How to Maintain a Hybrid Car

How To Maintain a Hybrid Car

• 1). When buying your hybrid, pay attention to the warranty, especially for the battery. Dealers like Honda and Toyota, which lead the way in hybrid sales in the U.S., offer eight- and 10-year warranties on their batteries, respectively. The batteries can cost more than $3,000, so it's important to pay attention to the battery's performance while you own the car.
  
  
• 2). Adhere to a regular maintenance schedule. The cost of regular maintenance to a hybrid --- such as oil changes, tire rotation, tune-ups, and air filters --- are no different than that of a non-hybrid vehicle.
  
  
• 3). When you do need a mechanic, consider taking it back to the dealership you bought it from, or a qualified dealer that sells and services that make and model. Hybrids are a new technology and it may be smarter to take the car back to the dealership for repairs, as their mechanics are certified in servicing hybrids.
  
  
• 4). Just as with a non-hybrid vehicle, hybrid owners should watch their driving habits to reduce wear and tear. Two of the most important factors for hybrids are engine wear and break wear, which is reduced by the hybrid's technology.
  
  
• 5). Watch your hybrid in cold weather. The battery operates optimally in warmer weather. Give your battery time to warm up when it's cold outside so it can reach its optimum temperature before departing. Doing so will also extend the battery's life.