Did you know that hybrid vehicle sales continued to grow in 2024, making up 10.6% of the United States light-duty vehicle market in 3Q/2024? That’s pretty impressive. Consumers are still excited about driving hybrids, and it looks like they are here to stay. Auto manufacturers continually refine and improve hybrid technology, but HEVs are not without a few drawbacks. Let’s look at a few common hybrid vehicle problems, including the cooling systems and HEVs battery pack.
HEVs Battery Pack
Most hybrids (HEVs) utilize a lithium-ion or nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable battery pack to power the electric motor. Battery technology continues to evolve, and each new generation is better than the last. However, it’s important to remember that these rechargeable hybrid batteries degrade over time and may lead to:
- Battery charge drops suddenly
- Dashboard warning lights
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Reduced performance
Battery Pack Care For Longer Life
When thinking about ways to care for your hybrid’s battery pack, it’s helpful to keep detailed records of maintenance and repairs. Try to notice if your HEVs charging behavior changes. Deal with dashboard warning lights immediately by scheduling a diagnostic service. And always follow the factory-recommended charging schedule and service intervals for your vehicle. A hybrid battery in distress can sometimes be reconditioned by a qualified technician if caught early. Proper battery pack care and early intervention can prevent total battery failure and prolong its life.
Cooling Systems
A hybrid vehicle has two cooling systems: one for the combustion engine and one for the electric motor.
The cooling system for the combustion engine uses coolant, a radiator, and a pump. The pump moves the coolant through the engine, where it absorbs heat, and then to the radiator to cool it down.
The cooling system for the electric motor uses a refrigerant and the air-conditioner’s components to keep the battery pack cool. Alternatively, some HEVs with high-powered batteries may require a separate system that incorporates both an indirect, non-conductive coolant and refrigerant with distinct circuits containing the following components:
- Cooler
- Coolant pump
- Coolant stop valve
- Condenser
- Evaporator
- Thermostat
Cooling Systems Maintenance
The cooling systems on most HEVs are much more complex than the one on standard combustion engine vehicles. Routine maintenance helps identify minor problems before they turn into big problems. Check coolant levels frequently. Only use fluids designed for your hybrid type. Read your owner’s manual for guidance and service recommendations.
Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen volume in the exhaust to help regulate the air-to-fuel ratio of the combustion engine. A malfunctioning oxygen sensor can trigger the Check Engine warning light. Symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor can include:
- Increased emissions
- Poor fuel economy
- Reduced performance
Schedule Diagnostic Service
If you notice any of the above symptoms, or your HEVs Check Engine light is on, schedule a diagnostic service with your qualified hybrid service technician right away.
Transmission System
Some hybrid models use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which operates a little differently than traditional automatic or manual transmissions. Auto manufacturers designed CVTs to improve fuel efficiency. However, they may have problems with accelerated wear, overheating, low transmission fluid levels, and fluid contamination.
CVT Maintenance
Always follow the factory-recommended service intervals for your HEVs continuously variable transmission. It’s also vital to keep the transmission fluid levels full.
Regenerative Braking System
Most hybrid vehicles rely on two types of braking systems: regenerative braking and conventional friction braking. Regenerative braking captures kinetic energy and uses it to power auxiliary features and to recharge the battery. In theory, the more you use regenerative brakes, the less you use the friction brakes. That means less wear and tear on your HEVs brake pads, calipers, and rotors. Some hybrids can drive 100,000 miles before requiring a brake service.
Notice Changes When Braking
I cannot stress enough how important it is to notice changes in your HEVs braking behavior. If you must press the brake pedal harder to slow down, or it takes longer to come to a complete stop, there is likely a safety issue with your brakes. It could be low brake fluid, glazed brake pads, or a faulty sensor in the braking system. A qualified technician can use specialized equipment or tools to find the problem and fix it.
Practice Preventative Maintenance
Following your factory-recommended maintenance routine for your hybrid vehicle can significantly reduce unexpected repairs and costs over its lifetime.
Hybrid Vehicle Repairs in Kirkland, WA
Fisher’s Auto Service specializes in hybrid vehicle repairs & maintenance. Our ASE-certified technicians perform thorough diagnostic inspections and repairs on all makes and models of both foreign and domestic HEVs. Our service team is qualified to use all the high-voltage meters, safety equipment, and high-performance scanning tools required to repair your Hybrid vehicle properly.
Make An Appointment
If you are looking for quality service and repairs for your hybrid vehicle, call Fisher’s Auto, Serving Kirkland, WA and surrounding areas. Reach us at (425) 823-4441 or use our online reservation form to make your next appointment.