NAPA AUTOPRO

Hybrid vehicles

Hybrid is about fuel economy

Hybrid vehicles are driven by a gasoline or diesel engine and electric motors powered by a rechargeable high-voltage battery pack. Since electric motors deliver all their torque at zero rpm, they make for great acceleration–exactly where the gasoline engine falters.

In the city, hybrids rely on their more efficient electric motors. On the open road, they rely almost entirely on the gasoline engine. Most hybrids get better fuel economy overall than their conventional counterparts. However, hybrid vehicles usually require about the same maintenance.

NAPA AUTOPRO tip

When it comes to taking care of your hybrid, stick to the automobile manufacturer’s recommended service intervals and use quality parts and supplies, such as NAPA full synthetic motor oil. You’ll have fewer vehicle issues and get to enjoy your hybrid vehicle for longer. Check out all the services available at your NAPA AUTOPRO centre for routine maintenance and repairs.

Hybrid vehicle maintenance advantages

When comparing hybrid to conventional vehicles, both require about the same regular maintenance. Still, it can be easier to take care of hybrid cars and trucks in at least three respects:

  • Brake wear – The brakes of hybrid vehicles don’t engage until later in a stop. Brake pads and rotors don’t wear or heat up as much. However, regular brake service, including descaling, lubrication, and bleeding, is necessary to keep them moving freely.

  • Engine wear – A hybrid vehicle runs only when the battery needs charging or extra motive power is required. While hybrid engines won’t always have extended oil-change intervals, they experience less overall wear, helping them last much longer.
  • Hybrid system – Brushless electric permanent-magnet and induction motors require zero maintenance, and the high-voltage hybrid battery pack is a non-serviceable component. An air-cooled hybrid battery pack may require an air filter cleaning or replacement periodically. Water-cooled components, such as inverters and converters, require less service than conventional cooling systems because they aren’t subjected to the engine’s extreme temperatures.

Online Resource Centre

How it works.
How to prevent it from breaking.
Who can fix it.

Maintenance tips

How often does a car need a tune-up?

Has your car “developed a personality”? Does it make weird sounds? Has it become a little harder to drive? Now might be the time to consider a tune…

Maintenance tips

How to read tire wear patterns?

Your tires are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. When they wear down unevenly, traction, control, and handling can suffer.…

Maintenance tips

Which is better: LED or xenon headlights?

When upgrading your vehicle’s headlights, chances are you’re weighing cost and performance. There are two types of headlights that offer significant…