Help to Understand Maint Required

[JSH]

Questions at the end:

My 2018 PHEV just passed 50,000 USA miles. My best guess is that only 20,000 or less used ICE. Yet, I keep getting "time for service" messages in the dash display. I've had oil changes, brake pads checked, replaced tires, changed air filters on engine and cabin, checked 12v battery status, etc. Nearly all my city driving is EV. Only freeway use at higher speeds and a few longer trips use ICE.

I have bought less than 300 US gal of gas since purchase in March, 2021. At say, 30 MPG, that is about 9,000 US miles. (30MPG, because ICE generally on freeways at 70 MPH, with heat or air in season)

When purchased, it had 34,000 odometer miles, so maybe also 9,000 ICE miles. So, total for 6 years, less than 20,000 ICE miles.

In 2021, the Guess-O-meter would read 21 miles on a full charge.

Now, the guess-O-meter shows only about 16-17 miles on a full charge. That's annoying.

1. Does a dealer BMC make sense? Or, is this the normal slow dying gasp of the traction battery?

2. How long is the traction battery warranty? USA Federal is 100 000, correct? Mits is 70 000?

3. The 12v battery shows OK when tested. But, I wonder, is a replacement based on age is a smart move? I hate to replace too soon, but I don't want to be stranded.

4. Does transmission oil need to be changed by 50,000 total miles?

The local dealer appears to have sold only a few PHEVs, so their experience level concerns me. I want to be knowledgeable before I go in.

 

[yardbird]

I have 92K miles on my 2018 PHEV and the EV miles are only about 12 miles on the guess-meter using heater or AC. US dealers won't fix any degradation on the battery per the manual. I had not changed any transfer gear oil and there is no tranny oil to change. My mechanic said no need to change when they are clean & no leak. Oil change every 7.5k miles per manual so far using synthetic oil. Change both filters every 15k miles or so. Front CV boot leaked so dealer change the axle for free. I had 100k extended warranty and so far (paid some $12k when I bought it new from the dealer), the front shocks were changed from insurance claim. Check the dust cover of the front shocks, they are most likely torn apart, very filmsy rubber. I changed the brake pads at around 80k miles even though they still have 20% left. Changed the spark plugs myself as well.

 

[Fancy McDancy]

Questions at the end:

My 2018 PHEV just passed 50,000 USA miles. My best guess is that only 20,000 or less used ICE. Yet, I keep getting "time for service" messages in the dash display. I've had oil changes, brake pads checked, replaced tires, changed air filters on engine and cabin, checked 12v battery status, etc. Nearly all my city driving is EV. Only freeway use at higher speeds and a few longer trips use ICE.

I have bought less than 300 US gal of gas since purchase in March, 2021. At say, 30 MPG, that is about 9,000 US miles. (30MPG, because ICE generally on freeways at 70 MPH, with heat or air in season)

When purchased, it had 34,000 odometer miles, so maybe also 9,000 ICE miles. So, total for 6 years, less than 20,000 ICE miles.

In 2021, the Guess-O-meter would read 21 miles on a full charge.

Now, the guess-O-meter shows only about 16-17 miles on a full charge. That's annoying.

1. Does a dealer BMC make sense? Or, is this the normal slow dying gasp of the traction battery?

2. How long is the traction battery warranty? USA Federal is 100 000, correct? Mits is 70 000?

3. The 12v battery shows OK when tested. But, I wonder, is a replacement based on age is a smart move? I hate to replace too soon, but I don't want to be stranded.

4. Does transmission oil need to be changed by 50,000 total miles?

The local dealer appears to have sold only a few PHEVs, so their experience level concerns me. I want to be knowledgeable before I go in.

Have you, or a garage, re-set the maintenance warning? It doesn't happen automatically!