Hybrid Vehicles

While the hybrid boom may have only recently begun to pick up speed, its origins date back to well over a century ago. Porsche developed the first hybrid automobile in 1899, but the System Lohner-Porsche Mixte was quickly overtaken by Henry Ford’s affordable gasoline-powered vehicles. Fast forward over half a century later, and Congress passed legislation meant to garner public support for emissions reductions. It wasn’t until the Arab oil embargo in 1973 that the US became more seriously invested in hybrid vehicles.

With evidence of mounting public support, car manufacturers went all-in, pouring billions into research and development of hybrid autos. The 1990s brought a few early entries into the non-gas-powered auto arena, including two all-electric vehicles from GM and Toyota that fell out of production nearly as quickly as they were introduced. In 1999, Honda released Insight, the first hybrid electric vehicle to be mass-produced in the US. Yet the Honda Insight is not exactly a shining example of what comes to mind when the word ‘hybrid’ is mentioned: that distinction goes to none other than the Toyota Prius.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius was first introduced in the manufacturer’s home country of Japan in 1997, marking the true birthplace of hybrids as viable alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles. In 2000, the Prius finally made its debut in the US and since then, the world hasn’t looked back. The Prius is the most popular hybrid vehicle ever produced, and the eco-friendly sedan has found itself to be the basis for many other vehicles produced over the years. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid auto market continues to grow, giving the Prius more competition to look out for—including Toyota’s own RAV4. Yet the Prius is still among the top-sellers in US hybrid cars more than 20 years into its reign.

There are many selling points on a Prius, but overall fuel economy is one of the main reasons hybrid vehicle owners have come to rely on the Prius time after time. With an impressive EPA rating of 52 combined miles per gallon, if you’re one of the millions of Prius owners then you know this hybrid is built for the long road. That being said, even your trusty Toyota Prius will need expert maintenance or repairs to help keep it running smoothly for years to come

There are several benefits to consider when it comes to hybrid vehicle ownership in general, whether you drive a Prius or another hybrid auto. Fuel economy is one of the top touted benefits, for very good reasons. Enhanced fuel economy is not only environmentally friendly but wallet-friendly as well. A hybrid vehicle operates on a combination of gas or diesel-fueled engine and an electric motor equipped with a high-voltage rechargeable battery pack. This combination allows the hybrid to optimize performance and efficiency depending upon driving conditions.

Electric Motor

The advantage to an electric motor is in its near-instant acceleration: torque is delivered at zero revolutions per minute, offering the ideal scenario for in city traffic. Electric motor usage at a slower pace results in less gas being guzzled over time. On the open road at higher speeds, the engine then takes over, offering more efficient cruising power than the electric motor can. This combination balances out for most drivers, resulting in an overall superior fuel economy when compared to gas engine-only vehicles. Your hybrid vehicle fuel efficiency can be maximized by taking good care of the battery, ensuring it has a strong charge and is never fully drained.

Low Engine Wear

Because the gas-powered engine only runs when the battery is low or extra power is needed, hybrid vehicles also experience overall less engine wear and tear. This can translate to a much longer engine life span than in a conventional vehicle. This decreased engine wear also means that hybrid vehicle owners can enjoy longer periods of time in between necessary oil changes.

Low Brake Wear

In addition to the engine benefits, hybrid car brake pads don’t overheat or wear out at the same pace as conventional car brakes. Hybrid car brakes don’t engage until a bit later in a stop. This regenerative braking leads to less frequent brake replacements in the long term. Of course, any car brakes will still require servicing from time to time.

Like any vehicle, if you own a hybrid, you will need to stay on top of regular maintenance in order to help minimize repairs and extend the life of your vehicle. As the benefits outlined above have already demonstrated, hybrid maintenance does not need to be frequent or expensive. In fact, the hybrid vehicle is designed to be more cost and fuel efficient in the long run. Follow our maintenance tips and you’ll be set for a long, happy road ahead with your hybrid.

Watch Your Batteries

Remember, a hybrid vehicle has not one, but two battery packs: the rechargeable battery that serves the electric motor and the traditional 12 volt car battery. You will find yourself replacing the traditional battery much more frequently over time than the hybrid battery. Hybrid batteries can typically last 200,000 miles when taken care of. Stay one step ahead of full battery replacement by monitoring for battery cell damage, bringing your hybrid in to a specialist for battery cell repair if needed. Just like with a traditional battery, if you live in a colder winter environment like Boise, you’ll also want to ensure your hybrid battery is kept relatively warm. Parking inside a garage and using battery warmers or thermal wraps can help.

Stay Cool

Hybrid vehicles have cooling systems, just like conventional cars do. However, some makes and models may have two reservoirs: one for the engine and one for the inverter. Hybrids may sometimes require special coolants. For example, the Toyota Prius runs best with Super Long Life (SSL) coolant. Hybrid coolants can sometimes cost a bit more than traditional coolants, and keep in mind that if your vehicle has two reservoirs, you’ll need twice as much. The balance to this is that hybrid coolants last 50,000 miles or more, making the minor investment even easier on your wallet over time.

Service Your Transmission

Regular transmission service is another necessity that comes with any car ownership, but with the hybrid vehicle it is even more so. The transmission assists your hybrid with slowing down when the brakes are applied. It also powers the wheels to keep your vehicle moving forward. A hybrid transmission also assists with recharging the battery. Neglecting regular transmission fluid changes leads to rapid battery deterioration. It's recommended that you change your transmission fluid about as often as you change your hybrid coolant: every 50,000 miles or so. It’s also critical to go in regularly so that the experts can ensure no leaks occur, another factor on the health and lifetime of your hybrid battery. Hybrid transmission failure can also be much more expensive than a conventional transmission failure—which should be plenty of motivation to get regular service!

As you can tell, there are plenty of benefits to consider when it comes to owning a hybrid vehicle. These benefits should be carefully weighed against the relative expenses required to maintain your eco-friendly car. If you’re committed to regular maintenance of your hybrid vehicle, you’ll find the cost benefits to be just as appealing as the high torque, fuel efficiency, and low wear and tear hybrids are known for.

Hybrids require much of the same maintenance as conventional vehicles - but they also come with special requirements as outlined above. If you’re a hybrid driver, make sure you’re in touch with Boise’s local, factory-trained specialists in the Toyota Prius and other hybrid vehicles.