What Should You Do When Your Car Says Check Hybrid System?

By Mike Igi | March 21, 2022

If you own a hybrid car, then you know that it’s important to keep the car in good condition. One of the things that you need to do on a regular basis is to check the system. This article will tell you what you need to do when your car gives you this message. 

Turn Off The Car 

As soon as you notice the message your vehicle displays, you should turn off the car. When there’s a failure in your hybrid system, you need to avoid running the gas engine as it will do more harm. Also, turning off all electronic accessories can help reduce the load on your battery. This way you can minimize potential damage and get your car to a safe place to be checked by a qualified hybrid technician. 

This safety measure can help prevent more significant issues and costly repairs down the road. So, if you’re not comfortable inspecting or repairing the problem yourself, it’s always best to consult with a professional as soon as possible.

Inspect The Battery  

Once you’ve turned off the engine, you need to inspect your battery. If you’re unsure of how hybrid car batteries work, then a mechanic will likely need to check it for you. Check the water level in each cell and make sure that it’s above the lead plates. 

If it isn’t, then you’ll need to add distilled water until it is. You should also check the voltage of the battery with a voltmeter. It should read between 12.65 and 14.0 volts when the engine is off. If it doesn’t, then your system may not be charging correctly, which can cause major issues down the road.

If everything looks good with your battery, then you can move on to inspect the rest of your car to see if there are any other potential causes for the warning light coming on. However, if your battery needs further attention, then it’s best to take it to a mechanic or hybrid specialist to get it checked out. 

Determine What Caused The Failure 

There are multiple things that can cause a hybrid battery failure. These are the following:

• The vehicle was not driven often enough and the battery was not used regularly.
• The vehicle was never plugged in to recharge the battery, causing it to slowly lose power over time.
• There was a sudden power loss due to an accident or other event that damaged the battery.
• The battery reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced.

If you are unsure what caused the failure, you can take your car to a hybrid specialist or dealership for diagnosis. They will be able to tell you what needs to be done to fix the problem. In some cases, the battery may need to be replaced. 

Call A Mechanic 

No matter if you do or do not know things about hybrid cars, a mechanic can always be of help. When that light comes on, calling a mechanic is always the best and safest option. They will be able to quickly tell you what the problem may be and how to fix it. You do not want to ignore this light because it could result in further damage being done to your car. 

If you have a warranty, now would also be a good time to use it. Many times, the dealership or company that sold you the car will have a warranty that covers certain things.  

Reset The System 

Very often, it’s smart to simply reset the system when your car says check it. Simply turn off the car, wait a few seconds, and then restart it. This will often clear any error messages that were caused by a minor glitch. If the problem persists, however, you’ll need to take your car in for service.

It’s important to note that you should never ignore an error message from your car. While resetting the system may solve some problems, other issues could be indicative of a more serious issue with your vehicle.

Maintain The Car 

Once everything’s back to normal, it’s important to keep it that way by maintaining your car. This means keeping up with regular oil changes, tire rotations, and maintaining proper fluid levels. You should also have your car serviced regularly to ensure that all systems are working properly. By doing this, you can avoid any future issues and keep your car running smoothly for years to come.

If you have any questions or concerns about your hybrid system, be sure to consult with a professional. They will be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and get your car back on the road in no time. 

Driving a hybrid is smart, but they’re not indestructible, which is why you need to shut off the engine as soon as it’s displayed to check the system. Inspect your battery and determine what caused the failure. It’s smart to call a mechanic in these situations because they will know exactly what happened and what to do. Sometimes it’s also good to reset the system, but most importantly, you must learn how to maintain your hybrid so that these things don’t happen. Drive safely!