Do Electric Cars Need Oil Changes? A Guide To EV Maintenance

In this era, the automotive sector is going through a revolutionary transformation, in which electric vehicles are at the forefront of this revolution. However, as we say goodbye to traditional combination cars, numerous questions arise about the maintenance of electric cars. Every car owner is worried about the maintenance of their vehicles, which is justified. The prime reason for this is that the maintenance of vehicles takes a lot of time and money. Therefore, everyone wants to go for an easier option. Thus, in this article, we will discuss EV maintenance requirements. Also, we will answer the most asked question, ‘Do electric cars need oil changes.’ 

Do Electric Cars Need Oil Changes?

The short answer is no. The long one is that electric vehicles use fully different drivelines than traditional combustion cars; therefore, if you are going to own an electric vehicle, take your time with the topic of oil changes during your electric car maintenance tasks. Combustion cars need oil to lubricate the moving parts in the combustion engine. These parts include pistons, valves, and other moving parts of the engine. It needs lubrication to work smoothly at very high speeds. In short, oiling moving parts of a vehicle is vital for close-tolerance interactions.

If it is this important, you must be thinking, why don’t we need oil changes in electric vehicles? The answer is that in an electric car, it is not required because an electric car moves by consuming a battery and working on an electric motor. If there are any requirements for engine valves, pistons, and other moving elements that require waxing, electric cars do not need routine oil changes. Hopefully, you got the answer to your question, ‘Do electric cars need oil changes?’.

What Maintenance is Required for Electric Cars Then?

When you invest money in an electric vehicle, you can bid farewell to all the hardships of oil changes for good. However, an electric car still needs preventive maintenance. Like owning a vehicle with a combustion engine, you may need to visit your maintenance provider for occasional service. The good thing is that an electric vehicle generally eliminates around two dozen moving parts compared to traditional combustion vehicles. 

However, electric cars need less maintenance in general, but there are still some parts that need your attention. Hopefully, now you are clear about electric cars oil change. The following are the areas in the EV that need maintenance. 

1- Cooling System

The cooling system of an electric car is complex. Although the system of electric cars is generally not oil-based, it still needs regular checks and probably replacements to make sure that everything works smoothly. However, the frequency of these lubrication is typically lesser than that of traditional oil changes. Generally, an inspection during regular checkups is enough.

2- Battery Maintenance  

The battery is one of the most critical elements of an electric vehicle. Although modern electric car batteries are made to last for extended periods, they are not foolproof. Therefore, if you own an electric car, it is essential to keep your car battery in top condition for the long life of your vehicle. The maintenance includes regular checks for battery capacity, connections, and voltage. 

3- Brake Fluid and Other Fluids

Indeed, electric cars do not need oil changes, but they still need some sort of fluids. For instance, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. All of these require to be examined and refilled regularly.

What Fluids Do Electric Cars Use?

Although electric vehicles do not need oil changes, they need other lubricants to keep their cars operating. We will explain in detail the fluids electric vehicles need to run smoothly. 

1- Transmission fluid

The drivetrain of electric cars needs less maintenance than traditional cars because electric vehicles do not have transmissions like internal combustion engines. The transmission of electric cars only possesses two gears: reverse and forward. The difference between traditional and EV transmission is that EV does that EVs do not need multiple, various-sized gears to speed up.

2- Coolant

Electric vehicle coolant is undoubtedly the most crucial fluid. The electric car battery cooling system preserves the battery’s long life by saving it from hitting and destroying temperatures. Moreover, it also supports the vehicle to optimize battery performance every day. Besides, the significance of coolant would make it crucial to change often, though this is not the case. The prime reason for this is that the coolant of an EV does not get in touch with the air and other vehicle parts; similarly, the antifreeze does in the snow. 

In the majority of the systems, the coolant is positioned in metal tubes that go on the battery modules, which allows this to regulate the temperature.

3- Brake fluid 

Brake fluid for electric cars is another vital need. The majority of the electric vehicles use regenerative braking. Regenerative braking helps them to recycle lost energy. Due to this characteristic, regenerative braking generally lives longer than its combustion engine counterparts. It does not imply that it is OK to neglect fluid maintenance and brake pads. Break pad levels need to be examined and topped off as required. Therefore, if. If you notice the following signs, it may be time to replace your brake fluids:

It is taking longer to come to an end

The brakes feel soft or spongy

The brake lights of your dashboard turn on

4- Wiper fluid

This one is the easiest. The prime reason for this is that you do not need to check this one and can also change it by yourself effortlessly. The significant sign that your windshield wiper is malfunctioning is when you want to clean your dirty windshield and push the button to release wiper fluid, and nothing comes out; it means it needs a replacement. However, there is nothing to worry about. There are windshield fluid for EVs available at the local auto parts store. You can pick it up from there and easily change it.

At last, you’ll get the answer to, ‘Do electric cars need oil changes.’ The electric car is an exciting invention; the more you know about them, the more you start liking them. Electric car systems eliminate the requirement for moving parts and fluids to make them run smoothly. However, some maintenance is still needed for electric cars, which we have explained in detail. Next time someone asks you, ‘Do electric cars need oil changes?’, tell them the things mentioned above in detail.

Conclusion

One of the most prominent benefits electric cars offer is that their maintenance is less extensive and expensive than traditional combustion vehicles. The maintenance of an electric vehicle is quite different from that of combustion cats, though you need to follow the manufacturer’s guide for routine servicing. When you understand EV maintenance’s holistic point of view, you can efficiently keep your electric car in good condition. This view includes taking care of the software and hardware system of the vehicle. It will help you relish an environment-friendly drive. Plus, it also maintains the resale worth of your car in the long run. 

Hopefully, we have answered the question, ‘Do electric cars need oil changes?’. Lastly, if you plan on getting an electric vehicle, thoroughly research its maintenance.