Page 22 - On The Move - Volume 16, Issue 3

POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?

The Electric Car and the Maintenance Plan

I think most people in the automotive industry would agree that the electric vehicle is finally here to stay. If we rewind the
tape of history, we find that electric vehicles, or even electric hybrids, are not a new concept and they certainly were not a
fresh creation in 1997 when Toyota launched the Prius. The electric motor came long before the internal combustion engine
began its reign over the past century. The combination of technological advancements through both private companies and the
Energy Department have supercharged the most current movement. This is especially true when considering the more developed
infrastructure for recharging batteries and the models available ranging from practical, sport, and luxury. The foundation is more
solid now than ever, giving the electric vehicle its best chance yet to become a viable answer to our transportation needs. For
some of us, the personal vehicle is not only our preferred form of transportation, but also a large component of the industry in
which we make our living. There are two sides (Side A and Side B) to the electric vehicle movement that can benefit the service
department. Let us examine how modernizing the traditional “tune up” can help transition seamlessly into the electric vehicle era.

Side A If you are like me, before you make a purchase you probably take Side B Without the moving parts of internal combustion engines, services
into consideration a few things like “What will it cost me?” and “Is it going to meet on electric vehicles will look very different for consumers and technicians alike. A
my needs?” Like many others, when it comes to buying a vehicle, we can spend few things will remain the same, however. There are reasons hybrid vehicles have
hours upon hours researching what to– and what not to– do. During the purchase, we orange colored wires. They are orange to warn the consumer: High voltage! It is no
are usually presented with options designed to enhance our ownership experience. surprise that there are very few consumer-serviceable parts on electric vehicles. This
One of these is a maintenance plan. The concept is simple. We prepay our most basic means that outside of charging these vehicles in the garage, the consumer should
vehicle maintenance for a pre-determined number of years or odometer miles. defer to a certified technician for everything else. Enter the maintenance plan of
And because we purchase it up front, we are typically entitled to some savings and the future! The dealer’s responsibility is to develop a way to provide preventative
protected from the guaranteed parts and labor increases in the years to come. But if maintenance on an electronic platform. This sounds impossible until we break it
the vehicle we are purchasing has no engine oil to be changed, no engine down one more step. Today’s vehicles, gas or electric, are big, rolling computers.
air filter to replace, and no spark plugs to “tune up”, what are we getting Many have at least 50 modules, and some have even more. Imagine for a moment
for our money? This raises some questions, but it really shouldn’t. The that every morning you unplugged your desktop computer, put it in your trunk,
manufacturer’s suggested service intervals are rarely comprised of only drove to the office, and then plugged it in on your desk. At the end of the day,
a simple oil and filter change. At most intervals, a variety of items should you unplugged it again, drove home with it in your trunk, and carried it back into
be addressed to ensure the vehicle’s dependability. Many consumers do your house. Outside of the workout you are getting from carrying the computer
the minimum and, as a result, the basis for understanding vehicle maintenance around, there is not a single positive aspect to this exercise. Much less anything
revolves around oil and filter changes. For example, we forego maintaining the that suggests your computer is going to last very long. It is an extreme example,
panoramic sunroof we wanted by not paying for the service to clean and lubricate but it illustrates the conditions our vehicles endure on a daily basis. Constant
the sliding rails or we skip paying for the product updates that are released for our cycles of temperatures, varying levels of humidity, and the endless vibrations of
driver assistance features. The laptop on our desk requires routine upkeep to run the road are all external influences that have no positive effect on any vehicle. In
at its best as does the tablet or phone in our hand. The electric vehicle will require addition to the usual points of inspection such as tires, brakes, suspension, and
periodic visits to the service department just as the internal combustion lighting, the maintenance plan concerning electric vehicles should include:
engine does now, but for different reasons.
• Inspection of the high voltage system wiring and testing for
any early signs of corrosion
• Computer module diagnostics and installation of the latest
product updates
• Inspection and replacement of the high voltage cooling
By Paul Dosescu system fluids
Trainer • Verification of effective heat dissipation and/or fan operation
American Financial & • Verification of secured and undamaged wiring connections at
Automotive Services, Inc the drive motor
- + • system, and external charge connection point
pdosescu@afasinc.com • Testing and inspection of the battery, regenerative charging

Verification of seals/moisture barriers for the most crucial/
sensitive components

Although once a uniformly understood term, its definition has been lost in recent time. We do not really know what a “tune up”
is nowadays. We do not have carburetors, distributor caps, or spark plug gaps to adjust anymore and some manufacturers tell us
driveline fluids are lifetime. It is no secret the service interval list has more things to “check” than to “replace.” Consider the benefit
to the consumer if a corroding connector is found during a routine maintenance plan visit while the vehicle is under manufacturer’s
warranty. As industry professionals in a day and age of narrowing attention spans, we must prepare to educate our consumers on
their vehicles and subsequently provide them with ownership options that fit their lifestyle. The maintenance plan might look a
little different in the years to come, but it will continue to sell if it accomplishes one thing: enhancing the ownership experience.
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