Servicing electric and hybrid cars at a multi-brand garage: what can be done safely and what you should keep an eye on (Kirkkonummi–Espoo)

Servicing electric and hybrid cars at a multi-brand garage This often raises two practical questions: what can be done in exactly the same way as before, and which aspects require particular caution due to high-voltage systems. Along the Kirkkonummi–Espoo route, many people’s driving patterns involve a combination of city driving, ring roads and short commutes – and this is precisely what highlights the importance of brakes, suspension, tyres and air conditioning, even in electric and hybrid cars.

STS Evitskog is a multi-brand garage based in Kirkkonummi (Kylmäläntie 350, 02540 Kirkkonummi) which services all makes of car, drawing on over 20 years’ experience. This article outlines the basics of routine maintenance from the perspective of electric and hybrid vehicles: what can be done safely in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, what is worth keeping an eye on in day-to-day use, and when diagnostics can save time and money.

Servicing electric and hybrid cars at a multi-make garage: what does a basic service involve?

Even though the powertrain may change, a car’s “wear-and-tear parts” remain largely the same: brakes, suspension, tyres, joints, bearings, fluids and filters (depending on the model). At a multi-brand garage, routine servicing is carried out in accordance with the service schedule: items covered by the scheduled maintenance are checked, the work carried out is documented, and parts and fluids that meet the manufacturer’s specifications are used. This is also important in terms of the service history and resale value.

With electric cars, it is often emphasised that there is no need to change the engine oil, but other regular checks are required instead. For example, there may be coolants in several circuits (battery, powertrain, cabin heating), and it is worth checking their condition and ensuring there are no leaks. Hybrids, on the other hand, combine the maintenance requirements of an internal combustion engine (oils, filters, ignition components, depending on the model) with checks on the electrical systems.

If you want to find out exactly what your car’s service programme includes, the STS Evitskog article is also a good read Scheduled maintenance in Kirkkonummi, which explains the practical aspects and the importance of the service interval.

Safety and the manufacturer’s instructions for servicing electric and hybrid cars

Trust is built on work being carried out systematically and correctly. Servicing electric and hybrid cars at a multi-brand garage is safe provided that the manufacturer’s repair instructions are followed, the correct working methods are used and it is clearly identified which procedures relate to the high-voltage system. In practice, much of the routine maintenance involves “standard mechanical work”, but, for example, orange high-voltage cables, battery cooling systems and electronic heating and air-conditioning components introduce additional requirements for precision.

A safe process involves, amongst other things, ensuring the vehicle is in the correct condition (e.g. in a service bay), using the correct connections and protective measures, and ensuring that work is not carried out “on a whim”. If the work requires the high-voltage system to be de-energised, this is done in accordance with the instructions and only in situations where it is absolutely necessary. At a multi-brand garage, documentation is also emphasised: what was inspected, what was measured and what was replaced.

When an electric or hybrid car is serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and a clear safety procedure, routine maintenance is just as predictable as it is for a car with an internal combustion engine.

If a warning light comes on in the car’s instrument panel or the car’s performance changes, simply replacing parts is rarely the best solution. In such cases, it is advisable to arrange for a thorough fault diagnosis to identify the actual cause – STS Evitskog’s diagnostics It is particularly helpful when dealing with problems relating to charging, sensors or control units.

Brakes, chassis and tyres: specific features of electric driving

Driving in the Kirkkonummi and Espoo area is characterised by a varied rhythm: built-up areas, junctions, ring roads and short journeys. In an electric car, regenerative braking reduces the use of mechanical brakes, which may sound like a good thing – but it also carries its own risks. Brake discs and pads can rust or become glazed if they are not used sufficiently. That is why cleaning and bleeding the brakes, and changing the brake fluid in accordance with the service schedule, are important, even if “the brakes seem to be working”.

Another practical difference is weight and torque. Electric cars are often heavier, and the instantaneous torque places a different strain on the tyres and chassis components than in many internal combustion engine cars. This is more readily apparent in the form of uneven tyre wear, vibration or even slight play in the steering. If you notice any vibration in your car, you should also read the guide vibration in the car when braking or travelling at motorway speeds, so that you can describe the symptoms to the garage as accurately as possible.

Fluids, air conditioning and thermal management: the “quiet” maintenance areas of hybrid and electric cars

Fluids do not disappear with electrification – they simply change. Brake fluid remains a critical safety fluid, and its replacement intervals should be taken seriously, as the fluid absorbs moisture and its boiling point decreases over time. Furthermore, many electric cars and plug-in hybrids have multiple cooling circuits. Thermal management is essential for battery longevity and driving range, so any leaks, deterioration in the condition of hoses or changes in coolant levels must be investigated promptly.

Air conditioning is another factor that directly affects the driving range of electric cars. Poor cooling or heating may be due to a low refrigerant level, a leak, the filters or the system’s controls. STS Evitskog carries out air conditioning servicing using state-of-the-art equipment, and if you’d like to understand the most common causes before booking an appointment, take a look at this article Is the air conditioning not cooling?. In practice, preventive maintenance reduces the risk of the system operating at reduced capacity and the compressor being subjected to unnecessary strain.

For general background information on electric car technology and its key systems, you can also read The Wikipedia article on electric cars, which helps to explain why, for example, battery temperature and energy management are so clearly visible in everyday use.

Usage profile: Kirkkonummi–Espoo – what should you keep an eye on with electric and hybrid cars?

Short journeys, varying speeds and the changing seasons mean that how a car is used is almost as important as how it is maintained. In an electric car, cold weather increases energy consumption and highlights the importance of the condition of the heating system and thermal management. A hybrid, on the other hand, may use the internal combustion engine in short bursts during short journeys, meaning the engine does not always have time to warm up to its optimum temperature – this can affect, for example, the condition of the oil and the build-up of condensation. Therefore, it is not advisable to “adapt” the service schedule; instead, you should follow it in line with your driving profile.

Another practical consideration is the load on the tyres and brakes. The weight and torque of an electric car, combined with the speeds on ring roads, can cause tyres to wear out surprisingly quickly if the pressure is incorrect or the camber angles are out of alignment. Conversely, the brakes may see little use if regenerative braking handles most of the deceleration. For this reason, during routine servicing, it is worth specifically asking for a mechanical inspection of the brakes, not just a “quick glance”.

How does STS Evitskog cater for drivers of electric and hybrid cars in Kirkkonummi?

When you’re looking for a reliable service provider in Kirkkonummi, Veikkola, Siuntio or Espoo, the most important thing is a transparent approach: what is being inspected, what the recommendation is based on, and how the work is documented. STS Evitskog’s strength lies in its multi-brand expertise and experience with a variety of usage profiles. In practice, this means that servicing is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach; rather, in addition to the service programme, we take into account driving style, annual mileage and symptoms – such as tyre wear, the condition of the brakes in regenerative driving, and the performance of the air conditioning.

In addition to routine maintenance, diagnostics and electrical work are an important part of modern servicing, as both hybrid and electric cars contain a great deal of control units and system logic. When a fault is correctly pinpointed, unnecessary part replacements are avoided and the car can be back on the road more quickly. If, for example, you’re hearing noises from the chassis, you might also want to read the article noises and vibrations from the chassis – it helps to describe the symptom accurately right from the appointment-booking stage.

Finally, a good rule of thumb: electrification does not eliminate the need for maintenance, but shifts the focus. As long as the brakes, chassis, tyres, fluids and air conditioning are kept in good working order and the work is carried out safely in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, owning an electric car or a hybrid is a more carefree experience, even in the varied day-to-day life of the Kirkkonummi–Espoo area.