Ford Hybrid Vehicle Care: A Detailed Guide

Are you unsure of how to properly maintain your new Ford hybrid? Not to worry. Hybrids aren’t hard to care for once you understand the basics. The Ford hybrid maintenance guide below will show you the ropes; the friendly technicians at your local Ford dealer will be happy to help keep your hybrid in excellent condition. 

Don’t Overcharge Your Battery

Some new hybrid owners treat their cars like smartphones; they leave their hybrid plugged in and charging overnight. This is often a mistake, as fully charging an electric motor’s battery causes harm. When constantly charged to 100 percent, the battery will steadily lose maximum charging capacity, which shortens its lifespan. 

Leaving your car’s battery undercharged can also cause damage. The ideal range for hybrid batteries tends to be between 20 and 80 percent charged. So it’s only sensible to leave your hybrid charging overnight if this brings it to under 80 percent by the morning. 

Keep Your Oil and Fluids Fresh

Your hybrid uses all the same fluids as any conventional gasoline-powered car, plus perhaps additional coolant fluid for the electric motor’s cooling system. Make sure you follow a diligent checking and refreshing schedule for your combustion engine’s motor oil and coolant, the transmission’s lubricating fluid, the brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. 

Maintain Tire Pressure and Uniform Wear

The tires of your hybrid require similar care to those of any road vehicle. Know the optimal PSI for your tires well and keep each tire from becoming over or underinflated. Uneven wear should also be prevented with regular tire rotations: twice a year is suitable for most drivers. 

Replace Worn-Out Brake Parts 

Hybrids use regenerative braking to turn some of the vehicle’s stopping energy into electricity for the battery pack. As a result, the brake pads and rotors of the regular brakes may last longer. Despite this, it’s important to have your brakes inspected periodically. Worn-out pads, rotors, calipers, and brake lines should be quickly repaired or replaced. 

Ask Your Ford Dealer for Ford Hybrid Maintenance Assistance

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the new elements involved in hybrid car care, we’re here to help. Our seasoned technicians can take your usual driving habits into consideration and plan a tailored servicing schedule that fits neatly into your daily life. Then, with courteous reminders, we can help you avoid the risk of forgetting an important oil change or brake inspection. 

Visit Conway Ford in Conway, SC, today to have your hybrid fully serviced. We strive to provide exceptional vehicles, maintenance, and customer service. 

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