durability and reducing the frequency of replacements.

Check Out the Hybrid Cars at Basil Mitsubishi

We have a wide selection of quality hybrid cars in our pre-owned inventory. Why not come down and test drive one? If you’d like to learn more, check out our post explaining what a hybrid car is and how it differs from other cars, or take a look at some of our other car buying tips. We’re just down the road from Amherst, and we’re here to help. So, drop by or contact us today!