Charging a Toyota plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle can be incredibly convenient. However, you need to take precautions to keep your vehicle protected. Hall Toyota Elizabeth City is outlining our top charging safety tips to help you protect your vehicle and preserve your battery.
Utilize Certified Equipment
You can always conveniently charge your vehicle from home with your vehicle’s included charging cable. However, if you want to charge faster, we recommend having a Level 2 charging station installed at home. If you do, make sure that you have a professional install it, to ensure that it’s certified equipment and that it utilizes an appropriate circuit.
Charge with Caution
You should never use a charger that has visible damage. Also, while it’s sometimes suitable to charge in the rain, it’s best to avoid serious water. Always remove any standing water or snow from the port before charging. You should also never use an extension cord when charging, because it can overheat.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Even though EVs don’t have an engine or require oil changes, they still need routine maintenance. In fact, EV and PHEV systems should be maintained regularly. Check your owner’s manual to see the ideal maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle.
Monitor Your Charge
To preserve your battery, it’s important to monitor your charge. Ideally, it should always remain between 20 and 80 percent. If possible, avoid letting your battery drain to zero, and it shouldn’t be consistently charged to 100 either.
Explore Our Electrified Toyota Inventory in Elizabeth City, NC
Whether you’re interested in an electric or plug-in hybrid Toyota vehicle, we can help. We have a plethora of models to choose from at Hall Toyota Elizabeth City. Stop in to explore our inventory today!
