With the growing climate crisis, mounting gasoline prices, and a desire for a low-carbon future, the automobile industry is undergoing one of its most important changes in the form of electric vehicle (EV) cars. Most of us are familiar with the costs of owning and maintaining a gas-powered vehicle. Like that, electric cars require maintenance for their smooth performance too.
We all know that oil is a critical component required to lubricate the multiple moving elements in a typical gas-powered car’s engine. You have to replace the oil regularly as combustion fumes pollute the oil and degrade with time. But what about EVs?
Do electric cars use oil? What all fluids do electric cars need? Know about all these and the maintenance tips for electric cars via our blog!
Do electric cars use oil?
The answer is ‘NO.’ Electric cars don’t utilize oil as electric motors do not contain oil that needs replacement like that in gasoline engines. However, EVs may use different lubricants that need to be checked at least once a year.
Oil is injected into a car’s engine to lubricate and minimize friction as the valves, pistons, and other moving parts should easily glide past each another at high speeds. Adding oil to an engine allows it to run without seizing or overheating. However, none of these happens in electric cars. For instance, an electric motor and a battery propel electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, and others. The valves, pistons, engines, or moving parts don’t require lubrication. Because of this, electric vehicles do not require regular oil changes.
How do electric cars use oil?
So, now we know whether electric cars use oil or not. Though electric motors don’t use oil, you can still use it for lubricating an EV motor. Lubricating an EV motor is not the same as correctly lubricating an international combustion engine.
You need to apply lubricating greases to the electric motor, auxiliary units, and the central locking mechanism. It helps to survive extreme conditions and withstand high temperatures and rotational speeds in the electric motors roller bearing. You can use oil to lubricate components such as the transmission on an electric vehicle.
- Wheel bearings
- Crucial motor components
- Air conditioning components
- Transmission
- Central locking mechanism
Other fluids that EV cars require
Even though an electric car requires less maintenance, that does not mean that you can ignore it. Be aware that there is nothing like a car that doesn’t require maintenance. Although you won’t ever need an oil change for an electric car, you should regularly check the following fluids in your EV.
Coolant
Heat is a huge issue for both electric and gasoline-powered cars. Coolant is essential to control the heat generated by your electric car’s lithium-ion battery. You should always be cautious about the coolant level in your car’s battery, power inverter, and cabin heater. Although the cabin heater isn’t critical, the other two components are. Have you ever heard of an EV catching fire? If yes, an overheated battery would have been the probable reason. So, always keep the coolant levels high to avoid the battery exploding.
Brake Fluid
Due to the regenerative braking mechanism on EVs, brake pads need to be replaced rarely. By converting the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle into electric energy for the battery, the system lowers brake wear. An electric car’s regenerative braking system is an integral aspect of the vehicle’s power-producing equipment. Typical service for an EV includes checking that the braking system is in good condition. It is critical because it is also the vehicle’s principal means of slowing down in addition to creating power. Brakes need service regularly since they have considerable safety consequences.
Transmission Fluid
An electric vehicle’s multi-speed or direct-drive gearbox requires fluid changes during the duration of ownership. It’s crucial to check your owner’s manual to determine the recommended service interval for your electric car.
Oil usage in electric cars: Some quick info
- Electric cars don’t use oil as electric motors do not contain oil that needs replacement like that in gasoline engines.
- Though electric cars don’t use oil, you can use it to lubricate the EV motor. You can use oil to lubricate other parts like wheel bearings, motor components, air conditioning, transmission, and central locking mechanisms.
- Coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid are the other fluids that electric cars require.
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