EV Maintenance 101: How to Keep Your Electric Car in Top Shape

One of the biggest selling points of an Electric Vehicle (EV) is “Zero Maintenance.” No oil changes, no spark plugs, no timing belts.

But “Low Maintenance” does not mean “No Maintenance.”

Your EV is essentially a giant smartphone on wheels. If you treat it right, the battery can last for 15-20 years. Treat it wrong, and you might see degradation sooner than you think. Here is the Kavis Guide to EV care.

🔋 1. The Golden Rule: 20% - 80%

The Lithium-ion battery in your Nexon EV, ZS EV, or Comet prefers a “Happy Zone.”

• Avoid reaching 0%: Deep discharging causes chemical stress in the cells.
• Avoid staying at 100%: Unless you are planning a long highway trip, do not charge to 100% daily. High voltage stress accelerates degradation.
• The Sweet Spot: Try to keep the charge between 20% and 80% for daily city usage. This simple habit can double your battery’s cycle life.

🛞 2. Tyres: The Silent Victim

EVs eat tyres for breakfast. Why?

1. Weight: EVs are 20-30% heavier than petrol cars due to the battery pack.
2. Instant Torque: That fun acceleration puts massive stress on the rubber.

The Fix:

• Rotate Frequently: Rotate your tyres every 5,000 - 7,000 km to ensure even wear.
• Pressure Checks: Keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended psi (often higher than ICE cars). Under-inflation + Heavy Battery = Tyre Blowout risk.

💧 3. Yes, There Are Fluids!

Don’t ignore under the hood completely.

• Coolant: The battery and motor generate heat. Your EV has a complex thermal management system with coolant. Check levels annually.
• Brake Fluid: Same as any car. It absorbs moisture over time and needs replacing every 2 years.
• Windshield Washer: Essential for clear vision.

🛑 4. Brake Pads & “The Rust Issue”

Regenerative braking is great. It slows the car down using the motor, recharging the battery and saving your physical brake pads. Some EV pads last 1 Lakh km!

The Downside: Because you use the friction brakes less, the discs can get rusty or the calipers can seize up from lack of use.

• Tip: Once a week, on a safe empty road, do a firm braking stop (without regen) to “clean” the discs and keep the calipers moving freely.

💻 5. Software Updates (OTA)

Your car runs on code.

• Update It: When your screen says “Update Available,” do it. These updates often optimize battery management (BMS), improve range, or fix bugs.
• Reboot: If the screen glitches, most EVs have a “force restart” combo (usually holding down volume/power buttons). Learn yours.

🅿️ 6. Parking Smarts

Batteries hate extreme temperatures.

• Summer: Park in the shade. If the battery gets too hot, the car uses energy just to cool it down (Vampire Drain).
• Winter: Plug it in. Cold batteries are less efficient. “Pre-conditioning” (warming up the car while plugged in) saves range.

🏁 Summary Checklist

Follow these simple steps, and your EV will remain as zippy and efficient as day one!