BMW hybrid and electric car repair

BMW electric and hybrid cars

Electric cars produced in series by BMW went on sale in 2013 under the new BMW i brand. The BMW i3 urban hatchback is an all-electric vehicle powered by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. The sporty i8 is a next-generation hybrid offering dizzying performance and new technology. The iX3 all-electric SUV and i4 sedan will soon be on the market.

Rounding out the range of electric vehicles are the hybrid models currently offered:

• BMW 2 Series,
• BMW 3 Series,
• BMW 5 Series,
• BMW 7 Series
• BMW X5.

These models use a TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine for propulsion, which is switched on when needed. The primary propulsion is provided by electric motors that drive the rear axle. Plug-in models have the ability to recharge the batteries from an external electrical grid.

What does BMW’s electric and hybrid car repair and maintenance consist of?

As in vehicles powered solely by an internal combustion engine, periodic maintenance indicated by the diagnostic system is necessary in hybrids and electrics. For hybrid vehicles, periodic replacement is necessary:

1. Engine oil with oil filter as indicated by the SI or every two years.
2. Air filters as visually assessed and fuel filters every other oil service.
3. Cabin filters at least once a season.
4. Oil in automatic transmission every 70,000 km with standard vehicle operation.
5. Oil in the rear and front bridge for the xDrive every 200,000 km.
6. Replacement of brake fluid every two years.
7. Refilling of the air conditioning system with system decontamination every year.

Electric drive does not require periodic maintenance. Instead, it is subject to full diagnostics on the degree of battery wear and detected errors.

What is the difference in repairing electric and hybrid vehicles compared to combustion cars?

Electric and hybrid vehicles, due to their high-voltage power system (above 400 volts DC), require special procedures and tools. All operations should be carried out by qualified and trained personnel under the supervision of those who are licensed to operate electrical equipment above 1 kV.

Special tools with energy approvals are also used for the work. It is for these reasons that service and repair of hybrid and electric vehicles should not be carried out in non-specialized services.

How long will it take to repair or service a BMW hybrid or electric vehicle?

The time required for servicing or repair is slightly longer than the time required for similar operations on conventional vehicles. The only time difference is the time required to prepare the vehicle for repair/service by deactivating the high-voltage system and reactivating it after the repair/service operations have been performed. The need for constant supervision by people authorized to do high-voltage work is also an additional complication.

What elements make up the cost of repairing, cleaning and servicing hybrid and electric vehicles?

The cost of repair includes the following:

• full diagnostics of the vehicle,
• determination of the scope of repair activities,
• preparation of the vehicle for repair (deactivation of the power system),
• repair activities including the cost of replaced parts and components,
• activation of the power system,
• re-diagnosis and verification of repairs made,
• test drive.