Many of the parts on a hybrid car are the same as on any other car. The following mechanical systems work the same way and do the same jobs:

• Brakes
• Steering
• Suspension
• Lights
• Transmission
• Internal Combustion Engine
• Exhaust
• Cooling and Heating
• Fuel

These parts are pretty much the same on a hybrid car as they are on a car with only a conventional internal combustion engine. The auto repair technician you can trust with keeping your non-hybrid car reliably running can do the same for your hybrid car. However, the hybrid car has an additional engine - an electric engine.

You want an auto repair technician who is qualified to work with a hybrid car, too. They need to know how to work with the electric motor, the power electronics controller, the onboard charger, the electric generator, and the battery bank.

When you bring your hybrid to an auto repair shop, make sure they have a technician who isn't giving the good-old-college try with a hybrid car; you want someone who knows hybrids as well as conventional automobiles.

Maintenance is essential with hybrids, too

Just as it's vital to maintain a conventional car, it's equally important to maintain a hybrid car. Think about it. As mentioned in the bullet points above, the hybrid car has all the mechanical systems of a conventional car. And those parts all require maintenance to ensure that they'll last as long as possible.

But, the electric side of your hybrid car also requires maintenance. If you stay on top of your car, including your hybrid car, it's likely that it will give you miles and miles of reliable transportation at minimal expense. If you let maintenance of your hybrid car get away from you you'll probably come to regret it.