Are Hybrid Cars High Maintenance?

As you’ve likely noticed, drivers across the United States are becoming more concerned with fuel efficiency and protecting the planet. Due to pressure at the pump and our growing concerns about the environment, hybrid vehicles have grown increasingly popular in recent years. Even still, one major question consumers have is, “Are hybrid cars high maintenance?”

It may surprise you to learn that hybrid cars don’t require any more maintenance than your typical vehicle. In fact, they require less maintenance in many cases. So, you should be relieved to know that you don’t have to sacrifice functionality and durability in the name of fuel economy. Interested in learning more? Let’s go under the hood of hybrid vehicles with the service techs at Don Ringler Toyota.

What are typical hybrid car maintenance costs?

You should always consider the cost of maintaining a vehicle before purchasing, hybrids included. The good news with these fuel-efficient, partially electrically powered vehicles is that their maintenance costs are on par with those of conventional cars. 

Just like a car with an internal combustion engine, your hybrid car will have regular maintenance costs. However, proper maintenance is essential to preventing major breakdowns. Here are some hybrid car maintenance needs:

Oil Changes

Like with an internal combustion engine vehicle, your hybrid car will need an oil change every 5,000 to 7,000 miles or 2 to 3 times a year. How often your hybrid car will need an oil change also depends on your driving habits. 

Batteries

Hybrid vehicles typically come equipped with two batteries. One is a standard vehicle battery like an internal combustion engine has, and the other is a hybrid battery. The standard vehicle battery will need to be changed about as often as the battery in a traditional vehicle and should cost around the same. However, your hybrid battery will cost significantly more. 

The good news about hybrid batteries is that they’re built to last pretty much for the lifetime of the vehicle. Hybrid batteries come under a separate warranty from the vehicle, as they’re not part of the traditional powertrain. Toyota hybrid vehicles have warranty coverage for a minimum of 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The length of the warranty on the hybrid battery should give you confidence that your vehicle is built to last as long as the highways near Belton and Killeen.

Hybrid Car Maintenance Benefits

We understand if you still have reservations about switching to a hybrid vehicle. However, Toyota hybrid cars are stylish, dependable, and built to last. Check out these ways in which hybrid car is better than conventional cars:

• Longer Brake Life: Hybrid vehicles apply what is known as regenerative braking. In this braking system, energy is diverted from the wheels to the motor and back to the battery. 
• Longer Oil Change Intervals: While it’s a good idea to change the oil in your hybrid as often as you would in a combustion engine, hybrids may require fewer oil changes. Since there may be times you’ll be using the electric battery and not the combustion engine, the oil in your engine could degrade slower. 
• Less Overall Maintenance: Electric motors don’t have as many moving parts as combustion engines, which means less overall maintenance. So, the chances are that you’ll actually save on hybrid car maintenance costs over time.

Contact us at Toyota to learn more ways hybrid cars be more cost-efficient and maintenance-friendly than conventional cars.

Visit us at Don Ringler Toyota for your hybrid car maintenance!

If you’re looking for knowledgeable techs to service your hybrid vehicle in Temple, look no further than Don Ringler Toyota. Our service department of friendly and professional auto technicians will keep your Toyota hybrid traversing the Waco streets for years to come. Also, feel free to stop by to see our inventory of new Toyota if you’re in the market for a new vehicle!