Study of BEVs costing less to own and operate than ICEs
https://atlaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Total-Cost-of-Ownership-Analysis.pdf
https://atlaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Total-Cost-of-Ownership-Analysis.pdf
You guys really should replace your brake fluid! Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, so it goes bad over time — even if you use your friction brakes less, due to regen. Fluid should be drained/filled+bled at least every 2-3 years.
5 years is too long. Test fluid at that age and it will have deteriorated and taken on moisture. The system is "mostly closed" but it does go bad.This is excessive. It’s a closed loop system that unless under extreme conditions should last 5 years or more. Inducing a lot of heat into the system (eg tracking or similar constant high speed braking, etc) will introduce moisture, but otherwise the fluid will outlast two years by a wide margin.
They recommend replacing whenever necessary (CYA), and testing fluid at 2 years.Surely the Tesla owner's manual can provide the exact recommendation?
I don't disagree with considering flushing the brake system, however, disagree with the reasoning. If you're getting air in your brake lines, you have a problem and are going to have a pretty spongy pedal. I have three classic cars that never get driven other than to move things around once in a while. One hasn't had the fluid changed in at least 15 years and it still has a perfectly strong pedal. If I were going to drive it any distance, it would be part of everything I would go through before doing so. But, the brake system is sealed and that's what allows it to provide adequate pressure.You guys really should replace your brake fluid! Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, so it goes bad over time — even if you use your friction brakes less, due to regen. Fluid should be drained/filled+bled at least every 2-3 years.
i never said anything about getting air In the system. Air mixing is a whole other problem indicative of a defective system. Brake fluid is hygroscopic. Any regular brake system (even working properly) will experience degradation. Brake fluid absorbs moisture really easily/well! As moisture is absorbed the boiling point drops. Your 15 year old vehicle may feel “fine” when moving it around your property or for a quick trip without any hard stops — but the margin of safety has been severely compromised and hard use of the system will result in reduced braking performance.I don't disagree with considering flushing the brake system, however, disagree with the reasoning. If you're getting air in your brake lines, you have a problem and are going to have a pretty spongy pedal. I have three classic cars that never get driven other than to move things around once in a while. One hasn't had the fluid changed in at least 15 years and it still has a perfectly strong pedal. If I were going to drive it any distance, it would be part of everything I would go through before doing so. But, the brake system is sealed and that's what allows it to provide adequate pressure.
Tesla tells owners: "Your Tesla does not require annual maintenance and regular fluid changes," and instead recommends only periodic, as-needed servicing of brake fluid, pads, and calipers, filters, and air conditioning.You guys really should replace your brake fluid! Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, so it goes bad over time — even if you use your friction brakes less, due to regen. Fluid should be drained/filled+bled at least every 2-3 years.
I didn't have to replace the tires but I hated the OE Continental tires. It was too noisy. Had tread life left but I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sport S4 at 30k miles.^ I can beat that... I owned a 2017 Bolt for three yrs/44K miles and only replaced the just the cabin air filter, tires were still good when I sold it at 44K mi. The solar panels on my roof provide enough energy to power my house and charge our two EV's... so no energy costs for 3yrs/44K miles either.
Total cost to use the Bolt for 3yrs.. about $15![]()
I can’t tell if you’re being tongue-in-cheek?Tesla tells owners: "Your Tesla does not require annual maintenance and regular fluid changes," and instead recommends only periodic, as-needed servicing of brake fluid, pads, and calipers, filters, and air conditioning.
Worse residual value has been the case for compliance BEVs, not real BEVs (although it's still just a small sample size). Tesla has one of the highest residual values of any car company. Naturally, any car that still get the $7½k rebate, you need to take that into consideration for the actual initial price.How can this analysis ignore the time value of money? 3-4% lifetime savings over an 8 year time horizon, when the higher costs are all front loaded, are not savings at all! Not to mention this analysis somehow ignores the residual value of the vehicle, which for any number of reasons (rapid advancements in technology, battery degradation, etc.) has been worse for EVs than for ICE. There are plenty of reasons to own an EV, this just simply isn't one of them.
So keeping the brake fluid as installed when new is not OK? Oh well, going to retire it when the R1S shows up.5 years is too long. Test fluid at that age and it will have deteriorated and taken on moisture. The system is "mostly closed" but it does go bad.
Taking the fluid down to the point it is ineffective is foolish. This is a primary safety system and it needs to perform at its best, all the time. Brake fluid is <$20. And even drinking a six pack it is <1 hour labor. Once every THREE YEARS is not excessive.