Almost all EVs on the road today use a regenerative braking system that converts energy that would have been wasted as heat into electricity and feeds it back into the battery.
However, EVs still need standard hydraulic brakes that grab a brake rotor or push against a brake drum. Regenerative braking is great for regular driving, but if you need to stop suddenly or hold your vehicle in a stopped position for a while, your EV will use its hydraulic brakes.
These brake systems have moving parts that need to be ready to perform when you need them.
Relying primarily on regenerative braking means those physical brake parts just sit there collecting road debris, road salt, and other grime. This creates the perfect conditions for rust, which can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes, potentially resulting in longer stopping distances. In an emergency, this can be incredibly dangerous.
It’s important to have your brakes cleaned regularly to keep them in good condition.
Anything that moves in the brake system needs to be cleaned (and lubricated if necessary). This includes all caliper brackets and mounting points:
Most vehicles have disc brakes at the front of the vehicle and drum brakes at the rear. The disc brakes will require more frequent cleaning than the drum brakes. Refer to your owner’s manual and speak to a professional mechanic at a NexDrive service center for advice on when to have each set of your brakes cleaned.
Although some vehicle maintenance tasks can be easily done at home, e.g., checking the oil on your hybrid’s engine, or giving your car a detailed cleaning, properly servicing EV hydraulic brakes requires more tools, knowledge, and time.
To make sure the job is done right, it’s wise to have your brakes serviced by a professional mechanic. A professional mechanic will use tools like these:
Although you may have these tools at home, your technician may have access to industrial-grade tools that will make this job run smoother (e.g., they may lift your car with a car lift instead of a floor jack.)
To give you an idea of how the process looks, the steps below outline a general brake cleaning focusing on disc brakes:
At NexDrive, we offer brake servicing for EVs, including hybrids. For more information or to book an EV brake cleaning service, chat with a knowledgeable expert at a NexDrive service centre.
Although EVs require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, they still need regular care. Learn about battery health, brake maintenance, and more here.
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