The difference between an engine and a motor
Hybrids use two components to propel the vehicle forward: an engine and a motor. In everyday language, we often use these terms interchangeably. However, they do differ from one another.
The engine uses combustion to create energy to move the vehicle. The motor, by comparison, uses electricity to get things going. In this blog post, we’ll refer to these components by their proper names.
How hybrids move
Hybrids come in three basic types: mild hybrids (MHEVs), full hybrids (FHEVs), and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The “EV” stands for “electric vehicle.”
MHEVs use the battery to power the vehicle while braking, coasting, or sitting at a complete stop. The battery will also begin acceleration from a complete stop, and the engine will take over once the vehicle reaches a certain speed. This design helps with fuel efficiency, since engines can’t run efficiently at low speeds.
FHEVs operate using the motor first and the engine second. As the battery has electricity to power the motor, the engine won’t engage. Once the battery has been drained, the engine will turn on to both power the vehicle and recharge the battery.
PHEVs are a subtype of a full hybrid. As the name suggests, they have a power adaptor the driver can plug into a charging station to charge the battery when the car is turned off.
Hybrid vehicles and oil
Although the three main designs of hybrid vehicles differ in how much the battery plays a role and receives power, they have one thing in common: oil.
Because hybrid vehicles use an internal combustion engine (ICE), they require oil to keep the engine clean and lubricated. Dirty oil can affect your engine’s performance, sometimes significantly. So having it checked and changed when needed will keep your engine healthier for longer.
(Fully electric vehicles don’t have an ICE, so they don’t need oil.)
As with ICE vehicles, if you avoid an oil change for too long, your engine can fail completely, turning a $75 maintenance task into a repair costing at least several thousand dollars.
When to check your oil
Even though the engine in a full hybrid isn’t used as often as one with an ICE, check it regularly anyway. Engines in hybrids operate under some unique situations.
For example, hybrids whose motors can power a car until it reaches the highway, where the engine then kicks in, are forcing the engine into a cold start under a high load. This strains the engine more than a cold start when the car is moving more slowly.
The standard recommendation for oil changes for vehicles is every 8,000 km or every six months. Your hybrid may or may not follow that recommendation. Check the owner’s manual for details specific to your vehicle.
Your owner’s manual will also advise you on what kind of motor oil to use: full synthetic or conventional, and what viscosity rating. The type of oil you use will influence how often you need to change it, as synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil.
Drivers can check their oil on their own using the dipstick installed under the hood and a lint-free cloth. Your hybrid, however, may use an electronic sensor to tell you via the dashboard if your car needs an oil change. In this scenario, you won’t see a dipstick under the hood.
NexDrive can help
At NexDrive, we specialize in both hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Our technicians are certified to service electric vehicles and will be more than happy to check and change the oil for your hybrid when necessary. Visit your local NexDrive service centre for all your hybrid maintenance needs.