So you’re looking for a new car. Do you spend a little extra and go with one of the latest “green” models on the road today? Would an electric or a hybrid car need car maintenance like your old model? Or could you save money on future repairs as well just by buying a hybrid today?

When it comes down to it, a car is a car. Yes, hybrids operate a little differently than your standard gasoline model. But hybrids still have a regular gas engine along with their electric aspects. Which means they will need routine maintenance just like any other gas vehicle on the road today.

This includes changing out oil and air filters.

This includes oil changes.

This includes brake pads.

However the one thing that will change is the frequency.

With a hybrid, the electric side of the engine operates daily just like the gasoline side. Because the two work together, the electric side takes some of the load off the engine. Which means the car further between oil changes – 5,000 to 10,000 is a good ball park.

For air filters, a hybrid car typically needs to be changed closer to 40,000 miles.

Brake pads will also increase their wear because of the regenerative braking properties associated with hybrid cars.

All other aspects of a hybrid car work in a similar manner to a gasoline car, and as such need approximately the same level of maintenance on the same routine cycle.