[BayouCityBob]

There are dozens of reasons to hate the auto dealership model, but this is a new low:
News out of Australia that BYD is requiring customers to sign up to a mandatory $3,100 of dealer service as part of buying the vehicle. Even worse, you have to bring the vehicle in every 12 months. What a waste of time and money! To do what, you ask? Good question! EVs should not need any scheduled service.

Absolutely worth watching if you want to get furious and then super thankful that Fisker is not using dealerships.

Side note ... Model 3 recommended service is:
• Cabin air filter change every few years (do it myself in a few minutes, costs $4.50 for the filter on Amazon)
• 100k/Six year AC desiccant change every six years
• Tire rotation
• Check brake fluid for contamination every couple of years (I do not do it, but it takes 5 minutes with an electronic tester from Amazon that you can buy for $10 if you are so inclined).

 

[MTN Ranger]

There are dozens of reasons to hate the auto dealership model, but this is a new low:
News out of Australia that BYD is requiring customers to sign up to a mandatory $3,100 of dealer service as part of buying the vehicle. Even worse, you have to bring the vehicle in every 12 months. What a waste of time and money! To do what, you ask? Good question! EVs should not need any scheduled service.

Absolutely worth watching if you want to get furious and then super thankful that Fisker is not using dealerships.

Side note ... Model 3 recommended service is:
• Cabin air filter change every few years (do it myself in a few minutes, costs $4.50 for the filter on Amazon)
• 100k/Six year AC desiccant change every six years
• Tire rotation
• Check brake fluid for contamination every couple of years (I do not do it, but it takes 5 minutes with an electronic tester from Amazon that you can buy for $10 if you are so inclined).

I change the cabin air filters every year - my area has a lot of pollen. Also use Kool-it on the evaporator coils to remove and clean any mold/mildew (common issue). I've done brake fluid and coolant checks at 50k miles, they are still very good condition. I had the brakes serviced at 4 years/50k miles to lubricate the calipers and clean the pads (more commonly needed in harsh winter areas every two years). I check the tires every 3k miles with a tread depth gauge and rotate if needed.

Yes, most of these things are applicable to other EVs. Much less maintenance than ICE.

 

[HotIce]

I change the air filter yearly as well because my Y tends to smell like sweaty socks (mildew) the first couple seconds I turn on the AC. I also rotate every 7,000 miles. $20 at Costco.

 

[TT97]

Teslas seem to have an issue with HVAC smells - they tried to fix it with OTA updates which helped but still have the issue. The largest expense on BEVs is definitely tires - BEVs go through tires quickly and XL tires will cost more than standard tires (especially in 22" or even 20"). Other than tires, the only maintenance I have had on my M3 in 4+ years is HVAC filter, windshield wipers/fluid and a new 12V battery.

 

[HotIce]

Teslas seem to have an issue with HVAC smells - they tried to fix it with OTA updates which helped but still have the issue. The largest expense on BEVs is definitely tires - BEVs go through tires quickly and XL tires will cost more than standard tires (especially in 22" or even 20"). Other than tires, the only maintenance I have had on my M3 in 4+ years is HVAC filter, windshield wipers/fluid and a new 12V battery.

Speaking of tires, my Y needs them. Acceleration boost didn’t help their cause. 😂 I have 21,000 miles.