Do Electric Cars Use Oil?

With electric vehicles becoming more common on the market nowadays, a lot of new buyers have questions about EV maintenance. Two common questions we get are “Do electric cars use oil” and “Do electric cars need oil?”

The answer to both is, No, Electric vehicles don’t use motor oil. However, electric cars will still need transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant to function. Beyond the subject of a non-existent electric car oil change, DeNooyer Chevrolet is here to explore everything related to EV maintenance in Kalamazoo. Read on to learn more.

What Fluids Do You Need to Change in Electric Vehicles?

As indicated, Portage and Galesburg will not need electric car oil changes. Hopefully, that answers, “Do electric cars use oil?” for the time being. Yet, you’ll still need to keep an eye on your transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant levels at all times. Here’s a summary of each:

• Brake Fluid: Like all road vehicles, Electric vehicles have brakes, and you’ll need to be sure that any brake system is properly lubricated and the fluid levels are right to continue driving safely.
• Transmission Fluid: By having this in your vehicle, will make sure that the gears work more effectively over time. Electric vehicles do feature transmission, and you’ll need to keep an eye on any transmission fluid changes. Check with your Chevrolet owner’s manual for specific intervals.
• Coolant: Having adequate coolant levels in your vehicle’s radiator will keep your battery and vehicle systems from severely overheating.

Yes, beyond the question of “Do electric cars need oil?” there’s a lot more to look into. Like all road vehicles, you’ll need to keep an eye on your tires. Remember to schedule regular services like tire rotation and wheel alignment when necessary. It can keep your electric vehicle running longer on Mattawan roads.

Electric Vehicle Parts

Now that we’ve summed up the whole “Do electric cars use oil?” question, let’s move toward the anatomy of electric vehicles. To better understand the difference between electric vehicles and gas-power vehicles, you want to be sure your EV is in the right condition.

Electric vehicles utilize an electric motor to convert an electrical current from your battery into motion. Torque is generated by magnets close to the motor. The magnets craft a magnetic field around your vehicle’s motors and churn it. To keep it fully operational, you’ll need to remember to charge it up at home at public charging stations in Kalamazoo and Galesburg.

Here are the most fundamental pieces of any electric vehicle’s power plant:

• Charging Ports: These are external chargers used to charge the vehicle’s battery.
• Traction Motors: These will turn the wheels of your electric vehicle.
• Onboard Charger: This charger will convert the external charge you receive from a charging power into DC, or Direct Current, power.
• DC-DC Converter: This converts the high voltage Direct Current (DC) power that comes from a battery into a low voltage DC power that moves the vehicle.
• Battery: Your battery will help store the electricity that powers the vehicle motor as you’re driving.
• Thermal System: This internal system will keep your EV’s motor and electronic components from overheating.

Service Your EV at DeNooyer Chevrolet in Kalamazoo

Now that we’ve answered the question of “Do electric cars use oil?” why not schedule service with DeNooyer Chevrolet? Call us at (269) 743-3428 or fill out our online contact form to schedule service at our Kalamazoo dealership. If you’re a first-time EV buyer, browse our Chevrolet electric vehicle inventory online. We look forward to seeing you soon.