(Posted on Oct 17, 2018 at 09:03AM by Robert Bacon)
Dear Robert,
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I was thinking about getting a 2018 Nissan LEAF this year. Could you tell me how maintenance differs on a LEAF compared to a gas car?
Thanks,
Mark
This is a great question and an even better time to make the switch to electric. You’ll be happy to know, in terms of maintenance, it isn’t so much about what you need to do differently, but rather what you can stop doing.
Of course, things like tires and windshield wipers will still need to be replaced, as they would on a gas car. But, since the LEAF is powered by an all-electric motor, it doesn't require as much maintenance. You can stop fretting about changing the engine oil, transmission fluid, and spark plugs. You’ll also never need to worry about getting a new muffler or putting your car through an emissions test again.
Since the LEAF uses regenerative technology (which slows the platform via kinetic energy distribution), wear and tear on its pads and discs is greatly reduced. In the real world, this means the brakes will last about twice as long as the ones on your average gas car.
Best of luck with your new purchase, Mark, and don’t hesitate to ask any other questions that come up.