Nov 15, 2022
dashboard of a mercedes benz eqs suv for maintenance guidance

Traditional gas-fueled cars with internal combustion engines require certain types of routine maintenance that many of us may already be familiar with, such as oil changes. You may be wondering if such maintenance is necessary on an electric vehicle, like your Mercedes EQS. Does an EV need an oil change? What other types of maintenance does an EV require?

Do EVs Need Oil Changes?

The purpose of oil is to lubricate an internal combustion engine (ICE). EVs do not have such an engine and, therefore, do not require oil or oil changes to operate efficiently. Hybrid vehicles that use both a battery and an ICE will require periodic oil changes, however. Most manufacturers recommend you change the oil in your hybrid vehicle every 10,000 miles or so, but this will ultimately depend on the make and model of your car, as well as how often you actually drive your car. 

What Maintenance Do EVs Require?

Although EVs do not require oil changes, they will still need other routine maintenance similar to gas-powered vehicles. This includes:

Transmission Fluid for Electric Vehicle Maintenance

Your EV will likely include an automatic transmission, which requires fluid to lubricate moving parts and provide both friction and hydraulic pressure to help it function. As such, you will want to monitor transmission fluid levels and top them off regularly.

Signs that your transmission fluid is running low on an EV include:

  • Slow or sluggish acceleration
  • Leaks
  • Burning smell (due to overheating)
  • Shaking

Change Brake Fluid and Brake Pads on an EV?

Most EVs use something called “regenerative braking.” Gas fueled vehicles have traditionally relied on hydraulic brakes (usually drum or disc brakes). These types of brakes convert kinetic energy needed to stop the car from moving forward into heat via the force known as friction. Unfortunately, heat does not power a car. This means that hydraulic brakes effectively waste the energy they convert when bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Regenerative braking, on the other hand, transfers this kinetic energy to the electric battery, effectively recovering much of the energy used to accomplish stopping the vehicle. This recovered energy can then be used to power auxiliary systems within the EV, such as the sound system of climate control. This, in turn, takes the burden of powering these systems off the central battery and improves efficiency.  

Because of their knack for recycling energy, regenerative brakes typically have a much longer lifespan than their gas-powered counterparts. This does not mean, however, that you should neglect routine brake pad and fluid maintenance. You should still aim to change your brake pads every 100,000 miles or every 5 years, whichever comes first. 

Brake fluid levels should also be monitored and topped off as needed. If you notice the following, it may be time to change your brake fluid:

  • The car is taking longer than usual to come to a complete stop
  • The brake fluid light is illuminated on the dashboard
  • The pedal feels “spongy” or soft

Do You Need to Replace Coolant in an Electric Vehicle?

Electric vehicles still require coolant in order to operate climate control and cool the electrical systems. Unlike gas powered vehicles, however, EVs will need a low conductivity coolant to function. Some manufacturers, such as Tesla, state that you should not have to ever replace the coolant.

That being said, it is still a good idea to monitor coolant levels to ensure your EV remains functioning optimally. The amount of coolant and how often you need to replace it will ultimately depend on the kind of car you are driving and how often you drive it. 

Many manufacturers discourage replacing their electric vehicle’s coolant on your own, since it needs to be a specialized kind of coolant in order to avoid significant dysfunction. Refer to your manufacturer’s manual to determine if this is something you can accomplish as a DIY project or if you should bring your EV to a dealership for coolant replacement. 

Signs that your EV needs more coolant include:

  • Temperature gauge is increasing
  • Heater or AC not working properly
  • Lower MPGe

Tire Maintenance for an Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles are often heavier than their gas-fueled counterparts. This is because batteries can weigh a lot. In some cases, EVs carry hundreds of pounds of additional weight compared to cars with traditional internal combustion engines. All this additional weight takes its toll on tires, which will require regular inspection for signs of tread wear and pressure changes. 

Signs that your tire pressure is low on your EV include:

  • Poor MGPe
  • Vehicle taking longer to stop than usual
  • Sluggish feeling while turning
  • “Flapping” noise while driving

Check your tire pressure with a standard tire gauge and compare it to the manufacturer’s suggested guidelines. For safety and efficiency, never overfill your tires. 

You will also want to check your tire treads to ensure adequate depth. You can perform a simple penny test to determine if it is time to change your tires. 

Test Drive a Mercedes EQ in Colorado

Overall, electric vehicles require significantly less maintenance than ICE and hybrid vehicles. All the more reason to make the switch to all-electric today! Stop by the Mercedes Benz of Littleton Dealership to take one of our gorgeous EQ vehicles for a test drive. Call or go online to see what we have in stock.