Considering Ditching Fossil Fuel Guzzlers for a Hybrid?

Admit it, every time you stop to fill up your gas or diesel vehicle, your wallet cries a little. We’re all feeling the impact of rising fuel costs, and perhaps it’s got you thinking about converting to a hybrid vehicle, but you’ve heard all kinds of crazy stories about the cost of owning and maintaining a hybrid. Fear not. The experienced, ASE-certified mechanic team at Chris Murphy’s Automotive are hybrid car specialists here and in the shop to dispel a few myths about the costs of hybrid service and repair.

Myth One: Hybrid batteries are unreliable, short-lived, and expensive to replace. Most hybrid batteries are actually extensively warranted, many for 100,000 miles or beyond. Hybrid battery replacement, if and when you do need it, is far less shocking an expense than you’ve heard, especially if you choose to work with a hybrid vehicle repair specialist like the team at Chris Murphy.

Myth Two: Hybrid vehicles aren’t as durable as traditionally fueled cars, with expensive components. Actually, hybrid repair costs are comparable to those of gas and diesel-fueled vehicles, and with regular vehicle maintenance and preventative care with an auto repair center, hybrid cars actually get a much longer life out of the gas engine components and out of the brakes, because a hybrid car uses its fuel-powered engine less, and actually encourages you to brake in such a way as to maximize your fuel economy. An added bonus? Less wear and tear on your brakes means longer-lasting brake components.

Myth Three: Hybrids are less responsive and less fun to drive. Actually, as a hybrid is a multi-engine vehicle, with both a traditional fuel-injected engine and an additional, zippy-off-the-line electric engine, a hybrid is actually an extremely responsive vehicle. Unlike a traditionally fueled vehicle, hybrids don’t require a warming period upon starting-many actually preserve coolant in a thermos-like equivalent for up to three days, meaning you can hop in and go, no idling to warm required. Add to this the dramatically increased mileage you’ll experience, especially in city driving, and a hybrid might seem like a sudden no-brainer.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is making sure you’re taking your new, or new to you, hybrid to an auto service shop that knows the ins and outs of hybrid service requirements. Chris Murphy’s Automotive in Dallas, Texas, conveniently located on Garland Road, prides itself on its hybrid vehicle care expertise, backing that up every day to its many hybrid-driving customers with a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty on the quality and reliability of its hybrid auto repairs. So call or come by today- walk-ins are welcome.