Tag: Hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are growing in popularity. In the past, hybrids often suffered from a “second best” reputation because they were slower and less exciting than other new car models. Hybrid technology has improved significantly over the last decade, and modern hybrid vehicles offer better performance than ever before. There are several different hybrid vehicle types available on the market today. Some are designed to be predominantly used in city or urban areas, while others are suitable for longer trips on highways. Hybrids combine two or more engine types in one car to improve fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. While most hybrid cars also use a small gasoline engine to power the electric motor, other systems include natural gas engines, diesel engines, or even a supercharged engine that runs on regular gasoline.

HYBRID BATTERY

A hybrid vehicle’s batteries are usually the most expensive component to replace. For this reason, it is important to inspect the battery condition of a used hybrid car thoroughly. When the batteries reach the end of their useful life, it is common for hybrid owners to simply replace the batteries at the same time as their regular service. However, we recommend that you carefully inspect and do a full ECU scan of the hybrid battery before you buy. Look for signs of damage, rust, or corrosion on the battery’s exterior surfaces. Hybrid batteries are heavy and difficult to remove. It is common for them to be in an “outside” location, like the vehicle’s trunk or cargo area. Be sure to check these areas carefully. Check history records of regular hybrid battery service. Servicing the hybrid battery is needed to maintain cell voltage and to last long. 

EXTERIOR INSPECTION

It is often difficult to tell how well a hybrid car has been maintained simply by inspecting the vehicle’s exterior. Many hybrid owners will replace standard parts with specialized hybrid parts to improve the vehicle’s performance. Hybrids have become more common over time, so it is relatively easy to find a hybrid car for sale in Ontario. However, finding a car for sale in good condition can be a little more difficult. Hybrids are designed to be higher-mileage vehicles, which means that you can find great hybrids for sale at every price range. Even though these cars are high-mileage vehicles, they are still relatively easy to maintain. More commonly you can find Toyota, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, BMW, Subaru hybrid cars in the market. In Ontario Canada Toyota Prius, Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, Mitsubishi phev outlander, Honda accord hybrid and hyundai elantra hyrid models are some of the favourites. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell if a hybrid car has been well maintained simply by inspecting the exterior. 

INTERIOR INSPECTION

Generally these are high-mileage vehicles, so it is important to carefully inspect the vehicle’s interior. There are several important things to look for when inspecting the interior of a hybrid car. Hybrid cars have large batteries that are mounted in the vehicle’s trunk. If the car has a large trunk, there is a good chance that the battery is located there. Examine the battery carefully for signs of damage. The hybrid battery is heavy and difficult to remove, so it is common for owners to simply leave the battery in place during regular maintenance. Make sure that the car’s battery connections are clean and free of corrosion. It is also important to inspect the battery cables carefully.

DRIVETRAIN INSPECTION

The hybrid drivetrain inside the engine bay is a complex system. These type of vehicles have high-voltage batteries that are designed to run an electric motor at all times. The hybrid drivetrain also includes a gasoline engine and a series of differentials and gears. When inspecting a hybrid car’s drivetrain, it is important to understand how the hybrid system is supposed to work. Hybrid systems are designed to start out running on the energy stored in the battery. As the car’s speed increases, the gasoline engine is designed to come on and provide supplementary power. Avoid hybrid vehicles with sustained high-speed engine noises. The system is designed to run quietly, so noises from the engine are usually a sign of trouble. Hybrid systems are more complex than simple gasoline-electric hybrid systems. While many hybrids are designed to run on electricity alone for short trips, other hybrids are designed to run on electricity for longer trips.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INSPECTION

Electronic systems are important components of modern hybrid cars. Hybrid systems use a variety of sensors to monitor the car’s speed and engine function. Hybrid systems also use a power control unit (PCU) to manage the flow of electricity between the battery and the car’s accessories. Electronic systems are relatively easy to repair, but they can be expensive to replace. It is important to carefully inspect the electronic systems before you buy. Look for signs of corrosion or damage in the wiring. Another more common fault that we see with plugin hybrid vehicles are the ABS brakes issue. 

FINAL WORDS

Hybrid vehicles are excellent choices for drivers who want to improve their fuel economy without sacrificing performance. If you are in the market for a hybrid car, it is important to have a thorough inspection performed before buying. Hybrid cars have come a long way in the past decade. These vehicles are now better equipped, more powerful, and more advanced than ever before. Nowadays hybrid cars are a great choice for drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying the advantages of driving an automobile. If you are in market to find a best hybrid car get an onsite pre purchase car inspection before you purchase. Book your appointment here