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It’s not each day {that a} put up in an EV homeowners’ group sparks real admiration and well mannered disbelief in equal measure, however a couple of days in the past, a member named SightSee EV did simply that. Whereas some EV6 homeowners wrestle with warning lights, flatbed tows, or lengthy waits on the dealership, he shared what many would name an outlier expertise: practically 75,000 miles of problem-free electrical driving. And it didn’t include a protracted record of repairs or guarantee calls, simply three routine replacements – one among them a voluntary improve.
SightSee EV wrote the next within the Kia EV6 Homeowners USA public Fb group:
“I’m completely happy to report that I’m about to cross 75,000 miles with zero issues. Changed the 12 volt at 38,000 miles with an upgraded model with 5 yr guarantee. Apart from new tires at 54,000 and new wipers I’ve had no issues. We’ve pushed from Mexico to Canada and a large swatch of the mid west.”
That type of assertion can cease a reader chilly, particularly given the amount of householders in the identical group reporting every part from bricked automobiles to ICCU failures and long-term supplier limbo. SightSee’s put up was met with reward and even a bit envy, as one member, Barry Schader, replied:
“Congratulations! Mine has about 11k miles and went lifeless 103 days in the past. It is sitting on the supplier’s lot and I’ve obtained a Chevy Malibu rental.”
These two experiences couldn’t be extra completely different. One driver is quietly crossing state and worldwide borders with no points. One other is on day 103 with out his EV6, counting on a rental and ready for supplier decision. And this distinction raises a deeper query: Is this sort of long-term EV reliability uncommon, or simply underreported?
An EV6 That Simply Works: The Worth of Proactive Upkeep
One refined but necessary element in SightSee’s put up is his 12-volt battery substitute at 38,000 miles. This isn’t all the time a reactive restore. Many homeowners within the EV neighborhood have began proactively swapping the factory-installed 12V battery for higher-quality AGM or lithium options with longer warranties, particularly after listening to tales like this one the place a lifeless 12V stranded an EV6 after simply 11,500 miles.
For EVs, the common-or-garden 12-volt battery is the gatekeeper for startup, charging handshake, and even fundamental automobile communications. If it dies, your $50,000 automobile could act like a brick. SightSee’s expertise means that changing it earlier than it fails could possibly be probably the most ignored steps towards long-term peace of thoughts.
Add to {that a} set of recent tires and recent wipers, and also you’re a really regular service historical past: one thing you’d count on from a well-kept Camry, not a cutting-edge electrical crossover.
The Lengthy-Distance Story EV6 Critics Don’t Typically Hear
One other a part of SightSee EV’s expertise value highlighting is simply how far and extensive he’s pushed the automobile: from Mexico to Canada and all through the Midwest, with out concern. For these interested in how the EV6 performs throughout lengthy street journeys, which may sound like an anomaly. However others have examined the EV6 over lengthy distances and walked away with attention-grabbing, and at occasions shocking, outcomes.
Torque Information contributor Noah Washington just lately reported a narrative, by which one EV6 proprietor took a 400-mile journey in an EV6 and in contrast driving at 65 mph versus 80 mph. The shocking outcome? Regardless of consuming extra vitality at 80 mph, he saved nearly a full hour of drive time. In different phrases, in case you plan and perceive your EV’s habits, long-distance driving could be a robust level, not a weak spot.
For SightSee EV, this implies over 70,000 miles of street familiarity and confidence. However the broader reality is that not all homeowners have had that clean of a journey.
The EV6 Possession Hole: When Issues Go Mistaken and Keep Mistaken
As inspiring as SightSee EV’s story is, it solely tells half the story. For some homeowners, the expertise has been extra irritating than liberating. Take the case of Chris Patterson, who at 20,000 miles obtained a “Cease the automobile and examine energy provide” warning on his EV6. After AAA misdiagnosed it as a battery concern and $250 later, the automobile needed to be flatbed towed to a Kia supplier, the place he was advised they’d by no means changed that individual $2,100 half earlier than.
The story didn’t finish there. Chris was given a loaner, which had a flat tire the second he drove it away. Then one other loaner. The supplier needed to ship somebody to choose up a clip from one other location. His story is a reminder that even an incredible EV design can’t outpace an unprepared service division.
In much more excessive circumstances, like with the Kia EV9, a Torque Information report documented a $65,000 EV9 sitting untouched at a dealership since December 2nd, allegedly over a rat and painfully sluggish supplier response.
What We Can Study From Excessive-Mileage Homeowners Like SightSee EV
SightSee EV’s success story is greater than only a feel-good put up. It’s a blueprint for sensible EV possession. He didn’t look forward to issues to fail. He upgraded earlier than hassle began. He didn’t assume EVs are magic, maintenance-free pods. He did the little issues that matter, like staying forward of battery points and monitoring tire put on.
His story additionally reveals that consistency and care could quietly beat the chances, even when the web boards usually highlight the worst-case situations.
The ethical right here? In the event you personal or are purchasing for an EV6, your expertise could also be higher than you count on, however provided that you respect the expertise, keep engaged, and don’t deal with routine upkeep as non-compulsory simply because there is no oil change.
Sensible Steps to Maintain Your Kia EV6 Dependable Previous 75,000 Miles
SightSee EV’s success may appear uncommon, but it surely’s additionally repeatable. In order for you your EV6 to go the gap with minimal drama, listed here are a couple of sensible steps you possibly can take, impressed immediately by his expertise and what different homeowners have realized the onerous means:
- Substitute your 12V battery proactively round 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Take into account selecting a higher-quality AGM or lithium battery with an extended guarantee.
- Examine tire put on and rotate constantly. Whereas tires are anticipated to wear down, uneven put on may also be an indication of alignment or suspension points creating early.
- Replace your software program often on the supplier or by way of over-the-air updates when accessible. These updates usually embrace essential fixes for ICCU logic, cost habits, and thermal administration.
- Drive and cost reasonably. Keep away from frequent DC quick charging except mandatory, and don’t all the time cost to 100% except you’re road-tripping.
- Maintain information and log patterns. If something uncommon occurs – even briefly – write it down. This helps you describe points higher and spot early warning indicators.
You may also wish to use a fundamental OBD-II reader with EV diagnostic apps to watch your battery’s well being and charging stats. Some homeowners who took this step noticed low cell voltages or irregular present draw earlier than any warning lights got here on. These are small habits, however over time, they are often the distinction between a quiet 75,000-mile journey and a 103-day dealership nightmare.
Have you ever needed to substitute your 12-volt battery in an EV sooner than anticipated, or have you ever made any upgrades that improved your EV’s reliability? How has your EV6 or EV9 held up throughout long-distance journeys? Share your expertise within the feedback beneath.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque Information. He based TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing professional information and evaluation concerning the automotive trade. He might be reached at Torque Information Twitter, Fb, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has greater than a decade of experience within the automotive trade with a particular curiosity in Tesla and electrical automobiles.
Picture supply: SightSee EV’s Kia EV6 picture from the above-mentioned public group on Fb and used for news-reporting function. The second picture is by Armen Hareyan.
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