| Be a real proud owner of a hybrid car! Here are | | | | reaches about 15 miles per hour. If you accelerate |
| some tips for you to ensure that you have a nice | | | | slowly from there, the car is able to stay in that |
| working car in the long run: | | | | energy saving mode up until as much as 30 mph, |
| Hybrid Car Maintenance Tips | | | | saving gasoline and saving the environment of |
| - Batteries: Battery packs designed for hybrid | | | | harmful emissions. |
| vehicles are manufactured to last for the lifetime of | | | | A great majority of people drive on residential |
| the car. This can be as long as 150,000 to 200,000 | | | | streets, from town to town on roads that have |
| miles and up, although warranties on batteries | | | | speed limits under 35 mph. By avoiding sudden |
| generally are usually between eight to ten years and | | | | accelerations and decelerations you can help the car |
| vary by manufacturer. | | | | run as efficiently as possible, without unnecessarily |
| - As more and more mechanics are learning how to | | | | using the gasoline engine for power. |
| properly service and repair hybrid vehicles, the less | | | | Safety Issues |
| owners have to take their cars back to the dealer to | | | | - Towing: It is generally recommended to use a tow |
| be serviced. Maintenance costs for hybrid cars are | | | | dolly when towing a hybrid vehicle as many of them, |
| generally the same as they are for other vehicles, | | | | including the Toyota Prius, require that the front |
| and may even be less, as there is considerably less | | | | wheels be off the ground. Some hybrid cars indicate |
| wear and tear on these types of engines as opposed | | | | that nothing should be towed behind the vehicle, |
| to conventional gasoline engines. | | | | although there are those that clearly state their |
| - One of the best ways to avoid the need for having | | | | specific towing capacity, which of course should be |
| your car repaired for some reason is to have it | | | | strictly adhered to for safety reasons. |
| serviced on a regular basis. | | | | - Several hybrid vehicles come standard with airbags, |
| - If you don't plan on driving your hybrid car for a | | | | but it's always a good idea to check with the |
| period of more than three months, experts | | | | manufacturer to see if the specific types of airbags |
| recommend starting the vehicle for about a half hour | | | | you're looking for are offered in the model you're |
| every 90 days. Leaving the car dormant for more | | | | interested in. |
| than three months may require a charge to the | | | | - Crash tests: Most hybrid cars rank rather high in |
| battery by a professional mechanic. | | | | safety ratings in comparison with other vehicles of a |
| Energy Saving Driving Tips | | | | similar weight and have an impressive customer |
| - Maintain your speed: Maintaining a constant speed, | | | | satisfaction rate as well. |
| without unnecessarily accelerating, allows for the | | | | Also be sure to check with your tax preparer in your |
| most fuel efficiency. Energy is used every time you | | | | area about any incentives or tax breaks that you |
| speed up, energy that's also wasted when the car | | | | may be eligible for as the owner of a hybrid vehicle. |
| slows down again. | | | | The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United |
| - Slow down: It's a proven fact that the faster you | | | | States has allocated so much money for tax credits, |
| go, the more aerodynamic drag there is on a car, | | | | however, as their popularity increases, the amount of |
| which essentially slows it down causing the car to | | | | the tax credits decrease. For example, a Toyota |
| work harder and use more energy. Speeds at 50 | | | | Prius purchased before September 30th, 2006 earned |
| mph or about 81 kph have a drag force that's half of | | | | its owner $3,150 in tax credits, and $1,575 if |
| what it would be if you were going 70 mph or 113 | | | | purchased between October 1st 2006 and March |
| kph instead. | | | | 31st, 2007, but the same car purchased after |
| - Avoid stopping abruptly: Abruptly stopping a hybrid | | | | October 1st, 2007 is eligible for no tax credits at all. |
| vehicle mostly uses power from the brakes. | | | | Quick Facts About Hybrid Cars |
| However, if you allow for ample braking time, it gives | | | | - When a hybrid is stopped, the gasoline portion of |
| the electric part of the motor a chance to recover | | | | the engine shuts off and the electric motor takes |
| some energy while slowing the car down, energy | | | | over. |
| that can then be reused. | | | | - Hybrid cars are lighter and generally more |
| - As with any vehicle, suddenly accelerating is a | | | | aerodynamic than conventional cars. |
| waste of energy, and a hybrid is no different. Most | | | | - Tires on hybrids are usually stiffer and are inflated |
| hybrids will stay in an all "electric mode" until the car | | | | higher than tires on regular cars. |