Do Electric Cars Use Oil?

Is your EV due for an electric car oil change near Hoover? Do electric cars use oil at all? The answer is no, electric cars do not need motor oil—so you can put oil changes in your rearview mirror for good! But if electric cars needing oil is a thing of the past, what fluids do they need? EVs do require transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. Read on to learn more! If your EV needs upkeep in Birmingham, reach out to schedule an appointment! 

What Fluids Do You Need to Change in Electric Vehicles?

Hoover and Vestavia Hills drivers don’t need electric car oil changes, but since the answer to “do electric cars use oil?” is no, what do they need? They will need to keep tabs on brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. Here’s a closer look at what that means in practice:

• Brake Fluid: Like any type of car, EVs feature brakes, meaning that you’ll need to ensure your brake system is properly lubricated in order to remain safe while driving. 
• Transmission fluid: This fluid ensures that your gears move efficiently and are well preserved. Since your EV features a transmission, you’ll need to stay on top of transmission fluid changes. Consult your owner’s manual for specific intervals.
• Coolant: The coolant in your radiator keeps your battery and vehicle systems from overheating. 

Of course, electric vehicles still need tires! That means you’ll also need to schedule regular services like tire rotation and wheel alignment. No matter what you need, we make it easy to schedule service online.

Electric Vehicle Parts 

Now that you know that electric vehicles don’t use oil, let’s take a look at the anatomy of EVs. Once you’ve got a better sense of how EVs differ from gas-powered vehicles, you’ll be better prepared to keep your EV in good condition for years to come.

EVs use an electric motor, which converts an electrical current from your battery into motion. Torque is generated with magnets alongside the motor. The magnets create a magnetic field around the motor, and churn it. To ensure that your vehicle has the power required to run, you’ll need to charge it up at home or at public charging stations around Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.

Here are the most fundamental parts of your EVs power plant:

• Charging ports: These are the external chargers you use to charge the battery of your vehicle. 
• Traction motors: These motors turn your vehicle’s wheels.
• Onboard charger: The charger converts the external charge you receive from a charging port into DC power.
• DC-DC converter: This converts the high-voltage direct current (DC) power that comes from the battery into the low-voltage DC power that moves the vehicle.
• Battery: Your battery stores the electricity that powers the motors as you drive.
• Thermal system: This system keeps your motors and electronic components from overheating.

Service Your EV at Tameron Hyundai in Birmingham

So, do electric cars need oil? For all the reasons outlined above, you’ll never have to worry about changing the oil in an EV. If you think your vehicle is due for a brake fluid flush, transmission fluid replacement, or coolant change, give us a call. Our phone number is 205-445-9580 and our mechanics are well-equipped to service EVs. In the meantime, take a moment to explore our service tips or learn more about our current service offers.