Hybrid car service
Diagnosis and repair of hybrid cars of all models
Focus on high-voltage assemblies, cooling and air conditioning systems, and electrical wiring
- Specialized diagnostic equipment from dealers: Toyota Techstream, GDS Diagnostic, GM Diagnostic, multi-brand MaxiSYS
- Exclusive stands of own production: testers for checking high-voltage Ni-MH hybrid batteries, testers for checking Li-pol elements, testers for diagnosing the air conditioner compressor
- Warranty - from 6 months.
Where to find us
Brands we work with
Repair and maintenance of hybrids in Warsaw
Hybrid cars differ significantly from cars with conventional internal combustion engines, gasoline or diesel. This means that the approach to their maintenance should also be different. Even today, finding a station where quality hybrid repairs will be carried out in Warsaw is quite problematic. Firstly, the employees of such a car service must have access to 1000 V, issued by the Association of Polish Electricians (SEP). Most importantly, they must have experience working with such cars. The specialists of STS.Parts meet all these conditions.
Types of hybrid cars
A hybrid is a car in which a conventional engine and an electric motor are installed in parallel. Hybrid cars are divided into several classes:
- FHEV - "fully hybrid vehicle". They are charged only from the internal combustion engine and during regenerative charging. As a rule, they have a small range of electric traction - 5-20 km.
- PHEV - "plug-in hybrid electric vehicle". It can be charged both while driving and from a socket, like a simple electric car. Depending on the model, they have a sufficient range, of 40-80 km.
- MHEV - "mild hybrid". It cannot move on electric traction at all, the high-voltage battery is used to drive the starter generator, which starts the internal combustion engine.
- EREV is an extended-range electric vehicle with a conventional engine as an auxiliary for recharging batteries.
STS Electro provides a full range of services for the diagnostics and repair of hybrid cars in Warsaw - all types, models, and brands, as well as electric cars.
The most common hybrid malfunctions
Almost all hybrid cars are made based on conventional cars or using their components, so the characteristic breakdowns in most models coincide with their non-hybrid counterparts. At the same time, there are a number of units that need to be paid attention to by owners of all hybrids.
- Battery packs. Battery degradation is a natural process, so the battery life is limited. Improper operation can accelerate the process of battery failure. STS Electro is engaged in the restoration of hybrid batteries in Warsaw using equipment testers to check high-voltage batteries of its brand. We return the batteries to factory parameters, which ensures their trouble-free service and longevity.
- Electric motors. We have accumulated vast experience in solving problems of electric motors - replacing bearings, and rewinding stator windings according to factory technologies.
- Control electronics. We restore electric motor boards, oxidized contacts, and change blocks.
- Starter-generators of "mild" hybrids. Previously, this unit was considered not suitable for repair, but today STS.Parts specialists successfully restore them and have a base of repaired units for exchange.
For the repair of hybrid cars, we use specialized diagnostic equipment Toyota Techstream, GDS Diagnostic, GM Diagnostic, MaxiSYS, and our own brand MSG Equipment. We give a guarantee for all types of work and used parts - a minimum of six months.
Tips for hybrid owners
Always carefully monitor the information on the dashboard. When error messages appear, do not delay visiting a car service.
When standing for a long time, be sure to start the engine to recharge the batteries. Otherwise, you will need a hybrid battery repair. In Warsaw, this can be done at STS Electro.
Do not leave the hybrid car for a long time at extreme temperatures. In winter - in the cold, in summer - in the sun.
Usually, the air ducts of the high-voltage battery are located next to the rear seat. Do not cover them with covers and be sure to clean them when cleaning the interior and when dirty. Do not allow moisture to enter them.
FAQ - frequently asked questions about hybrids
What is the difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle?
An electric vehicle moves only on electric traction, a hybrid uses an internal combustion engine. Without electricity, a hybrid car will drive poorly, but it will get there, without an internal combustion engine - it will not be able to.
How often should the coolant level in a hybrid be checked?>
As often as you can, with any suspicion of leakage or its penetration inside. The condition and level of the fluid depend on the condition of all important units of the hybrid car: the power battery, electric motor, and internal combustion engine.
Do hybrid cars break down less often?
The tendency to breakdowns depends not on the type of car, but on the design features and operating conditions. STS Electro, Warsaw's leading hybrid auto service, advises not to neglect maintenance and diagnostics so that your car always pleases you with the performance, economy, and dynamics inherent in hybrid cars.
Hybrid car service for other cars
Problem: A 2016 Tesla Model S equipped with a Tesla Base electric motor was brought to the STS workshop for repair. During operation, powertrain errors related to insulation failure occurred. The cause was a coolant leak into the electric motor due to loss of seal tightness.
Problem: A Maybach 57/62 (2002–2011) experienced a generator malfunction. The charging system was not functioning correctly, which posed a risk to the stable operation of numerous electronic modules. Replacing the unit was not considered the best option due to the extremely high cost of the original generator and its limited availability.
Problem: The owner of a second-generation Nissan Leaf contacted STS.Electro with a complaint: the car only charges from a fast charging station, but does not accept a slow charging gun (Type 1).
Problem: We were contacted by the owner of a Peugeot e-208 electric car. After charging to almost 100%, the electric car stopped accepting a charge, and the system displayed a second-level overvoltage error.
Problem: The owner of a Karma Revero hybrid was unable to drive his car for over eight months: the engine would only start for a few minutes at a time, and the battery would not charge.
Problem: The Dacia Spring car would not start or charge due to a reversed battery polarity and a faulty DC/DC+charger unit.
Problem: A well-known logistics service provider brought in three electric vans for repair after their high-voltage batteries failed. In one of them, the battery was dismantled.
Problem: The high-voltage battery is discharged and cannot be charged. The car does not accept a charge because the electronics do not recognize the connection of the charging gun.
Problem: A sharp drop in driving range and the vehicle switching to emergency mode with reduced power (“turtle mode”).
Problem: The problem with the car was the incompatibility of the Chinese GB/T standard charging system with European charging stations. This created difficulties for the owner of the Audi Q4 e-tron, since the car, produced for the Chinese market, could not charge at European stations with the required speed and reliability.
Problem: Failure of Toyota hybrid batteries is a common problem that our customers come to us with. The battery cells degrade, making it impossible for the car to operate normally.
Problem: We received an electric car with very discharged traction batteries. The problem is typical for the Fiat 500. During idle time, the batteries discharged below the permissible level, and the car's electric motor stopped starting.
Problem: The Hyundai Kona made a rather loud noise. The customer diagnosed the malfunction on his own - in his opinion, the gearbox was the cause of the extraneous sounds.
Problem: In a diesel-electric Peugeot 508 HYbrid4 Berline 2.0 HDi 163 FAP (DW10CTED4), the owner encountered a complete shutdown of the hybrid system – the engine would not start, and numerous fault warnings appeared on the instrument panel.
Problem: The hybrid Audi Q7 lost almost half of its electric range — instead of 40 kilometres on a single charge, it only managed 18.
Problem: In the case of a critical discharge of a low-voltage battery (12–48 V), the electronics prevent charging because it is dangerous with Li-Ion batteries. The manufacturer recommends discarding fully functional batteries and replacing them with new ones. This is expensive.
Problem: Failure of Toyota hybrid batteries is a common problem that our customers come to us with. The battery cells degrade, making it impossible for the car to operate normally.
Problem: Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid AT AWD - the hybrid system did not work, the VBB was in emergency mode. The car was running only on diesel fuel, the low-voltage battery was not charging.
Problem: None of the car's systems were working at all, it wasn't even possible to raise it on a lift because the air suspension didn't activate either. I had to install the Porsche near the repair box on "goat" stands.
Problem: The owner of a Hyundai i30 encountered a knocking noise in the steering caused by wear on the power steering drive pinion inside the steering column.
Problem: In Opel Astra H vehicles, the electric power steering pump often fails. The cause can be either corrosion or damage to the unit due to careless driving.
