Used Hybrid Cars

Please read this 1st and read this too before you continue in reading . . .

Used Hybrid Cars: Batteries

When you decide to buying a used hybrid car, one of the most important is the hybrid car battery. Each hybrid car manufacturer has different guaranties for their hybrid components. For example, Toyota and Honda warranties are 8 year per 100,000 miles – This is a generalization, to make sure your hybrid car warranty, I suggest you to checking your hybrid manufacturer’s customer service for specifics.

Currently, if your hybrid battery warranty has expired, you could cost about $2,000-$3,000, although Lauren has yet to hear of someone in reality paying for one in full on their own. The only hybrid batteries that have needed replacement out of warranty relate to certain 5 speed Honda hybrids and even then, Honda stepped forward and paid for some – if not all – of the bill, according hybrid owners reported.

Someday, hybrid car batteries’ prices will come down as more hybrid vehicles are on the road, and as the improve of battery technology.

Used Hybrid Cars: Depreciation

In fact depreciation still occurs, even though hybrid cars have been fortunate to retain a higher percentage of their value due to tight supply. The highest depreciation is in the first year, so you are conveniently missing this when you purchase a used hybrid cars.

Used Hybrid Cars: Hybrid Car Tax Credit

Hybrid car tax credit only applies to the purchase of a new hybrid car, so when you purchase a used hybrid car, you are not eligible for the hybrid car tax credit.

Used Hybrid Cars: Issues to Consider:

1. Don’t forget to change oil and oil filter every 3,000-5,000 miles (you must notice that schedule, never above 4,000 or 5,000 miles on any vehicle, no matter what the ads say). I recommended synthetic oil, because its will extend the life to 7500 -10000 miles between oil changes.
2. Every 6,000 miles you must rotate your tires to prevent uneven wear.
3. Don’t use that cheap $2 gauge, you must purchase a digital tire gauge for $10-$15! Check the tire pressure, don’t use the tire itself but using the pressure off the sticker on the driver’s door frame. Don’t forget to check your tire pressure once a month.
4. The dealership have the latest technical service bulletings or other specialized info and tools that the local guys or even national chains may not have, so if you have a time, do your 15,000 miles service at a dealership.
5. Every six months you must replace the air filter. This in not hard to check yourself; take your owner’s manual for how to pop the cover off.
6. Read your owners manual. Lauren admits it’s not a great novel, but there is a lot of very useful information in there.
7. Always change the Inverter Coolant each 30,000 miles service. So, when purchasing a used hybrids, be sure to ask for all receipts!

Another articles by Johan Young you may interest in reading: Electric Cars, Hybrid Car Review, Hybrid Sedan, Used Hybrid Car-1, and Used Hybrid Car-2.