Electric Car Servicing Guide

One of the many benefits of driving an electric car is cheaper maintenance costs. This is because there are fewer moving parts compared to a conventional combustion engine. However, EVs, like any other vehicle, require regular servicing to ensure they run efficiently.

Below, we guide you through what to expect with an electric car service. If your car is due for its service, visit your local Pentagon service centre in #branchCountyService# to book in with our EV specialists.

Many people ask technicians, ‘how do you service an electric car?’ The answer is simple - similar to petrol and diesel models with a few changes. There’s no engine to check, instead a battery and a motor. Tyres and brakes are a bigger deal for electric cars too.

The main areas looked at during an EV service include:

While these components shouldn't require much maintenance, they are extremely important in the efficient and safe running of your car. Our Pentagon technicians are expertly trained to identify any issues that could affect battery health and efficiency through a series of checks in line with your service schedule.

Whilst it may be seen as a lesser concern for internal combustion engine cars, the air conditioning unit in your electric car is important.

If your air con isn’t working at full efficiency, running it can drain your EV battery quicker. It’s a vital check that we carry out during your electric car service and another way we optimise your EV’s efficiency.

The brakes are a vital part of any car - and are even more important on EVs. Electric cars use regenerative braking systems to regain energy, which also reduces the wear on brake pads. 

However, they still need to be checked for safety and efficiency and replaced when needed.

As they play a part in your car’s driving range, it’s very important to have your brakes working properly.

Electric cars are typically heavier than comparable petrol or diesel models, and you get quicker acceleration. This combination increases tyre wear so it’s a vital checking point at service intervals.

Having the correct tyre tread level not only boosts driving range and performance but also plays a vital part in safe driving.

Like the tyres, the suspension bears extra weight due to the heavier battery and components. This can cause increased wear on the springs and dampeners. 

However, they are checked thoroughly during your service.

You might think oil and coolants are just for combustion engines. But EVs use them too.

The transmission uses oil, and the battery uses coolants to regulate temperature. The levels are checked at the service interval and topped up when needed. However, this is typically less frequent than a petrol/diesel model.

Alongside the areas above and other standard requirements, EV services check specialist systems. These include: 

• High voltage cable inspection
• High voltage battery cover inspection
• High voltage charging port check
• High voltage sealing cap check
• High voltage flap operation check
• Motor/inverter coolant change - this is typically required after ten years/100,000 miles

Your car is also plugged into a diagnostic machine with any EV service. This checks battery health and looks for any fault codes. You’ll also receive any manufacturer software updates if required. 

Ensuring all of the above aspects are thoroughly checked by a specialist is essential for safety and EV efficiency. Our EV servicing experts are on-hand to carry out your servicing requirements.

Compared to conventional cars, electric vehicles have fewer parts that need regular replacement. For example, you’ll save money on things like: 

• Oil and filter changes  
• Spark plug or glow plug replacement 
• Transmissions fluid changes
• Air filter replacements

In addition, less wear on the brake pads thanks to the regenerative braking system typically reduces the need for regular replacements.

Electric cars usually don’t need to be serviced as frequently as petrol or diesel cars. However, it’s best to check the manufacturer guidelines for the recommended service schedule. 

Some models may require servicing every year or after a certain number of miles. But some models have condition-based servicing, where your car will alert you when it’s time to get a service.

This will change based on the make, model and year of your car. Check your car’s operator manual to find out more.

Here at Pentagon, we have specialist technicians trained in carrying out electric servicing for a number of manufacturers. We’re located across #branchCountyService# so get in touch and book your EV servicing now.