Ford Electric Vehicle Maintenance Schedule: Keep Your Ride Optimal

Ford is expanding into the electric vehicle (EV) market with attractive offerings such as the F-150 Lightning full-sized truck and the Mustang Mach-E SUV. But how do you go about maintaining these new EVs? It’s a big question if you’re shopping for an EV for the first time. EVs may require less maintenance than a traditional gas-powered vehicle, but that doesn’t mean they have no maintenance needs. Here’s an overview of what you need to remember when planning your EV’s maintenance schedule at Jim Bass Ford in San Angelo, Texas.

Understanding Your Ford EV Maintenance Schedule

Your Ford EV maintenance schedule includes all the parts of your vehicle that require regular checking and care. Unlike gas-powered cars, you won’t have to worry about engine maintenance tasks such as oil changes and filter replacements. EV batteries can typically last eight to 10 years and generally don’t need maintenance during that time. However, other components, such as your tires and brakes, still operate like on any other vehicle and will require maintenance. The only difference is that your brakes are generally exposed to less work than in a standard car, thanks to regenerative braking.

Estimates suggest you can save up to 51% in maintenance costs over the first five years or 75,000 miles of driving with an electric SUV compared to one of Ford’s gas-powered models. Monetarily, it costs an average of just over $1,500 to maintain a gas-powered Ford crossover for the first five years, but only about $750 for an EV.

What’s more, the cost savings for the Ford F-150 Lightning compared to its gas-powered colleague amount to an impressive 49%. This permits you to invest more money in upgrading or customizing your vehicle or for use in another area of your household’s expenditures. If you’re purchasing F-150 Lightnings for your truck fleet, this saving can translate into significantly lower fleet maintenance costs.

Key Maintenance Aspects of Ford EVs

Let’s go through some details of the regular EV maintenance schedule. Your tires come into contact with the road exactly as they would in a gas-powered vehicle. That’s why your EV’s tires should be rotated regularly to prevent uneven wear. You can consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your EV, but rotations are generally best performed twice a year.

Fluid checks and top-ups are also required for some components. For instance, your brakes still require fluid to operate, which means the fluid can get contaminated, just as in a gas-powered car.

Checking that your brake fluid levels are correct is also essential to avoid deteriorating performance. However, these checks are likely less frequent than in an internal combustion engine vehicle. EVs store excess energy in their batteries when you hit the brakes, reducing stress on your brakes. As a result, brake pads may last longer than the two to three years they would usually last in a gas-powered F-150 or Explorer.

It’s also important to remember that your standard car battery will need maintenance. We don’t mean the lithium-ion battery that provides the power for your powertrain, but rather the typical 12-volt battery used to power your Ford’s electronics. These batteries wear out over time and may need replacing after about four years. You’ll want to have it tested during a service appointment to ensure it’s still in working order as it ages.

If there’s a problem with your Ford’s main battery, it should be covered under Ford’s EV battery warranty, which lasts eight years or 100,000 miles. The only exception to this rule is when your battery reaches the end of its expected life span due to wear and tear. Remember that a trained professional EV mechanic must perform any work on your main battery for safety reasons and to maintain your warranty.

EV Maintenance FAQ

We’re often asked the same questions about EV maintenance, so we brought together some of the most common queries.

Do I Need a Maintenance Schedule for My EV?

Yes, you do. It’s a common misconception that EVs don’t require maintenance. They certainly need less ongoing care than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine because they have fewer moving parts. Key parts of your schedule should include your tires, steering and brake fluids, brake systems, and electronics.

How Much Will Ford EV Maintenance Cost?

Comparative studies show that car maintenance costs significantly less for EVs than their gas-powered counterparts during the first five years. The cost difference can be as high as 50% because you’re not paying for oil changes or replacing engine and transmission components. The exact cost will depend on the model you buy and your driving habits, but it’s safe to say that you will save money in a direct comparison with the same gas-powered model.

The one big cost that EV owners have to worry about is replacing the battery, which can cost several thousand dollars. However, batteries have an eight-year warranty and can likely last much longer than this.

Schedule a Service Appointment for Your EV at Jim Bass Ford in San Angelo

If you’re already driving a Ford F-150 Lightning or Mustang Mach-E, you can rely on our certified service technicians at Jim Bass Ford to care for your maintenance needs. We’ve got a straightforward online reservation form so that you can choose the time that suits your busy schedule. Our parts department supplies the best original equipment manufacturer parts for your vehicle. Feel free to reach out with any questions about your vehicle’s service needs; we’ll do all we can to help.