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Plenty of people claim that EVs require no servicing at all — and if you're looking to save money short term, it certainly feels like not servicing your EV could be a win-win. But do your EVs require servicing? Should you get every planned service the automaker wants you to? Or is there a middle ground? ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:31 - Nobody likes wasting money 03:47 - A "standard" EV service 04:26 - Visual inspection and a tire rotation? 05:36 - Complimentary services? 07:00 - Regular service intervals are actually a good idea 07:51 - Like healthcare, regular checkups are a good idea for your EV 09:19 - Do it for your warranty! 10:32 - Finding a good dealership is essential 12:01 - The smart choice: somewhere in the middle 12:27 - DIY knowledge helps you avoid some visits 13:50 - Tackle problems when they arise if you can 14:31 - Having good relationships are important 14:47 - Clearing up some misconceptions 17:10 - Yes, servicing is not optional, but... 18:33 - Thanks, and Goodbye! 🎙️ Credits: Presenter & Script: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Camera, Editor, Colorist: Vi Horton Art & Animation: Erin Carlie Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Music: Licensed via Artlist.io © Transport Evolved LLC, 2025 🔗 Links: 🛒 Support the channel via Amazon: https://amzn.to/40xOyjm (As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.) 💖 Support Us Directly: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transportevolved Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/transportevolved Donate Bitcoin: bc1qrzrgccxukpdz2dz9kx9jyjxmzdyhygfz0mn4wh Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/TransportEVd/shop 📺 Watch More + Stay Connected: Second Channel: Transport Evolved Take Two Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/U3tnkGNfCA Mastodon: https://mastodon.transportevolved.com/ PeerTube: transport_evolved_main@peertube.tv Aptera Referral: https://i.refs.cc/zz56EbIi (But watch this explainer first!) Solar quotes via EnergySage: https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262
Shops that prey on the uninformed with unnecessary transmission flushes, coolant flushes and various oil and fuel additives are going to be grasping for work on EVs. Brakes on an EV should last longer in theory, regenerative braking doesn’t use the brake system as much though the cars are heavier. I assume unnecessary brake jobs are going to increase.
Doing oil changes and other fluid myself on ICE cars I am only really going to a shop once a year for state inspection. An EV would be practically no maintenance to me. I’d say I’m out of the normal though because identifying and repairing brake, tire and suspension issues generally I can do myself.
You should be doing transmission service regularly though. Automatic transmissions are often claimed to be good for the life of the car, but regular drain and flush will prolong the life. Coolant flushes used to be more necessary than they are now.
I would strongly disagree with that. Transmission flushes are LARGELY a money grab. Unless your car is shifting erratically, hesitating, jerking or not going into gear it is better to just leave your transmission fluid as is. In fact putting new fluid into an old transmission that is working correctly can actually CAUSE issues.
Unless you have a CVT, which was dying since the day it was born anyway.
And if fresh fluid kills your trans, the friction disks were already toast and being helped along by the crud in the old thin fluid.
Well yeah- when the transmission fails, the car has reached the end of its life!
You should be doing changes per the manufacturers schedule. Most places don’t consider it or when you last got one at all when they try to sell it to you.
IIRC, there have been a few car companies that claimed that the transmission didn’t need service. Without service the transmissions would fail at about 100k miles; with service they would last 2-3x longer.