How to carry out seasonal maintenance on electric vehicle chargers

Seasonal maintenance of electric vehicle chargers can be carried out from the following aspects:

Spring maintenance

Clean the charging port: In spring, there is a lot of rain. The acidic components in the rainwater have a corrosive effect on the car's paint surface. Moreover, if there are scratches on the car body, it is more likely to cause rust. At the same time, the charging port also needs to be kept clean, and no water or foreign objects should enter, otherwise it is easy to cause internal short circuits and affect the battery life. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the dust or foreign objects inside the charging interface terminal in a timely manner, check whether the plastic insulating shell of the charging port has deformed or fallen off due to heat melting, and whether the terminal spring has turned black or broken. If any abnormality is found, it should be repaired or replaced in time.

Check the battery compartment: In northern winters, there is strong wind and sand. A lot of dust and other debris will accumulate in the front compartment of the vehicle. Excessive debris can cause blockage and corrosion to various circuits and pipelines. Therefore, it is essential to regularly inspect and clean the battery compartment of electric vehicles to ensure their normal operation.

Check the electrical system and battery pack: In spring, it is necessary to regularly visit the 4S store and have professionals check the vehicle's electrical system and battery pack for any fault information. If there are any problems, deal with them promptly and clear the fault codes to ensure that the vehicle is always in good health.

Replace the air conditioner filter: After a long winter, a lot of dust and bacteria will accumulate in the air conditioner filter. If the air conditioner filter is too dirty, it will cause a decline in cooling effect, an unpleasant smell, and even pose a threat to human health. Therefore, the air conditioning filter should be replaced in a timely manner when the seasons change.

Adjust the tire pressure: After winter, the tire pressure will decrease. In spring, it is necessary to adjust the tire pressure in time. If necessary, a car air pump can be installed in the vehicle to ensure normal tire pressure, reduce power consumption, extend the life of the tires, and ensure driving safety.

Summer maintenance

Choose the appropriate charging time and location: Try to avoid charging at noon when the sun is strong. It is recommended to do it in relatively cooler times such as morning or evening. Choose a shady or shaded place to charge, such as a garage, a covered parking lot or under the shade of trees, to reduce the direct impact of high temperatures on the battery.

Control the charging duration: Avoid prolonged charging. Generally, it is recommended to charge for about 8 hours. For the specific duration, please refer to the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines. By using the vehicle's built-in battery management system (BMS), it will automatically adjust the charging rate or pause charging when the battery temperature is too high, protecting the battery from damage.

Utilize the smart charging function: If the vehicle supports it, you can use the smart charging function, such as scheduled charging. Set it to start charging automatically when the temperature is lower at night. This not only takes advantage of off-peak electricity prices but also benefits battery health.

Keep the charging equipment clean and well-ventilated: Ensure that the charging interface is clean and free from obstructions. At the same time, keep the air around the charging equipment circulating to facilitate heat dissipation.

Avoid charging immediately after continuous high-intensity use: After long-distance driving or high-speed driving, the battery temperature is relatively high. It is recommended to wait for the battery temperature to drop before charging to avoid increasing the battery's thermal load.

Use original or certified charging equipment: Make sure to use the charger recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Incompatible or low-quality chargers may not work well with the vehicle's temperature control system, increasing the risk of battery damage.

Regularly inspect the battery and charging system: In high-temperature environments, regularly check the battery status, pay attention to any abnormal signs, such as battery expansion, reduced charging efficiency, etc., and carry out professional maintenance in a timely manner.

Avoid open-air charging during thunderstorms: When charging in rainy weather, make sure the charging gun and charging port are dry before plugging or unplugging. During thunderstorms, it is necessary to avoid open-air charging. If charging is carried out during thunderstorms, lightning is highly likely to strike the charging cable, generating huge currents and voltages, which may cause damage to the battery or even greater losses. After a thunderstorm, it is also necessary to check whether the charging gun has been soaked by rain, whether there is water or debris inside the gun, and wipe the inside of the gun head clean before using it.

When charging, avoid increasing the battery load: Choose a charging pile that meets national standards for charging. During charging, car owners should try not to do anything that increases the battery load, such as using the air conditioner in the car while charging. When a pure electric vehicle is charged in slow charging mode, the electrical appliances inside the vehicle can be used. However, this will consume electricity and prolong the charging time again. Therefore, it is better not to use them unless it is necessary. If the pure electric vehicle adopts the fast charging mode, it is best to prohibit the use of electrical appliances in the vehicle at this time. Because the fast charging mode is achieved by increasing the current, and if electrical appliances in the vehicle are used at this time, it is very likely that the electrical appliances will be damaged due to excessive current.

Autumn maintenance

Inspect the circuit system: Go to a 4S auto sales service store or an auto repair shop for a comprehensive inspection of the "three-electricity system" (i.e., the power battery system, power motor, and motor controller) and other parts to promptly eliminate potential faults.

Carry out battery maintenance: Charge reasonably, have regular check-ups, and avoid overcharging, over-discharging and undercharging. It is advisable to mainly use AC slow charging and supplement with DC fast charging for emergency power replenishment, which is helpful for extending the battery's lifespan. Have regular battery check-ups and go to the 4S store for battery maintenance at least once a year.

Winter maintenance

Maintain battery temperature: In cold weather, the battery of an electric vehicle may experience a decline in performance due to low temperatures. Therefore, when charging in winter, try to park the vehicle in a warm environment, such as indoors or in a warm parking lot. If it is necessary to park the car outdoors, make sure to choose a sheltered and sunny place.

Using slow charging: In a low-temperature environment, a fast charger may cause the battery to overheat. Therefore, it is recommended to use a slow charger to charge electric vehicles.

Avoid completely draining the battery: In cold weather, try to avoid recharging the battery when it is completely drained, as this may cause over-discharge of the battery, thereby affecting its performance and lifespan.

Regular inspection and maintenance: In winter, the charging system and battery system of electric vehicles should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition. If any problems are found, professional help should be sought in time.

Using a thermostat: Many electric vehicles are equipped with a thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature inside the vehicle. In winter, a thermostat can be used to maintain a suitable temperature inside the vehicle, thereby providing better working conditions for the battery.

Clean the battery and charging interface: In winter, snow and frost may accumulate on the battery and charging interface, which may cause charging failures. Therefore, before charging, make sure to clean these parts.

Get to know the local charging facilities: In winter, some charging facilities may freeze or malfunction. Therefore, before traveling, understand the local charging facility conditions and choose a normally operating charging station for charging.