Top 14 'Beyond-the-Oil-Change' EV Maintenance Habits to adopt to protect your battery's health and value this year
So, you’ve made the switch to an electric vehicle (EV). Congratulations! You're officially part of the automotive future, enjoying silent acceleration, instant torque, and the sweet satisfaction of driving past petrol stations without a second glance. You’ve probably heard the most common EV sales pitch: "No more oil changes! Maintenance is practically zero!"
While it's true that you've traded engine oil, spark plugs, and exhaust systems for a simpler, cleaner powertrain, the idea of "zero maintenance" is a bit of a myth. Your EV's most valuable and complex component—the high-voltage battery—requires a different kind of care. Think of it less like a traditional car engine and more like the battery in your high-end laptop or smartphone. Your daily habits have a direct and significant impact on its long-term health, performance, and ultimately, your car's resale value.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that knowledge is power—especially when it comes to protecting your investment. That's why we've compiled this comprehensive list of 14 essential habits that go far beyond the old "oil change" mentality. Adopting these practices will help you preserve your battery's health, maximize its lifespan, and ensure your EV remains a joy to drive for years to come.
1. Embrace the 20-80 Rule for Daily Charging
The single most impactful habit for preserving EV battery health is managing its state of charge (SoC). Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in your car, are happiest when they aren't at extreme levels. Consistently charging to 100% or letting the battery drain to near 0% puts significant stress on the battery cells, which can accelerate degradation over time.
For your daily commute and errands, aim to keep your battery between 20% and 80%. Most modern EVs allow you to set a charging limit directly from the infotainment screen or a smartphone app. Set your daily limit to 80%. This simple action drastically reduces battery strain. Of course, for a long road trip where you need maximum range, charging to 100% is perfectly fine—just don't make it a daily habit.
Think of it like a rubber band. You can stretch it to its absolute limit, but if you do it every single day, it will lose its elasticity much faster. Keeping your battery in that comfortable middle range is the key to longevity.
2. Limit Your Use of DC Fast Charging
DC fast chargers are a road trip game-changer, capable of adding hundreds of kilometres of range in under 30 minutes. However, this incredible speed comes at a cost. Pumping that much energy into the battery that quickly generates a significant amount of heat, which is the number one enemy of battery health.
While your EV's thermal management system works hard to cool the battery during a fast-charging session, frequent use can still contribute to faster degradation than slower Level 2 (AC) charging. The best practice is to rely on Level 2 charging at home or work for your daily needs and reserve DC fast charging for long-distance travel.
It's about convenience versus chemistry. Daily home charging is gentler, cheaper, and more than sufficient for the average driver's needs. Save the super-speed for when you truly need it.
3. Be Mindful of Extreme Temperatures
Your EV battery has a comfort zone, just like you do. It performs best in temperate conditions. Extreme heat and prolonged exposure to freezing cold can negatively impact both its short-term performance and long-term health. When the battery gets too hot, degradation accelerates. When it's too cold, its efficiency drops, and charging can be limited to protect the cells.
The solution is simple: park smart. Whenever possible, park your EV in a garage or a shaded spot during hot summer days. In the winter, a garage provides insulation from the bitter cold. Your car's battery management system will actively heat or cool the battery as needed, but parking in a sheltered location means the system doesn't have to work as hard, saving energy and reducing wear.
4. Precondition Your Vehicle Before Driving
One of the most underutilized features of modern EVs is preconditioning. This allows you to heat or cool the cabin and the battery to an optimal temperature while the car is still plugged into the charger. Why is this so important? Because it uses power from the grid instead of draining your precious battery.
Getting into a perfectly comfortable car is a great perk, but the real benefit is for your battery. In cold weather, preconditioning warms the battery so it can operate at peak efficiency from the moment you pull out of your driveway. In hot weather, it cools the cabin without depleting your range. Make it a habit to schedule your departure time in your car's app, and let the car prepare itself for the journey ahead.
5. Cultivate a Smooth Driving Style
Your EV rewards smooth driving. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking, while thrilling, consume a massive amount of energy and put unnecessary strain on the battery and drivetrain. The key is to leverage one of your EV's best features: regenerative braking.
When you lift your foot off the accelerator in an EV, the electric motor runs in reverse, acting as a generator to slow the car down and send a small amount of energy back into the battery. By anticipating traffic and braking gently, you can maximize this effect, a practice often called "one-pedal driving." This not only improves your overall efficiency and range but is also far gentler on the entire system.
6. Make Tire Maintenance a Top Priority
This might sound like old-school car advice, but it's even more critical for EVs. Electric vehicles are significantly heavier than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts due to the weight of the battery pack. This extra weight means that proper tire pressure is paramount for safety, efficiency, and tire longevity.
Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, which forces the motor to work harder and reduces your range. They also wear out much faster. Many EV manufacturers now partner with tire companies to develop EV-specific tires designed to handle the extra weight and instant torque while providing low rolling resistance. When it's time for a replacement, choosing the right tires is a worthwhile investment.
7. Don't Forget the "Forgotten" Brakes
With regenerative braking doing most of the work, your EV's hydraulic friction brakes see far less action than those on a traditional car. While this means your brake pads can last for over 160,000 kilometres, this lack of use can lead to its own problems, namely rust and seizing.
Brake calipers and pins can corrode and stick if they aren't used regularly. To prevent this, it's a good idea to perform a few intentional, firm stops in a safe location every once in a while to clean the rotors and exercise the components. Furthermore, make sure your mechanic includes a brake service (cleaning and lubricating the caliper pins) as part of your annual check-up.
8. Respect the Coolant System
You might be surprised to learn that your EV has a radiator and coolant, but it’s not for an engine. It's for the battery. A sophisticated liquid thermal management system circulates coolant through the battery pack and power electronics to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
This system is crucial for prolonging battery life and ensuring consistent performance. Just like in an ICE car, this coolant needs to be checked and eventually replaced, though the service intervals are much longer (often 5 years or more). Consult your owner's manual for the specific schedule and ensure this service is performed by a qualified technician. Ignoring it can lead to an inefficiently cooled battery and potential long-term damage.
9. Stay on Top of Software Updates
Your EV is more like a smartphone on wheels than a traditional car. Manufacturers regularly release over-the-air (OTA) software updates that can improve everything from the infotainment system to the core functionality of the vehicle.
Crucially, these updates often include improvements to the battery management system (BMS). A software update can refine charging algorithms, improve thermal management, and even increase efficiency, effectively making your car better and helping to preserve its battery over time. Don't ignore update notifications—install them promptly to ensure your EV is always running on the latest and greatest software.
10. Plan for Long-Term Parking
If you're going on vacation or need to store your EV for an extended period (more than a couple of weeks), don't leave it plugged in and charged to 100%, and certainly don't leave it near empty. Both scenarios can be detrimental to the battery.
The ideal state of charge for long-term storage is typically between 40% and 60%. Charge or discharge the car to this level and park it in a cool, dry place. Most EVs have very little "vampire drain" (power loss when parked), so it should hold its charge for weeks. Check your owner's manual for specific recommendations for your model.
11. Lighten Your Load
Physics is a constant, whether your car is powered by petrol or electrons. The more weight your car has to move, the more energy it will consume. While this is true for any vehicle, it's particularly noticeable in an EV where every kilowatt-hour counts toward your total range.
Make it a habit to remove unnecessary heavy items from your car. Are you still carrying around those golf clubs from last summer? Is that roof rack still attached from a ski trip two months ago? Removing excess weight and improving aerodynamics by taking off unused racks can give you a surprising boost in efficiency, reducing the number of charge cycles your battery needs over its lifetime.
12. Change Your Cabin Air Filter
This is another piece of maintenance that isn't unique to EVs, but it plays an important role in the car's ecosystem. A clean cabin air filter ensures the air you breathe is fresh, but it also allows your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system to work more efficiently.
A clogged filter forces the system's fan to work harder, drawing more power from the battery. While the impact isn't massive, it's part of a holistic approach to efficiency. It's a simple, inexpensive maintenance item that you can often replace yourself in just a few minutes.
13. Schedule an Annual Professional Check-Up
Even with fewer moving parts, your EV still benefits from a yearly visit to a qualified technician. This isn't for an oil change, but for a different kind of wellness check.
During an annual service, a technician can inspect the brake system for seizing, check the suspension and steering components, test the 12-volt battery (which powers your car's accessories), and, most importantly, run a diagnostic on the high-voltage battery. Many service centres can provide a "State of Health" (SoH) report for your battery, which is invaluable information to have and a great asset when it comes time to sell the vehicle. As my friend and mentor Goh Ling Yong often says, "Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than reactive repair."
14. Make "Eco Mode" Your Best Friend
Nearly every EV comes with multiple driving modes, often labelled something like "Chill," "Eco," or "Normal." While the "Sport" or "Performance" modes are undeniably fun, using them for daily driving is like sprinting a marathon—it's inefficient and puts a lot of stress on the system.
"Eco" mode is engineered for maximum efficiency. It typically softens the accelerator response to prevent jackrabbit starts and optimizes the climate control system for lower energy consumption. Making this your default driving mode is a powerful habit that reduces wear on the battery and drivetrain while maximizing your range on every single charge.
Your EV's Future is in Your Hands
Owning an electric vehicle is a new and exciting experience. The relationship you have with your car is different—it's more about smart energy management than mechanical upkeep. By moving beyond the "no oil changes" mindset and adopting these 14 simple habits, you are taking an active role in protecting the heart of your vehicle.
These practices won't just prolong your battery life; they will improve your daily driving experience, save you money on electricity, and critically, preserve the EV value for when you decide to upgrade. A well-cared-for EV with a healthy battery is a highly sought-after commodity in the used car market.
What are your go-to EV maintenance habits or tips? Did we miss any of your favourites? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let's help each other get the most out of our electric journey
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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