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.
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.
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