The advent of EV and the subsequent rise in their numbers has given birth to new concepts about transportation.  Unlike long ago when vehicles had to be filled with gasoline in order to function, EVs rely on electric power which is more abundant and easy to produce compared to oil that is scarce and is often affected by frequent price fluctuations.

EVs have revolutionized transportation by offering a much cleaner and quite driving experience. On top of that, these vehicles come with other benefits like lower maintenance costs and ease of handling.

However, much as EVs come with all these benefits, they too just like other vehicles have their own maintenance needs which must be met to maintain a good driving experience. Using the right tools needed to work on electric cars, every EV owner must commit to keeping their vehicles in a good condition.

This you must do whether you are doing it yourself or doing it from a reliable mechanic whom you can trust with your car.  Sound mechanical electric vehicle maintenance goes hand in hand with a safe and amazing driving experience.

The DIY Electric Vehicle Maintenance

There is a notion in some quarters that EVs are so difficult and costly to maintain.  The technical expertise required to keep these vehicles in a good condition is very costly which is partly the reason why some people stay away from them for fears of costly repair procedures these vehicles are likely to attract.

However, what if you were told that there is a way you can use to carry out some of the EV repair and maintenance procedures by yourself? Or, what if you were told that it is possible for you to carry out EV maintenance procedures and save yourself some money that you would have used on an experienced mechanic provided you have the right DIY electric vehicle maintenance tools?

Well if you do not think this is possible then continue reading this blog.  The blog seeks to empower you adequately with information on how to maintain an EV all by yourself enabling you to maintain your EV at home or wherever you are without necessarily having to visit a specialized mechanic. Once you complete reading you will be so surprised to learn that some of the things that you pay a lot of money for repairs can actually be done by you at home and it won’t even take you a lot of time and resources.

Important Things to Consider Before Commencing a DIY EV Maintenance

While it is very much possible to carry out some EV maintenance at home all by yourself, doing so successfully requires you to get some things at the beginning right.  For instance, preparing adequately for this process taking everything into account is essential to the success of the procedure.

Some simple and easily negligible things like safe EV maintenance at home can significantly alter this process determining its end result. This is why it is important to get the preparation for DIY EV maintenance right before embarking on the procedure, here is how to do so:

Get the Essential Safety Gear First

Before getting started with the DIY EV maintenance process check your safety and the safety of where you are working from first. Ensure you have the right gear protecting you from any potential injuries occurring from this process.

Start by gathering everything you need for the safe EV maintenance at home procedure like safety glasses, which protect your eyes from any debris or flying materials or any accidental splashes. Doing so will protect your eyesight throughout the maintenance process ensuring that you remain safe even as you work on your EV at home.

Once you have gathered the glasses you need, the next thing you need are insulated gloves. Well insulated gloves are very important when working on EV for many reasons.  First, most EVs are packed with many live wires capable of causing serious electric shocks. Touching them without proper protection on your hands can easily result in shocks many of which can be catastrophic.

By putting on gloves when handling these wires, you not only protect yourself but you also are free to attend to any part of the vehicle without the fear of electrocution.  The other reason why wearing protective gloves is advisable when working on EVs is because of the sensitive nature of some the EV components.  EVs come with some components which are very sensitive to the point that if touched with bear human hands they can be compromised in quality and effectiveness.  

Due to these reasons, it is advisable to always handle any EV maintenance with gloves and not with bear hands together with tools needed to work on electric cars.  This is done for safety reasons and also for protecting EV components from any potential comprise by bear hands.

Use Non Conductive Tools

When working with EVs specifically when maintaining them always work with non-conductive tools. Use materials like rubber, plastic and wooden handles so as to reduce the possibility of an electric shock. These materials will help you to remain safe as you work on your vehicle.

If by some chance you have to use tools needed to work in electric cars that are not insulated then ensure that you are only using them on EV parts that cannot conduct power. Fixing EV components like side mirrors tires and seats might not necessarily require you to have insulated working tools provided you take great care.

Have a Fire Extinguisher with You

When working on an EV or any vehicle for that matter there is always the possibility of a fire.  This is why you need to have a fire extinguisher with you during this process ready for such an occurrence. The fire extinguisher will come in handy to help you put out any fire fast before it grows allowing you an early opportunity to avert any danger occurring from this incident.

Basic Tools Required for EV Maintenance

To carry out a successful EV maintenance at home you need to have a set of tools that will help you to make this entire process a success. The tools you choose for this process depends on the nature of the maintenance you intend to carry out.

For instance, if you intend to carry out a more detailed and in depth maintenance on your EV then you need to have complex sophisticated tools needed for working on electric cars for the process.  On the other hand, if you wish to carry out a simple repair process on your EV then simple tools will do for you. To further empower you on this issue, here are some tools you might need for this purpose.

• Socket Wrench Set

If you want to carry out a complex maintenance on your vehicle on key parts like the battery, battery covers and wheel lug nuts then you will need a socket wrench set.  The equipment will help you to open up these areas fast enough and proceed with the maintenance process.

• Torque Wrench

There are some EV maintenance tasks which require tightening. For maintenance in such areas you need a torque wrench which enables you to apply only the right amount of force on the EV components you are working on. Doing so prevents you from damaging the components you are working on especially if the components are delicate. If possible, get in touch with your owner’s manual for information on specific torque specifications required for carrying out specific tasks.

• A Multimeter

When working on an EV you need a host of versatile tools needed to work on electric cars.  One of them is a multimeter used for measuring current, voltage and the resistance of EVs components. This tool is vital for troubleshooting any electrical issues or in verification of the half health of the 12V battery.

• A Good Bright Flashlight

You might also need a well-lit and bright flashlight to help you when working on your EV.  The flashlight will help you to illuminate tight spaces within the vehicle during the maintenance procedures.

• A Lug Wrench and a Jack

Just in case your EV maintenance procedures require you to change the tires of your EV then will need a Jack and a lug wrench. These tools needed to work on electric cars are vital for safely changing EV tires and are useful if you have a flat tire or if you just want to change the tire another different reason.

Electric Vehicle DIY Maintenance Tasks

Now that you know about all that is required to carry out a DIY EV maintenance it is now time to look at some of the EV maintenance procedures you can carry out all by yourself at home, here are some of them:

• Tire Maintenance

This is the first EV maintenance that you can carry out all by yourself at home. Regularly check your EV tire pressure and tread depth. Where necessary, rotate EV tires as per the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep them in good condition. As you might know already, EVs tires are subjected to additional weight because of the battery weight which is why you need to keep checking them to ensure that they remain in the best condition.

• Cabin Air Filter Replacement

A clogged air filter in an EV can restrict air flow leading to a reduction in ventilation efficiency. Thus, you need to replace the air cabin filter in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Carrying out this procedure should be one of the easiest given that it does not require the use of tools needed to work on electric cars provided you adhere to the requirements in the provided manufacturer guidelines.

• Wiper Blade Replacement

Serving a wiper blade to keep it in good condition in an Electric vehicle is another simple procedure that anyone can carry out. To keep your wiper blades in good condition, you need to keep servicing them by repairing won out blades and replacing those that are damaged.

• 12V Battery Maintenance

Whereas EVs comes with high voltage pack which powers the vehicle, all EVs come with a traditional 12V battery which is primarily used for powering vehicle lights, and other accessories like the infotainment system. This battery serves an equally important role in an EV and must be well taken care off to ensure that it remains in a good condition at all times.

You can carry out regular maintenance on it like cleaning its terminals and checking for corrosion that might limit its life periodically. If you are unsure of what to do consult your mechanic or car manufacture on what to do before commencing a safe EV maintenance at home.

• Visual Inspections

Conduct regular checks on your vehicle to check for any damages or leaks or any loose components around the vehicle. More specifically, pay adequate attention to the charging port area and make sure your EV high voltage compartment is well secured.

• Top Up Fluids

EVs just like other vehicles require fluid top ups just like other vehicles for many reasons like cooling the vehicle’s systems and others. You need to keep checking the fluid containers to ensure that they are full and fully capable of serving their roles.

Electric Vehicle DIY Maintenance Success Rate

Before embarking on any EV DIY maintenance procedure, you probably would ask yourself what is the success rate of this process.  Well that depends on many things like the  understanding of the procedure you are working on, the tools you are using and the extent of the problem you are handling.

If you are working on a more complex problem with poor tools needed to work on electric cars and low skills then chances are you might end up with poor results.  However, if you can successfully diagnose the problem bedevilling your vehicle then acquire the right tools to use to work on the problem then you will attain good results.

In simple terms, the success rate of an EV DIY maintenance rate depends on a number of things like the ones stated above.  In case you are unsure of what to do with this process and you do not wish to enlist the services of a mechanic to help you consider getting an expert friend to help you with the issue.  If possible get someone with the right skills with prior experience in handling an EV model similar to your model. By so doing, you will successfully maintain your EV at home.

Conclusion It is possible do a safe EV maintenance at home all by yourself.  All you need to do this are proper tools, some basic skills and a manual to guide you during this process. With these things, you can carry out this procedure so well and keep your vehicle in good health and condition for extended periods of time.