Whether you’re thinking about switching to electric power near Johnsonburg or you’re curious about electric car service, you might have some questions in mind. Some of the common ones the team at Spitzer CDJR St Marys has gotten include: Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have horsepower? And do electric cars have a transmission? We’re happy to answer the top 8 electric car service questions, so you can better understand the maintenance required for electric models. Find out the answers to these questions in the following service guide!
Electric cars do not need oil. This is because they are powered by electricity only. This also means they won’t need oil changes. The purpose of oil is to lubricate the moving parts of an engine, and if there’s no engine in an electric car — just an electric powertrain, then there are no moving parts for the motor oil to lubricate.
It’s worth noting that hybrid vehicles run on an electric battery + combustion engine combo. This means that hybrids do require regular oil changes like a conventional gas-powered car.
Yes, electric cars have horsepower, though it’s not always measured as “horsepower.” Instead, some automakers measure the power of their electric models as “KW.” There isn’t much of a difference between the two, and you can use a converter online to see how much horsepower an EV produces if its power is measured in KW.
Yes, electric cars have a transmission. However, they don’t need transmissions with multiple speeds, such as the ones you’ve seen in Kersey and Ridgeway like 6-speed or 8-speed transmissions. Electric motors produce the same amount of torque, regardless of RPM within a specific range. Generating torque via revving isn’t necessary with electric motors as electric vehicles produce power immediately. The gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, so drivers don’t have to change gears.
No, electric cars and hybrids have a DC-to-DC converter. This recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack.
No, catalytic converters aren’t needed in electric cars. Catalytic converters are necessary to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. EVs don’t have these kinds of engines, so catalytic converters aren’t necessary.
No, there are no exhaust pipes in electric cars. Electric models don’t produce any exhaust gases. No fuel is burned to power an EV, so there’s no need for an exhaust system.
Yes, EVs have heat and air conditioning! By definition, electric cars rely on electricity stored in the batteries to run the heating and cooling systems.
This is one of the top questions drivers ask when they’re considering making the switch to an electric model. While gas-powered cars have their benefits– they can travel further on a single fill-up and it’s easier for drivers to replace parts as they wear out, electric vehicles can last longer with fewer repairs. They will still need regular maintenance, but the lack of moving parts greatly increases their longevity.
Intrigued by electric vehicles after reading this guide? We’d love to tell you more, including the upcoming Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM electric future! Just contact us or stop by our St Marys lot!
