Do Electric Cars Use Oil?

Electric cars don’t have a combustion engine, so if you drive an EV in Catskill, you can wave goodbye to oil changes. There’s no such thing as an electric car oil change. That’s one of the many benefits of electric cars. Keep in mind that EVs do require other fluids, such as transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. Learn more about fundamental EV fluids and parts in our overview below!

What Fluids Do You Need to Change in Electric Vehicles?

While you don’t need electric car oil changes, you do need to keep tabs on the following fluids to ensure your EV is operating at its best:

• Brake Fluid — ensures your brake system is properly lubricated for improved safety on the road.

• Transmission fluid — ensures that your gears move efficiently and are in working order.

• Coolant — stops your battery and other vehicle systems from overheating.

And, electric vehicles still need tires! Of course. That means you’ll need to keep up with routine tire alignments and rotations, especially as EVs are considerably heavier than gas-powered cars.

What are the Fundamental Electric Vehicle Parts?

Now that you have a good idea of what basic maintenance looks like for an EV, let’s take a closer look at what separates EVs from gas cars. For starters, EVs used an electric motor that converts current from the battery to driving range. Torque is produced by magnets positioned near the motor. They generate a magnetic field around the motor and put it in motion. Charging is necessary to ensure your EV has the power to run.

Other than the motor, EVs rely on the following parts to produce power:

• Charging ports — external chargers used to charge the battery of an EV.

• Traction motors — turn your vehicle’s wheels.

• Onboard charger — converts the external charge received from a charging port into DC power.

• DC-DC converter — transforms the high-voltage direct current (DC) power from the battery into low-voltage DC power that propels the car.

• Battery — stores the electricity that powers the motor while the car’s in motion.

• Thermal system — prevents the motor and other electronic components from overheating.

Schedule Service for Your EV at Sawyer Chevrolet, Inc.

Bottom line: Do electric cars need oil? No, they don’t — for all of the reasons provided above. If your EV does need to be serviced, you can schedule a service appointment online. Choose a time and date that works for you, and we’ll be in touch to confirm. Browse our current service specials for coupons, or contact us at (866) 618-5022 with questions about EV services and prices.